ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Petroleum has approved Oil and Gas Policy-2009.
The spokesman of Petroleum Ministry G.A. Sabri, the policy has the support of the concerned departments as well as companies.
The policy also envisages social service during the exploration of oil and gas.
It also says that 50 per cent jobs of untrained workers will be provided to the locals of the area where exploration activities are carried out.
Source: http://thenews.com.pk/updates.asp?id=72130
Friday, March 20, 2009
Chief Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar leaves SC
ISLAMABAD: The Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar spent his last day at the Supreme Court of Pakistan on Friday.
Justice Dogar will lay down office tomorrow. He assumed responsibilities on November 3, 2007 after chief justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry was deposed by former President Pervez Musharraf.
A dinner will be hosted in his honour this evening. After Justice Dogar’s retirement, Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry will assume charge as Chief Justice of Pakistan on March 22.
Source: The News
Justice Dogar will lay down office tomorrow. He assumed responsibilities on November 3, 2007 after chief justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry was deposed by former President Pervez Musharraf.
A dinner will be hosted in his honour this evening. After Justice Dogar’s retirement, Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry will assume charge as Chief Justice of Pakistan on March 22.
Source: The News
Sherry says ministers’ interference made her call it a day
KARACHI: Former Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Sherry Rehman said on Friday that interference of some ministers in the affairs of her ministry made her call it a day.
Talking to journalists at Karachi airport, Sherry said she believes in politics of principles and tendered resignation on the basis of principles.
The PPP leader said she does not want to weaken the government in any way as country’s security and stability lies in politics of reconciliation and moderation. “PPP is determined to take on challenges and reconciliation is the need of hour”, she said.
“Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto had decided not to curb media and I have fulfilled my responsibility in this connection,” she added.
Source: The News
Talking to journalists at Karachi airport, Sherry said she believes in politics of principles and tendered resignation on the basis of principles.
The PPP leader said she does not want to weaken the government in any way as country’s security and stability lies in politics of reconciliation and moderation. “PPP is determined to take on challenges and reconciliation is the need of hour”, she said.
“Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto had decided not to curb media and I have fulfilled my responsibility in this connection,” she added.
Source: The News
Sharif brothers’ ineligibility revision petition: Security Bonds deposited
ISLAMABAD: The government has deposited security bonds of Rs10000 each relating to the revision petitions of Sharif brothers’ electoral disqualification case.
The filing of petitions for the constitution of a larger bench and obtaining stay order is likely.
It may be recalled that yesterday objections were raised on the revision appeals for not depositing the fees.
On the other hand, Justice Musa K. Laghari, who had headed the bench upholding Sharif brothers’ electoral disqualification by LHC, is not holding court today.
Source: http://thenews.com.pk/updates.asp?id=72093
The filing of petitions for the constitution of a larger bench and obtaining stay order is likely.
It may be recalled that yesterday objections were raised on the revision appeals for not depositing the fees.
On the other hand, Justice Musa K. Laghari, who had headed the bench upholding Sharif brothers’ electoral disqualification by LHC, is not holding court today.
Source: http://thenews.com.pk/updates.asp?id=72093
Thursday, March 19, 2009
PML-N to work for restoration of ’73 Constitution: Nawaz
LAHORE: PML-N Quaid Mian Nawaz Sharif has said that the party would work for the restoration of the 1973 Constitution in its original form.
Addressing the PML-N parliamentary party in the Punjab here at Raiwind on Wednesday, he said the PML-N has talked to Prime Minister Gilani for repealing the 17th Amendment and reinstating the 1973 Constitution in its original form. PML-N President Mian Shahbaz Sharif also addressed the meeting attended by 208 MPAs.
Mian Nawaz Sharif said that the PML-N would continue its struggle to safeguard public interests. He said that the PML-N would not ignore those who rendered sacrifices for the party in difficult times.
“The purpose of the long march was the restoration of Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and other deposed judges. Ending of governors’ rule was not part of the agenda,” he said, adding if that had been the case, the marchers would not have abandoned their journey towards Islamabad.
Addressing the parliamentary party, Mian Shahbaz Sharif said that the public was sure that Mian Nawaz Sharif would not compromise on principles and on future of the country. He said that the US diplomat and Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrook was told that Mian Nawaz Sharif was facing life threats. He said he had informed the US diplomat that Nawaz Sharif could not go back on his words now. “If Nawaz Sharif desired, no one had the courage to continue with governor’s rule in the Punjab,” Shahbaz said.
Later while briefing media persons on the parliamentary meeting, PML-N Punjab President Sardar Zulfiqar Khosa said there were 208 parliamentarians in the meeting, including 33 from the PML-Q. He said the governor had no authority to withhold the convening of the assembly session. He said the governor should immediately convene the assembly session for transferring power to the party enjoying majority in the House. He said the governor would be given hard response if he tried to play any foul. He asked as to why PPP ministers and parliamentarians did not make any complaint against the PML-N government during the past one year?
Addressing the PML-N parliamentary party in the Punjab here at Raiwind on Wednesday, he said the PML-N has talked to Prime Minister Gilani for repealing the 17th Amendment and reinstating the 1973 Constitution in its original form. PML-N President Mian Shahbaz Sharif also addressed the meeting attended by 208 MPAs.
Mian Nawaz Sharif said that the PML-N would continue its struggle to safeguard public interests. He said that the PML-N would not ignore those who rendered sacrifices for the party in difficult times.
“The purpose of the long march was the restoration of Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and other deposed judges. Ending of governors’ rule was not part of the agenda,” he said, adding if that had been the case, the marchers would not have abandoned their journey towards Islamabad.
Addressing the parliamentary party, Mian Shahbaz Sharif said that the public was sure that Mian Nawaz Sharif would not compromise on principles and on future of the country. He said that the US diplomat and Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrook was told that Mian Nawaz Sharif was facing life threats. He said he had informed the US diplomat that Nawaz Sharif could not go back on his words now. “If Nawaz Sharif desired, no one had the courage to continue with governor’s rule in the Punjab,” Shahbaz said.
Later while briefing media persons on the parliamentary meeting, PML-N Punjab President Sardar Zulfiqar Khosa said there were 208 parliamentarians in the meeting, including 33 from the PML-Q. He said the governor had no authority to withhold the convening of the assembly session. He said the governor should immediately convene the assembly session for transferring power to the party enjoying majority in the House. He said the governor would be given hard response if he tried to play any foul. He asked as to why PPP ministers and parliamentarians did not make any complaint against the PML-N government during the past one year?
Balance of power will shift to Parliament: PM Gilani
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani said he would seek to tip the balance of power back toward parliament, a move that could help restore democratic checks and balances in the country.
In an interview to US newspaper, Premier Gilani vowed to return to parliament authority that it lost in 2002 when former leader Pervez Musharraf gave sweeping powers to the presidency, including the power to dismiss parliament.
"We are committed to changing the system," Gilani said. "My main endeavor is to end the politics of confrontation."
"I am sure we can work with Nawaz Sharif in strengthening the democratic process," premier said. "We have to return to parliamentary democracy.”
Mr. Gilani said he would offer Mr. Sharif the opportunity to rejoin the governing coalition. Mr. Sharif's party was part of the coalition after the elections but he quit over disagreements with Mr. Zardari.
"I hope we will go back to our relations," Mr. Gilani said. "I can offer Nawaz Sharif to join the coalition at an appropriate time. That shows our resolve for the reconciliation."
"We need to implement the charter of democracy signed by two former prime ministers," prime minister added.
In an interview to US newspaper, Premier Gilani vowed to return to parliament authority that it lost in 2002 when former leader Pervez Musharraf gave sweeping powers to the presidency, including the power to dismiss parliament.
"We are committed to changing the system," Gilani said. "My main endeavor is to end the politics of confrontation."
"I am sure we can work with Nawaz Sharif in strengthening the democratic process," premier said. "We have to return to parliamentary democracy.”
Mr. Gilani said he would offer Mr. Sharif the opportunity to rejoin the governing coalition. Mr. Sharif's party was part of the coalition after the elections but he quit over disagreements with Mr. Zardari.
"I hope we will go back to our relations," Mr. Gilani said. "I can offer Nawaz Sharif to join the coalition at an appropriate time. That shows our resolve for the reconciliation."
"We need to implement the charter of democracy signed by two former prime ministers," prime minister added.
A Leader is Born - Nawaz Sharif
Twice Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif was hitherto no doubt recognized as a politician of consequence in Pakistan. On the 15th of March, however, a Leader was born. Within moments, his leadership had steered a nation to rebirth.
Not withstanding the brilliant and determined campaign of the lawyers, and the pivotal role played relentlessly by the media, it was the courage, resolve, and acumen of Mian Nawaz Sharif that eventually harnessed the awareness and sentiment created in the public, and turned it into a people’s power to be reckoned with.
He stood his ground, and led from the front. Had Mian Nawaz Sharif failed to lead the March personally, the sea of humanity would not have emerged; had he given in to fears of assassination, or gone into hiding to evade arrest, or accepted orders of house arrest and remained within the four walls of his house, or backed down fearing a martial law, history certainly would not have been made on this Ides of March.
In a defining moment on the morning of the15th of March, in the footsteps of The Quaid Mohammed Ali Jinnah, he gave a call for civil disobedience and called on people to come out and change their destiny and save their country. Then, screwing his courage to the sticking place he emerged to lead - for better or for worse. This moment was his ascent to the stature of a true leader. Neither did he know whether the masses would really rise, and nor, ironically did the masses know before this moment, whether he would be able to overcome the material and intangible barriers to come out and steward them towards their goal. He came forth, and then there was magic. The proverbial sea parted, and history was in motion.
None may be minimized: without the brains of the lawyers and judges, the legal intricacies and the counter arguments to the government’s absurd and bizarre positions, could neither have been understood nor articulated effectively. Without the media, its collective intelligence, grit and sacrifices, the same could not have been communicated and disseminated effectively. And finally without political ownership and leadership of the cause, such expression of public sentiment on a large scale would not have been possible.
It is ironic that decades ago Pakistan was exhorted by the Quaid-e-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah to never desert the principles of Faith, Unity and Discipline. The Quaid’s advice unfortunately has largely remained unheeded till now. Today, without Faith in the justness of the cause, faith in the possibility of change, faith in their ability to change destiny if only they struggled, the people would not have achieved what they did. Without Unity of purpose between stakeholders, again the movement would have come to naught. Neither the civil society and the legal community, nor the media and the political parties could have achieved what they did, standing alone. The finest example of Discipline was the non-violence of the Marchers, not to mention the discipline within the various groups of stake-holders, in following the calls of their respective leaderships.
Last but not least, an unsung hero must be mentioned – as much for what he did not do, as for what he did. In the dramatic tableau that played out, one man exhibited integrity, wisdom, restraint - and will - of supreme proportions. The remarkable role he played, has not only earned him trust and respect of the people of Pakistan, but also elevated the prestige of the institution he leads. Because of him today, the nation is once more able to stand tall and be proud of the armed forces of its country.
Source: http://pkpolitics.com/2009/03/17/a-leader-is-born/
by Gul Bukhari
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