Pakistan weather forecast: Tuesday 30-01-2019

Mainly cold and dry weather is expected in most parts of the country, however rain-thunderstorm (with snowfall over the hills) is expected at isolated places in Malakand, Quetta and Zhob divisions. Foggy conditions are likely in few plain areas of Punjab and upper Sindh.Weather Forecast for Wednesday: Widespread rain-thunderstorm (with few moderate to isolated heavyfalls) is expected in Upper Khyber Paktunkhwa (Malakand, Hazara, Peshawar, Kohat & Mardan divisions), Upper Punjab (Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Lahore, Faisalabad divisions), Islamabad, Gilgit Baltistan and Kashmir,while at scattered places in Queta, Zhob, Kalat, Makran, Naseerabad, Sibbi,Sukkur, Larkana, Shaheed Benazirabad, Hyderabad,Karachi, Bannu, D.I khan, Multan, Sahiwal, Bahawalpur, D.G khan divisions.Snowfall over hills is also expected in Malakand division (Swat, Chitral, Kalam, Malamjabba & upper Dir), Hazara, Quetta divisions, Murree, Galliyat, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan during the period.Past 24 Hours Weather: Weather remained very cold and dry in most parts of the country.

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PM Imran for facilitating low income people in realization of their dream of own house

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday called for providing all possible assistance and facilities to the low income people in the realization of their dream of having their own house.The project of constructing 5 million housing units would not only ensure the provision of housing facility for the low income groups but would also run the wheel of economy, besides creation of job opportunities for the youth, he added.The Prime Minister expressed these views while chairing a meeting on the Naya Pakistan Housing Programme here.He also directed for early finalization of laws regarding the Foreclosure and Real Estate Regulatory Authority.The meeting was attended by Finance Minister Asad Umar, Senior Punjab Provincial Minister Aleem Khan, Special Assistant to PM Naeem-ul-Haq, Special Assistant to PM Iftikhar Durrani, Chairman Task Force on Housing Zaigam Rizvi, Yaqub Izhar, State Bank Governor Tariq Bajwa, Secretary Housing Dr Imran Zeb Khan and others.The meeting pondered over in detail the matters relating to secure financing from commercial banks for the low income people in the Naya Pakistan Housing Programme announced by the Prime Minister.The Ministry of Finance and the SBP decided to offer incentives to the commercial banks with regard to financing for the housing programme.This measure was aimed at provision of easy credit for the low income people from the banks so that they could benefit from the Naya Pakistan Housing Programme.The incentives to be offered by the Ministry of Finance and State Bank to the commercial banks would be announced soon.

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Pak Army makes travel arrangements for family of dying Pakistani

LONDON/BIRMINGHAM: Terminally-ill Pakistan heart patient Nasar Ullah Khan, admitted currently at the Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital, has thanked Pakistan Army for making all travel arrangements for his family.Nasar Ullah Khan told in an exclusive conversation that in response to his request for help, Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa “directed for travel arrangements for my wife and two kids”.He said: “All Travel arrangements were made by the Army. The COAS’s office got in touch with my family in the morning when they were on their way to the British High Commission to collect visas for the United Kingdom. We are thankful to our COAS for the kindness and interest he has shown. My family received visa at 9 am, tickets at 9:39 AM and at 11:05 am they were in the plane.”Khan said that the PIA Chairman was also helpful in securing reservations at the last minute once Army staff approached PIA for immediate travel requirement.Nasar Ullah Khan said that he was thankful to British High Commissioner Thomas Drew for personally approving visas of his family. “Thomas Drew was extremely helpful and responded to my appeal on passionate grounds. Meeting my family after nine years is like a dream come true for me. The Director General of Inter Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Major General Asif Ghafoor was helpful and offered support in my case. I really had no hope until the last weekend that I would be able to meet my family ever but miracles happen. As soon as Geo News and The News highlighted my story, the reaction was immediate and there was outpouring of support. Nasar Ullah Khan’s wife Sania Butt and sons Muhammad Abdullah and Muhammed Saifullah arrived Tuesday evening at Birmingham airport from Islamabad on a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight. They were re-united with Khan at the hospital immediately after landing in Birmingham. They have been issued travel visa for three months. The British High Commissioner and the DG ISPR offered help to Khan after this correspondent revealed that he had only a few days to live and wanted to meet his family. Replying to a tweet by this correspondent, Thomas Drew assured of his help and, while seeking details of the case, said: “I will see how we can help”. After Nasar Ullah Khan sent out a public message for help to the DG ISPR, the spokesman of Pakistan Armed Forces assured of full support. He said: “Our prayers are with Nasar Ullah Khan and his family. We will get any support or facilitation from Pakistan Army as Pakistani citizens.” The doctors have told Nasar Ullah Khan that he has just a short time to live, due to end-stage heart failure and he’s suffering from acute organ failure. Two weeks ago, the Birmingham Queen Elizabeth Hospital sent him a bill of £32,000 for the treatment he has received at the hospital because he’s a foreigner who is not entitled to free treatment. He was refused a lifesaving transplant just before Christmas because of his immigration status. He has lived in the United Kingdom for nine years but he entered in the country on 6 months’ tourist visa and overstayed, doing menial jobs and not being able to ragularise his status. Under the Home Office's immigration rules, only patients with “Indefinite Leave to Remain” are entitled to free medical treatment. His younger brother Faisal Hanif is a British national and he lives in Birmingham and currently taking care of him in the hospital.

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DIG Complex Loralai cleared, three terrorists killed: ISPR

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan army says that security forces  have cleared DIG Complex, Loralai after it came under attack from terrorists. In a press statement hours after the bomb and gun attack, ISPR said: "DIG Complex Loralai has been cleared by security forces.All terrorists have been killed during operation. Around 800 candidates present in compound for enrollment in police safely evacuated by security forces."Earlier this afternoon, three armed suicide bombers attempted entry into DIG police office compound Loralai. About 800 candidates were present in the compound for enrollment in Balochistan police. Police on duty responded and shot one of three SBs at entry of DIG complex who also blew himself. Other two started indiscriminate firing and got into one of the side rooms. Nine persons including 3 policemen, 5 civil employees of police and one civilian candidate embraced shahadat while 21 got injured including 12 policemen and 9 civilian candidates. FC Balochistan and Army troops were called in. Troops safely evacuated around 800 candidates. During the clearance operation remaining two suicide bombers have been shot dead and area has been cleared. The injured have been shifted to CMH Quetta on Army helicopters.

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Chinese Consulate attack: Key facilitator arrested from Sharjah

KARACHI: Police claimed to have arrested the key facilitator of Chinese Consulate attack case from Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.Acting Additional IG Counter Terrorism Department, Abdullah Shaikh said, “Law enforcement agencies have arrested accused Rashid Jan Baloch on the information provided by CTD. Further investigation is underway.”Abdullah Shaikh said Rashid Jan Balochi received over Rs 900,000 via four different bank accounts for the attack. He provided the money to the five accused and he is in contact with other countries.Efforts are underway to shift accused Rashid Jan to Pakistan, the police officer said.Karachi police successfully foiled the attack on the consulate and shot dead three attackers namely Raziq, Afzal and Raees. Two policemen also embraced martyrdom in the attack on November 23, last year.

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PM Imran Khan orders lifting of discriminatory ban on maids, ayas, domestic staff in clubs

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday directed immediate removal of all kinds of discriminatory sign-board in Clubs (Islamabad club, gymkhana etc) and other public places that restricts free movement of maids, ayas and domestic servants.The PM passed the order while chairing a high level meeting on GSP Plus status of Pakistan. Minister for Human Rights Dr. Shireen Mazari, Information Minister Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, Minister of State for Interior Mr. Shehryar Afridi, Advisor to PM on Commerce Mr. Abdul Razaq Dawood, Attorney General Mr. Anwar Mansoor Khan and senior officials attended the meeting.While discussing the progress made towards addressing human rights issues, the Prime Minister directed that steps be taken to ensure complete elimination of bonded labour from all parts of the country. Moreover, the Prime Minister The Prime Minister directed Bureau of Statistics to conduct a country-wide survey on Child labour and subsequently formulation of a comprehensive strategy to extricate such children from poverty and take measures for their education. The Prime Minister was briefed that legislation is underway to criminalize enforced disappearance the process of introducing necessary amendments in Pakistan Penal Code will be completed soon. The meeting was also briefed on progress made towards anti-torture, combating domestic violence and other human rights related issues. Prime Minister Imran Khan stated that ensuring and safeguarding human rights is major plank of our religion and enshrined in our constitution. He reiterated that the government was firmly committed to protecting human rights and promotion of rights of minorities and marginalised sections of society.

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Asia Bibi expected to leave Pakistan after court upholds her acquittal

ISLAMABAD: Asia Bibi, the Christian woman at the centre of a blasphemy row which has ignited violent protests, been linked to two assassinations and spotlighted religious extremism in Pakistan, is expected to leave the country after its top court on Tuesday upheld her acquittal of the inflammatory charge.When she will leave and where she will go remain to be seen, however, with rampant unconfirmed speculation she will seek asylum in a North American or European country.Bibi, a labourer from Pakistan´s central Punjab province, spent eight years awaiting execution before the Supreme Court overturned her death sentence for blasphemy in October last year -- prompting days of violent Islamist demonstrations.As part of a deal with protesters to end the violence, the government allowed a petition demanding an appeal against the court´s acquittal. Bibi has been held in protective custody since, with authorities refusing to reveal her whereabouts for fear she will be targeted by vigilantes.But Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khosa -- considered Pakistan´s top expert in criminal law -- threw the petition out "on merit" Tuesday, lifting the last legal hurdle in the case and paving the way for her to leave the country.Moments after the ruling was announced, Bibi´s lawyer Saif-ul-Mulook hinted that his client´s move could be imminent."I think at this time she is here (in Pakistan) -- but by tonight, I don´t know," he told reporters outside the court.Extremists "said they would kill her despite the judgement of the Supreme Court," he said. "Therefore, I think she should leave the country.""She should now be free to reunite with her family and seek safety in a country of her choice," Amnesty International said in a statement echoed by other rights activists.Unconfirmed Pakistani reports claim her children have already fled to Canada.Earlier Tuesday the Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) party, which led violent protests demanding Bibi´s execution last year, called for its members to be ready for action.But most of its leaders remain in detention after a government crackdown, and few protesters could be seen at the court in Islamabad, where security appeared normal.That did not prevent the handful who did show up from calling for violence against Bibi prior to the court´s ruling.Chief Justice Khosa expressed frustration at the furious reaction to Bibi´s case by an extremist minority."Is this the face of Islam that we want to show to the world?" he told the packed courtroom.He had harsh words for those who first brought the case against Bibi, and over the years have used it to ignite violence, threaten judges, and call for mutiny within the military.As for the protesters, he was incredulous. "You block the entire country because a decision is not in your favour?" he told the court."Justice! #AsiaBibi" his son Shehryar tweeted after Tuesday´s decision.

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