Welcome to MastFunda.com        Latest News         RAWALPINDI: Today is the day the lawyer''s movement is due to stage its weekly protests. The lawyers community has come out in full force against the government''s call for all deposed judges to take fresh oaths. Key leaders Aitzaz Ahsan and Athar Minullah have called for protests in all major cities across the country A protest has been planned at the Rawalpindi secretariat today. Meanwhile, the lawyers will be out on the streets in Islamabad, with a protest kicking off at Zero Point later today. A demonstration is also planned for Lahore, at the PMG Chowk. Meanwhile, Karachi''s lawyers will be out on the streets today, with a protest starting at the Karachi Bar at 11 A-M this morning.         BANNU: At least eight people have been killed and several others injured when a police van blown up with explosives near Karam bridge in Bannu on Thursday. According to reports, police van was traveling to jail from police line when hit by explosives. The van later fell into the river because of the intensity of the blast. The injured and bodies were shifted to Bannu Hospital where emergency has been announced. It is feared that death toll could be rise as many injured reported in a critical state. Police have started investigations of the incident.         WASHINGTON: Chief of Pakistan Muslim League (N) Nawaz Sharif said that if Prime Minister Gilani obtain fresh vote of confidence, his part would sit on opposition benches. In a telephonic interview to US weekly, Nawaz said that if patch up had been done with Peoples Party, than it is also possible with PML-Q. He said that presentation of guard of honour to former President Musharraf hurt nation’s sentiments. PML-N always practiced politics of principles. Replying to a question about war against terror, Sharif said that anti-terror war could only be win through dialogues and its best example is Ireland. Pakistani people were the actual power who forced Musharraf to resign, he added.         ISLAMABAD: Scrutiny of the nomination papers of Presidential hopefuls is being held today (Thursday) here in Islamabad whereas candidates could withdraw papers till August 30. Chief Election Commissioner will be inspecting the nomination papers. 32 candidates representing Peoples Party, Pakistan Muslim League (N) and other parties filed their nomination papers for presidential bid. The final list would be issued on August 30. Returning officer of presidential election chief election commissioner is receiving nomination papers. Presidential polls would be held on 6 of September.         ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has approved a grant of Rs. 300,000 and Rs. 50,000, respectively for each dead and injured of the August 12 suicide attack on the PAF Bus. The Prime Minister expressing his grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives has also directed the concerned authorities to work out a comprehensive plan for the welfare of the bereaved families.         ISLAMABAD: The Federal Minister for Water and Power, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf has told Senate that the current ongoing electricity impasse would be overcome within three days here on Wednesday. During the senate session Senator belonging to MQM Tahir Hussain Mashadi posed query, criticized government and walked out of the session over government’s failure to bring down the power crisis in Karachi. After which the Minister told Senate that the annihilation of gas pipeline of Zamzama gas field led to the decline of gas provision to national grid station. Power crisis would be resolved within three days and power outages would be abolished, he justified. The Federal Minister said the government wants to resume closed power generation units and at the same time to increase power production capacity of the existing units. Pervaiz Ashraf said the government was taking various steps to curb power shortage in the country. He said a comprehensive strategy to meet the power demand on emergency basis had been chalked out.         ISLAMABAD: Advisor to Prime Minister on Interior A. Rehman Malik Wednesday said that situation is returning to normal in NWFP especially in Hangu. Talking to mediapersons at Pakistan Institute of Medial Sciences (PIMS) he said the people of Bajaur are returning to their homes adding that during last few days over 16,000 families have come back. He said the government is taking measures to bring back the local people before the Holy month of Ramazan. “The government will maintain its writ at any cost and nobody will be allowed to challenge it.” He said the government will not negotiate with militants; however, the local tribals will be involved in maintaining peace and order in tribal areas.         ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday said the exchange of delegations from all walks of life is a permanent feature of close and warm relations between China and Pakistan. He was talking to a Chinese youth delegation that called on him here at the PM Secretariat. Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Luo Zhaohui was also present in the meeting. The Prime Minister termed the Sino-Pakistan relations very important especially for the promotion of peace and stability in the region. While underlining the importance of the exchange of youth delegations between the two countries, Prime Minister Gilani said that they could exercise their influence on further strengthening the already existing warm and time-tested relations. He said that this interaction would continue to ensure mutual trust and confidence. Acknowledging the Chinese financial and technical assistance in a number of projects completed in the past, the Prime Minister said that these are contributing a lot to the economic development of Pakistan. He said, “we are extremely grateful to our Chinese friends for their cooperation in various social, cultural and economic fields, aimed at the development and up-lift of Pakistan.”         RAWALPINDI: Reportedly, eleven militants have been killed and 15 to 20 were injured in an exchange of fire with security forces in South Waziristan Agency. According to ISPR, on the night between 26-27 August at about 2330 hours, around 75 to 100 militants attacked Tiarza Fort and Tiarza Bridge Checkpost in South Waziristan Agency. Security Forces responded effectively and repulsed the attack.         ISLAMABAD: Federal Law Minister Farooq H Naek Wednesday said that the government was ready to reinstate all the deposed judges and it did not believe in minus one or two formula. Talking to mediamen here he said government believed in the article 25 of the constitution according to which everyone is equal before the law. He said that justice Hameed Dogar is the Chief Justice of Pakistan and in case of reinstatement of Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry there could be a constitutional crisis as there cannot be two Chief Justices at same time. “It doesn’t mean we are talking about minus one formula but we are asking the lawyers, Pakistan Bar Councils and Supreme Court Bar Association to sit together so that the matter could be resolved amicably in line with constitution”, the law minister added. Farooq Naek said PPP always stood with the lawyers in their struggle and facilitated them, adding all the detained judges were released by the executive order of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani in his first speech. “We did not create any obstacle in their way and the deposed judges are also being restored by PPP government”, he maintained. Replying to a question the law Minister said, “We don’t want to create any rift between the sitting judges of the Supreme Court and the government. We wanted the rule of law in the country”, he added. The law Minister said according to Murree declaration judges were to be restored by an executive order but it would have been an unconstitutional step. “As far as the agreements of August 5 and 7 are concerned we had reinstated the deposed judges accordingly”, he told the mediamen. He said if there was an agreement that talks about the reinstatement of the judges after the impeachment or resignation of General (Retd.) Musharraf it is being fulfilled.