Briefs

FBR for making CPEC directorate monitor trade flows

By Mehtab Haider

ISLAMABAD: Through Finance Bill 2017-18, the FBR has sought powers by inserting new section 3AAA for establishment of a Directorate General CPEC to provide for effective supervision and monitoring of trade flows between China and Pakistan. Under clause 2 (3), FBR seeks to insert new section 3AAA to create legal provision for establishment of a Directorate General CPEC to provide for effective supervision and monitoring of trade flows under this strategic initiative of the government Under initiative of $56 billion of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), it is expected that trade flows would be increased manifold in years ahead so such facilitation measures would help achieving the desired objectives.

Cyclist dies in accident

By our correspondent

LALAMUSA: A cyclist died in a road accident on Friday.Reportedly, Abdul Ghaffar of Noshera Virkan was riding his bicycle when a truck hit him near Noghaza graveyard. As a result, he died on the spot. City police are investigating.

Solar panels installed in Bannu, DI Khan

By our correspondent

PESHAWAR: The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA)-PaRRSA, in collaboration with UNDP, has installed 42 solar panel systems with water storage tanks, hand pumps in remote areas of Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan districts. A press release quoted 26 years old Mir Khanan, a resident of Data Khel, as saying: “Solar water pumping is providing an alternative option for clean drinking water supply and electricity sources over a long period of time to operate tube wells. This is an efficient and reliable turnkey solution.” Waheedullah, a resident of Nasher Mast, said the particularly benefited women and teenage girls of the area. “Women and girls of the area used to fetch water for their family whole day. Therefore, they could not give proper time to their families’ house responsibilities and meanwhile the girls could not attend their school. But the provision of solar water pumps has ensured supply of clean drinking water that has reduced the burden of diseases and workload on local women and girls,” he added.

Man commits suicide after three months of marriage

By our correspondent

PAKPATTAN: A man committed suicide after three months of his marriage in Amjad Colony. Nazar Ali ended his life by taking poisonous pills. The motive behind the incident is said to be that Nazar’s wife quarreled with him and went to her parents’ house. On Friday, Nazar went to his in-laws house to get back his wife but she refused to come back. Later, Nazar came back to his home and committed suicide.

PPP youth wing rejects Riwaj Act

By our correspondent

PESHAWAR: People’s Youth Organisation, the youth wing of Pakistan People’s Party, has rejected the Riwaj Act for the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) and announced to launch a full-fledged movement for complete merger of areas into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Addressing a press conference, president of the organisation Bahader Gul Afridi, Masood Shah, Hazrat Wali, Humayun Wazir, Sajid Ali and others said that they would not accept any decision less than basic political and constitutional rights to the tribal people. They vowed to resist any decision against the merger of tribal areas with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The PYO office-bearers condemned the Riwaj Act, which, according to them, was another kind of the Frontier Crimes Regulation. The tribal areas had been badly affected by terrorism and it should be given due share in budget, they added. The PYO office-bearers stressed the need for transparent and effective measures for restoration of peace in tribal areas. They said the international aid aimed at reconstruction and uplift of the tribal areas should be spent for the well-being of tribal people and its alleged misuse in Islamabad and Fata Secretariat should be checked.

Wanted criminal arrested in Lakki

By our correspondent

LAKKI MARWAT: A wanted criminal was arrested during an action in Nawerkhel village in the limits of Lakki Marwat Police Station on Friday. An official said the commandos of Anti-Terror Squad and Elite Force also assisted local police contingent in the operation. “The arrested criminal was wanted by police in 11 cases including murder, attempted murder and possession of explosives and illegal weapons,” maintained the official, adding that the cops also seized a hand-grenade, an AK 47 assault rifle and a good number of bullets from him.

Two injured in Nasirabad landmine explosion

DERA MURAD JAMALI: Two persons including shepherd were injured in a landmine blast in tehsil Chithar area of Nasirabad district Friday. According to police, the shepherd was moving with his grazing cattle when his feet hit the planted landmine which went off. The injured were shifted to a nearby hospital, where the victims were identified as Mumtaz Ali and Abdul Majeed. Injured were referred to hospital in Quetta for further treatment in view of their critical condition. Security forces cordoned off the area and started investigations to arrest the culprits.

Two injured in cylinder blast

By our correspondent

LAHORE: Two persons got injuries when a cylinder exploded in a shop in Sher Shah Colony on Friday. On being informed, the rescuers rushed to the spot and shifted the injured persons to hospital where their condition was said to be precarious. The cylinder was believed to be exploded due to gas leakage.

Railway officials punished for misconduct

By our correspondent

LAHORE: DIG Railways Police has taken strong notice of negligence of railway police officials deployed at the Allama Iqbal Express duty for failing to facilitate an unconscious passenger who fell down during travel. According to a press release, the DIG Railway Police Shariq Jamal also ordered registration of an FIR against those eight accused officials who failed to help the unconscious passenger Muhammad Ashfaq near Rahimyar Khan. Ashfaq was travelling on the Allama Iqbal Express train from Karachi to Sialkot. The DIG Railways Police ordered registration of the case after conducting an inquiry into the whole matter. Meanwhile, a cement company has offered an agreement to Pakistan Railways for transfer of loads of cement and coal. This proposition was made during meeting between M Javed Anwar, CEO Pakistan Railways, and a company delegation under leadership of Malik Azam Farooq, CEO of company at headquarters in Lahore.

45°C forces Lahoriites to stay indoors

By our correspondent

LAHORE: Once again the mercury reached 45°C in the provincial metropolis forcing citizens to stay indoors and giving the city a deserted look here on Friday. Met officials said continental air is prevailing over most parts of the country. They predicted that mainly very hot and dry weather is expected in most plain areas of the country. They said rain-thunderstorm is expected at isolated places in Rawalpindi and Hazara divisions and Kashmir during (evening/night). Rainfall was only recorded at Kalam and Astore. Friday’s maximum temperature was recorded at Sibbi, Dadu, Jacobabad and Larkana where mercury reached 49°C while in Lahore, it was 45°C and minimum was 28°C.

Woman commits suicide

By our correspondent

LAHORE: A 25-year-old woman committed suicide by taking poisonous pills in the Shafiqabad area on Friday. The victim identified as Sania Bibi ended her life over an unknown domestic issue. Police handed over the body to the family.