ISLAMABAD: The Meeting of Pak-India Technical Working Group on cross LoC Confidence Building Measures will be held in Islamabad today (July 18). Afrasiab, Pakistan Deputy High Commissioner told on Sunday, the talks, scheduled to be held on July 10 were postponed on India’’s request as Indian head of delegation was to rush to Kabul due to emergency there. Now, the talks have been rescheduled and both sides will discuss Kashmir- related CBMs on July 18, he said. The meeting will concretize decisions regarding bus services, trade and truck services across the LoC announced in May 2008 in Islamabad after the meeting of Foreign Ministers of both the countries. The sources said both the countries are working to start trade through truck service between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad. Lists of the items prepared by Islamabad and New Delhi to be traded will also come under discussion during the meeting. The decision on increasing frequency of bus service between Muzaffarabad and Srinagar is likely to be taken while opening of more points on LoC will also be discussed to facilitate divided families.
More: continued here
Mumbai, Jul 17 : Sri Lanka Cricket Board chief Arjuna Ranatunga gave Pakistan a thumbs up ahead of the important International Cricket Council’s meeting at the week-end to discuss security concerns for the Champions Trophy to be held there in September.
More: continued here
Thu, Jul 17, 2008 (7:27 p.m.) Violent protests erupted at Pakistan’s main stock market Thursday as growing economic and political uncertainty pushed Pakistani shares to a new 18-month low.
More: continued here
KARACHI: The US Under-Secretary of State for Economic, Energy and Agricultural Affairs, Reuben Jeffery along with a high ranking delegation met City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal at his office here Thursday. The US Consul General in Karachi Kay. L Anske was also present during the meeting which lasted for an hour. The delegation had an exchange of views with City Nazim on Karachi’’s importance in the region besides present economic situation and investment opportunities. The US under-secretary appreciated the services of Syed Mustafa Kamal as City Nazim congratulated him for developing improved infrastructure and development works carried out in Karachi. Reuben Jeffery said that Karachi has covered a long journey to progress within a very short period which not only provided better facilities to citizens but also paved the way for major investment increase. He viewed that importance of Karachi cannot be ignored in view of its key role in the region. On the occasion, Mustafa Kamal apprised the delegation about development activities in the city and especially in the industrial zones. He informed that city government has completed infrastructure development here in a very short time to provide maximum facilities to investors. He pointed out that Karachi is also considered as gateway for Middle East and Central Asian Republics and, therefore, government is taking all possible steps to encourage investment flow here. He told the visitors that all industrial zones have been connected with city areas through signal free corridors with stupendous investment of Rs 4.5 billion. The City Nazim, through the US delegation, extended an invitation to international investors to come and invest in Karachi. He assured that their investment will be fully secured here besides having best opportunities for growth for this this being of 18 million and while being regional hub, the products could also be marketed to nearer states.
More: continued here
July 18 (Bloomberg) — Barack Obama and John McCain, in a rare note of harmony on national security, both want a surge of troops into Afghanistan. Experts say adding forces won’t help much in combating insurgents unless Pakistan joins the fight.
More: continued here
KARACHI: Governor State Bank of Pakistan Dr Shamshad Akhtar gave approval to the proposals of the task-force formed for insurance of crops.Following the approval of these proposals, insurance of crops will be compulsory for getting agricultural loans from the next rabee season. Insurance companies can receive from farmers the maximum premium of two per cent of the value of agricultural loans. After this, the insurance companies will provide complete insurance cover to farmers in case of rain, flood, crop worms, disease or natural calamities.
More: continued here
Pakistan News
Violent protests erupted at Pakistan’s main stock market Thursday as growing economic and political uncertainty pushed Pakistani shares to a new 18-month low.
More: continued here
LAHORE: Two matches will be played here today at the Punjab Football Stadium in the super league stage of the first National Women Inter-Club Football Championship.In the first match today, WAPDA Club of Lahore will play against Diya Club of Karachi while Vehari United of Burewala will meet Young Rising Star of Rawalpindi.Diya Club and WAPDA Club have already won one match each.
More: continued here
LAHORE: Punjab Governor Salman Taseer has vowed that Pakistan would continue to support Kashmiris in their just struggle for the right to self-determination at every level.He stated this in a meeting with Azad Jammu and Kashmir’’sPrime Minister Sardar Atique Ahmed Khan, who called on him at Governor House here Thursday.Taseer observed, “Peace cannot be restored in the region without resolving the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the aspirations of the people of Kashmir.”He assured that Pakistan would continue to extend its political and moral support for a just settlement of the Kashmir embroglio.The Governor said Pakistani nation is anxious for a viable solution to Kashmir issue that enables Kashmiris to live in a free and peaceful atmosphere.He also underscored the need for promoting tourism and hotel industry in the AJK, citing that these sectors have great potential to attract huge investment.The AJK Premier appreciated the Pakistan’’s role in the Kashmiris” struggle and said people of Pakistan always stood with their Kashmiri brethren in the time of difficulty.Sardar Atique apprised the Governor that AJK government had started construction work on more than 60 small hydel power projects on natural waterfalls in the valley.
More: continued here
Pakistan is rising rapidly up the global risk register. The hopes generated by the elections of February 18, when Pakistanis rejected religious extremists’ parties, are evaporating.
More: continued here