KARACHI: Sindh Department of Anti Corruption has started the scrutiny of the tempered records relating to Sindh Public Service Commission Examination-2003 while the Sindh government has sacked 18 officers upon detecting fraud in the compilation of final results.

The Anti Corruption Department has started the scrutiny of the scripts of the officers who had passed the exam through fraudulent means.

The SPSC has provided the relevant records to the inquiry officer.

A senior government official told Geo News that 18 out of 47 candidates have been removed from their posts after it was proved that they passed the exam through fraudulent means.

The Sindh government has forwarded the report against the candidates found involved in the scam to the Anti Corruption Department where case has been registered against former chairman Hasan Bhutto, Controller Examination Umer Roz, Secretary Aijaz Jafri and others on charges of corruption.

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MULTAN: Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi expressed desire that his forthcoming meeting with his Indian counterpart in USA on the sidelines of UN General Assembly session should yield positive results pleading that it will benefit both the countries.

Talking to media persons at Multan airport, he said that he does not attach high hopes to the expected talks in NewYork but added there exist chances of ”incremental progress” in the wake of meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister.

Reiterating Pakistan’’s sincere desire to normalizing relations with India and reducing tensions between the two countries, Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that positive response from Indian side was vital to move ahead.

He said that Mumbai tragedy was condemnable but added that we cannot afford to remain standstill on this point and need to move forward. He said that Pakistan was studying the Indian dossier and will send its response to India within a week.

He said that Indian intellectuals, and think tanks are raising voice for resumption of Pak-India dialogue process.

Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has also stated that dialogue is the only way forward, FM said. He added that the other option is dangerous and suicidal. He said that both countries need to reduce tension and move forward to normalize relations adding that the same is vital for prosperity of the people of the two countries and the whole region.

He said that after heated statements from Indian leaders, Pakistan had summoned the Indian High Commissioner and had asked whether India was ready to honour the understanding reached between Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani and his Indian counterpart Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh regarding talks between the two countries on foreign secretaries and foreign ministers” level.

The Indian HC confirmed that talks will be held between foreign ministers after meeting between foreign secretaries, he added.

To a question regarding reported Indian attempts to pressurize Pakistan through USA, he categorically stated that there will be no compromise on interests of the state and added that Pakistan will adopt a clear cut stance on all issues.

Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that Indian High Commissioner was summoned within half an hour after India’’s protest over Bunji dam and Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment initiative and added that Indian protest was rejected.

To a question on proposed train service between India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, Foreign Minister said that a conducive environment is needed to run trains. Hurdles in way of dialogue process were not created by us and there is need to remove these hurdles to pay attention to address longstanding issues, he said.

Foreign Minister lauded the armed forces of Pakistan on their successful operation against terrorism. To another question, he said that engaging armed forces on both eastern and western fronts will not benefit Pakistan. Pakistan has a long-term strategy for lasting regional peace and the whole world has extended support to Pakistan, the Foreign Minister said adding that India should also respond.

Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that he had held two inter-ministerial meetings and also took Kashmiri representatives from AJK and the Indian side of Kashmir into confidence before the expected forthcoming talks with Indian external affairs minister.

To a question on US agency Black Water, he said that it was not operating in Pakistan.

He said that UAE has promised to hold 2010 meeting of FoDP. Foreign Minister lauded role of media in shaping up national consensus against terrorism and added that foreign envoys acknowledged that democratically elected government was more successful in creating national consensus and was moving in the right direction to combat extremism and terrorism.

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LAHORE

THE martyrdom anniversary of Hazrat Ali (RA) was observed with traditional religious solemnity and spirit on Saturday amidst tight secur

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? the kidnapping of a Greek national and the shock waves that have run through the community because he is a much loved figure who has done a lot to m

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MECCA: Pakistan Muslim League-N Chief Nawaz Sharif had a meeting with Saudi King Shah Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz and discussed in detail matters relating to the region including Pakistan.

The meeting held in King?s guesthouse Qasr al Safa and lasted for one hour.

Chief of Saudi intelligence Shahzada Mukran Bin Abdul Aziz, PML-N leader Ishaq Dar and Hussain Nawaz, son of Nawaz Sharif were also present at the meeting.

Talking to Geo News after the meeting, Ishaq Dar said the Saudi King has not made any demands regarding Pervez Musharraf?s trial.

He said Saudi Arabia never interferes in the internal issues of Pakistan.

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PESHAWAR: NWFP Governor Owais Ahmad Ghani has termed the Bara operation successful and said the government was keen on elimination of militancy from t

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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani has said that the nation should be ready to face power, gas and water crises while the government is chalking out short and long-term strategies to overcome them.

Addressing Achievement Awards ceremony here at Lahore Chamber of Commerce, the Prime Minister said the government will soon give a good news to the nation of putting an end to gas load-shedding.

He said the gas and electricity cannot be overcome overnight. Government has devised short, medium and long-term strategies to tackle these challenges while work on Thar coal project has been initiated, he said.

The Prime Minister said investment will flow to the country after terrorist activities and bomb blasts. This will bring economic stability in the country, he hoped.

He said political stability is also essential to strengthen the economy and for this politics of reconciliation is being promoted.

He said matter such as NFC Award, FCR, Northern Areas and Constitutional amendments will be finalized through holding consultations with all the political parties.

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CHRISTCHURCH: New Zealand have their best ever chance of qualifying for the soccer World Cup, according to the captain who led them to their only appe

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PESHAWAR: Over 5000 children are born with transfusion dependent thalassemia annually in Pakistan and 65 percent of them belonge to NWFP.

According to the three yearly report of Hamza Welfare Foundation in Peshawar the NGO has provided 14,543 patients with healthy blood.

Presently 550 patients are registered with the organisation. Out of which 455 patients are suffering from thalassemia; 58 from haemophilia and 37 from blood cancer. The majority of the patients include minors.

The Foundation is making efforts for facilitating free medical services to the poor and deserving; and a large number of people are supporting the organisation in this regard.

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KARACHI: Pakistan hockey selection committee member Shafiq Ahmed has expressed hope that the national team would easily qualify for the World Cup.

He said that the series against European teams before the World Cup Qualifiers would prove helpful in preparations of the team.

In a talk with Geo News in Karachi, Shafiq Ahmed said that the selection committee selected the team of the best available players for the World Cup Qualifiers.

He said that the team management has also an option of playing four players who are taking part in the European League and it is therefore being hoped that the ?green shirts? would make their place in the world Cup by winning this event easily.

Replying to a question, Shafiq said that the cool weather of France would not create problems for the players of Pakistan team.

He further said that the series against France and Belgium before the World Cup Qualifiers would prove very much helpful for Pakistan.

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