SC verdict: govt in daze to fill Rs122bn gap

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court’s interim order to suspend the imposition of carbon surcharge on petroleum products has put the IMF programme of $7.6 billion loan at stake because the government will have to find ways and means to fill the revenue gap of Rs122 billion during the fiscal year 2009-10. Not filling this gap would mean increasing fiscal deficit by almost 0.8 per cent of the GDP, jacking it up to 5.7% from the existing target of 4.9%, which the IMF will not allow at any cost.“It is not possible to stick to the budgetary measures for fiscal 2009-10 if carbon surcharge is not to be collected. So all budgetary targets will have to be revised,” a senior official of the finance ministry said while talking to The News on phone from abroad soon after the announcement of interim order issued by the Supreme Court on Tuesday.When contacted for comments, Minister of State for Finance and Economic Affairs, Hina Rabbani Khar said that obviously the government could not raise question on the order announced by the Supreme Court but at the same time opined that it was an interim order.She admitted that it would put the government in a difficult situation because there are few alternatives to fill this huge gap of Rs122 billion. The options are limited to cutting down on the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) or printing more notes, which will be inflationary, she added. Acting Secretary Finance Ayub Tarin along with OGRA high-ups will submit the government viewpoint before the apex court tomorrow (Thursday), she added. She said the expenditures for running the government increased by 3 percent in the budget 2009-10 compared to revised estimates for 2008-09.Defending the imposition of carbon surcharge, she said that the government introduced transparent mechanism and the prices of POL products might have come down next month keeping in view the declining trend in international market. Another finance ministry official was of the view that the IMF considers the fiscal deficit target as sacrosanct and any deviation from the set target might put the whole programme in jeopardy. The $7.6 billion IMF programme has envisaged 4.9 per cent fiscal deficit target for 2009-10 and the suspension of carbon surcharge will create a huge gap of Rs122 billion, which will not be possible to fill either by reducing expenditures or increasing revenues. During the budget-making exercise, the finance ministry officials has expressed apprehensions that the Supreme Court might even block the Petroleum Development Levy (PDL) because the government continued to charge this amount from the masses on the basis of an ordinance promulgated in 1961. “The double taxation such as sales tax as well as PDL was considered the most difficult issue to be defended before the Supreme Court,” said an official. He said the government by imposing fixed carbon surcharge tried to achieve two objectives: to ensure uninterrupted stream of revenue and to achieve parliament’s support. It was the view of the budget-makers that with carbon surcharge becoming part of the budget, the Supreme Court would not block the way of the government to generate Rs122 billion in the fiscal year 2009-10.

SC suspends carbon surcharge

ISLAMABAD: The government was made to fret over the fiscal impact while the masses went into a celebratory mode hoping for a permanent relief when the Supreme Court in its interim order on Tuesday suspended the imposition of carbon tax on petroleum products and directed the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) to issue a notification by Wednesday, suspending the tax till the final decision on the petitions. As a result, petrol and diesel prices are expected to come down by Rs10 and Rs8 per litre, respectively. Kerosene oil will become cheaper by Rs6 per litre. A three-member, bench of the Supreme Court comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Chaudhry Ijaz Ahmed and Justice Shahid Mahmood Akhtar Siddiqui, is hearing the petitions filed by PML-N Secretary General Iqbal Zafar Jhagra and Senator Rukhsana Zuberi of the Pakistan People’s Party, challenging the recent hike in the prices of petroleum products.The court ordered cancellation of the notification issued on June 30 regarding the imposition of carbon tax and directed the Ogra to stop charging the tax until the court concludes hearing. The court also directed the secretary, ministry of environment, to appear before the court on July 9 along with the summary, if any, forwarded to the government demanding funds for projects aimed at provision of pollution-free environment for which the government had to impose carbon surcharge. The apex court directed Ogra to issue a notification suspending the carbon tax on petroleum products, which must be applicable from today, July 8. Advocate Muhammad Ikram Chaudhry, counsel for PML-N Secretary General Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, Khwaja Saeed Zafar, counsel for Ogra, Attorney General Latif Khosa, the secretary petroleum and representatives of Ogra and Senator Rukhsana Zuberi, one of the petitioners, appeared before the court in person. Muhammad Ikram Chaudhry advocate submitted that a barrel of crude oil produces 35 litres of diesel and 27.5 litres of petrol. “Assuming that the price of crude oil is US$70 per barrel on the international market, the government roughly earns a profit of Rs1050 from only these two extracts of crude oil”, he contended.He further submitted that the government had produced no documents to show that the imposition of carbon surcharge was necessary. The learned counsel argued that the government was charging sales tax on every component of petroleum products, which, he said, was against the provisions of the Constitution.Counsel for Ogra Khawaja Saeed submitted that the government had replaced petroleum development levy with carbon surcharge and that increase in the prices of petroleum products was due to their increasing prices on international markets.The court directed counsel for Ogra to provide in writing the break-up of the components of the prices of petrol, diesel and kerosene oil, as on June 30 and July 1. According to the break-up provided by Ogra, price of petrol on June 30 stood at Rs56.21 per litre including ex-refinery price of Rs31.91, petroleum development levy (PDL) Rs10.54, sales tax Rs7.75, oil marketing companies’ margin Rs1.39, dealers’ margin Rs1.74 and inland freight Rs2.38.On July 1, it was raised to Rs62.13 per litre including ex-refinery price of Rs36.59, carbon surcharge Rs10, sales tax Rs8.57, oil marketing companies’ margin Rs1.60, dealers’ margin Rs2.00 and inland freight Rs3.37, Khawaja Saeed submitted.Similarly, per litre price of diesel on June 30 was Rs55.71 including ex-refinery price of Rs34.78, PDL Rs8.53, sales tax Rs7.68, oil marketing companies’ margin Rs1.35, dealers’ margin Rs1.50 and inland freight Rs2.22, while on July 1, the product was sold at Rs62.65 including the ex-refinery price of Rs40.94, carbon surcharge Rs8, sales tax Rs8.64, oil marketing companies’ margin Rs1.35 dealers’ margin Rs1.50 and inland freight Rs2.22, counsel for Ogra said. He further stated that price of kerosene oil per litre stood at Rs51.87 on June 30 including ex-refinery price of Rs32.77, PDL Rs6.88, sales tax Rs7.15, oil marketing companies’ margin Rs1.74, inland freight Rs3.61 while dealers were given no margin. On July 1, the price of the product was hiked to Rs59.35 including the ex-refinery price Rs39.26, carbon surcharge Rs6, sales tax Rs8.19, oil marketing companies’ margin Rs1.72 and inland freight Rs4.16.The Supreme Court observed that the statement showed that in fact ex-refinery prices and sales tax ratio had been increased on petroleum products. Attorney General Sardar Latif Khosa submitted that the government had to increase the prices due to increase in the prices of petroleum products on international markets and for running the affairs of the country in the wake of budget deficit.The court, however, wanted to know the reason behind the imposition of carbon surcharge. “Has the ministry of environment forwarded any summary demanding funds for projects for the improvement of environment for which the government was compelled to impose carbon surcharge?” Justice Mehmood Akhtar Siddiqui enquired. “Where from the proposal for the imposition of carbon surcharge came?” the court asked.The attorney general informed the court that the cabinet had taken the decision in the financial bill for the year 2009-10.The court, however, observed that it was of the opinion that there was no immediate need for the imposition of carbon surcharge instead of the petroleum development levy. The court observed that it was necessary to examine whether the ministry of environment had demanded any amount for provision of pollution-free environment.Earlier at the start of the hearing of the case, the chief justice opened the envelope in the court containing report submitted by the commission headed by Justice (retd) Bhagwandas regarding the price mechanism of petroleum prices. The chief justice directed the parties to get copies of the said report from the registrar of the apex court and the court would take it up on July 9 during the hearing of the case.

Anti-terror war to last until terrorists end: Zardari

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari Wednesday said that the war against terrorism will be taken to its logical end until the absolute elimination of extremists.He said the enduring peace would be established in the country by completely exterminating the militants from the troubled areas.Zardari said government has in focus the relief and rehabilitation of Malakand affectees, adding government will ensure the safe return of all affectees.President Zardari said any reconciliation with the extremists is out of question.

Mangla Dam Power House restoration to take 1 more week

LAHORE: It could take a week or so more to fix the technical fault developed at Mangla Dam Power House while the total supply-demand gap in the country has reached over 3,000 MW.PEPCO sources told Geo News the power crisis continues across the country while efforts are being made towards restoration of power supply from Mangla Dam Power House.

However, the full restoration may take over a week’s time, the sources added.The total power shortfall in the country has climbed to 3,940 MW. However, the Ministry of Water and Power has put this shortfall to 3,010 MW.

Orix Leasing’s merger with Orix Bank approved, Orix Leasing Pakistan Ltd (OLP)

KARACHI: The extraordinary general meeting of Orix Leasing Pakistan Ltd (OLP) has approved the scheme amalgamation of Orix Investment Bank Pakistan (OIB) with and into OLP.According to a communique despatched to Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) on Monday, the scheme was approved by the majority in number representing two-thirds in value of shareholders.About 99.98 per cent of shareholders voted in favour of amalgamation subject to the completion of all formalities and sanction of the scheme by SECP. It may be noted that the board of directors of OLP had proposed the swap ratio of 43:1, whereby one ordinary share of Rs10 each of OLP will be allotted against 43 shares of OIB.

Swine flu fears hit All England Club

LONDON: Some staff members at the Wimbledon tennis championships have reported “flu-like” symptoms but the competition will continue “as normal”, organisers said on Monday.Ian Ritchie, the chief executive of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, which runs the annual grand slam in southwest London, sent a message to staff to inform them of the situation.Club sources told AFP that a handful of ball boys and ball girls were affected but nobody had been confirmed as having contracted the A(H1N1) virus. More than 4,300 swine flu cases have been diagnosed in Britain.

Army facing tough choice after NWA ambush

PESHAWAR: The Army high command is required to make a tough choice whether to extend its military operation from South Waziristan to North Waziristan following the provocative attack by the Taliban militants on a military convoy in North Waziristan’s Madakhel area on Sunday despite the existence of a peace accord.The priority for now is South Waziristan where the military campaign against the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) head Baitullah Mehsud is gaining momentum. Opening a new front when the armed forces are fighting on a number of fronts including Swat, Buner, Dir Lower, Bajaur, Mohmand, Darra Adamkhel, Orakzai and South Waziristan would over-stretch the military and mix-up its priorities. But the military cannot ignore the deadly ambush on the 250-member convoy in which a significant number of soldiers were killed and injured. A senior government official said such attacks could demoralise the troops if punitive measures aren’t undertaken.This wasn’t the first time that the security forces were targeted by the Hafiz Gul Bahadur-led militants or the peace accord was violated in North Waziristan. There have been quite a few such incidents during the past month or so. There were attacks on military convoys with improvised explosive devices (IEDs), including two last Friday on the Miramshah-Mir Ali road in which four soldiers were killed, and the students of Cadet College, Razmak, located in North Waziristan, were kidnapped by Baitullah’s men in the limits of Frontier Region (FR) Bannu, an area that Hafiz Gul Bahadur considers as part of his tribal fiefdom. There have been suspicions that militants loyal to Hafiz Gul Bahadur cooperated with Baitullah’s fighters while kidnapping the Razmak college cadets and their teachers.But the ambush against the military convoy in Madakhel area on Sunday was both unexpected and provocative. Though the Taliban spokesman Ahmadullah Ahmadi claimed that 60 troops were killed and 15 military vehicles were destroyed in the attack, the Pakistan Army spokesman Maj Gen Athar Abbas conceded the loss of 12 soldiers only. Official sources in Peshawar and Miramshah estimated that the number of soldiers who lost their lives in the ambush was 40 or even more. Among the dead was a colonel, a major and a captain. The sources said the attackers also seized vehicles and arms and ammunition.The ambush was carried out in a narrow gorge that isn’t much different than the Shaoor Tangi, the famous gorge in South Waziristan where freedom-fighters often ambushed British forces and other invaders in the past. People with knowledge of Madakhel area wondered why adequate measures weren’t taken when the military convoy was passing through that treacherous gorge. It isn’t clear if helicopters were in place to provide air cover to the convoy at a time when it was vulnerable to an ambush.More intriguing are reports that intercepts of the militants communicating with each other had been heard three days before the ambush in which they talked about starting attacks against the security forces without formally scrapping their peace accord with the government in North Waziristan. If true, it is strange that even then proper security measures weren’t made for military convoys in the dangerous parts of North Waziristan. Also worth recalling is another such incident in June in which an army rescue party sent to help a military convoy under attack itself was ambushed shortly before sunset while returning to Shakai in South Waziristan. It was felt the rescue party shouldn’t have undertaken the return journey at such inopportune time in an area infested with militants. As a consequence, the rescue party suffered avoidable casualties.It is clear that the peace accord in North Waziristan is finished even if there has been no formal announcement by the militants and the government that it has been scrapped. The Hafiz Gul Bahadur-led Taliban Shura has already issued threats to tribal elders and others to stop interacting with government functionaries and avoid holding jirgas to settle disputes. Aware of the consequences, only one tribal elder, Malik Gulabat Khan, dared to attend the jirga with North Waziristan’s political agent on Monday. Others who came to the jirga, convened to discuss Sunday ambush against the military convoy, were clerics. The clerics’ loyalties, out of necessity, fear or religious affiliation would be with the militants.Though Hafiz Gul Bahadur was angry with the military for carrying out operation against his militant allies in FR Bannu, his spokesman Ahmadi mentioned the continued US drone attacks as the reason for the Taliban ambush on the Pakistan Army convoy in Madakhel area on Sunday. It was thus obvious that the confrontation between the militants and the military in North Waziristan would escalate because the US is unlikely to give up its policy of using drones to target militants’ positions.

Qadiyani Jamaat lauds its late officers

LAHORE: A Qadiyani major of the Pakistan Army and a Qadiyani ASI of Lahore police died in the military operation in Bajaur Agency and the terrorist attack at the ISI office in Lahore respectively, said a press release issued by the Anjuman-e-Ahmadiyya Rabwah here Monday. The press release said that Major Afzaal Ahmad laid down his life in Bajaur on June 19, while ASI Ghulam Mustafa was killed on May 27 in the terrorist attack on the Rescue 15 building. The press release said that the Anjuman-e-Ahmadiyya had also donated a sum of Rs 5 million to the government’s relief fund for the IDPs.

TURKEY UPGRADE F-16 AIRCRAFT IN PAKISTAN

ANKARA: A Turkish company will upgrade 42 F-16 aircraft of Pakistan Air Force. The upgradation work will be undertaken from October 2010, sources in the Turkish company said. The total cost of the project is $75 million. The Turkish company had earlier performed up-gradation of Jordanís F-16 planes.

Curfew imposed in Baramulla

OCCUPIED SRINAGAR: A strict curfew was imposed in Barmulla town in held Kashmir on Monday after two persons were killed when police fired at thousands of people protesting against alleged harassment by security forces.The curfew was ordered after thousands of residents angered by the death of a 19-year-old protester earlier in the day started attacking government vehicles and offices. The situation worsened after a second protester died in hospital an hour after he was shot, police said.“We have imposed a strict curfew in Baramulla town,” Deputy Commissioner Latief-u-Zaman Deva told reporters. The paramilitary troops were patrolling the town’s streets, but demonstrations continued in one neighbourhood to mourn and protest the death of the two young protesters.The pair died during earlier protests over the alleged harassment of a Muslim woman at a police station when she was filing a complaint, an accusation the police deny. Thousands of Muslims had taken to the streets of Baramulla. A police officer confirmed the two died in the gunfire and said 24 others were injured, three of them by bullets.

13 militants, seven civilians killed in Khyber

LANDIKOTAL/BARA: Security forces on Monday claimed to have killed at least 13 suspected militants in attacks on their hideouts in Bazaar Zakhakhel area of Landikotal, Khyber Agency, while seven members of a family were killed and four others injured when an artillery shell struck a Hujra in Sra Shaga area in Jamrud Tehsil.Security forces shelled the suspected militant hideouts in Kobikhel area of Bazaar Zakhakhel, FC sources said. At least 13 militants were killed and few others were injured, the FC sources claimed but without giving the names of the dead militants.Independent sources said three of the slain persons were guests. The villagers at Kobikhel denied the presence of the militants in the area and said that all the slain persons were local residents.Meanwhile, acting on a tip-off, security forces shelled the suspected hideouts of the militants in the mountainous Chora area with artillery from Forte Slope Camp in Bara Tehsil. One of the shells hit the house of Aqal Jan in Sra Shaga area, killing seven persons, including three children, and injuring four others of his family.The dead included head of the family Aqal Jan, his three cousins Didar Khan, Minat Khan, Sifat Khan and three children, whose names could not be ascertained. Four other members of the family were also seriously injured in the incident.Soon after the incident, the people of the nearby area rushed to the spot and retrieved the bodies and injured from the rubbles. The injured persons were rushed to the nearby hospital where their condition was stated to be critical.Official sources said that the Chora area was shelled as security forces had credible information about the presence of militants in the area. They said that a total of 12 artillery shells were fired that landed in different places in Chora and one hit the Hujra of Aqal Jan in Sra Shaga area.

Zero supply from Mangla worsens power crisis

ISLAMABAD:

The power crisis was aggravated on Monday with a shortfall of 3,650 megawatts in the national grid, leaving the people helpless.

As the people staged demonstrations across the country against the power shortage, authorities claimed that they would be able to control the situation within a couple of days, though the Mangla Dam had developed serious faults, bringing power generation to nil.

Mangla’s zero contribution resulted in a 22.427 per cent power shortage, with an immediate impact of five and a half hours daily loadshedding, if calculated in average, irrespective of the discrimination being meted out to rural areas.

Official sources in the Water and Power Ministry told this correspondent that the Mangla Dam had been generating 1,100 MW of power, almost in full capacity. “We have been informed that there are technical faults at Mangla despite the fact that it has enough water discharges as well as water storage to generate power,” the sources said.

Pakistan’s requirement stands at 16,275 MW, whereas it received 12,625 MW though almost 150,000 cusec water is being discharged from the Tarbela Dam to generate power up to its maximum electricity generation capacity.

The Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda), having operation command, is responsible for the safety of the existing water dams and the Pakistan Electric Power Company (Pepco) is supposed to manage the electricity, whether from water or thermal means.The fault at the Mangla Dam had not been removed till the filing of this report.

The dam has 1,363 feet storage against its dead level of 1,040 feet, with 53,000 cusecs inflow and 40,000 cusecs outflow.When approached, Pepco Managing Director Tahir Basharat Cheema said: “The Water and Power Development Authority expects enhanced electricity generation from Tarbela and through provision of gas supply to thermal units.

We expect 500 MW from Tarbela and another such quantum from thermal, with an increase in gas provision.”When asked about the responsibility of breakdown of Mangla power, he said Wapda and Pepco authorities were engaged in ensuring power supply from the same source. He, however, admitted that the deficit of 1,100 MW power, which was available from Mangla, had worsened the overall shortage situation considerably.“We are trying to manage this shortfall from thermal generation as well as to increase availability from Tarbela,” he said. “We are getting 2,000 MW from Tarbela, which will increase as the water flows in it have increased substantially,” Cheema said.He said the government would overcome the electricity shortage by December 2009, as repeatedly announced by Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervaiz Ashraf. “We have projects in the pipeline to ensure fulfilment of the promise,” Cheema said.Umer Bhatti adds from Lahore: People marched in protest here on Monday against long and frequent power outages, lambasting the Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) for its “highly inefficient” service.Be it a domestic consumer or a commercial or industrial one, everyone protested against Lesco and its subdivisions, demanding that loadshedding be stopped.

Apart from the loadshedding, the people are facing low voltage, melting of electricity wires, non-functioning metres and overloaded transformers, causing power breakdowns.Several demonstrations were staged here, in which people complained that the Lesco management had failed to solve their problems.

The added that their problems had aggravated after the establishment of distribution companies (Discos).They said corruption was rampant in Wapda and the establishment of those Discos had provided more room for corruption. The major demonstration was staged by traders, who blocked The Mall on Monday.Besides, there were demonstrations at Dharam Pura, Imamia Colony and Shahadra. The biggest of them was staged at Garhi Shahu, where demonstrators blocked the Allama Iqbal Road for three hours on Sunday night.The demonstrators complained that the loadshedding was not uniform.

They said there were no power outages at the DHA and in the areas having the residences of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Lesco Chief Executive Officer M Akram Arain.They said when they called at the complaint cell at the residence of the Lesco CEO, no one attended their call. This scribe also made several attempts to contact the Lesco CEO, but failed.The Anjuman-e-Tajiran complained that Akram Arain never received their calls and they felt frustrated when the authorities ignored them.

They said their economic condition was miserable.The people demanded of the government to revamp the Lesco management on war footing. A person from Sant Nagar told The News that there was no light at his place from midnight to 4 am on Sunday. He said power was again discontinued at 4:10 am up to 7 am.He said his family, including his 75-year-old ailing father, stayed restless during the time. A woman from Allama Iqbal Town said an intense summer, coupled with the worst loadshedding, had turned them into psycho. What was more, she said, that there was no schedule for the loadshedding.A person from the Cantonment area said that after power outage at his house from 4 am to 9 am on Monday morning, he could not attend his office because of the restlessness he suffered during the sleep.In some cases, the people said they were experiencing power outages after every 20 minutes.

A New Samanabad resident said the transformer in his area was bearing the load of three transformers.He accused Lesco and its subdivisions of corruption, and said they were not installing new transformers though they were available with them. He also complained of low voltage, much to the damage of his home appliances.The loadshedding was at its peak on Sunday midnight after all the machines at the Mangla Power Plant went out of order. Wapda authorities said the problem occurred as a power cable was damaged around 11 pm. The Mangla machines were not repaired till Monday night.A loadshedding expert told The News that power outages were far more than it should be, given the shortfall, which was normally around 2,500 MW. He said the loadshedding duration should have been around four to five hours. Meanwhile, demonstrations were also staged in Faisalabad against loadshedding.Our Dera Ghazi Khan correspondent adds: Unannounced and long loadshedding triggered protests in various localities here on Monday.

Traders and domestic consumers blocked the Quaid-i-Azam Road near the Golai Committee and burnt tyres. They also chanted slogans against Wapda.Meanwhile, a large number of shopkeepers blocked the Pir Qatal Road near the Fawwara Chowk. They were carrying banners and placards inscribed with demand for an end to power crisis.The protesters took out a rally, which started from the Ghanta Ghar Chowk and culminated at the Kalma Chowk, where the protesters chanted slogans against Wapda for their alleged discrimination against the Dera Ghazi Khan district.Consumers said despite an extraordinary spell of heat, electricity was suspended five to 10 times a day, making lives of the people miserable and bringing business activities at a standstill.The consumers said they were not getting electricity for three consecutive hours during 24 hours. They said power had been suspended from midnight to 2:30 am and again from 4 am to 5 am on Sunday and Monday.

They said the Wapda authorities again suspended power from 6 am to 8 am, from 10 am to 11 am and then from 12 noon to 1 pm on Monday. They said it was irritating for the domestic and commercial consumers when just after half an hour, power had disrupted again from 1:30 pm to 4 pm on Monday.“In addition, power is repeatedly suspended after every 5-10 minutes when the supply is restored,” they added. Meanwhile, The Jewellers Association has announced it will set up a camp against Wapda from Tuesday (today).With an increase in the power crisis, rural consumers were facing the worst-ever loadshedding, ranging between 18 to 24 hours, while about 16-18 hours shutdown was being observed in urban areas. Traders, students, children, and aged men and women were the worst sufferers.The government departments have purchased heavy power generators. The unrest and sleeplessness was the most common feature the consumers were observing. In Rajanpur and Dera Ghazi Khan, power supply had been suspended for three consecutive hours for the last 10 days.

The Dera Ghazi Khan Mepco deputy manager did not respond to repeated calls made by this correspondent.Our Gujranwala correspondent adds: People from different walks of life staged demonstrations against electricity loadshedding here on Monday.Talking to newsmen, they said they were facing several problems due to unscheduled loadshedding in the district. They said loadshedding in the summer had made their lives miserable.Meanwhile, the Gujranwala Chamber of Commerce and Industry office-bearers said loadshedding was affecting trade activities in the district. They urged President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani to ensure uninterrupted power supply to the industrial sector, otherwise, it would totally collapse.Meanwhile, Gujranwala Electric Power Company (Gepco) Chief Executive Officer Ibrahim Majoka, in a statement, said a major fault had developed in the Mangla Power House that caused electricity suspension to the Gakhar grid station.He said the Gepco officials connected the Gakhar grid station with the Kala Shah Kaku grid station and restored power supply. He said work was under way to rectify the fault at the Mangla Power House. Our Bahawalpur correspondent adds: People took out rallies against 22-hour loadshedding in Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar and Rahim Yar Khan districts on Monday.

In Donga Bonga, people staged a demonstration near the general bus stand and later, blocked traffic on the Donga Bonga-Bahawalnagar Road for several hours. They said they were facing various problems due to loadshedding.Our Hafizabad correspondent adds: Hundreds of people staged a demonstration against 20-hour unscheduled loadshedding here on Monday.Carrying banners and placards, they chanted slogans against Wapda.

Meanwhile, Labour Union President Muhammad Zaman Ansari said the loadshedding was forcing power-loom owners to close their units, rendering thousands of labourers jobless.

India Knocked Out of World Twenty 20 Cricket

India, who were taking part in the World Twenty20 Cup 2009 as defending champions and were being considered hot favourites for retaining the title, bowed out of this mega event after they lost to England by three runs on Sunday to record consecutive losses in the Super 8 stage of the tournament in England.Pakistan were runners-up to their bitter rivals India at the 2007 World Twenty20 tournament. This time, cricket lovers cannot see them contest again for the title as Indians have been knocked out of the tournament.How do you see India’s fall and what will be the impact on Indian cricket?

Celebrations in Indian Kasmir after Pakistan Win

Celebrations in Indian Kashmir after Pakistan win
SRINAGAR: Residents in Indian-ruled Kashmir Sunday fired crackers in the region's main city after Pakistan beat Sri Lanka to win the World Twenty20 championship, witnesses said.Srinagar -- the Kashmiri summer capital -- erupted in celebration after Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by eight wickets and as scores of Kashmiri youth poured on to the streets and lit firecrackers.The youths also chanted pro-Pakistan and pro-freedom slogans as Indian aramilitary troops stayed in their bunkers, witnesses said.Thousands of Kashmiris, including women and children, were glued to their televisions sets to watch the tense final."It is a great victory and one day I hope we will merge with Pakistan," said a die-hard Pakistani cricket fan, Mohammed Yaseen.Residents in Muslim-majority Kashmir valley traditionally support Pakistan in sports events.

PTCL gives award to Cricket Team

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tele-Communication (PTCL) has awarded cash prizes of Rs 3 million to the victorious Pakistan team of the World Twenty20 Cup.President and chief executive officer PTCL Waleed Irshad distributed cheques among the players.Captain Younis Khan and allrounder Shahid Afridi were given Rs 0.5 million each while Rs 2 million were distributed among the rest of the team.Waleed Irshad said on this occasion that the Pakistan cricket team has achieved a great honour for the nation by winning the World Cup and the team deserves encouragement.

National Bank of Pakistan rewards its World Cup Heroes

NBP rewards its World Cup heroes
KARACHI: National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) on Friday rewarded its employed players who were a part of World T20 Championship winning squad here at its head office. President NBP Syed Ali Reza gave one million rupees each to wicketkeeper-atsman Kamran Akmal and pacer Mohammad Aamer. While, opener Salman Butt and Fawad Alam bagged Rs500,000 each. “The T20 World Cup win is more significant than Pakistan’s win at the ’91 World Cup, considering the circumstances in the country today,” Ali Reza said at the occasion. “Our team’s victory is a unique gift to the nation, whose spirits have been boosted. I hope this victory will inspire the youth of our country to take special interest in sports and further spur this industry on to further heights.” Ali Reza also announced the confirmation of a hundred players who represent NBP in various sports.

Player to donate part of earning to swat victims

KARACHI: Pakistan captain Younis Khan said on Friday that he and his team-mates will donate a fair share of their World Twenty20 earnings to the victims of the turmoil in Swat. “We will give a percentage of our prize money to the victims of Swat. We will all sit down and decide how much to be given and we will give it personally to the affected people,” Younis told reporters. Habib Bank Limited (HBL) hosted a reception in honour of its employed players who were a part of World T20 Cup winning squad here on Friday at its head office. HBL president Zakir Mehmood awarded two million rupees each to Younis Khan, Shahid Afridi and Umar Gul. Ahmed Shehzad received an award of one million rupees. Younis Khan also received a car from HBL for scoring 313 runs against Sri Lanka earlier this year. Younis said the victory in World T20 Championship was a team effort and not an individual’s work. He added that winning the title requires performance from every player of the team. He praised Shahid Afridi and said that he had been bowling well for the last two to three years and now he has now also picked up his batting instinct as well. On the occasion Afridi praised Younis Khan for his great leadership abilities and said that Younis led the team very well. “He made a pleasant atmosphere within the team. He also became serious when it was necessary,” Afridi said. He said that senior players played with responsibility in the T20 Cup while juniors also performed well. Umar Gul and Ahmed Shahzad were also present of the occasion.

Team brought joy to nation in time of trial

Team brought joy to nation in time of trial: Zardari
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari held a ceremony in honour of the victorious national cricket team of the World Twenty20 Cup here at the President House on Thursday. Paying rich tributes to the victorious team at the ceremony, the President said that he has celebrated the victory with the nation for the first time after the martyrdom of Benazir Bhutto.Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and federal minister for sports Pir Aftab Jilani were also present at the reception, hosted by President Zardari for the victorious national team at the President House.While congratulating the team on winning the World Cup, the President said that he also celebrated the victory with his children.He said that the Pakistan nation has excelled in every department and there is no boundary of this achievement.The President advised the team to follow the principles of unity, faith and discipline.He gave away the prizes to the players.

8 killed, jets kept pounding South Waziristan

WANA: At least eight militants were killed and two of their hideouts demolished as the security forces jets kept pounding South Waziristan, while two security personnel were also martyred and three injured in militants’ attack on FC Camp.

Operation Rah-e-Nijat against the militants in South Waziristan has entered into the third week now, while the heavy guns and jet fighters of the security forces continued pounding the militants’ hideouts overnight.

Sources said that eight militants were killed and two hideouts demolished last night in jet fighters’ bombings at Sam, Langarkhel and other areas of Mehsud tribes. Gunship helicopters targeted militants’ hideouts at Shah Alam areas also, where some deaths feared.

On the other hand, militants attacked FC Fort at Tanai near Wana firing mortar shells. Sources said that two security personnel were martyred and three injured in the onslaught. One of the injured is said to be in critical condition.

Following the attack, security forces targeted suspected hideouts of the militants, but no report of loss of life was received.

Rs2.482 trillion Federal Budget presented in NA

Federal Budget 2009-10 envisaging a total outlay of Rs2.482 billion has been presented. State Minister for Finance and Economic Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar presented the Federal Budget 2009-10 in which 15 percent raise has been announced in the salaries and pension of in-service and retired government employees.

The target of GDP for the next fiscal year has been fixed at 3.3 percent while measures will be adopted for bringing the inflation rate below 10 percent. The State Minister said the total allocation for Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) has been made at Rs646 billion; Rs 343 billion for Defence Rs31.60 billion for education sector and; Rs6.5 billion for health.

The allocation for Benazir Income Support Program has been raised to Rs70 billion which will be distributed among 5 million deserving people. Rs50 billion have been earmarked for the relief and rehabilitation of affectees of Malakand Division.

In order to impart training to the youth under National Internship Program Rs3.60 billion have been allocated. Under the program 30,000 youth will be provided professional training in their respective fields. The target for tax revenue collection has been raised by 15.7 percent to 1.3775 trillion while the rest of the expenditure will be met through foreign loans and grants.

Rs178 billion are expected to be received through Friends of Pakistan Consortium. The fiscal deficit is expected at 4.9 percent for the next fiscal year. Increase in the allowance has been announced for the armed forces deployed on the western front. This allowance will be equal to one month’s initial basic pay with effect from 1st July 2009, as announced by the President of Pakistan.

ISLAMABAD: Federal Budget 2009-10 envisaging a total outlay of Rs2.482 billion has been presented. State Minister for Finance and Economic Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar presented the Federal Budget 2009-10 in which 15 percent raise has been announced in the salaries and pension of in-service and retired government employees.

The target of GDP for the next fiscal year has been fixed at 3.3 percent while measures will be adopted for bringing the inflation rate below 10 percent. The State Minister said the total allocation for Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) has been made at Rs646 billion; Rs 343 billion for Defence Rs31.60 billion for education sector and; Rs6.5 billion for health.

The allocation for Benazir Income Support Program has been raised to Rs70 billion which will be distributed among 5 million deserving people. Rs50 billion have been earmarked for the relief and rehabilitation of affectees of Malakand Division.

In order to impart training to the youth under National Internship Program Rs3.60 billion have been allocated. Under the program 30,000 youth will be provided professional training in their respective fields. The target for tax revenue collection has been raised by 15.7 percent to 1.3775 trillion while the rest of the expenditure will be met through foreign loans and grants.

Rs178 billion are expected to be received through Friends of Pakistan Consortium. The fiscal deficit is expected at 4.9 percent for the next fiscal year. Increase in the allowance has been announced for the armed forces deployed on the western front. This allowance will be equal to one month’s initial basic pay with effect from 1st July 2009, as announced by the President of Pakistan.