CJP aims to empower women and give more opportunities in judiciary

Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khosa imparted advice to female judges on Sunday, saying they "should be relaxed and be themselves". Addressing the concluding session of 'Women Judges Conference' in Lahore, CJP Khosa said that because female judges work in an environment dominated by men, they are expected to be very compassionate, kind and considerate "like mothers". "But we have noticed that when they become judges, somehow because the whole atmosphere is male-dominated [...] a 'she judge' also likes to behave like a 'he judge' so that she is taken seriously.…

PM Imran Khan directs to formulate strategy for students' rights: Firdous Awan

Special Assistant on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan says Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed the federation and provinces to formulate a comprehensive strategy to protect the rights of students and resolve their problems on immediate basis.

In a series of tweets, Firdous Ashiq Awan said realization of the dreams of youth is central mission of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Terming youth as our precious asset and hope for bright future, Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan said the demand of rights by the students reflects their increasing awareness and thinking which is good omen.

اپنے حقوق کا مطالبہ طلباء کے بڑھتے ہوئے شعور اور فکر کی عکاسی ہے جو نہایت خوش آئند ہے۔

— Firdous Ashiq Awan (@Dr_FirdousPTI) December 1, 2019

She said our students are the strength which has to bring about new thinking, vision and dynamic democratic leadership in the coming times.

The Special Assistant said our youth has strong determination to cope with every challenge steadfastly.

FM Qureshi, Governor Ismail arrived in Karachi to meet MQM leaders

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has arrived in Karachi where he is scheduled to meet leaders of Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P), on Sunday.

Shah Mehmood Qureshi landed in the metropolis as the foreign minister and Sindh Governor Imran Ismail will hold meeting with MQM-P leaders in Karachi today.

A high-level delegation of the ruling party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) will visit the temporary headquarters of its coalition partner, Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P).

The meeting will be held at 3:00 pm today between PTI and MQM-P leaders to discuss the current political scenario, said sources. The MQM-P delegation will be comprised of senior leaders including Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Amir Khan, Waseem Akhtar, Kanwar Naveed and others, sources added.

MQM-P had reached a deal with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and is set to be a part of the federal government in August last year.

• Nine-point MoU signed between PTI, MQM-P
• The resolution passed by the National Assembly regarding Karachi census and as decided in the Council of Common Interest should be implemented immediately.
• In line with PTI and MQM manifesto, the local government system in Sindh and Punjab does not conform to the constitutional requirements under section 140 A.
• Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf will support the petition of the MQM(P), which is before the Supreme Court of Pakistan in this regard.
• The Karachi operation shall be reviewed in totality and in consultation with all stakeholders. All parties should have a level playing field.
• All appointments in the government should be based on merit and according to law through an accredited, impartial testing system.
• Octroi was abolished in 1988, the decision made then was that the affected cities would be compensated with a share in proportion to the loss, in lieu of Octroi taxes. That decision should be implemented fully.
• The urban centres of Sindh, including Karachi, have been severely neglected in the past. A direct financial package will be announced immediately that shall be disbursed by the federal government, with special emphasis on water.
• Both parties shall strive to introduce police reforms as implemented by PTI in KP and promised by MQM(P) in its manifesto, so that police is de-politicised and recruited with merit in letter and spirit according to law that envisages local recruitment.
• A university of international level and repute shall be established in Hyderabad.
  It is agreed in line with the statement given by PTI chairman, election audit would take place of any of the constituencies pointed out by MQM(P).

Chairlift on Islamabad Margalla Hills

Chairlift may start on Islamabad Margalla Hills.

The wildlife ministry is considering installing a chairlift for tourists. The benefits of this will be twofold, according to the ministry: people will be able to visit the area and get a great view, and they’ll stop using so many cars.

Environmental experts have also endorsed this idea. Everyday, 5,000 cars cross the foothills of the Margalla. Officials want to protect the hills and Islamabad’s national parks.

Dr Aneesur Rehman, chairperson of the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board, said they hope to install a chairlift here, so that people stop using the road. People who want to see the Margalla National Park will get a better view too, he said.

As part of the proposal, a special bus service for tourists will be started ahead of Daman-e-Koh.

The ministry still needs to make a decision about how the National Park employees will get to the park. It will be made after discussing it with them.

Auction to be held for new oil and gas exploration

Federal Minister for Power and Petroleum, Omar Ayub Khan said that the Petroleum sub-Sector is offering opportunities for oil and gas exploration of around 40 new sites.

In a meeting with German Ambassador Bernhard Schlangheck who called on him at his office, he said the Pakistan's Energy Sector is fast flourishing as its sub-Power Sector was offering around 60 Billion Dollar market in its renewable energy generation, transmission and Distribution system, said a press release.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Petroleum, Nadeem Babar was also present during the meeting.

While apprising the German Ambassador on the new Renewable Energy Policy, the Federal Minister said that for the first time the Provinces have been given a major leading role in both decision making regarding new renewable energy projects as well as in their implementation.

A steering committee having due representation of all the provinces has been envisaged for this purpose in the Alternative Energy Development board (AEDB), he added.

He said that government has formulated 25 years generation plan alongside transmission plan for commissioning new electricity projects in the country.

Nadeem Babar informed that a multi-years auction of bulk renewable energy projects is also under consideration on competitive Bidding basis.

It will also be beneficial for manufacturing of renewable energy products i.e. solar plates and wind turbines in the country providing them a good size and term for their businesses besides creating considerable job opportunities in Pakistan, he added.

Regarding exploration of new oil and gas reservoirs, the German Ambassador was apprised that due to absence of clear globally acceptable policy for exploration, there was little exploration as compared to the potential that Pakistan had.

Now after the policy has been revamped, the government has ready to auction around 35 off shore and 10 on shore sites for exploration starting from December.

Omar Ayub Khan briefed the German Ambassador regarding the huge potential of per capita consumption of electricity in Pakistan that is currently around 500KW lower than China which was 2500Kw per capita.

This means that electricity consumption will further increase with the adoption of business friendly policies by the present government. He said that government has formulated Circular Debt Capping Plan and the Circular Debt which was growing by Rs 39 billion per month during the previous regimes, has been successfully brought down to little more than Rs 10 billion per month. This growth will be arrested by the end of next year, he added.

The Federal Minister also threw light on the steps taken by the present government for bringing efficiency in the power sector. He said that due to extensive anti-theft campaign, recovery drives, actions against own employees, and such other measures, 80 percent feeders across the country are now receiving uninterrupted power supply while work on rest of 20 percent is on fast track. Besides considerable investment were also made in new technology including AMI meters and Areal Bundled Cables installation in the DISCOs to enhance their efficiency and reduce losses.

The German Ambassador appreciated the Government's endeavours in the Energy Sector. He said that entire developed World and their entrepreneurs are watching the developments in Pakistan and are ready to invest. He said that German Companies were also interested in taking part in the coming bidding process for renewable energy projects.

Decreased Fuel prices from December

The federal government has announced to reduce the prices of petroleum products with effect from December 1, 2019.

Earlier, Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) had sent a summary recommending a decrease in the fuel prices to the Petroleum Ministry.

As per new notification, the price of petrol has been reduced by 25 paisas to Rs113.99 per liter.

The rate of diesel is reduced by Rs2.40 to Rs125.01/liter while a decrease of 83 paisas has been approved in the price of kerosene oil. The new price of the kerosene is Rs96.35.

Opposition to cooperate on Army Chief extension: Minister Shah Mehmood

Foreign Minister Mehmood Qureshi hoped that the opposition will cooperate with the government regarding the tenure extension of Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

The Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi told that Whatever the government did regarding extension in the army chief’s tenure it did remaining within the ambit of constitution.

He said the government would proceed with the matter after issuance of a detailed verdict by the Supreme Court. “It is hoped that the opposition will cooperate in legislation,” Qureshi added.

The comments by the foreign minister came days after the Supreme Court decided to extend General Bajwa’s tenure as the army chief for six months. The court had asked the government to submit an undertaking that the parliament would enact a law on this in six months.

Qureshi further said the government wanted to fix any imperfections in the procedure. The opposition would demonstrate responsibility by cooperating with the government, he added.