PLANE
A day of mourning is being observed throughout the country today in memory of those killed in yesterday's plane crash in Islamabad.
The national flag hoisted at half mast at all public and private buildings.
The passenger plane of Airblue was enroute from Karachi to Islamabad when it crashed into the Margalla hills of Islamabad, killing all the one hundred and fifty passengers on board including six crew members.
A special crisis management centre has been set up at Aabpara Community centre Islamabad to facilitate the relatives of the victims to identify dead bodies.
DNA
NDMA Chairman Nadeem Ahmed has said that the remains of all the victims of yesterday plane crash at Margallah have been collected.
In an interview he said that so for ninety two bodies have been handed over to their heirs.
Meanwhile monsoon rain and clouds hampered the search for black box of the air liner as the nation mourned the loss of one hundred fifty-two lives.
A fifty member of doctors has been tasked to identify the bodies. DNA tests are being conducted at the Community Centre Abbpara to identify bodies. Incharge of the camp DCO Aamir Ahmed Ali told that identification of bodies through DNA will be completed in a week and the bodies will be handed over the heirs in ten days.
PM-PRESIDENT
Prime Minister Syed Yusaf Raza Gilani called on President Asif Ali Zardari in Islamabad today and discussed tragic incident of air crash atop Margalla hills and Current situation in the country.
The Prime Minister briefed the President about the constitution of an inquiry committee to probe into the incident of Air crash and the search and rescue measures being undertaken by various organizations of the government.
The President while expressing his deep grief and sorrow over the awful incident of air crash said that the incident had saddened the entire nation. The President urged for early completion of the probe to ascertain the real causes of the incident that resulted in heavy loss of precious human lives.
The President said that the report of the inquiry committee should be made public so that the people know as to what really led to the tragic incident. The President also asked for taking all possible steps to facilitate the heirs of the victims.
The President and Prime Minister also prayed for the victims and all those touched by the tragedy.
PM-SENATE
Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has said that the whole nation is mourning the loss of precious lives in the plane crash and of many others who died in the flood affected areas.
He expressed these views during a meeting with Chairman Senate Farooq H Naek and Deputy Chairman Senate Jan Muhammad Jamali in Islamabad today.
He asked the Senate to lead in giving a message of unity to all the political forces to formulate policies which provide relief to the people at large.
They also discussed political situation of the country with the Prime Minister.
APHC-CONDOLENCE
The APHC Chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and other Hurriyet leaders including, Syed Ali Gilani and Agha Syed Hassan Al-Moosvi in their statements expressed grief and sorrow over the plane crash in Islamabad.
The Hurriyat leaders expressed solidarity with the families of those killed in the accident.
NAHYAN
President, United Arab Emirates Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan has condoled to President Asif Ali Zardari on the death of the passengers in tragic plane crash.
SENATE-PM
Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani says the recent statements of some foreign leaders criticizing role of Pakistani agencies would affect the war on terror.
He was responding to a point of order raised by Raja Zafarul Haq in the Senate today about statement of the British Prime Minister who alleged that Pakistan was exporting terrorism.
The Prime Minister pointed out that forces of NATO and other countries could not control the situation in Afghanistan despite their heavy numbers and more resources. He said Pakistan is not claiming to be a super power and is making its humble efforts to address the challenge of terrorism.
SENATE-BILL
The Senate today unanimously passed the Benazir Income Support Programme Bill 2010. The National Assembly has already passed the Bill.
Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani thanked the House for unanimous adoption of the Bill and said it is aimed at protecting the vulnerable sections of the society.
He said this is the most transparent programme of the government and assured that there would be no discrimination in distribution of forms for grant of cash assistance under the programme.
Earlier, introducing the Bill, Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Babar Awan said the Bill envisages establishment of an autonomous authority to provide financial assistance and other social protection to the economically distressed people.
Members taking part in the discussion called for initiation of programmes to lessen dependence of the people on such programmes by creating employment opportunities. They however said they support the Bill as it is aimed at welfare of the poor.
SENATE
During Question Hour Minister for Industries and Production Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani informed the House that a new industrial policy is being prepared aimed at boosting industrial production.
He said the new policy, the draft of which would be ready before 14th of next month, would carry new initiatives and new incentive packages.
The Minister said that the industrial growth, which went down to minus eight point two percent in 2008-09, has picked up to four point seven one percent.
Agriculture Minister Nazar Muhammad Gondal said that federal and provincial governments are working on plans to enhance storage capacity for wheat and results would be visible in few months.
The Senate would now meet tomorrow morning.
ECC
There is a sufficient stocks of sugar in the country for the next three months and Trading Corporation of Pakistan has been directed to import three hundred and seventy-five thousand metric tons of sugar as soon as possible.
The Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet which met in Islamabad today with Finance Minister Dr. Abdul Hafeez Sheikh in the chair reviewed the stock position of sugar in the country.
Briefing newsmen, Finance Secretary Salman Siddique said there is eleven lac seven thousand three hundred and fifty-seven metric tons of sugar is available in the country.
He said it will be ensured that sugar is available particularly during the holy month of Ramazan.
PRESIDENT ASSENT
President Asif Ali Zardari has accorded his assent to Islamabad High Court Bill, 2010, for establishment of a High Court for Islamabad High Capital Territory.
The assent was accorded during a signing ceremony held at Aiwan-e-Sadr today.
The Bill was passed by the National Assembly on 10th May and the Senate on 13th May this year with Amendment.
BRIEFING
President Asif Ali Zardari is to pay a three day visit to France from Sunday next for wide ranging talks with French leadership on bilateral, regional and global issues.
The President will exchange views with them on expanding relations in economic, trade and industry, science and technology and cultural fields.
Briefing newsmen in Islamabad this afternoon, Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit said the two sides have been cooperating on counter-terrorism.
Replying to a question, the spokesman said programme of the President's visit to the United Kingdom is being finalized and the dates would be announced later.
The spokesman said Pakistan is saddened by British Prime Minister David Cameron's remarks made in Banglor in India accusing Pakistan of exporting terror. He said these remarks are contrary to the facts on the ground and they have been prompted by reports of the Wikileaks website.
The spokesman said Afghan President Hamid Karzai's remarks about operation of NATO forces in Pakistan is incomprehensible. He said Pakistan has asked its ambassador in Kabul to seek clarifications from the Afghan Government.
Referring to the anti-Pakistan remarks of the British Prime Minister, Afghan President and some American officials the spokesman said all these comments are based on Wikileaks self-serving reports. He said malicious campaign against Pakistan has been going on for years but at official levels in the West, Pakistan's contribution in counter-terrorism is duly acknowledged.
The spokesman said Pakistan is thankful to all those foreign leaders who have sent messages of condolence and share our national grief over yesterday's tragic air crash.
PM-BILE
The country representative of World Health Organization, Dr. Khalif Bile Muhammad made a farewell call on Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani in Islamabad today.
The Prime Minister appreciated his services in the upgradation of health care system in Pakistan.
The Prime Minister also acknowledged his role during rescue operation in earthquake affected areas of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
OATH
Sardar Attique Ahmad Khan was sworn in as the new Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir at a ceremony in Muzaffarabad today.
AJK President Raja Zulqarnain Khan administered the oath.
Earlier, Sardar Attique Ahmad Khan was elected a new leader of the House at a special session of the AJK Legislative Assembly.
KASHMIR
In Occupied Kashmir, restrictions by the authorities continued, today, to scuttle protests and demonstrations, aimed at pressurising India to give up its illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir.
The call of the demonstrations was given by the forum patronized by Syed Ali Gilani.
Despite restrictions pro-liberation demonstrations were held in Bandipore, Hajin, Naidkhai, Sumbal, Handwara and Samboora. Indian troops fired bullets and teargas shells to disperse the protesters.
PM-FLOODS
The Prime Minister has directed National Disaster Management Authority to fulfill requirements of the flood affected areas of Khyber-Pakhtoonkhwa, Balochistan and Rajanpur on priority basis.
Speaking in the Senate this evening, he said he has ordered the Authority to provide food, medicines and boats for the flood affected areas.
The Prime Minister said the loss of life due to rains and floods is a great tragedy and he has talked on phone to both the Chief Ministers of the Khyber-Pakhtoonkhwa and Balochistan.
He said the Federal Government would provide every possible assistance to mitigate sufferings of the rain and flood affected people of different areas.
PRESIDENT PM CONDOLENCE
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani have expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives in monsoon rains and flash floods.
The President directed the concerned authorities for immediate rescue relief and rehabilitation measures.
The Prime Minister telephoned Chief Minister of Khyber Pakthunkhawa Amir Haider Khan Hoti and expressed sorrow and grief over the devastation caused by the floods.
They directed Chairman National Disaster Management Authority to ensure relief to the affected population in coordination with the provincial government.
RAIN EMERGENCY
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, emergency has been declared following torrential rains and flash floods which killed sixty people.
Addressing a news conference in Peshawar today, Provincial Minister for Information Mian Iftikhar Hussain said that four hundred thousand people are stranded in different parts of the province.
He said that in district Kohistan, infrastructure of two Chinese companies engaged in hydel power generation have been washed away. Two hundred Chinese are still trapped in their colony in district Kohistan while nine are missing.
Similarly, about three hundred students of Malakand University are trapped.
Twelve thousand four hundred people are stranded in Peshawar while eight hundred in Charsadda district.
The Provincial Information Minister said that efforts are underway to shift these people to safer places.
Speaking on the occasion, DG PDMA said that twenty-six million rupees have been released to all the districts to tackle emergency relief while one hundred million rupees are being released for relief work.
RAIN-ARMY
Country wide torrential rains caused unprecedented and outrageous floods. Loss of lives, property, livestock and damaged to communication infrastructure is being reported.
All available troops of Army in respective areas have been fully mobilized since yesterday to carry out rescue and relief activities in concert with civil administration.
Army teams are working at Charsada, Peshawar, Nowshera, Mansehra, Swat, Tank, Marwat districts and Khyber Agency of FATA.
Pakistan Army has set up flood monitoring cell in Corps Headquarters where latest flood situation is monitored and coordination is made with civil administration. The emergency numbers of Army Flood Information centre are 091-2012364 and 091-2014719.
A number of low-laying areas along river Kabul in Nowshera district have been inundated in flood water today.
According to flood warning cell, Kabul River at Nowshera is in extreme flood touching GT Road now.
Azakhel, Pirpai, Mohib Banda, Garhi Taza Din, Akbarpura and some other areas in district Nowshera have come under flood water.
District Administration has launched rescue operation in the area. Keeping in view forecast of further rising of water level in River Kabul, people living in low laying areas in the district have been warned to shift to safer places.
RIVER POSITION
According to the latest information available with the Flood Warning Centre in Lahore this evening, the Indus River is flowing in a high flood at Tarbela, Kalabagh and Chashma with the water level rising at all points.
In the River Jhelum, there is high flood at Mangla while medium at Rasool with water level rising at both points.
NDMA
Chairman National Disaster Management Authority Nadeem Ahmed has said that over two hundred and fifty thousand cusecs water is flowing in the river Kabul which has badly affected Malakand, Peshawar, Charsaddah and Nohsherah districts.
In an interview in Islamabad he said it is an unprecedented situation where it is very difficult to operate the boats.
He appealed to the nearby people living on the banks of the rivers to shift immediately to the safer places.
PAK-US
The United States says Pakistan in the last one year has made a significant strategic shift in the war against terrorism.
The State Department Spokesman said in Washington today that Pakistan had taken considerable aggressive steps in the ongoing war against extremists.
The Spokesman said that the US acknowledges that Pakistani people are suffering much from terrorism.
He said it is in the interest of US and Pakistan to eliminate the safe havens of extremists in the region and to prevent the emergence of new safe havens.
US-BISP
The United States has transferred seventy-five million dollars to Pakistan for the Benazir Income Support Program to help meet the immediate needs of six hundred thousand impoverished families.
This was announced in a press release of the US Embassy in Islamabad today.
MILITANTS
In Kurram Agency, seven militants have been killed and thirteen wounded in an operation by the security forces in Marghan Kandaw area.
A hide-out of the militant was also destroyed.
Meanwhile, sixteen suspects have been arrested by the police in Hangu.
IRAQ
In Iraq, twenty two persons including thirteen security personnel were killed in string of bomb attacks across the country today.
Sixteen people were killed including nine members of Iraqi security forces and Fourteen others wounded in different bomb attacks in Bagdad.
Three soldiers died and twelve were wounded in a car bomb attack near an army base in Slaheddin Province.
Meanwhile, a soldier was killed and five people including three soldiers were wounded by a bomb planted in a motorcycle in Falluja.
S-KOREA
South Korean Prime Minister Chung Un-Chan has offered his resignation to take responsibility for the government's failure to win parliamentary approval for a key project.
The parliament had rejected a multi-billion dollar government plan to develop a new city as a science, business and education hub.
INDIA
In India, several opposition parties today joined the Left front when they staged a sit-in at the main gate of the parliament this morning.
They were protesting against price hike of essential commodities and petroleum products.
CHINA
In China, thirteen people have been killed and another six are missing after floodwaters swept through Jilin Province.
HOOK-UP
Radio Pakistan in its national hook-up at 2210 hours tonight, will broadcast a resume of the proceedings of the Senate.
