PLANE
A day of mourning was observed in the country today in the memory of those killed in yesterday's plane crash in Islamabad.
The national flag was at half mast at public and private buildings.
The passenger plane of Airblue crashed into the Margalla hills killing all one hundred and fifty two passengers on board including six crew.
DNA
NDMA Chairman Nadeem Ahmed has said the remains of all victims of plane crash have been collected.
In an interview he said so for ninety two bodies have been handed over to their heirs.
DNA tests are being conducted to identify bodies. Identification of bodies is expected be completed in a week time.
PM-PRESIDENT
Prime Minister Syed Yusaf Raza Gilani called on President Asif Ali Zardari in Islamabad today and discussed tragic incident of air crash.
The Prime Minister briefed the President about the probe into the air crash.
The President expressing his deep grief and sorrow over loss of life in the air crash said the incident has saddened the entire nation.
The President said report of the inquiry committee should be made public. He also directed for taking all possible steps to facilitate the heirs of the victims.
NAHYAN
President, United Arab Emirates Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan has condoled to President Asif Ali Zardari over loss of life in tragic plane crash.
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.
SENATE-PM:
Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani says the recent statements of some foreign leaders criticizing role of Pakistani agencies would affect the ongoing war on terror.
He was responding to a point of order in the Senate today about statement of the British Prime Minister who alleged that Pakistan was exporting terrorism.
The Prime Minister pointed out that NATO forces could not control the situation in Afghanistan despite 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 society.
He said this is the most transparent programme of the government and assured that there would be no discrimination in grant of cash assistance under the programme.
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 Bill was passed by the National Assembly and Senate with Amendment.
ECC
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.
The meeting was informed that there is a sufficient stocks of sugar in the country for the next three months. Trading Corporation of Pakistan has been directed to import three hundred and seventy-five thousand metric tons of the commodity as soon as possible.
BRIEFING
President Asif Ali Zardari is to pay a three day visit to France from Sunday next for wide ranging talks on bilateral, regional and global issues.
The President will exchange views with the Friend Leadership Cooperation in economic, trade and cultural fields.
Briefing newsmen in Islamabad this afternoon, Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit said the two sides have been cooperating on counter-terrorism.
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 clarification from the Afghan Government.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A number of low-lying areas along river Kabul in Nowshera district have been inundated by flood water.
District Administration keeping in view forecast of further rising of water level in River Kabul warned people in low laying areas to shift to safer places.
RAIN-ARMY:
Country wide torrential rains caused unprecedented and outrageous floods. Loss of lives, property, livestock and damage to communication infrastructure is being reported.
Army in respective areas has been mobilized to carry out rescue and relief activities .
Army teams are working at Charsada, Peshawar, Nowshera, Mansehra, Swat, Tank, Marwat districts and Khyber Agency of FATA.
PAK-US:
The United States says Pakistan in the last one year has made a significant strategic shift in the war against terrorism.
A 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.
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 in Bagdad while three soldiers died in a car bomb attack in Slaheddin Province.
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.
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.
CHINA:
In China, thirteen people have been killed and another six are missing after floodwaters swept through Jilin Province.
CRICKET:
On the opening day of the first cricket Test against Pakistan at Nottingham, England in their first innings were 245 for 4 a short while ago.
WEATHER
AND FINALLY THE WEATHER:
There are reports of widespread rain and thundershower across the country during the last twenty four hours.
Meanwhile, thundershower with isolated heavy falls is expected in Punjab , Khyber Pukhtunkhwa, and Kashmir in the next twenty four hours.
