Pakistan Steel Mills Privatization still undecided Pakistan Steel Mills Privatization still undecided

ISLAMABAD: The government is undecided about privatizing the financially troubled Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM). The entity needs an injection of over Rs100 billion for restructuring and revival before it can be put for sale within 12 months.

According to sources, the government has realized that the accumulated liabilities of PSM are too big to be met through the sale of its current assets and any financial commitment to its revival carries a high degree of risk.

It is also considering carrying out a technical audit of the machinery and plants to verify claims that with financial support the mill would be able to run at 80% of its capacity, compared to the current 3%.

The audit would not only determine the status of the machinery but also suggest whether aged plants would be attractive enough for potential investors.

Sources disclosed that five options were placed before the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet in a meeting on January 16. These included maintaining the status quo, selling assets, making attempts to revive the mill with no decision on privatization, keeping the mill ticking and privatizing within 12 months, or restructure and revive and privatize in one year.

A comparative statement covering all these possibilities in terms of cash and non-cash facilities was also presented to the ECC.

The last option is aimed at utilizing the time between now and the final phase of privatization to revive PSM’s activities. It also offers a chance to keep the mill in the public sector if restructuring is done properly.

In order to opt for this option, the government would need to pump Rs19.1 billion into PSM in a single tranche, provide sovereign guarantees (non-cash) for 120 days of letters of credit with National Bank amounting to Rs11 billion, undertake financial restructuring through parking Rs50.712 billion, offer voluntary separation scheme to 4,000 employees worth Rs14.167 billion and waive SSGC surcharge worth Rs6.56 billion.

Meeting participants told the ECC that PSM losses would start declining after restructuring and the mill would be able to return to profit by 2016. Debt-to-equity ratio would gradually improve, enabling PSM to borrow funds on its own instead of banking on the government.

Current ratios would also improve steadily and by 2018 current assets will exceed current liabilities.

They were of the view that rationalization of manpower would lead to savings of Rs15.5 billion over seven years, making PSM more attractive for privatization.

Depending on the management’s capability and a qualified and capable workforce, PSM’s revival could be possible, they remarked. The government will then have a choice either to sell or keep it as a state-owned enterprise.

The ECC was told that besides mitigating the government’s high risk exposure, the privatization should also bring dividends in the form of economic efficiency, better supply of products to the domestic industry and privatization proceeds for the government.

The ECC agreed that bad governance, overstaffing and financial and technical mismanagement had brought PSM to its present condition.

It was of the view that the PSM board of governors should consider all proposals for the revival and restructuring of the mill and share the plan with the Privatization Commission and the Ministry of Industries and Production.

Karachi Chamber of Commerce decides to set up Anti-extortion Cell

KARACHI: Deputy Inspector General of Police, CIA, Sultan Khawaja, has agreed to establish an anti-extortion cell at Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on complaints of small traders about increasing threats from extortion mafia. Speaking at a meeting of Special Committee of the small traders of KCCI, he said that the cell would be manned by a sub-inspector and an ASI and he would monitor the progress of the cell.

He assured that representation will be given to KCCI in the existing anti-extortion cell at CIA centre and their input would be taken for evolving an action plan to eradicate extortion. He said that the cell would receive complaints on daily basis and take prompt action. He said that identity of complainant will be kept secret.

He assured the traders that all their complaints will be forwarded to CCPO for prompt action. Sultan Khawaja advised business community that they must register their complaints with police so that prompt action could be taken against criminals. He said that three groups of Bhatta mafia were operating in the city. One of them operate through phone and made threatening call demanding extortions.

He advised traders to provide the phone numbers of those making these calls to police so that these phones should be blocked. Closure of phone will help reduce number of calls, he added. “The second group is a well organised group comprising some powerful elements. This group operating in paper market, cloth market etc. Action has already been initiated against this group,” he added.
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Condemnatory Reactions Pouring in over Altaf Hussain's Statement

KARACHI: The mainstream political parties of Pakistan have taken strong exception to Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader, Altaf Hussain’s demand of a separate province for Urdu-speaking residents of Sindh if the government deems they so intolerable, Geo News reported.

Following the London-based MQM supremo’s fiery telephonic broadcast, condemnatory reactions started pouring in from all the political schools of thought.

The keenest of counter-statements came form Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader, Bilawal Bhuotto Zardari.

Bilawal, on his Twitter account, posted: Marsoon Marsoon, Sindh na Ddaisun ("We will die, we will die, but won't give Sindh [to others]").

It is a famous quote by Hoshu Sheedi --General Hosh Muhammad Sheedi-- Supreme Commander of Sindh's Talpur army, who fought with valor against the British in the Battle of Dabbo and laid down his life in defense of his country.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari posted this message on Twitter shortly after MQM chief Altaf Hussain statement, but not without drawing fire from many sides.

The firebrand PPP chief also responded to his critics rather curtly.

He tweeted: "If my tweets freak you out so much wait and see what I can do from Parliament."

On the other hand PPP leader Sharjeel Memon expressed grave concern over Hussain's separatist demands.

"No one shall have even a single part of Sindh", said he..

PPP’s Khurshid Shah brushed aside MQM leader's statement saying, Altaf Hussain was like a king, who could say anything to anyone, but he should mind his ramblings.

"Someone is always incurring Hussain's wrath, but today he rained all his ire over Sindh."

Jamat e Islami (JI) Chief Syed Munawar Hasan did not stay behind in slamming Hussain's statement.

In a statement, JI chief said that the statement reeked of a conspiracy to divide the country on top of fanning anarchy.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader, Arif Alvi said Altaf Hussain should refrain from issuing such statements.

Awami National Party's (ANP) Zahid Khan in his statement stressed that his party had always been against Sindh's division.

Ayaz Paleejo, the leader of Qaumi Awami Movement, went a step further ans demanded of Altaf Hussain to withdraw his statement or else his party would take to streets against it. He also announced to stage protest demonstrations on Monday, February 6, 2013.

Sharjeel Memon Reacts to Altaf Hussain’s Speech

KARACHI: Responding to Altaf Hussain’s speech, Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon said that even an inch of Sindh province would not be given to anybody.

He said it seemed that Hussain’s statement was aimed at joining the provincial government. Memon said that there was no difference between the common people living in Sindh.

The minister said: “Such statement also seems to be a ploy to divert attention from on going targeted operation in Karachi”

He said that MQM had its governor in Sindh for 11 years and it should contact him for its demands.

“It is not appropriate to create ethnic division through public meetings, everybody knows who is behind hooliganism,” he said and added that the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) would not allow creating law and order situation.

Munawar sees Conspiracy to Split Country in Altaf Hussain’s Statement

KARACHI: Jamat e Islami (JI) Chief Syed Munawar Hasan has slammed the statement of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Chief, 'demanding' to form a new province in Sindh.

In a statement, JI chief said that the statement is a part of the conspiracy being hatched to spread anarchy and to split the country.

Defence Minister Calls on Prime Minister to Discusses Musharraf Issue

 
ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif met with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday and discussed situation created after Musharraf’s ailment.

Both leaders met at Prime Minister House and discussed treason case and Musharraf ‘s ailment.

Sources told Abbtakk that PM expressing regret over former President ailment directed provision of all treatment facilities to Musharraf.

While talking at the occasion, Khawaja Asif said that there was no decision made sending Musharraf abroad for treatment. He said that only the court could provide him relief.

Musharraf Likely to be Sent Abroad, Hearing to Resume on January 6th, 2014

ISLAMABAD: (Dunya News) – Former President Pervez Musharraf is reportedly out of danger and will spend next couple of days at AFIC hospital. Special court conducting his treason trial ruled not to issue arrest warrants for failing to appear before the court. 

Furthermore, reports of transferring Musharraf abroad for treatment purposes are also circulating however Defense Minister Khawaja Asif stated no such decision has been taken.  Pervez Musharraf was being escorted to court from his farm house in Chak Shahzad under strict security -- with over fifteen hundred security personnel deployed on the route and another hundreds outside court. Musharraf complained of cardiac pain just as his envoy reached Rawal dam at which point the envoy was diverted towards Rawalpindi where doctor ruled it as heart attack.   

The earlier reports suggested that Musharraf’s transfer abroad for further treatment was under consideration; however, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif ruled out the possibility saying no such decision is under consideration. He maintained that the only relief that can be given is through court.   

After meeting with the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Asif added that all medical facilities are available in the country however government will not object if court permits the transfer abroad.   Following his failure to appear before the court, judges of the special court deliberated in their chambers for several hours and ruled not to issue arrest warrants. 

Special prosecutor Akram Sheikh had sought arrest warrant of the former president and special court’s ruling in this regard was highly anticipated.   Musharraf failed to appear before court also on Wednesday and on December 24 after explosive material was found near his home on the way to court.   Musharraf is under treatment for heart attack in military hospital AFIC (Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology) and is expected to stay under observation for at least four more days, Dunya News reported.   

Special prosecutors insist the final say will be of the court which ruled hours ago, as per sources. Special registrar of the court briefed the media about the ruling.   Reportedly, Defense Counsels had complained about the alleged harassments and threats ever since the treason case started. Former president Pervez Musharraf is on trial for treason under article 6 of the constitution for his steps taken on November 3, 2007.   

The hearing had resumed in the special court headed by Justice Faisal Arab earlier today and former president was supposed to appear before the court. Special prosecutor Akram Sheikh, in his arguments alleged that Pervez Musharraf’s heart problem was played out to avoid his appearance in court and that a court notice was due in this regard. At which point, the prosecutors pleaded the court to issue non bailable arrest warrants against the former dictator.   

One of the defense counsels‚ Khalid Ranjha rebutted the prosecutor by assuring the court that his client was taken to the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology following his severe cardiac pain. The court adjourned the hearing until Monday January 6, and following the deliberation in their chambers, resolved not to issue arrest warrants for Pervez Musharraf.   

Reportedly, court had made it clear at the beginning of proceedings that a needful order will be issued if Musharraf failed to appear before the court today. It merits mentioning here that Musharraf had failed to appear before the court a number of times before as well and on Wednesday’s hearing, court ordered to ensure his appearance on Thursday, failing which, the court was to issue arrest warrants.   

Defense counsels have constantly sought exemption for Musharraf from appearing before court on security grounds. However the court had refused to grant exemption and instead sanctioned appropriate security on his way to court.   

Former president was being escorted under court sanctioned foolproof security that consisted on box security protocol with over fifteen hundred security personnel deployed on the way to court and hundreds of them outside court. Security plan also included CCTV cameras on the said route and a bomb disposal squad with the convoy.   

During the course of court proceedings, defense counsel Anwar Mansoor submitted before the court that he was allegedly being harassed and threatened, rendering him unable to sleep at night. Mansoor added that someone has constantly been ‘banging’ his door and ringing his door bell from 1 AM till five in the morning.   

The court asked who was threatening the counsel, upon which Mansoor accused government to be behind the alleged scare tactics. The court assured to order investigation in the matter but the counsel appeared to be uneasy upon which he walked out of the court along with another member of defense counsels.   Former military dictator is being tried for imposing emergency rule in November 2007 which suspended constitution and government institutions.

Lenovo Yoga goes Enterprise

Lenovo has launched a new range of enterprise devices, including a convertible ThinkPad S1 Yoga and new ThinkPad ultrabooks T440,T440s and X240s Ultrabooks. All these devices are powered by Intel’s fourth generation Haswell Core processors.

The ThinkPad S1 Yoga is a multi-mode device designed to function optimally in different scenarios, eliminating the need of separate ultrabooks and tablet. Like the first Yoga, this device can do a 360 degree flip from laptop mode to stand mode and tent mode to tablet mode. The keyboard is disabled when it is not in the laptop mode. With a pre-loaded Intel SBA platform, it allows better security and business continuity. ThinkPad S1 Yoga is priced at Rs 80,000 onwards.

The ThinkPad T440 Ultrabook has a 14-inch HD or HD+ screen with optional multitouch capability and a trackpad that supports Windows 8 gestures. Priced at Rs 78,000 onwards, the device comes with 1TB storage and 10 hours + battery life. With military-specific durability and glass fiber design for a touch, it is a durable device.

The ThinkPad T440s has a carbon fiber top cover that makes the device light and durable. It has has a wide range of connection options and touch capability with Windows 8 Pro. T440s is priced at Rs 90,000 onwards

The ThinkPad X240s Ultrabook is the thinnest and lightest full featured ThinkPad yet. Weighing just 1.28 kg, this device comes with full HD IPS touch screen display, carbon fibre construction and a glass TrackPad. This premium device is available at Rs 95,000 onwards.

CCTVs Installed for Effective Surveillance in Kashmir

 
In a bid to secure border areas and curb intrusion attempts in Kashmir, the police has began installing a network of Close-Circuit Television (CCTVs) in the sensitive areas.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Poonch district, Shamsher Hussain said that 16 CCTV towers had been erected in the area.

“There is a need to install CCTV cameras in Kashmir, especially Poonch for effective surveillance. In the first phase, we have erected 16 CCTV towers and cameras would be installed within two months,” said Hussain.

Meanwhile, residents in the area urged authorities to speed up the installation work and ensure that the area was under constant surveillance.

“Poonch area is close to the border and it is very important to ensure that it is safe. Militancy has always disrupted routine life here and there are constant inputs about infiltration. We urge the state administration to ensure that cameras are installed on time on the towers, so that we are safe and the police are also not burdened,” said Sartaj Ali, a resident.

Pakistan's Ex-Hockey Players Protest Outside Parliament over Slump

ISLAMABAD (AFP) - A group of Pakistani Olympic hockey greats protested in front of parliament in a desperate bid to revive the former world-beating country's struggling fortunes.

About a dozen former players demonstrated in Islamabad Thursday in the hope that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will step in and help reverse the team's decline.

Pakistan are three-time Olympic champions and four-time winners of the World Cup, an event they introduced in 1971. They failed even to qualify for next year's edition.

"We thought of staging a protest at the parliament because this is the place where our voices can reach the prime minister, Nawaz Sharif," said Shahnaz Shaikh, a member of Pakistan's 1978 World Cup winning team.

"We will protest again early next month at the parliament and continue until the prime minister addresses the situation," he added.

Pakistan, winners in 1960, 1968 and 1984, finished seventh at last year's London Olympics, and they were 12th and last at the 2010 World Cup in New Delhi.

The future also looks bleak as Pakistan finished ninth in the Junior World Cup in India last week.

"The federation officials are politicized. hockey should be free from politics," said Sami.

"It is high time that we save our national game and we request the prime minister to take stringent measures to restore the pride in the game," said Sami.

Pakistan Film Zinda Bhaag is Out of Oscar Race

LOS ANGELES (AFP) - Oscars organizers shortlisted nine movies including Palestinian, Danish and Hong Kong films Friday for best foreign language prize, offering surprises and some unexpected snubs.

Films left out included Saudi Arabia's first-ever candidate and Pakistan's first entry in five decades, while an Oscar-winning Iranian director also failed to make the cut.

Films by Belgian, Bosnian, Cambodian, German, Hungarian and Italian directors are on the shortlist, which did not include any women filmmakers.

"The Hunt" by Dane Thomas Vinterberg, "The Grandmaster" from Hong Kong's Wong Kar-wai and "The Great Beauty" by Italian Paolo Sorrentino could be among the frontrunners.

But Iranian entry "The Past" -- by director Asghar Farhadi, who won the best foreign film Oscar in 2012 for "A Separation" -- was not on Friday's list, despite forecasts that it would be among the leading nominees.

The films were whittled down from a long list of 76 movies announced in October by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which organizes Hollywood's biggest annual awards fest.

They will be reduced to five nominees next month, before nods in all Oscar categories are announced on January 16. The 86th Academy Awards will be held on March 2.

The nine shortlisted foreign language films are:

- "The Broken Circle Breakdown," Belgium, director Felix van Groeningen.

- "An Episode in the Life of an Iron Picker," Bosnia and Herzegovina, director Danis Tanovic.

- "The Missing Picture," Cambodia, director Rithy Panh.

- "The Hunt," Denmark, director Thomas Vinterberg.

- "Two Lives," Germany, director Georg Maas.

- "The Grandmaster," Hong Kong, director Wong Kar-wai.

- "The Notebook," Hungary, director Janos Szasz.

- "The Great Beauty," Italy, director Paolo Sorrentino.

- "Omar," Palestine, director Hany Abu-Assad.

Industry journal Variety said the most surprising snubs were for Chilean Sebastian Lelio's "Gloria," Poland's "Walesa: Man of Hope" by Andrzej Wajda, as well as the Iranian and Saudi entries.

The Saudi long-list candidate, "Wadjda" by Haifaa al-Mansour, is an avowedly feminist movie about a young girl's quest to own a bicycle in the ultra-conservative Muslim kingdom where women are deprived of many rights, among them driving.

Directed by Saudi Arabia's first female filmmaker and shot entirely in the Gulf state, the film won best Arabic feature award at the Dubai Film Festival last year and picked up an award at Cannes in March.

For Pakistan, "Zinda Bhaag" ("Flee Alive") was the first Oscar entry in more than 50 years. It is a comedy-thriller about three young men trying to escape the drudgery of their everyday lives through unconventional means.

Other high-profile titles not on the shortlist include Chinese director Feng Xiaogang's "Back to 1942," "Winter of Discontent," by Egypt's Ibrahim El Batout and Israel's "Bethlehem" by director Yuval Adler, Variety said.

The Cannes Palme d'Or winner "Blue is the Warmest Color" from France did not make the list, because its release date did not meet Oscar nomination criteria, but it could still feature in other categories, including for best picture and actress, the industry journal noted.

The French film, an explicit tale of lesbian love, has been widely tipped for Hollywood awards-season gold. But to be eligible for the Oscars, foreign films must screen for at least a week between Oct. 1, 2012 and Sept. 30, 2013.

When the Academy unveiled the 76 eligible films in October, foreign-language committee chairman Mark Johnson told Variety: "We take great pride in being flexible; we want to include movies, not reject them.

"But if they're ineligible, they're ineligible," he said.

Punjab University Debars 21 IJT Students For Two Weeks

LAHORE: The administration of Punjab University (PU) has debarred 21 students associated with Islami Jamiat Talaba (IJT) from entering classes for two weeks on charges of manhandling teachers and causing riots.
According to PU sources, the disciplinary committee handed down the above punishment to the students after receiving a letter of complaint from teachers.
The teachers had listed seven charges against the 21 students including sparking riots and manhandling teachers.
Most of these students are from the Law College and belong to IJT.

Supreme Court To Announce Decision On Raja Pervez Ashraf Uplift Schemes

 ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan will announce decision about the cases pertaining to uplift schemes initiated by former prime minister Raja Pervez Ashraf on Thursday.
The Pervez Ashraf government had approved Rs52 billion uplift schemes in his last days of government.

Drone Attacks: KP CM, Cabinet To Protest Outside Parliament Today

PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pervaiz Khattak along with provincial cabinet members will stage protest demonstration against drone attacks outside the parliament today (Thursday), Geo News reported.
According to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) spokesperson, CM Khyber Pukhtunkhwa with cabinet members will gather at D Chowk from where they will move to parliament house in the form of rally.
The Chief Minister and cabinet members will meet NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Khan and Opposition leader Syed Khursheed Shah and would present a petition against drone attacks.

Jang Group Stands Firm against Orchestrated Campaign, Baseless Allegations

KARACHI: Jang/Geo Group continues to stand firm against an orchestrated campaign launched against the group on television, print and social media. Unfounded allegations were recently made against the group by a TV anchor on a private news channel.

Jang/Geo Group had been accused by the anchor of having ties with an Indian intelligence agency and using these links to plant a story against an upcoming channel in the Hindustan Times. The basis for this was a report which is alleged to be an internal inquiry of the Hindustan Times.

The Hindustan Times has denied that any internal inquiry was conducted on the story which stated that Indian citizen Dawood Ibrahim is launching a project with the help of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency. The false report was also published by another media group.

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has also since then barred the anchor, Zaid Hamid and senior journalist Mehmood Sham from publishing or broadcasting any defamatory material against Jang Group. The order was issued after Independent Media Corporation (IMC) had filed a case against the three respondents.

After the anchor conducted the show and the false report was printed, a campaign was launched on social media website Twitter against Jang/Geo Group. Multiple accounts were used to target Jang Group and Geo. Hashtags such as #BanGeo, #GeoIndianDog, #TraitorGeo and #JayHindKaDoosraNaamGeo were created to attack the group.

US Congressman Defends Drone Killing of Hakimullah Mehsud

WASHINGTON: A US Congressman Mike Rogers has defended the drone strike that killed a Tehreek e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief and said it would help keep American troops safe.

Rogers, whose committee oversees the intelligence community, said the slain militant, Hakimullah Mehsud, was a "bad guy" who was connected to attacks against Pakistani soldiers and to the Taliban in Afghanistan, which has forced closures of many schools for girls.

"This was a bad guy," Rogers said on CBS' "Face the Nation."

"There's some information recently that concerned us about the safety of our troops. I feel a little better for our troops today than I did before this event happened."

The Pakistani government denounced the killing as an attempt by the United States to interfere with peace talks between Pakistan's government and the Taliban.

Federal Interior Minster Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said they would review ties with Washington and some politicians also called for blocking critical US military supply lines into Afghanistan.

Farmhouse where Hakimullah Died was Worth Rs. 1,27,56,000 : Report

MIRANSHAH: With marble floors, lush green lawns and a towering minaret, the $120,000 (Rs1,27,56,000) farmhouse where feared Pakistani Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud died in a US drone strike was no grubby mountain cave.

Mehsud spent his days skipping around Pakistan's rugged tribal areas to avoid the attentions of US drones. But his family, including two wives, had the use of an eight-roomed farmhouse set amid lawns and orchards growing apples, oranges, grapes and pomegranates.

As well as the single-storey house, the compound in Dandey Darpakhel village, five kilometres (three miles) north of Miranshah, was adorned with a tall minaret purely for decorative purposes. Militant sources said the property in the North Waziristan tribal area was bought for Mehsud nearly a year ago for $120,000 -- a huge sum by Pakistani standards -- by close aide Latif Mehsud, who was captured by the US in Afghanistan last month.

An AFP journalist visited the property several times when the previous owner, a wealthy landlord, lived there. With the Pakistan army headquarters for restive North Waziristan just a kilometre away, locals thought of Mehsud's compound as the "safest" place in a dangerous area. Its proximity to a major military base recalls the hideout of Osama bin Laden in the town of Abbottabad, on the doorstep of Pakistan's elite military academy.

Talks with US Slaves not Possible: TTP Spokesman

PESHAWAR: The proscribed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has ruled out the possibility of holding a dialogue with the Pakistan government, saying talks with the 'US slaves' were no longer possible.

“The (Pakistan) government has given us the present of Hakimullah Mehsud’s dead body,” said Shahidullah Shahid, spokesman of the banned TTP, in a media statement which has come amid optimistic statements from the Pakistan government regarding the fate of the proposed peace talks.

Shahidullah Shaid said the selection of the TTP’s successor will be made in the next couple of days. Earlier today he said the TTP had appointed an interim leader to head the group temporarily after the death of commander Hakimullah Mehsud in a US drone strike.

Mehsud, who had a $5 million US government price on him, was killed along with four cadres in North Waziristan tribal district near the Afghan border on Friday.

"Asmatullah Shaheen Bhittani, the head of the supreme shura, has been appointed as temporary head of the TTP," Shahid said, adding that prayers for Mehsud were still going on.

The killing of Mehsud sparked a furious reaction from the Pakistani government, which accused Washington of sabotaging fledgling efforts towards peace negotiations with the Taliban.

Interior minister Chaudhry Nisar said a group of clerics had been ready to go and meet the TTP to initiate talks, which have been backed by all major political parties, when the drone struck.

"We were waiting for a meeting, while the Pakistan army and government was sitting with the US finalising deals to sell us."

"Time will tell whether we take revenge of his martyrdom or not," he said. In the past, the TTP has responded to its leaders being killed with deadly violence.

Police Arrest 18 over Nanga Parbat Massacre

ISLAMABAD: Police in Gilgit-Baltistan said Thursday they have arrested 18 suspects over the killing of 10 foreign climbers in the Himalayas in June, but warned that others remain at large.

The June 22 attack was the deadliest assault on foreigners in Pakistan for a decade and was claimed by a purported new faction of Pakistan’s umbrella Taliban movement, the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Police in the northern districts of Gilgit and Diamer in the Gilgit-Baltistan region said they have arrested 18 suspects on suspicion of planning and carrying out the attack. The officer leading the investigation said only four of those held are believed to have been directly involved in the killings at the foot of Pakistan’s second highest mountain Nanga Parbat.

“We have arrested four culprits who shot the tourists at Nanga Parbat base camp while seven are still at large,” Muhammad Naveed told AFP.

The victims of the attack, carried out by men in police uniforms, were identified as one American with dual Chinese citizenship, three Ukrainians, two other Chinese, two Slovakians, one Lithuanian and one Nepalese. A Pakistani guide was also killed.

Further details of the attack have emerged during interrogation. The suspects have revealed that their original plan was to kidnap the trekkers, an investigating officer said.

“They said their plan went foul when one of the Chinese resisted after they approached them,” he said.

“After the Chinese tourist retaliated, one of the terrorists fired a shot that killed him and the terrorists fought with each other over it. After that they sprayed bullets at all the tourists.”

Court Orders TV Anchor Mubasher Lucman to Stop Smear Campaign against Jang Group

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court (IHC) has barred a satellite television channel's anchor from spewing venom against Jang Group of Companies, Geo News reported Thursday.

Chief Justice IHC, Mohammad Anwar Khan Kasi, has also summoned three people including the TV anchor for broadcasting libelous reports in an attempt to smear Jang Group's image. The stay order halts the media group in question from airing or printing anything against Jang Group.

The three summoners, who have been slapped with the notices, have also been ordered to submit written replies on December 2.

Advocate Faisal Iqbal has defamation suit at the behest of petitioner, Jang Group of Companies, after a "controversy-monger" started letting fly barrages of unfounded accusations at the Group during his talk-shows.

The Jang Group, which always openhearted welcomes constructive criticism from its competitors, was forced to move the court only after the line was crossed.