Wednesday, December 28th, 2016
LHC rules Pemra violated its own law while conducting DTH licence auction
The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday notified Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) that it had acted in violation of its own ordinance while conducting bidding for direct-to-home (DTH) licences last month. The judgement, issued by a full bench headed by Justice Ayesha A. Malik, ruled in favour of broadcasters who had been barred from bidding on direct-to-home (DTH) licences held by Pemra While explaining the court’s order, lawyer Asma Jahangir, “The court ruled that sub-clause 3 of Article 13 of the Pemra Rules-2009 were against the Pemra Ordinance,Read More
Pakistani-American doctor wins Nato Scientific Achievement Award 2016
DEC 28, (DNA) – A Pakistani-American doctor has won the “Scientific Achievement Award 2016” from the Nato Science and Technology Organization (STO) for his extra-ordinary performance in research on medical countermeasures against biological agents. STO, the largest Nato organisation for defence science and technology, honoured Dr Rashid A. Chotani, who was part of a task group researching medical countermeasures against biological agents. Dr Chotani has worked in the healthcare industry, government and academia in areas such as advanced development of vaccines, therapeutic and diagnostic countermeasures, bio-surveillance etc. As a senior scientist,Read More
Chairman NAB comes out in favour of plea bargain law
ISLAMABAD, DEC 28, (DNA) – Chairman National Accountability Bureau Qamar Zaman on Wednesday came out in support of the plea bargain law, which allows an individual to pay back the amount they have embezzled to the public kitty and the case closes against them. Chairman NAB was addressing media in the capital, where he said that plea bargain helps in investigation. He said plea bargain and voluntary return are means of going ahead in investigation process. Zaman said that the news of swindling of Rs40 billion in Balochistan corruption scam is baseless.Read More
Turkey and Russia agree on proposal toward Syrian ceasefire, Anadolu says
ANKARA, DEC 28, (DNA) – Turkey and Russia have agreed on a proposal toward a general ceasefire in Syria, Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency said on Wednesday, and will aim to put it into effect by midnight. Anadolu, citing sources, said the two countries have reached a consensus that will be presented to participants in the conflict on expanding the ceasefire that was established in Aleppo earlier this month. A spokesman at Turkey’s foreign ministry said he had no immediate comment on the report. Russia, Iran and Turkey said last week theyRead More
China to take up India’s Agni-V missile test with UN
KARACHI, DEC 28, (DNA) – Expressing its concerns, China has announced to take up the matter of India’s nuclear-capable missile Agni-V test with the United Nations (UN), which the latter said was not against any country. The Chinese foreign ministry Wednesday said they were exceptionally concerned about Agni-V affecting “strategic balance and stability in South Asia”, according to an Indian daily. “The UN Security Council has explicit regulations on whether India can develop ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear weapons,” Hua Chunying, spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry said. In response,Read More
Aizaz Ch calls role of UN observers crucial in ensuring LoC peace
ISLAMABAD, DEC 28, (DNA) – Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry said that the role of United Nations Monitoring Observer Group in India and Pakistan is of utmost importance in ensuring peaceful environment along the Line of Control. The foreign secretary gave the statement in an interview to Russian news agency Sputnik. He said that the recent escalation of conflict along the LoC ‘may lead to strategic miscalculations’. In wake of violations, the role of the international community inevitably becomes all the more necessary to maintain regional peace, he said. Aizaz Chaudhry saidRead More