Two dead in Attock bus attack

ATTOCK: At least two people were killed and several others were injured in a gun and bomb attack in Attock district of Punjab on Thursday, officials say.According to security sources, a suspected terrorist rammed his motorcycle into a bus, resulting in the death of two persons. Another 14 people were injured. Security forces cordoned off the crime scene and launched investigations. Attock Deputy Commissioner Rana Akbar said that the attack took place near Bisal turn.Emergency was imposed in local hospitals to treat the injured and security check points were setup across the city.

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Pakistan Navy launches mangroves plantation campaign

KARACHI: Pakistan Navy, in line with Government of Pakistan's Vision of "Green Pakistan" launched "Pakistan Navy - Mangroves Plantation Campaign 2018". This is the third campaign of this series which entails an effort to plant about two Million Mangroves in the Coastal Areas of Sindh and Balochistan provinces during next one year. Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi graced the occasion as Chief Guest and inaugurated Pakistan Navy Mangroves Plantation Campaign at Shah Bandar. Mangroves are vital to coastal ecosystem, prevention of sea intrusion and sustainment of marine life. However, these gifts of nature are diminishing in the face of economic development and demands for domestic needs. Being a major stakeholder of the maritime domain and realizing the importance of mangroves for marine life, Pakistan Navy took a major initiative to revive Mangrove forests all along the coast. Apart from mangroves plantation, Pakistan Navy has also launched maritime economy awareness campaign.During the address, Chief of the Naval Staff stressed that deforestation of mangroves has not only affected biodiversity of our coastal areas but also livelihoods of coastal communities. This situation essentially necessitates focused attention and coordinated efforts from all walks of the society. In this context Pakistan Navy - Mangroves Plantation Campaign is an initiative to plant additional mangroves as well as to create awareness amongst masses about the significance of mangroves in a bid to support the nature. He further highlighted that since 2016, PN has planted more than 2 million mangroves along the coast from Shah Bandar to Jiwani. He urged all stakeholders including federal and provincial departments and civil society to play their due role in this regard and join hands with Pakistan Navy in noble cause of protecting marine ecology. The inauguration ceremony was attended by a large number of senior military and civil officials including federal and provincial parliamentarians, representatives from business community, World Wildlife Fund (WFF), International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), fishery folk society and officials from Forest Department, Sindh. While addressing the ceremony, Mr. Mahmood Akhtar Cheema, Country Head of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) said that the role of Pakistan Navy in plantation of mangroves forests is unparallel.Later, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mehmood Abbasi visited forward bases of Pakistan Navy in creeks areas and interacted with the officers and men.

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NA passes resolution to rename QAU?s physics department

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Thursday adopted a resolution to re-name Dr Abdul Salam Physics Centre of Quaid-e-Azam University after Muslim scientist Abu al Fatah Abdul Rehman Al-Khazini.The resolution was moved by Captain (R) Muhammad Safdar, the son-in-law of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.It was unanimously passed by the lawmakers  who were attending the budget session.Eleven lawmakers took part in the general discussion on the federal budget for the year 2018-2019, according to Fafen. The discussion consumed four hours and 14 minutes (90%) of the proceedings.Two PPPP lawmakers spoke on as many points of order for three minutes.Minister for Housing and State Minister for Capital Administration and Development Division spoke on points of personal explanation for four and five minutes respectively.

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PIA shifts flight operation to new Islamabad International Airport

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s national airline PIA says it has completely shifted the flight operation to the newly-opened Islamabad International Airport. “All arrivals and departures are taking place from the NIAP now,” said a statement from the national flag-carrier on Thursday. “The whole process of transition remained very smooth and swift.”In his message, PIA President and CEO Musharraf Rasool Cyan has congratulated the nation and appreciated the efforts and hard work of airline’s employees who made it possible in record time. Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi inaugurated the new airport on May 1.Designed by French company Aéroports de Paris Ingenierie and CPG Corporation of Singapore, the New Islamabad International Airport is one of Asia's major aviation hubs and destinations. It is built on 4,238 acres of land and consists of 4-level passenger terminal building, 2 runways, taxiways, apron, parking bays for wide-body aircraft.

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Last flight departs from Benazir Bhutto terminal as new Islamabad Airport becomes operative

As the new Islamabad International Airport becomes functional, Benazir Bhutto International Airport saw last flight taking off today.Pakistan International Airline’s flight no PK791 departed from the old airport at 11:39 am today for Birmingham, making it the last plane to be running at the runway.With a sleek glass-front entrance, spacious check-in areas and jetway bridges for boarding, the Y-shaped airport promises an end to the congestion that has frustrated air travel in the past.The new Islamabad airport, which has the capacity to handle 15 million passengers annually and space for further expansion, was first suggested in the 1980s and has been more than a decade in the making.The delays have become a running joke with many Pakistanis, who mock the frequent announcements that the new airport would open soon and subsequent clarifications of further delays.

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World Press Freedom Day: Sherry condemns police lathi-charge on journalists

ISLAMABAD: Leader of the Opposition in Senate Sherry Rehman has strongly condemned police lathi-charge on journalists who rallied in the federal capital to mark World Press Freedom Day on Thursday.Speaking on a point of order in Senate, Ms Rehman slammed the capital police for beating up the journalists.“Media has earned the freedom of expression after a long struggle,” she opined. “Our constitution guarantees freedom of press.”Leader of the House in Senate Raja Muhammad Zafar-ul-Haq also condemned the police action against journalists, saying the government strongly believes in freedom of expression.The house will be informed about the latest situation on Friday.Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani directed Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb to brief the house.

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Barrister Usman made Minister for Defence Production

President Mamnoon Hussain administering the oath of office to Barrister Usman Ibrahim as Federal Minister during Oath Taking Ceremony at the Aiwan-E-Sadr.-APPISLAMABAD: Barrister Usman has been assigned Miinstry of Defence Production, according to a notification issued Thursday by Cabinet Division.Earlier, President Mamnoon Hussain administered oath to Barrister Usman Ibrahim as federal minister. He was serving as the Minister of State for the Ministry of Human Rights.The event here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr was attended by Parliamentarians and senior officers.The PML-N has inducted five new federal ministers in the last few day taking the number of ministers to 59 in the cabinet.

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Imran Khan says army helped Nawaz Sharif win 2013 polls

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Imran Khan has accused ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif of winning May 2013 elections with the help of army.“I'm saying this with utmost responsibility that a brigadier from Punjab had supported the PML-N in the previous elections,” claimed Khan, in an exclusive interview with Geo News.The interview with Geo News prime-time show ‘Capital Talk’ will be on aired at 08:00 pm.To a question, he said that Nawaz Sharif, not him, had been the blue-eyed boy of military and judiciary in the past.The PTI chief evaded the question when asked by Mir whether he had met former interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali.Khan also offered to play a mediatory role between Pakistan army and Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement.Responding to another question, he was of the view that elections could be delayed by a month or so.“A hung parliament cannot benefit the country,” he added. 

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5 BS Celebrity Stories We Need To Stop Clicking On

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Jamaat-e-Islami pulls out of PTI-led coalition in KP

PESHAWAR: Jamaat-e-Islami has parted ways with the PTI-led government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa just a few weeks before Pakistan goes to the general elections. The government’s five-year constitutional term is scheduled to end next month. The move comes days after JI Ameer Siraj ul Haq announced that his party would walk away from the PTI-led government after the restoration of Muutahida Majlis-e-Ammal, an electoral alliance of religious parties.Although Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervez Khattak requested Haq not to quit the government, but the JI chief went ahead with his earlier decision. “It is a historic day. We are leaving the government on friendly terms. We have set a good precedent by pulling out of the government after good working partnership,” Inayatullah, a senior JI leader and provincial minister, told media during a joint press conference with Chief Minister Khattak. “We are thankful to the chief minister for his cooperation during this period. Merit had been our common agenda. We will cooperate with each other in the best interest of people in future also,” he said.Speaking on this occasion, CM Khattak said his party had not dispute with the JI. “JI has now joined the MMA. We have no issue with it,” Khattak, said, adding that Jamaat-e-Islami had been a good coalition partner.Shortly after the press conference, three JI ministers and a parliamentary secretary tendered their resignations in line with the leadership’s announcement. Those resigned from the provincial government include Local Government Minister Inayatullah, Finance Minister Muzaffar Syed, Religious Affairs Minister Habib ur Rehman and Parliamentary Secretary Muhammad Ali.

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FO denies deal to free Dr Shakil Afridi

ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office has dismissed speculations that Pakistan is negotiating the release of Dr Shakil Afridi who was sentenced to 33 years in jail on charges of involvement in anti-state activities. “There is no deal under way between Pakistan and anyone else with regard to Dr Shakil Afridi,” clarified Foreign Office spokesman Dr Mohammad in his weekly media briefing. The issue of Dr Afridi is being handled by the Interior Ministry, he said. Afridi is accused of running a fake anti-polio vaccination campaign which helped the United States track down Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. Days later, he was killed in a US military raid on Abbottabad compound in May 2011. The then CIA director Leon Panetta and US secretary of state Hillary Clinton had also confirmed the doctor's role in eliminating Laden.Afridi was arrested and put on trial. He was sentenced to 33 years for involvement in anti-state activities by a tribal court in 2012. He was recently reportedly shifted from Peshawar to Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi due to security concerns. The move led to media speculations that Dr Afridi could be released as a result of the deal. 

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