Talking to The Express Tribune, Rafique said a multiple unit (two-engine) train was being run from Karachi to Lahore.

He said the government wanted to modernise railways. He said two ZCU-20 engines with hauling capacity of 2,000 horsepower had been put together to draw 4,000 horsepower. He said the trial train, which left Karachi at 11:45 hours, carried 3,500 tons. He said most Pakistan Railways trains could carry 2,300 tonnes at a time. Rafique said if the trial was successful, it would mark the beginning of a new era in the freight sector. He said customers would be able to transport cargo in bulk. He said Pakistan Railways would reduce expenditures on account of diesel, staff and equipment and ultimately will operational efficiency.

Operations General Manager Javed Anwar told The Express Tribune that he had been tasked with monitoring the trial. He said a team of six officials from the PR headquarters were on board the train coming from Karachi to Lahore,

He said they were providing regular updates about the journey. He said the train would reach Lahore in 40 hours. Anwar said the train could save Rs100 million in expenditures if it was successfuly introduced for customers. He said eight new power generation units had been completed at the Pakistan Railways Carriage Factory in Islamabad and would be inducted in the fleet soon.

He said the ministry would also introduce more air conditioners in trains.

“Travelling by train this summer will be a pleasant experience for our customers,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 31^st, 2015.

LAHORE: It is absolutely imperative to keep the wheel of the industry moving, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Friday. “Overcoming the energy crisis is vital for progress and prosperity of the country.”

He was addressing a meeting to review progress on various energy projects.

He said shortage of energy had affected education, health and agriculture sectors. “The government is trying its best to overcome the power shortfall…let’s hope that our efforts bear fruit soon.”

He said the provincial government had planned to set up an LNG Park which would generate 1,000MW. He said the project would help generate low-cost electricity. “LNG will be imported to overcome the electricity shortfall.” He directed relevant institutions and departments to work in a coordinated manner to ensure early completion of the project. “Every moment is precious and we have to march forward.”

He said other development projects were being completed in a speedy and transparent manner. The chief minister said that the government was trying to generate electricity using coal, hydel, solar, bio-mass, bio-gas and other alternative sources.

The chief minister said that overcoming the energy crisis was the government’s top priority and effective steps were being taken in this regard.

Reforms in social sectors

Sharif said that the government was planning innovative reforms in the education, health and law and order sectors to provide maximum relief to citizens.

He said a system of checks and balances was essential to provide the best facilities to the masses. This is why, he said, the provincial government was introducing a system of reward and punishment in provincial departments and institutions. He said this would encourage officers and staff to do their best while inefficient officials will be held accountable.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 31^st, 2015.

LAHORE: The chief minister’s Special Monitoring Unit (SMU) organised two psychological training sessions on Thursday for traffic wardens and junior police officials.

The sessions were organised in collaboration with the CTO’s and CCPO’s office. Tahir, a Dubai-based psychologist who had volunteered for the sessions, told The Express Tribune that 300 wardens had participated in the first session. He said he had spoken with the wardens in private at first as they were not keen on speaking about their psychological woes in the presence of senior officials. Tahir said the wardens had spoken about issues that had been preventing them from effectively discharging their duties.

He said the second phase had been organised to spread awareness among them regarding correlation between psychological problems and their output. “Stress is the natural result of problems in every profession. A negative approach regarding this can disillusion anyone,” Tahir said. He said mental health problems were widespread among policemen due to the public nature of their vocation. Tahir said this was compounded by the fact that they often had to deal with traumatic situation that could compromise their mental health.

He said he had come to the conclusion that many wardens had lost interest in their jobs due to a myriad of reasons. Tahir said these included long duty hours, rude public behaviour and the lack of a service structure.

Another session was organised later at Qurban Lines. At least 15 SHOs, 15 community police officials, 15 officials from the Mujahid Force and 15 constables participated in the session. The officials said long duty hours, rude conduct of senior officials and the absence of a system to reward performance were to be blamed for poor performance standards and their problematic behaviour with citizens. Tahir said the main reason for their poor performance was rooted in the rude conduct of senior officials towards them. He said junior officials would be unable to perform better until this was remedied. Tahir said there was a pressing need to routinely counsel policemen as the vocation was stressful in nature. He said it was imperative to do this to prevent them from cracking under pressure. Tahir said merely interacting with trauma victims could result in anxiety, agitation, anger and anguish. He said he had informed policemen regarding the need to consciously keep a tab on their mental health problems to promote better cognitive management. Tahir said sessions of the ilk would be more effective if senior police officials were also counselled.

He said many policemen had also bemoaned the absence of regular psychological counselling. Tahir said the police should hire a team of 10 to 15 professional psychologists to help address mental health issues afflicting junior police officials. He said more funds should be allocated on this front. CTO Tayyab Hafeez Cheema said the initiative would improve confidence, integrity and good conduct among the force. He said citizens would feel more secure and start cooperating with police after noting the change in the conduct of policemen.

SMU Senior Member Salman Sufi said the following sessions being organised would include senior police officials. He said they would be made cognisant of the challenges confronting junior officials. Sufi said this would also identify and help remedy psychological problems preventing junior officials from effectively discharging their duties.  He said the initiative had been taken as the role of the force had undergone a radical shift. Sufi said the police was now operating as a frontline force against terrorism. He said this had mandated a change in focus from physical to psychological warfare. Sufi said it was imperative in this regard to psychologically train policemen to ensure that they effectively discharged their duties on this front. 

Published in The Express Tribune, January 31^st, 2015.

A senior police official said on Friday that there would be summary trials of cases registered under the Act. He said the trials would conclude within one or two days.  “The punishment for offences under the Act is six months imprisonment and Rs100,000 fine,” the official said.

He said this would enable police to initiate proceedings against those guilty of delivering hate speech and inciting violence by violating the law and flouting the ban on use of loudspeakers. The official said prayer leaders had been informed that they were not allowed to use more than one loudspeaker to give the call to prayer.  “They have been told that their voices should not be heard outside the mosque except when calling the azan,” he said.

IGP Mushtaq Ahmad Sukhera had earlier said on January 9 that those guilty of inciting people by publishing and distributing hate material, delivering provocative speeches, misusing loudspeakers and facilitating terrorists would be dealt with an iron hand. IGP Sukhera had made the statement while ordering district officials to crackdown on anti-state elements across the province.

Another police official privy to the development told The Express Tribune that general action would be taken against those found guilty of violating the ban rather than targeting specific groups or individuals to prevent inviting the ire of religious extremists.

A religious leader from the Sunni Tehreek (ST) said loudspeakers could only be used under the amended act but different sects including the Ahl-i-Sunnat and the Shias also recited salutations to Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him (PBUH) after giving the call to prayer.  He said police had registered cases against prayer leaders for reciting salutations. “This is not an offence,” the religious leader said. He said religious leaders had promised to cooperate with the government with regard to ridding the nation of terrorism. The leader said police had been victimising them despite this.

An official from the Home Department told The Express Tribune said Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had ordered police to verify reports regarding the illegal use of loudspeakers and inspect hate material before registering cases against religious leaders. He said the directive had been issued at a meeting between Sharif and the IGP. The IGP had issued a directive saying that reciting salutations before and after giving the call to prayer should not be considered an offence. He had also instructed DPOs to ensure that complaints had been verified by DSPs before the registration of cases. Another senior police official said a majority of prayer leaders had been cooperating with the police.  He said they tended to assure police that they would act according to law in the future if any warning was issued to them.   Operations DIG Haider Ashraf said 613 cases had been registered and 680 people had been arrested since January 9. 

Published in The Express Tribune, January 31^st, 2015.

LAHORE: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif announced a reduction in the price of petrol by Rs7.99 per litre on Saturday, which will be applicable from February 1. 

The premier further said there would be a reduction in the price of kerosene by Rs10.48, a reduction in the price of high octane by Rs11.82, Rs5.62 for high speed diesel and Rs9.56 for low speed diesel.

He made the announcement shortly after attending the passing out parade of a counter-terrorism force in Lahore.

PM attends passing out parade of counter-terrorism force in Lahore

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, attended the passing out parade of the Elite Police Training School in Badian on Saturday morning and said that the war on terror was a national cause, Express News reported.

The first batch of the counter-terrorism force comprised of 421 corporals, including 16 females.

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff Raheel Sharif are also in attendance of the ceremony alongside other officials.

The new force -the first of its kind- has been given special training on how to counter terrorism by Pakistan’s Army.

DG ISPR Asim Bajwa took to his Twitter account to comment on the event.

NAP:capacity bldg of Police underway.1st batch passes out at Lhr Elite Police Trg Centre.Conducted by team of SSG instructors,Pak Army-1/3

— AsimBajwaISPR (@AsimBajwaISPR) January 31, 2015

#NAP:#COAS attends passing out,reiterated Army's commitment to train all LEAs,build capacity to collectively work for security,law &order2/3

— AsimBajwaISPR (@AsimBajwaISPR) January 31, 2015

#NAP:#COAS at passing out parade of Elite Police Lhr;We have enhanced our trg capacity,will further expand our trg prog across country3/3

— AsimBajwaISPR (@AsimBajwaISPR) January 31, 2015

Speaking at the end of the parade ceremony, Punjab CM Shahbaz Sharif said that the young corporals were ready to fight in against terrorism.

“They will fight until we have not eradicated terrorism in the country,” the CM said.

An adamant Shahbaz Sharif said that the time had come for terrorism to end in Pakistan.

Commenting on the difficult time that Pakistan is currently facing, he said that we (the government) will not sit in ease until terrorism is not eliminated from the country.

Efforts of the new counter-terrorism force were lauded by Shahbaz Sharif.

Concluding the event, PM Nawaz congratulated the school for establishing the force in a short space of time and wished them well in their mission to eradicate terrorism from the country.

“We will not sit still until the last terrorist is brought to justice,” the premier promised adding that “we will not rid ourselves of this responsibility.”

Referring to the war against terror, the PM said that it is a national cause and thanked Raheel Sharif for taking special interest in training the new force.

“We have to win the war against terror at all costs,” the premier urged.

“No terrorist should be left. This war against terrorist is the whole nation’s war,” he continued.

While praying for those who died in the Peshawar massacre in December, the PM said that the protection of the masses remained with the government.

RELATED: 132 children killed in Peshawar school attack

In view of the December attack, PM Nawaz pointed out that security forces needed special training to win the fight against terrorism and was adamant that Pakistan was in the was together.

MULTAN: A woman set herself on fire in protest against police for not registering a first information report (FIR) against the men who had attacked her daughter with acid a month ago.

Witnesses said Fareeda Bibi doused herself in kerosene oil at Kutchery Chowk in Bahawalanagar during a protest and set herself on fire but was rescued by some relatives.

Ali Akram, a relative, said 22-year-old Muhammad Boota had married 30-year-old Zainab Bibi eight months ago.

He said three months on, Boota started beating her frequently for failing to conceive.

He said on January 8, Boota called Fareeda and told her that Zainab was ill.

Akram said Fareeda travelled nearly 50 kilometres to her daughter’s house in Faqeerwali. He said she found Zainab lying unconscious and her son-in-law missing.

He said Fareeda called police and they took Zainab to a THQ hospital from where she was referred to Bahawal Victoria hospital.

He said doctors told them that Zainab had two head injuries and that someone had poured acid on her genitalia.

Akram said police had not registered the FIR, saying they were awaiting the medico-legal report.

He said Zainab had been brought home, but since her condition did not improve, she was taken again to the THQ hospital.

He said Sub Inspector Javed Gondal, in charge of Faqeerwali police station, had told them that the FIR would be registered after the medical report was submitted. He said the family had visited the police several times but no action was taken. He said Gondal had been transferred, and Muhammad Imran, the new SHO, had not taken any steps to register the case and investigate. He urged the chief minister to take notice of the situation. Talking to The Express Tribune, Imran said he had not received the medical report. He said the FIR would be registered as soon as the medical report was submitted.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 1^st, 2015.

FAISALABAD: Scores of rickshaw drivers on Saturday staged a protest demonstration near Samundri police station against traffic police over “unnecessary and excessive” fines. The protesters gathered on Samundri-Gojra Road and blocked it for traffic by parking their rickshaws in the middle of the road. Talking to newsmen, Abdul Lateef, one of the protesters, said traffic wardens had been fining them unnecessarily to show that they were doing their jobs. “They told us to park our rickshaws three feet from the road. We complied with the rule. Despite obeying the instructions, traffic wardens have been fining us. The protestors chanted slogans against traffic police and demanded action against traffic wardens who they said were fining them needlessly. A police team met the protesters and assured them that their grievance would be addressed soon. The rickshaw drivers then called off their protest and dispersed. Talking to The Express Tribune, Samundri Circle traffic officer said wardens had been fining underage rickshaw drivers. “If the driver of any vehicle is found to be underage, they will be fined,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 1^st, 2015.

Naveed Haidar told police that his 16-year-old niece Zarmina* was alone at home in Chak 203-RB Akbar Town when Khurram, Tauqeer and Hasnain broke in.

He said the men took her to a deserted house where they raped her.

He said they also beat her when she resisted. He said she had been badly bruised.

He said they then fled from the scene, leaving her behind. He said she returned home in an unkempt condition, crying for help. He said the chief minister should take notice of the incident. Talking to The Express Tribune Mansoorabad (SHO) M said police had registered a case against the suspects and started investigations.

He said a team had been formed to find and arrest them.  He said the girl had been asked to get a medical examination and submit report after which further action would be taken.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 1^st, 2015.

He told a press conference that the agency had received a tip-off that a man named Arshad had been printing labels for spurious drugs on Aibak Road.

He said an FIA team had raided the premises and recovered a large quantity of printing material. Arshad was not present there, he said. He said neighbours had told the raiding team that Arshad used to print the labels for Jamil Anjum. Anjum was later arrested from Dina, Jhelum, the director said. “During investigation, Anjum revealed that a man, Sajjad, has been manufacturing spurious drugs at Gohar Centre on Wahdat Road, Lahore.” He said the team had raided Gohar Centre and arrested three men – Sajjad, Asghar and Naeem – and seized the drugs. He said the FIA was looking for Arshad.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 1^st, 2015. 

According to organising secretary Riasat Ali Sahi, teams from Lahore Range, Gujranwala, Farooqabad Punjab Constabulary, Faisalabad, Sailkot, Chuhng Centre and Rawalpindi Range would participate in the championship.

Sahi said that Headquarters SP Mir Abdullah Niazi and SP Sardar Gul will inaugurate the event. RPO Akhtar Umer Hayat Lalika would distribute prizes among winners, he said. CCPO Humayun Tarrar will distribute prizes, Sahi said. He said Headquarters DSP Tahir Sikander had been tasked with arranging the championship. Athletes from Lahore Range Police Weightlifting and Power Lifting team would leave for Rawalpindi on February 5, the organising secretary said. He said International weightlifter Aqeel Javed Butt would lead the squad.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 1^st, 2015.

Senior PML-N leaders said that Begum Zakia Shahnawaz, Jaffar Iqbal and Saud Majeed were the top contenders so far.

The issue with Saud Majeed is that he lost the May 2013 election to Tariq Bashir Cheema of the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid, they said.

“A PML-N stalwart from Bahawalpur, who is also a minister of state, will not be happy with Saud’s appointment as governor,” a PML-N leader said.

He said that Iqbal was also a candidate for Senate. “Zakia Shahnawaz and Iqbal are good contenders for the post,” he said. Acting governor Rana Muhammad Iqbal has also shown an inclination to continue as governor. “But then things might turn around at the eleventh hour and a dark horse could be appointed,” he said.

Requesting anonymity, a PML-N senator said there were various factors which would be taken into consideration. He said the prime minister was likely to announce a governor after the Senate polls.

Another PML-N leader said there were several conspiracy theories making rounds around former governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar’s resignation. “Some people are saying that his resignation is an indication of winds of change.”

He said this wasn’t true. Sarwar had developed differences with the government over several issues. “Sarwar wanted a more active role in politics which he couldn’t have as governor.”

He said the PML-N was likely to appoint a governor who wouldn’t interfere in political matters or cause trouble for the government. “Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif is very touchy about intervening officials.”

Whoever becomes the new governor would have to stick to the ceremonial role of governor and obey the government’s orders, he said.

Former law minister Dr Khalid Ranjha said there was no deadline for the appointment of governor in the Constitution. “A governor is the representative of the federal government and is appointed by the president after receiving a recommendation from the prime minister.” He said the PM would send one name and that person would be appointed governor. Till then, the acting governor will take care of the governor’s office, he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 1^st, 2015.

LAHORE: Election tribunal judge Kazim Ali Malik on Saturday disposed of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s (PTI) application filed against the local commission that examined NA-122 and PP-147 electoral record.

“The tribunal will closely examine the report submitted by the local commission as well as other evidence. It will exercise all powers to dig out the truth if the report is found incomplete, vague or deficient in material,” Malik said.

PTI had sought action against the commission, headed by Ghulam Hussain Awan, for alleged breach of trust, re-verification of the report submitted by the commission, and re-inspection of election record pertaining to certain polling stations.

Agreeing with the petitioner, the tribunal remarked that the commission had no legal or moral ground to give an opinion on a matter that was to be decided by the court.

“The commission prejudged the dispute and made a statement before the media that he had not found fake ballot papers or noticed rigging. The comments by the commission before the media persons are a nullity in the eyes of law,” the judge said.

He said the petitioner’s request regarding re-inspection of record of 72 polling stations and re-verification of report submitted by the commission was premature.

“The tribunal will make a minute examination of the inspection report and other pieces of evidence in order to arrive at the truth. Needless to add that after the examination of the report prepared by the commission, if it is found to be vague or incomplete or deficient in material points, the election tribunal will exercise all powers vested in it to dig out the truth,” he said.

PTI’s counsel Anees Ali Hashmi submitted another application for comparison of handwriting of the presiding officers (POs) on the packing invoice, form 14/15 and other forms.

He stated that the signatures of POs on the forms did not match with their signatures on other material.

“The election tribunal is competent to make the proposed comparison under Article 84 of the Qanoon-i-Shahadat Order, 1984. As election tribunal has ample powers to resolve the controversy through comparison of the documents itself, there is no need to refer the matter to a handwriting expert. The request for comparison of handwriting and signatures stands disposed of accordingly,” the tribunal ruled.

In his order, the judge said that each copy of the documents provided by the returning officer (RO) had been examined minutely. “The entries of the report have been compared with the documents furnished by the RO. According to the reader’s (court staff) report, the RO has not provided fully particularised ballot paper account of 19 polling stations in the statement. A copy of this statement be sent to the returning officer of NA-122, asking him to provide attested copies of the ballot papers account of 19 polling stations, failing which it will be presumed that either the POs of 19 polling stations did not submit ballot paper accounts with the RO or someone responsible for safe custody of the documents misplaced or misappropriated the same,” the judge stated.

On Saturday, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq was to produce evidence in his favor.

However, his counsel submitted that he did not want to examine any witness. He said the returned candidate would take the stand at the next hearing. He said Sadiq was in China on an official tour.

The judge fixed February 7 for recording the statement of the returned candidate and for receiving documentary evidence.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 1^st, 2015.

MULTAN: Scores of students attended the Australian Education Expo held in Multan on Saturday.

AEO spokesman Faran Sattar told The Express Tribune that similar exhibitions would be held in six cities across the country.

He said universities participating in the expo offered courses in various disciplines.

He said expos were held twice a year to attract students to the higher education options in Australia.

“This is an opportunity for Pakistani students to get advice about studying in Australia,” he said.

He said more than 15 top Australian universities were participating in the event.

He said the exhibition was well-received by hundreds of students in Lahore.

He said the third and forth exhibition of the series were held simultaneously at Marriott in Karachi and Ramada Hotel in Multan.

He said the expo next would be held at Faisalabad Hotel One and at PC Hotel in Peshawar on February 1.

The spokesman said entry and counselling was free.

Students thanked the Australian government for organising the event.

Hamid Chaudhary, one of the students hoping to study mass communication, told The Express Tribune that the visit had been informative and helpful.

“The counsellors are very polite and extremely helpful,” he said. “I went to the expo having no idea what options I had. I come out with several universities in mind.”

His friend Mohsin Syed, who wanted to study telecommunication, said he had been looking for a scholarship that could help him study abroad.

“I got guidance for a whole career,” he said. “I have been informed about scholarships available in my field. I will now apply for those. I am very excited about this.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 1^st, 2015.

They had also held a protest demonstration on Friday.

The protesters gathered at Chungi Number 9. The demonstration was organised by the Civil Society Network. The participants blocked the road and chanted slogans against the FPSC.

They said candidates from south Punjab were being discriminated against.

They said interviews for candidates should be held in Multan, as it was hard to travel to Lahore or Islamabad on short notice.

They said the FPSC had sent them emergent notices on Friday for their psychological assessment.

They said they were told that the venue for their interview had been changed from Multan to Lahore.

They said they had had to visit Lahore twice for their medical examination.

The candidates said they had faced problems in boarding and lodging as they had to stay in Lahore and had to bear the costs themselves.

They said in the initial assessment, they had been asked to choose their preference for the examination centres and candidates from the south Punjab had picked Multan over Lahore.

They said the written exams were conducted in Multan in March 2014. Those who cleared those exams were asked to come to Lahore for medical examinations.

They said they were then issued letters by the FPSC about their psychological assessment in Multan. Bahauddin Zakriyah University campus had been chosen as the venue of the assessment.

They said 23 candidates from south Punjab would now have to travel on short notice to Lahore.

They urged the prime minister to facilitate candidates from south Punjab for the final interview. The protesters blocked the road for traffic for several hours. They dispersed after a police team met them and assured them that their grievances would be addressed.

The official notification sent to candidates by the FPSC said that due to administrative reasons, the venue of the viva had been shifted to Lahore. The previous schedule circulated on January 23, 2015 had been cancelled.

Out of 23 candidates, there are seven female candidates.

The interviews will start on February 11 and will continue till February 13. Candidates appealed to authorities to facilitate them.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 1^st, 2015.

Qadri said it seemed that the country had been presented to terrorists on a platter. He said only God could help the country if incidents like this continued to happen. Qadri said a government unable to enforce rules regarding wedding receptions was unlikely to be able to enforce the National Action Plan on terrorism.

He said people from the entire cross-section of American and European societies including the parliaments, the judiciary and non-governmental organisations had joined hands to eradicate the scourge of terrorism once and for all. Qadri asked why this could not be done in Pakistan. The PAT chief told Shaheedi that the party shared their grief. He said an attempt was being made to ensure that the constitution of military courts brought no improvement. Qadri said the rulers were trying to give the act of terrorism a sectarian colour. Qadri said ‘a hidden hand’ was behind this.

He said the government’s actions had left the people disillusioned. Qadri accused the government of orchestrating terrorist attacks. He said the June 17 Model Town violence was no different.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 1^st, 2015.

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif recently gave the approval for forming a board of governors for the SZH. The decision has been taken to address numerous administrative issues. The third meeting of the board of trustees will be presided over by Khawaja Salman Raffique, who was nominated chairman of the BoT. The nominations will be sent to the chief minister for approval.

Medical Education Deputy Secretary Nasir Shakir confirmed that the meeting would be held on Tuesday. He said the minimum number of directors would be seven.

One of the issues the board of governors is expected to deal with is the affiliation of Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Neyhan Medical and Dental College. The college was affiliated with the Punjab University till the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council de-notified the PU, and six other universities, in December last year. The PMDC had advised medical colleges to get affiliated with other universities.

Punjab University Legal Advisor Awais Khalid said the PMDC’s decision had been suspended. He said the PU did not fall under the PMDC’s purview and hence it did not have the authority to de-notify it. He said that next hearing of the case was scheduled for March.

Shaikh Zayed Hospital’s acting chairman Dr Farrukh Iqbal said that he was not aware that a meeting of the board of trustees was planned for next week. He said forming a board of governors would be a positive step. He said there were several administrative issues the BoD would be required to address.

He said the final decision on affiliation would be taken by the board of directors. “However, the hospital prefers continuing affiliation with the Punjab University.”

Iqbal said that the hospital was an autonomous body. He said on Monday, the board would also select a permanent chairman for the hospital.

Young Doctors Association President Dr Ahsan Lali said the SKZMDC’s administration was putting the future of more than 150 post-graduate trainees at stake. He said the PMDC had de-notified the PU for lacking a constituent medical and dental college. He said that the college should affiliate itself with the UHS.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 1^st, 2015.

RAWALPINDI: At least three children were killed when a gas cylinder exploded in Rawalpindi’s People’s Colony, Express News reported on Sunday.

Two others were also critically injured and were shifted to a nearby hospital.

As many as six people were also injured when a gas cylinder exploded in a hotel in Bahawalpur on January 29. A Rescue 1122 spokesperson confirmed the cylinder exploded after someone lit a match close by.

RELATED POST: Safety hazard: Six injured as gas cylinder explodes

GUJRAT: A case was registered against three policemen on Sunday for allegedly stealing a substantial amount of drugs, arms and cash, Express News reported.

According to reports, the items were stolen from a police storage room, by the police themselves.

The recovered items included 32 Kalashnikovs, 450 pistols, 45 kg hashish, two cars, six motorcycles and jewelry and cash worth Rs1 million.

The policemen have been arrested and cases have been registered against them.

He was addressing the passing out ceremony of 421 corporals, including 16 women, of the country’s first Counter Terrorism Force (CTF), who completed their nine-month training at the Elite Police Training School Bedian.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif, Acting Governor Rana Muhammad Iqbal, Lahore Corp Commander Lt General Naveed Zaman and diplomats from several countries attended the ceremony.

In a demonstration drill, the CTF corporals raided a building and arrested ‘terrorists’ using information provided by an intelligence unit of the force.

Shahbaz Sharif said that it was a historic day for the Punjab and Pakistan. “The trained personnel are our pride. They will lead the way in fighting terrorism,” he said.

He said that the government was setting up a unified command and control system under its safe-city project. “We have established a state of the art forensic science laboratory, allowing for scientific investigation into crime,” he said.

“The terrorists are armed to the teeth. Our law enforcement agencies need the best equipment and training to stop them,” he said.

“In July 2013, the prime minister had outlined his vision to create a specialised force to fight terrorists,” said Shahbaz.

The chief minister thanked COAS Gen Raheel Sharif, saying he had taken personal interest in the training. “The role of Pakistan Army is noteworthy given the standards set for this force,” he said. He also thanked 4th Corps Commander, Lt General Naweed Zaman.

“An apex committee on counter-terrorism has been set up in the Punjab, comprising government officials and army leadership,” he said.

Shahbaz said that the government was making all recruitments on merit.

“The presence of the brave women in the CTF is evidence that our women stand shoulder-to-shoulder with men in the fight against terrorism,” he said.

“We are aware that the fight against terrorism is going to be a long and arduous one. The people and the government of the Punjab believe that it is the most important challenge facing them,” he said.

“I believe that the Pakistani state and nation will triumph,” Shahbaz said.

“The nation has supported the courageous decision of the national leadership to launch operation Zarb-i-Azb. Our soldiers have set new standards during the operation,” he said.

IGP Mushtaq Ahmad Sukehra said that 1,182 corporals had been inducted in the Counter-Terrorism Department of Punjab Police. “The corporals have been divided into three batches. A strategy of progressive learning has been adopted,” he said.

“The corporals have been trained for nine months, including seven months of common training programme and two months of special training. They are taught eight modules in the CTP before they are assigned to special operations, intelligence and investigation wings. The second batch is undergoing training now,” he said.

“The Turkish government extended cooperation in training of the corporals by sending 45 officers of the Turkish National Police. They have also trained 56 officers of Punjab Police as master trainers,” he said.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif gave away prizes to Corporals Basit Ameen, Nazakat Ali and Iqra Noor for standing first, second and third respectively.

Sukhera presented a souvenir to the chief guest.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 1^st, 2015.

FAISALABAD: “Police are threatening us to stop us from pursuing my brother’s case,” said Atta Muhammad whose brother had been shot dead on December 8. He was talking to newsmen. He said the Senior Superintendent Police (SSP) Bilal Umar had called them to his office and hold them that a case had been registered against them for injuring a police constable on December 8. He said the SSP urged them to surrender voluntarily. “We told him that the police constable was injured by stones pelted by PML-N workers,” he said. “The SSP started abusing us and told us to surrender and give our statements during investigation.” Sub Inspector Muhammad Khalid said he had submitted the complaint when he was the Samanabad SHO. He said the PTI workers had blocked roads on December 8 and pelted stones at those trying to stop them.

“The policemen tried to stop the protesters. They got angry and beat up Constable Muhammad Siddique,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 2rd, 2015.