Govt to form judicial commission for Bugti murder.

QUETTA: The federal government has decided to form a judicial commission to probe the murder of Nawab Akbar Bugti, Express 24/7 reported on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, speaking to the media after a special cabinet meeting in Quetta, said the judicial commission will be formed within a week. The government will write a letter to the chief justice for the appointment of the commission’s head.

AJK elections: Polling underway in KP?

KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA: The polling for by-elections in LA-41 constituency of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) has started in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Express News reported.

Earlier, elections in the constituency were postponed last on an account of allegations of rigging.

Private security guards: On the safe side

Over the years, the reassuring whistle of a vigilant chowkidar has been replaced by panic buttons and gun-toting guards. House walls used to be covered with broken glass to deter intruders, but barbed wire is now commonly found at upscale residences.

Since 9/11, security firms have opened up shop in major cities, and over a hundred have been registered in the past three years. According to estimates, at least 600 security companies exist, though many of them are non-functional.

Jeepneys go far beyond the call of duty.

MANILA:

Swerving past you through Manila’s crowded roads are canvases on wheels called Jeepneys that offer cheap public transport as well as a unique creative expression to Filipino street art. Jeepneys are an interesting amalgamation of a jeep and a truck that Filipinos devised from the war vehicles left behind by the Americans as they fled the island after World War II.

Mob justice: Police attacked for rescuing robbery suspects?

FAISALABAD:

A case has been registered by Sargodha Road police against 100 people for attacking officials trying to rescue two robbery suspects a mob was beating on Sunday.

Another FIR has been registered against the two robbery suspects under

Govt to cut gas price rise for CNG stations

ISLAMABAD:

The Ministry of Petroleum has withdrawn its previous proposal for a 17 per cent increase in gas price for compressed natural gas (CNG) stations and decided to seek a seven per cent increase following consultations with CNG station operators.

A formal approval in this regard will be given by the cabinet.

Gas utilities seek tariff hike of up to Rs22 per unit ?

ISLAMABAD:

In spite of the fact that the country faces a prolonged gas crisis and 10 to 100 per cent tariff increases are on the cards, gas companies have sought a separate increase of up to Rs22.48 per million British thermal unit (mmbtu) to generate Rs14.6 billion in revenues to finance new gas schemes, which are contrary to the laws.

Karachi violence: Collusion growing between Taliban, local criminals

ISLAMABAD:

A counter-terrorism official on Monday sounded the alarm on the growing level of coordination among two dozen or so extremist groups, including the Taliban and local criminal elements in Karachi, which has seen an upsurge in political violence.

Taliban claim assassination of Hamid Karzai's brother

KANDAHAR: The Taliban claimed responsibility for the assassination of President Hamid Karzai’s younger brother on Tuesday, calling it “one of our biggest achievements” in nearly a decade of war.

Taliban spokesman Usuf Ahmadi told AFP by telephone that the group had recently assigned a gunman to kill Ahmed Wali Karzai, a hugely powerful and controversial figure in the Afghan south.

15 killed in bus blast near Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: Fifteen people were killed after a bus caught fire as a result of a blast near Islamabad on Tuesday.

A total of 19 passengers were en route to Rawalpindi from Gujrat when a blast occurred on board the bus near Lohi Bher area.