Caretaker Federal Minister for Petroleum and National Resources, Wajahat Ali Siddiqui addressing a press conference at WAPDA House. — Online Photo by Sajid Rana

LAHORE: The caretaker government would increase gas rates for all five categories of consumers, Petroleum Minister Suhail Wajahat said on Sunday.

Addressing a press conference with federal minister for water and power, Mr Wajahat said that all five categories of consumers (CNG, domestic/ commercial, power, fertiliser and cement sectors) would face increase in tariff.

He said that without tariff increase, the sector would suffer “irreparable economic and efficiency loss”.

“But an attempt will be made to create a balance between sectoral fiscal needs and people’s capacity to pay,” the minister said.

About supply of oil and gas to the power sector, he said that during the election week the sector had arranged gas and oil without getting payments. “It cannot afford any more. The supply cannot be free of cost,” he insisted.

“We asked the Finance Division to release Rs150 billion for keeping the supply chain intact but have not got it yet. How could a sector survive without any money? The Karachi Electric Supply Company owes Rs60 billion (Rs47bn to SSGPL and Rs13bn to PSO) to the ministry. How can the ministry afford this kind of credit to each of its consumer?”

The ministry has conveyed to both gas companies that it would have zero tolerance for gas theft and recoveries. “The gas theft and line losses are costing the country around Rs300bn a year. Such inefficiency cannot and should not be tolerated,” he said. —Ahmad Fraz Khan

Caretaker Law Minister Ahmar Bilal Soofi. — File Photo

ISLAMABAD: After the PML-N, caretaker Law Minister Ahmar Bilal Soofi has also criticised the postings and transfers being made by the government of Prime Minister retired Justice Mir Hazar Khan Khoso.

He warned the caretaker set-up against transgressing its mandate by making undue transfers and postings in important government departments.

In a letter to his cabinet colleagues a copy of which he also sent to the Prime Minister Secretariat and the establishment secretary, Mr Soofi said: “Cabinet members should abide by the legal limitation they enjoy under the constitution. They should not trespass the mandate of the interim government.

“I would again reiterate that we may continue the prevalent transparency and may not take action which may be counter-productive to the important role performed by the caretaker government.”

Talking to Dawn on Sunday, the law minister confirmed that he had highlighted in the letter the issue of unnecessary postings and transfers being carried out by some of his colleagues in the cabinet. But he did not mention any specific posting or transfer. He said the letter had been dispatched on Saturday.

In his letter Mr Soofi has also mentioned the cancellation of contract of two officials of the information ministry and the recent replacement of the National Highway Authority’s chairman. The letter also referred to a statement he had earlier made in cabinet that it was advisable to avoid making controversial appointments in major departments and leave them to the elected government.

In his press talk in Lahore on Friday, PML-N leader and former Punjab chief minister Shahbaz Sharif accused President Asif Ali Zardari of influencing the caretaker prime minister to make postings and transfers in various federal departments.

Mr Sharif, a known critic of the president, warned of action against those found involved in carrying out what he alleged orders from the Presidency.

President’s spokesman Farhatullah Babar has denied the allegations.

RIGGING CHARGES: Mr Soofi said it was up to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to act on allegations of rigging. “It’s not our mandate to interfere in the commission’s matters,” he said, adding that if a candidate had solid proof of rigging he should approach the ECP.

COURT ASSET MANAGEMENT: The law ministry under Mr Soofi has worked on a proposal to set up a court asset management team to properly manage and upgrade at least 130 premises of the lower courts across the country. If the proposal is accepted by the next government, some six to 10 MBAs will have to be hired to prepare an inventory of all court assets and their existing resources. The proposed team will develop a long-term strategy for regular maintenance of the court premises.

The main objective is to provide proper facilities to hundreds of thousands of litigants. Litigants pay court fees but they do not get corresponding amenities such as sitting places and toilets. The law ministry intends to upgrade the court premises so that ordinary litigants develop confidence in state institutions.

After finalisation of the proposal it will be submitted to the Supreme Court for its approval in principle. If approved and properly executed the project will transform the outlook of lower courts and of judiciary throughout the country.

KARACHI: The National under-18 team powered its way into the quarter-finals of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) Challenge Cup 2013 despite making its first appearance at the event.

The team thrashed Faisalabad’s Bhatti United FC 5-2 at the Dring Stadium in Bahawalpur, taking the lead in Group C with four points.

Mansoor Khan netted four times, while Muhammad Riaz contributed a goal in the team’s impressive victory.

Khan, touted as the best emerging striker at the national level, scored his first goal in the 20th minute on a penalty kick as the U18 boys led 2-0 at the interval. Bhatti United FC levelled in the second-half, but Mansoor scored in the 78th, 81st and 85th minutes to seal his side’s win.

“My bet is on the national under-18 side winning the tournament,” a PFF official told The Express Tribune. “I think they can win the tournament only if they get past clubs like KRL and KESC.”

Meanwhile, SSGC crushed Police 4-0 for third position in Group B. KESC and Wapda have already qualified for the quarter-finals of the tournament.

Defending champions succumb to shock defeat

However, the biggest upset of the tournament came when Pak-Afghan Clearing Agency (PACA) defeated defending champions KRL 2-1 in their Group A match on Saturday night.

The win means PACA now lead Group A with four points. They qualified for the quarter-finals while KRL stayed in second place with three points. They will play their last group match against HBL today.

“I’m not worried about losing to PACA,” said KRL striker Kaleemullah. “KRL is the best club in the country and these local tournaments will help us prepare for international events.”

HBL claimed two points after recording a draw against Ashraf Sugar Mills 1-1.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 20^th, 2013.

NEW DEHLI: Indian police said they had widened their probe into spot-fixing after the arrest of three players and 11 bookmakers, warning that more teams were under the microscope.

Test discard Shanthakumaran Sreesanth was among a trio of players from the Rajasthan Royals arrested on Thursday over allegations they agreed to bowl badly during the Indian Premier League (IPL) in exchange for thousands of dollars.

But Delhi Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar said players for some of the other eight teams involved in the ongoing domestic Twenty20 competition were now under suspicion.

“It is still early but some other teams are also involved in the rigging,” Kumar said by phone. “It is not established yet but we are looking into that.”

Kumar did not disclose the identity of teams now under the widened police investigation but said he was ‘hopeful’ of a breakthrough.

The Mail Today newspaper also quoted Kumar as saying ‘there could be much more grime and dirt than we anticipated’.

“Many more players and teams have now come under our microscope; the conspiracy is much, much larger,” Kumar told the daily.

The three players have already been suspended. Cricket authorities also said they would launch their own inquiry into the allegations, promising strict action if the cricketers are found guilty.

Delhi finish last

Meanwhile, Delhi Daredevils finished their IPL campaign with a last-place finish in the nine-team event after going down to Pune Warriors.

Aaron Finch hit a half-century to help his side to a total of 172 for five before Ali Murtaza and Angelo Mathews claimed six wickets between them to restrict Delhi to 134 for nine for a 38-run win. Pune finished their campaign with four wins in 16 matches, while Delhi ended with three wins.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 20^th, 2013.

Twilight star, Kristen Stewart, was spotted at the 2013 Met Gala looking red but not-so-hot. Had she remained true to her trademark edgy look, she would have probably bagged the Best Dressed title at the punk-themed night, but instead, she fell flat on the red carpet with her Star Trek-meets-Vampire Diaries look.

The charge sheet

Hair

Although her hairdo suits the theme perfectly, it appears flat with too much gel on it. We would have appreciated more volume on the front without a side-part. Letting her beautiful hair down would have definitely been a bonus.

Make-up

Matching your eye make-up with the colour of your outfit is often the first intuition but if that particular colour is red, it’s better left on the palette! That overdose of red powder around Kristen’s gorgeous green eyes looks less like an eye shadow and more like she has had a viral eye infection. We would have instead preferred a smokey gold eye make-up with some well-defined eyeliner.

Outfit

No doubt jumpsuits are number one on 2013’s trends list but Kristen made the wrong choice. We love the colour and the embellished lace detailing but the stiff silhouette makes her look heavy around the hips and is totally unflattering. A sleeveless flared bottom jumpsuit with a deeper neckline would have been a better pick.

Accessories

We hardly see any accessories on our vampire’s dream girl except for that uber chic gold box clutch. We understand that any kind of chunky accessory would have simply clashed with the heavily worked outfit but nevertheless; we would have appreciated some gold studs on those bare ears and a ring on that finger.

Shoes

Kristen is wearing a pair of matching maroon patent court shoes with gold spikes on the back and we are guessing it wasn’t a great shoe day after all. How about some pointed stilettos or peep-toes Kristen? We thought so…

Bail out!

Kate Beckinsale

The Resident Evil wonder woman, Kate looked absolutely dazzling in a fuchsia DVF jumpsuit and a pair of Louboutins at the Film Independent Spirit Awards. She topped off her stunning look by letting her hair down in a wavy blow-dry and wearing a chunky cuff bracelet.

Miley Cyrus

If there is anyone who can pull off a punk rock look to perfection, then it’s Disney’s favourite Hannah Montanna! She kept it bang on trend with the structured colourblock Valentino jumpsuit, strappy heels and luscious red lips at Maxim’s Hot 100 party.

Rose Byrne

Hollywood actor Rose Byrne looked ravishing in a feminine, white lace jumpsuit at the SAG awards last year. Despite the bold neckline, heavy embellishment  and that ever-so-stylish bob, Rose was a treat for the eyes!

Published in The Express Tribune, May 20^th, 2013.                    

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Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan said that his party will protest against the murder of Zehra Shahid Hussain in Karachi on Monday.
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