ISLAMABAD, May 19 (APP): Advisor to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, Sartaj Aziz on Thursday apprised the Senate that Pakistan has serious concerns over recent Indian missile tests and will take all necessary measures to augment its defence capabilities.

Giving statement in Senate on India’s test of Supersonic Interceptor, he said that India on May 15 conducted an interceptor missile test of its advanced Air Defence Missile Ashwin.

“We are not oblivious to our defence needs and will have to upgrade our defensive capabilities through suitable technologies without entering into an arms race,”he
said He informed that India has also recently conducted tests of nuclear capable, submarine based K4 Ballistic Missiles.

ISLAMABAD, May 19 (APP): US Special Representative for
Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Olson, accompanied by US
Ambassador David Hale called on Finance Minister, Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar here on Thursday and discussed about preparations for US Pak Business Opportunities Conference to be held in New York on June 3, 2016.

Richard Olson felicitated the Finance Minister on
successful conclusion of the 11th Review with the
International Monetary Fund (IMF), a statement of the Ministry of Finance issued here today.

He said it was a creditable achievement as it indicated
government’s commitment to reforms and economic stabilization.

QUETTA, May 19 (APP): A constable of Balochistan Constabulary was killed and four others were injured in a remote-controlled bomb blast in the Eastern Bypass area here on Thursday.

Police sources said that unidentified men planted a remote-controlled bomb in Bhosa Mandi Eastern Bypass area of the provincial capital.”The bomb exploded when an official van of Balochistan Constabulary was passing by, killing one constable on the spot and injuring four others,” they said.

The rescue teams rushed to the scene and shifted the dead and injured to hospital.According to doctors, the condition of one injured was critical.

ISLAMABAD, May 19 (APP): The National Assembly on Thursday passed the National Database and Registration Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2016 aimed at improving registration of aliens in the country.

Minister for Law Zahid Hamid on behalf Interior Minister for Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan moved the National Database and Registration Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2016 in the House.

The bill has already been passed by the Senate.

GILGIT, May 19 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif was accorded warm welcome as he arrived here Thursday on a day long visit.

On his arrival at Gilgit Airport, the Prime Minister was received by Chief Minister Gilgit Baltistan Hafiz Hafeez-ur-Rehman, Governor Mir Ghazanfar Ali Khan and members of the GB Legislative Assembly and Council.

Federal Ministers Birjees Tahir and Anusha Rehman are accompanying the Prime Minister.

PESHAWAR, May 19 (APP): Awami National Party Chairman Asfandyar Wali Thursday said his party was not in favour of resignation from the prime minister on Panama leaks and demanded across the board accountability of all those whose names were there.

In a statement issued here, he said that the prime minister had just allegations against him in Panama papers and in such a situation, the ANP feels demand for resignation would be unjust.

Asfandyar said that accountability should not be confined
to Panama leaks rather across the board accountability of all
should be initiated without discrimination.

GILGIT, May 19 (APP): The Gilgit Baltistan Council Thursday gave approval to the much-awaited policies to promote tourism, enhance the forest cover in Gilgit Baltistan and discourage illegal tree cutting.

The working plan of the timber policy was presented by GB’s Secretary Forest, Sajjad Haider in the Council session held here under the chair of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif as chairman council.

Besides taking up other agenda items, the House also approved the Council’s annual budget for fiscal year 2015-16 with a total outlay of Rs 831.925 million.

ISLAMABAD, May 19, (APP): Member National Assembly (MNA) of PML-N, Dr. Ramesh Kumar Thursday hoped that the consensus on accountability system would be developed soon like all political stakeholders agreed on elections reforms.

Talking to newsmen outside the Parliament House, he said the politicians who were hurling allegations against his party leadership were found involved in Panama scandal.

Those people, he was of the view that now wanted to run from their accountability.