ISLAMABAD, Feb 1 (APP): Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Monday said issuance of new notification in next few days, will give a strong and positive message about Karachi operation. He said said powers of Rangers Sindh regarding anti terrorism operation, were due to end in four days and it would be appropriate that a new notification was issued with mutual consultation in the next few days. The minister was talking to Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah on phone after a high level meeting.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 1 (APP): Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi Monday underlined the need to further enhance intellectual exchanges and linkages between the academics and researchers of the two countries. He said this in his meeting with Cai Fang the Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) in Beijing, said a press release received here. Both sides also discussed ways and means to evolving an effective mechanism for enhancing regular exchanges of academia and research scholars.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 1 (APP): Minister for Finance, Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar on Monday reached Dubai to participate in 10th review talks between Pakistan and International Monetary Fund (IMF).According to official sources in the Ministry of Finance, Pak-IMF talks are in progress at Dubai and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has joined his team for leading the talks.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 1 (APP): Minister for Commerce Khurram Dastagir Khan on Monday said that the government would establish Pharmaceutical Export Development Council (PEDC) to boost its exports. “The PEDC will comprise representatives from ministries of Industries and Production, Commerce and Health Regulation,” he said while talking to a delegation of Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Association which called on him here.

WASHINGTON, Feb, 1 (APP): Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will attend the Nuclear Security Summit being held in Washington on March 31- April 1, at the invitation of US President Barack Obama. Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry travelled to San Francisco this week where he attended a preparatory conference that discussed procedural matters relating to the summit, which will be attended by the heads of government and states of 35
to 45 countries. Pakistan’s Ambassador to the US, Jalil Abbas Jilani also attended the preparatory meeting.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 1 (APP): Pakistan Railways has leased out 1556 acre land in Punjab, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa through fair and transparent method during last two years to earn more revenue.Pakistan Railways has collected an amount of Rs. 366.58 million from the leases so far, a senior official in the Ministry of Railways told APP. The land was leased out though advertisement in the newspapers to ensure transparency and though auction process, the official added.

ISLAMABAD, Jan 31 (APP): The bilateral dialogue between Pakistan and India is inevitable for resolution of all longstanding issues, including Kashmir, as any confrontation between the two nuclear powers is unaffordable for regional peace and stability. The security and diplomatic experts are unanimous to hail the four-point peace formula presented by Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif during the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly in September last, however, they call for concerted efforts to execute the proposals.

ISLAMABAD, Jan 31 (APP): Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir Affairs Chaudhry Barjees Tahir has said that the PML-N government was focusing on development projects being carried out in different parts of the country. The government would set an example of progress and development in the country before completing its tenure, he said while inaugurating a road project at Dala Nagal area of Shahkot, avccording to a press release issued here on Sunday.

ISLAMABAD, Jan 31 (APP): The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) would hold election of a mayor and three deputy mayors of the federal capital on February 15. The schedule of election will be issued in the next week, said an official of the ECP.

LAHORE, Jan 31 (APP): Federal Minister for Pakistan Railways (PR) Khawaja Saad Rafique said on Sunday that efforts were on to further bring down deficit of railways. Addressing the Labour Union convention of PR here at Aiwan-e-Iqbal, he said that due to reforms, the deficit of Pakistan Railways had reduced to Rs 27 billion and efforts were being made to further reduce it upto Rs 3 to 4 billion during current year.