London: The UK has pledged over $200m in annual aid to Afghanistan until 2017, presidential palace officials announced. The package was announced by Justine Greening, Secretary for International Development, during a meeting with President Hamid Karzai in London. Officials said Karzai and Greening discussed relations and Britain’s cooperation on development projects in Afghanistan. Greening said that the UK is interested to work with Kabul on projects and sectors which are a priority for Afghanistan. Karzai urged that Britain’s aid should be spent on infrastructure projects including high education, trade, agriculture, energy and water and road construction. Both also discussed projects between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Petrol price may be cut
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is likely to reduce the price of petrol by more than Rs2 per litre but keep the rates of other petroleum products almost unchanged for November. Sources said the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority has sent a summary to the petroleum ministry, proposing a price cut by Rs2.48 from Rs113.25 to Rs110.77. Authorities raised petrol price by Rs4.12 on October 1. Sources said the summary was based on prices in the international market in the past 25 days.
Fata ignored again for poll
ISLAMABAD: With all four provinces preparing for local elections, residents of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) say they have, once again, been ignored. Akhunzada Chitan, former lawmaker from Bajaur and Pakistan Peoples Party central executive committee member, has threatened to hold a march if elections are not held in Fata. Fata Reforms Movement General Secretary Zahir Shah Safi said no paperwork has been done for the tribal agencies.Agencies
