ISLAMABAD: The ghost of PPP government is still haunting National Accountability Bureau (NAB) officials who are working to bring back high-profile fugitive Tauqeer Sadiq involved in Rs82bn ($820m) Ogra scam from the UAE. In a shocking setback to NAB efforts, a key legal official working on Tauqeer’s case in the UAE is being deported from the Gulf state, it has been learnt. According to sources, the NAB has written to Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to take up the issue of deportation of Ejaz Kanju, legal assistant to NAB lawyer, with the UAE authorities. NAB officials believe Ejaz’s deportation is an attempt to sabotage the bureau’s legal defence and damage Tauqeer’s case.
Pakistan allows mango exports
KARACHI: To avoid losses through unplanned and premature fruit exports in the coming season, the Ministry of Commerce of Pakistan has allowed mango exports from May 25 as per a notification. Chairman All-Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Importers-Exporters and Merchants Association Waheed Ahmed said that mango production was expected at 1.55m tonnes while an export target of 0.175m tonnes has been set for this year.
Pakistan may fetch $60m if the target is met. Sindh remains the most affected province of the climatic hazards and faces 0.15m tonnes drop in production with an estimated decline of 25 percent in 2013.
Journalist Shah Ji passes away
LAHORE: Pakistan’s senior and history-making journalist Syed Abbas Athar, the group editor of the Urdu Daily Express, died on Monday at the Combined Military Hospital in Lahore. The 74-year old Athar was laid to rest after funeral prayers were at a park named after him in Tajpura, Lahore. “Shah Ji” as he was fondly known in journalistic circles — was diagnosed with lung cancer and sent to England for treatment last year.
Agencies
