Islamabad: Pakistan’s main political parties are unanimous in their support for peace talks with Taliban who have welcomed the initiative. Representatives from parties on Monday took part in an All Parties Conference and told the federal government to “initiate dialogue” with militants to put an end to attacks that have killed thousands of people in the country since 2007. They have reposed confidence in Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to begin talks.
More dengue cases in Lahore
Islamabad: Eight more dengue viral fever cases have been reported in Lahore, taking the number of patients to 97. Health officials warned of rapid outbreak, especially when the weather changes from hot to cold. They said hospitals are ready to cope with the crisis, urging citizens to take precautions. Resurgence of the virus in Punjab region is linked to heavy rainfall and accumulation of water in many areas over the past few weeks. In 2011, around 21,000 dengue cases were reported, including 300 deaths in Lahore.
Islamabad eyes Malaysia model
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is likely to replicate the Malaysian government’s ‘Big Fast Results’ (BFR) methodology for the preparation and implementation of next five-year plan (2013-18) and the Perspective Plan 2025. Senator Idris Jala, Minister in the Malaysian Prime Minister’s Office, arrived in Pakistan yesterday at the invitation of the Minister for Planning and Development, Ahsan Iqbal, to share the BFR methodology with government leaders and planners for economic transformation programme. The much-acclaimed BFR methodology is being implemented in Malaysia under the performance management and delivery unit.
Agencies
