ISLAMABAD: It seems the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has again started banking on its old guard as it decided to have Senator Raza Rabbani as its parliamentary leader in the Senate. The development came after the nomination of Senator Aitzaz Ahsan as Leader of the Opposition in the Senate earlier this week. Ahsan has replaced Senator Ishaq Dar who resigned after Nawaz Sharif’s PML-N emerged as the largest party in the general election. Rabbani and Ahsan held no key posts during the last five years of PPP government. The latest decision was taken at a meeting by 39 PPP senators who also discussed strategy with regard to budget session. Though the PPP was routed by the PML-N in the election, it still enjoys majority in Senate, with 39 members in a house of 104 members.
Six Afghan cops killed
Kabul: Six Afghan policemen were killed at their checkpoint in the Musa Qala district of southern Helmand province yesterday. They included two members of the regular police and four of the Afghan Local Police, the governor’s spokesman, Omar Zwak, said. The Taliban claimed responsibility. A spokesman for the group said eight policemen, including two commanders, were killed, their weapons seized and a Ranger pick-up taken away. In a similar incident, six policemen were killed in the Greshk district of the province two weeks ago.
‘Terrorist’ dies in explosion
Karachi: Three hand grenades exploded near Ittehad Chowk area of Baldia town here, killing an alleged terrorist, Pakistan’s Geo News said yesterday. One hand grenade went off in the hand of the terrorist when he was making a plan in his house in Ittehad town. His finger prints and blood samples have been taken for tests. Police said that prior to the incident two hand grenades had exploded in the area. A 9mm pistol and 15 bullets were also recovered from the house.
Violence claims four in Karachi
Karachi: Four people were killed in incidents of firing and violence in Karachi, police said yesterday. Two bodies bearing torture marks were recovered from Abbas Mor near the Northern Bypass. The deceased had been abducted and tortured before being shot dead and their bodies were thrown on the road, police said, adding that they were yet to be identified. A man was killed in firing near North Nazimabad’s Pahar Ganj area and a body bearing marks of torture was found in Steel Town.
Agencies
