ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s lawmakers will elect a new president on August 6, the election commission said yesterday, to replace Asif Ali Zardari who will not stand for a second term. None of the main parties — the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Zardari’s Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) or Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) — has announced their candidates yet. The PML-N won a majority in May’s parliamentary election and its nominee is expected to win the presidential poll, voted on by members of the National Assembly, Senate and provincial assemblies. Zardari, who came to power in 2008 on a wave of public support after the assassination of his wife Benazir Bhutto, has said he will not to stand again, and given the PML-N’s power he stands little chance of re-election.
First hydro power project
Islamabad: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday inaugurated the first hydro power project — New Bong Escape Hydropower Project in Mirpur. He expressed confidence that there will be substantial decrease in load-shedding due to short measures initiated by the government, including retirement of about 500bn rupees worth of circular debt. He termed completion of the project by the private sector as a milestone which will pave the way for similar projects. He hoped that Bong project would open up more economic opportunities for people of Azad Kashmir.
Bomber killed near airport
Kabul: A suicide bomber was shot dead by Afghan security forces near the Kabul international airport on Monday night. He The was looking to attack a police check-post near the airport, according to Khaama Press. Meanwhile, seven militants were killed and six arrested in joint operations by Afghan security forces and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the past 24 hours in the country. The Interior Ministry said raids were conducted in Baghlan, Faryab, Jawzjan, Zabul, Maidan Wardak, Paktia, Helmand and Herat provinces. Weapons were also seized.
Agencies
