ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif Tuesday expressed the resolve to continue the ongoing war against terrorism.

Both the leaders expressed this determination at a meeting held in Islamabad.

Sources privy to the meeting told that the Prime Minister renewed his government’s commitment to act upon the policy of reconciliation.

Gilani said: “Policy of reconciliation is vital for strengthening the political culture.”

Besides, the Chief Minister briefed the Prime Minister Gilani about security situation in Punjab.

ISLAMABAD: The United States has delivered a squadron of 14 AH-1 Cobra advanced helicopter gunships to Pakistan, Geo News reported Tuesday.

According to details, the AH1-F Cobra helicopter gunships, equipped for night flying, has been supplied by the US from its Jordan Air Base stock.

The helicopters were handed over to Pakistan Army Aviation.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Iran inked a final agreement on Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project today in Istanbul. Two countries signed the Heads of Agreement (HoA) and certain Conditions Precedents (CPs) to make the Gas Sales Purchase Agreement (GSPA) effective.

Federal Petroleum Secretary Kamran Lashari signed the agreement on behalf of Pakistan government.

The GSPA became effective to kick off the work on the project. The signing of these agreements was required for flow of Iranian gas towards Pakistan.

Two countries signed GSPA on IP gas pipeline project on June 5, 2009 in Istanbul, Turkey. The agreement was signed in a third country because it is governed by French law, denying any advantage to Iran or Pakistan in case of any dispute.

Under the GSPA, Iran would provide 750 million cubic feet of gas per day to Pakistan for the next 25 years, which would generate 4000MW of electricity.

Iranian delegation visited Pakistan on August 31 on the IP gas pipeline Operations Agreement (OA). After four days of negotiations, the Operations Agreement was initialed on September 3, 2009.

LONDON: Britain have set up a body to monitor the financial help being sent to terrorists in Pakistan, says a report issued by the State Bank today (Tuesday).

The UK Department for International Development has provided 500 pound to the central bank, through which steps will be taken to uplift financial industry and to stop financial help being sent in Pakistan for terrorists.

GENEVA: North Korea’’s food situation has worsened again, forcing its communist regime to allow some markets to reopen this month, a UN human rights ex

ISLAMABAD: The President, in exercise of powers under Article 45 of the Constitution has granted special remission in sentences of convicted prisoners on the occasion of Pakistan day on March 23.

Special remission of 90 days of the prisoners convicted for life imprisonment except those convicted for murder, espionage, anti-Stage activities, sectarianism, Zina (Sec. 10 Offence of Zina (Enforcement of Hudood) Ordinance, 1979 (Also under Sec. 377 PPC), robbery (Sec. 394 PPC), dacoity (Sec. 395-296 PPC), kidnapping/ Abduction (Sec. 364-A 365-A), and terrorist acts (as defined in the anti-Terrorism (Second amendment) Ordinance, 1999 (No.XIII of 1999).

Special remission for 45 days to all other convicts except the condemned prisoners and also except those convicted of murder, espionage, subversion, anti-state activities, terrorist act (as defined in the Anti-Terrorism (Second Amendment) Ordinance, 1999 (No. XIII of 1999), Zina (Sec. 10 offence of Zina (Enforcement of Hudood) Ordinance, 1979 (also under section 377 PPC), kidnapping / abduction (Sec. 364-A 365-A) robbery (Sec. 394 PPC), dacoity (Sec. 395-396 PPC) and those undergoing sentences under the Foreigners Act, 1946.
Special remission at sub-paras i ii above will be admissible provided that the convicts have undergone 2/3rd of their substantive sentence of imprisonment.

Total remission to male prisoners who are 65 years of age or above and have undergone at least 1/3rd of their substantive sentence of imprisonment, except those involved in culpable homicide and those involved in terrorist acts, as defined in the anti terrorism (Second Amendment) Ordinance, 1999 (No. XIII of 1999).

Total remission to female prisoners who are 60 years of age or above and have undergone at least 1/3rd of their sentence of imprisonment, except those involved in culpable homicide and those involved in terrorist acts, as defined in the Anti Terrorism (Second Amendment) Ordinance, 1999 (No. XII of 1999).

Special remission of one year to female prisoners who have accompanying children and are serving sentence of imprisonment for crimes other than culpable homicide and those involved in terrorist acts, as defined in the anti Terrorism (Second Amendment) Ordinance, 1999 (No. XIII of 1999).

Total remission of juvenile convicts (under 18 years of age) who served 1/3rd of their substantive sentence except those involved in culpable homicide, terrorist act, as defined in the anti-Terrorism (Second Amendment) Ordinance, 1999 (No. XIII of 1999), Zina (Sec. 10 offence of Zina (Enforcement of Hudood) Ordinance, 1979 (also under section 377 PPC), robbery (Sec. 394 PPC), dacoity (Sec. 395-396 PPC), kidnapping/abduction (Sec. 364-A 365-A) and anti-state activities.