وفاق پاکستان اسٹیل کی200ایکڑ اراضی پورٹ قاسم کو دینے کیلیے سرگرم

وفاقی حکومت کے متعلقہ ادارے اور وزارتیں پاکستان اسٹیل کو گیس کی سپلائی بحال کرانے سے لاتعلق ہیں۔ فوٹو: فائل

 کراچی: قانونی رکاوٹوں اور سندھ حکومت کے اعتراض کے باوجود وفاقی حکومت پاکستان اسٹیل کی ملکیت 200 ایکڑ اراضی پورٹ قاسم اتھارٹی کو منتقل کرنے کے لیے سرگرم ہے۔

ذرائع نے بتایا کہ پاکستان اسٹیل کی ملکیتی اراضی پر کوئلے کی ذخیرہ گاہ تعمیر کی جائیگی جہاں سے درآمدی کوئلہ پنجاب میں لگنے والے کوئلے سے چلنے والے بجلی گھروں کو سپلائی ہوگا۔ ذرائع نے انکشاف کیا کہ اس حوالے سے ایک اہم اجلاس وزارت صنعت و پیداوار میں آج منعقد ہوگا جس میں پاکستان اسٹیل کے قائم مقام سی ای او اور سیکریٹری وزارت صنعت و پیداوار کے علاوہ پورٹ قاسم اتھارٹی کے نمائندے اور پاکستان اسٹیل کے انتظامی افسران شرکت کریں گے۔ پاکستان اسٹیل کے خلاف سوئی سدرن گیس کمپنی کی جانب سے سندھ ہائی کورٹ میں دائر مقدمے میں 41ارب روپے کے واجبات کی ادائیگی تک پاکستان اسٹیل کی اراضی اور اثاثے کسی تیسرے فریق کو منتقل کرنے پر پابندی عائد کرنے کی استدعا کی گئی ہے یہ مقدمہ عدالت میں زیر سماعت ہے۔

دوسری جانب سندھ حکومت کی جانب سے بھی پاکستان اسٹیل میں دلچسپی کا اظہار کیا گیا تھا اور سندھ حکومت وقتاً فوقتاً پاکستان اسٹیل کی اراضی کسی دوسرے فریق کو منتقل کیے جانے پر اپنے اعتراضات کا اظہار کرچکی ہے۔ذرائع کا کہنا ہے کہ وفاقی حکومت اور وزارت صنعت و پیداوار سندھ حکومت کی رضا مندی کے بغیر ہی 200ایکڑ زمین اونے پونے داموں پورٹ قاسم کو منتقل کرنے کے لیے سرگرم ہے جس کے لیے اعلیٰ سطح کے اجلاس گزشتہ ماہ بھی منعقد ہوچکے ہیں۔ ذرائع کا کہنا ہے کہ وفاقی سیکریٹری صنعت و پیداوار خضرت حیات گوندل جو پاکستان اسٹیل کے سی ای او کے بھی اضافی فرائض انجام دے رہے ہیں 380ارب روپے واجبات اور خسارے کے بوجھ تلے پاکستان اسٹیل کی بحالی کے بجائے 200ایکڑ زمین کی پورٹ قاسم کو حوالگی میں زیادہ دلچسپی لے رہے ہیں اور اس حوالے سے سی ای او کی حیثیت سے گزشتہ ماہ کراچی کے اپنے پہلے دورے میں بھی زمین کی حوالگی سے متعلق ایک خفیہ اجلاس کی صدارت کرچکے ہیں۔

وفاقی حکومت کے متعلقہ ادارے اور وزارتیں پاکستان اسٹیل کو گیس کی سپلائی بحال کرانے سے لاتعلق ہیں اور ملازمین کو تنخواہوں کی مد میں ادائیگی کے لیے بھی رقم بطور قرض ادا کی جارہی ہے۔ بجٹ دستاویزات کے مطابق رواں مالی سال کے دوران پاکستان اسٹیل کو وفاقی بجٹ میں سے قرض کی ادائیگی کے لیے 3ارب 84کروڑ روپے کی رقم مختص کی گئی تھی تاہم اس سال 5ارب 76کروڑ 60لاکھ روپے کا قرض جاری کیا گیا آئندہ مالی سال کے لیے پاکستان اسٹیل کو بطور قرض کی فراہمی کے لیے بجٹ میں 4ارب روپے کی رقم مختص کی گئی ہے جس سے ظاہر ہوتا ہے کہ مستقبل قریب میں پاکستان اسٹیل کی نج کاری کا کوئی امکان نہیں ہے۔

رمضان المبارک کا چاند دیکھنے کیلئے مرکزی رویت ہلال کمیٹی کا اجلاس آج ہوگا

صوبائی دارالحکومتوں اور ضلعی سطح پر بھی کمیٹیوں کے الگ الگ اجلاس ہوں گے۔ فوٹو: فائل

 کراچی: مرکزی رویت ہلال کمیٹی کے چیئرمین مفتی منیب الرحمان کی زیرصدارت ماہ رمضان المبارک 1437 ھ کا چاند دیکھنے کے لئے اجلاس آج  ہوگا۔

چیئرمین مرکزی رویت ہلال کمیٹی کے مطابق رمضان المبارک کے چاند کی رویت کا شرعی فیصلہ کرنے کے لئے اجلاس آج شام بعد نماز عصر محکمہ موسمیات کے دفتر کراچی میں ہوگا۔ اس کے علاوہ صوبائی دارالحکومتوں اور ضلعی سطح پر بھی کمیٹیوں کے الگ الگ اجلاس ہوں گے، اجلاس میں 1437 ہجری کے رمضان المبارک کے چاند کی رویت سے متعلق شہادتیں لی جائیں گی۔

محکمہ موسمیات کے مطابق ملک میں رمضان کا چاند پیر کی شام نظر آنے کا قوی امکان ہے اور منگل 7 جون کو ملک میں پہلا روزہ ہوسکتا ہے جب کہ ماہرین فلکیات کے مطابق چاند نظر آنے کے لیے اس کی عمر 26 گھنٹے ہونی چاہیے جبکہ پیر کی شام تک چاند کی عمر 36 گھنٹے ہوجائے گی۔

دوسری جانب پشاور کی مسجد قاسم علی خان کے خطیب مفتی شہاب الدین پوپلزئی نے بھی رمضان المبارک کا چاند دیکھنے کے لیے اجلاس آج ہی طلب کیا ہے جن کا کہنا ہے کہ چاند کے حوالے سے کوئی بھی شہادت ملنے کی صورت میں وفاقی وزیرمذہبی امورسردار یوسف کو آگاہ کیا جائے گا۔

Talking Horses: The Derby’s best bets plus the latest racing news

An intriguing Derby, for which the contenders are long on stamina if short on brilliance, may fall to Harzand, whose participation was confirmed only after Epsom took an inch of rain this week. He would provide a first success in the race for his veteran trainer, Dermot Weld, who won the Oaks here 35 years ago with Blue Wind.

That makes Harzand (4.30) attractive, since he looks the strongest stayer in the field. Races over two miles were even mooted for him by the Racing Post after his latest start, when he powered home in the Ballysax, the third horse toiling nine lengths behind.

Both his wins have been on heavy going and there is no question that rain will always be a help to him. But he probably does not need the ground as testing as it was at Leopardstown, where he travelled quite sweetly through the early stages. One could also be encouraged by the way he bounced out of the stalls, suggesting he can take an early position no further back than midfield this time.

As Minding showed on Friday, one can win a Classic here from last place at the home turn but this big field means there will be fewer lanes available in the straight. Those who try to come from the very back will surely find that one of those in front is not stopping.

Wings Of Desire, Cloth Of Stars and Algometer are the others who should be finishing to best effect. The suspicion is that US Army Ranger, Ulysses and Across The Stars may not quite be ready for such a severe examination at this early stage of their developments.

Moonlight Magic would have been the pick in other circumstances. He has a turn of foot that might have carried him clear of these if the ground was on the fast side. The weather has not been kind and nor has the draw, since stall one means he may have to use up early energy to avoid being stuck in the rear.

Saturday’s other TV races, by Chris Cook

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2.00 Epsom Poet’s Word is a promising entrant for Sir Michael Stoute, who has a good record in this race and won it last year. This colt appreciated the step up in distance to break his maiden at the third attempt last month and does not look harshly treated on that form. The second, third and fourth all won next time.

2.35 Epsom The magnificently bredSayana is a Galileo half-sister to two Group One winners. Unraced until the autumn of her three-year-old season, she seems to be improving significantly for each race and looks well up to the necessary standard, having made all to bag a Listed prize at Chantilly last time.

3.10 Epsom Postponed has thoroughly blossomed since last summer, when he won the King George, continuing the progress he was making for Luca Cumani now that he is with Roger Varian. Cut in the ground suits him well and he can take another step forward here. Found would prefer a faster surface, so Simple Verse is more of a threat.

3.45 Epsom It’s hard to get away from Duke Of Firenze, who won this race three years ago and has now recovered his form after a change of stables. He won a similar contest at York last month and still looks well treated under a 4lb penalty, while his draw against the stands’ rail should be a help.

Acclaimed jewellery designer Shafaq Habib exhibits her latest collection

Habib deals with all kinds of fine jewellery that includes bridal wear, party wear and personal wear using diamonds, polki diamonds, rubies, emeralds, turquoise, pearls, amber, aquamarine, tourmaline and topaz

ISLAMABAD: Legendary jewellery designer Shafaq Habib presented an exquisite jewellery collection that featured an array of personal ornaments such as necklaces, rings, bracelets, earrings etc, all made with pure gold and authentic gemstones.

The scintillating new collection by Shafaq Habib is all armed with stupendous craftwork and contemporary designs.

It is a Lahore based brand, whose steady and persistent rise is a result of a demand for bespoke and hand-crafted work.

Habib deals with all kinds of fine jewellery that includes bridal wear, party wear and personal wear using diamonds, polki diamonds, rubies, emeralds, turquoise, pearls, amber, aquamarine, tourmaline, topaz and many others.

The brand is an aggregate of style and fashion with all the tremendous bijouterie containing precious and colourful gems with pinks, blues, greens, silver and an aureate touch.

The price range extends from Rs 12,000 to Rs 2,500,000. The brand also offers customised jewellery according to your pocket and requirement.

Pearl is another addition to Habib’s collection.

"Jewellery should be beautiful, irresistible and wearable as it adds beauty to your attire. My jewellery is different because of the unique material I use. I am always ready to learn new techniques and travel a lot. I attend international jewellery exhibitions and seminars to bring more quality to my work," Habib said, while talking exclusively to Daily Times.

Arsenal Transfer News: Fresh Rumours, Latest Stars Targeted by Arsene Wenger

Arsenal are reportedly keeping tabs on talented Lyon midfielder Corentin Tolisso with a view to a summer transfer.

That’s according to French newspaper L’Equipe (via James Cambridge of Daily Express), which stated scouts from the Emirates Stadium have been watching Tolisso in Ligue 1 action over the course of the 2015/16 campaign.

The Gunners recently eased fans’ midfield worries with the acquisition of highly rated Swiss star Granit Xhaka, but there’s still work to be done in the heart of the Arsenal ranks.

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Yet is the 21-year-old Tolisso the man to give Arsene Wenger’s men their bite back? Well, he certainly has the credentials of a top Premier League star.

He’s strong, quick and direct with an impeccable eye for a pass, plus he’s versatile.

Here’s a look at what Tolisso could bring to the party at the Emirates:

However, Arsenal face stiff competition for the Frenchman’s signature, as Serie A giants Napoli are also reportedly interested.

In fact, L'Equipe (h/t Calciomercato) revealed Napoli launched a €16 million bid for Tolisso’s services, although it was subsequently turned down by Lyon.

Arsenal can certainly afford to match the Ligue 1 side’s demands, and Cambridge wrote Tolisso would prefer a move to north London.

Romain Perrocheau/Getty Images

All that’s left for Wenger to do is lay his cards on the table and give Lyon an offer they can’t refuse.

It’s a new striker supporters are really craving this summer, though, and Arsenal could turn to one of England’s finest for a solution.

As per Stuart James of the Guardian, the Gunners have triggeredLeicester City frontman Jamie Vardy’s release clause, believed to be around £20 million, and John Cross of Daily Mirror reported Arsenal are hoping to get the deal across the line before Monday.

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Vardy scored 24 goals and created six more during the Foxes’ historic Premier League title-winning campaign of 2015/16, per WhoScored.com, with his pace and expert finishing striking fear into defences across the country.

And Cross wrote that formal negotiations have begun, with Vardy looking to land a four-year deal worth £120,000 per week—double his current salary.

Back in May, the England international seemingly had no intention of leaving Leicester, telling Sky Sports News HQ he’s happy in the east Midlands:

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Arsenal didn’t exactly have the best 2015/16 campaign despite finishing second, but Wenger’s ruthlessness already in the transfer window shows he’s ready to go one better next time around.

A new striker and midfield reinforcements will give the Frenchman the platform on which to build, and Vardy and Tolisso are undoubtedly two excellent options.

Latest US strike on Al-Qaeda in Yemen kills four

Washington: A US air strike last month killed four suspected Al-Qaeda militants in Yemen, the ninth such attack this year, the US military disclosed on Friday.

The strike on May 19 took place in the southern province of Shabwa, US Central Command (Centcom) said in a statement.

It brought to nine the number of US air strikes against Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) since the beginning of the year, the statement said.

Four of the strikes had not previously been disclosed.

US attacks have killed a total of 81 suspected AQAP fighters, the statement said.

An air strike against a training camp on March 22 killed 56 militants, according to Centcom´s latest tally.

The United States, which has considered AQAP the most dangerous Al-Qaeda branch since 2009, regularly conducts airstrikes against the militant group in Yemen, mostly using drones.

AQAP has taken advantage of the country´s civil conflict between Houthi rebels and Yemeni government forces to expand its influence in the country´s south and southeast.

US soldiers had been deployed in Yemen until March 2015, when the last troops left the country in the face of a Houthi rebel advance.

However, a "very small number" of US soldiers recently returned to the southern port of Mukalla, retaken from AQAP in April, the Pentagon confirmed last month.

The soldiers were deployed to support Yemeni forces and the Arab coalition taking part in the fight against Al-Qaeda in the region.

AQAP is "using the unrest in Yemen to provide a haven from which to plan future attacks against our allies as well as the US and its interests," Centcom´s statement said.

"The United States will not relent in its mission to degrade, disrupt and destroy Al-Qaeda and its remnants."

Thailand Tiger Temple operation 'is completed'

A week-long operation to remove nearly 140 tigers from a temple in Thailand has finished, officials say.

Operators at Wat Pha Luang Ta Bua temple, known as the Tiger Temple, are accused of wildlife trafficking and animal abuse. They deny the charges.

On Wednesday, wildlife officials found the bodies of 40 dead tiger cubs at the temple complex west of Bangkok.

The temple has been accused by experts of not keeping the animals properly and illegal trade in tiger parts.

Body parts found at the temple have increased suspicions that it is run as an admission-charging zoo while engaging in unethical breeding and trafficking of endangered animals.

Tiger Temple's long history of controversy

BBC visit to the Tiger Temple in 2012

The Buddhist temple first started taking in tigers nearly 20 years ago and since then has developed into a big and profitable tourist attraction.

Wildlife activists have accused the temple of illegally breeding tigers while online commentators have complained that the animals seem to be sedated.

Image copyrightEPA

Image captionWildlife activists have accused the temple of illegally breeding tigers

Image copyrightEPA

Image captionThe operation to remove nearly 140 tigers from the temple is now over

The temple denies these accusations.

Department of National Parks spokesman Adisorn Nuchdamrong told the Reuters news agency that 22 people had been charged with wildlife possession and trafficking, including 17 members of the temple's foundation and three monks caught trying to flee with a truckload of tiger skins on Thursday.

It followed the discovery of the 40 dead tiger cubs inside a freezer.

Correspondents say it is not clear why the dead cubs were being stored. Tiger bones and body parts are used in traditional Chinese medicine.

"We've confiscated all the hard disks of closed circuit cameras in this temple for police to find evidence of wrongdoing," Mr Adisorn said.

Image copyrightEPA

Image captionTiger parts found at the temple have increased suspicions that it is run as an admission-charging zoo while engaging in unethical breeding and trafficking of endangered animals

Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES

Image captionThe tigers at the complex were tranquilised using darts

The temple officially opened in 1994 near a wild tiger habitat. Its first cub was found by villagers in 1999. Since then they have continued to bring cubs to the temple, especially when their mothers are killed by poachers.

Monks have prevented frequent moves to close it.

Thailand is a renowned centre of trafficking of illicit wildlife products, including ivory.

The wildlife department first raided the temple on Monday. Most of the 137 tigers inside the complex have now been removed.