KPT deep-draft container terminal inauguration this month

KARACHI: Karachi Port Trust (KPT) deep-draft containers terminal will be inaugurated this month.

Sources said that the work on this project could not be started, despite an agreement was made two and a half year ago due to technical difficulties, dredging more than earlier estimated and larger proportion of foreign exchange component.

KPT General Manager (planning and administration), Brigadier Jamshed Zaidi said that KPT gets its revenue in foreign exchange and, therefore, the objection on more foreign exchange has been removed. He said that the dredging work has started under the project at a cost of Rs19.50 billion, which was Rs2 to Rs2.5 billion more than the initial estimate.

He further said that the total cost on the project would be $700 million, out of which $100 million would spent by the contracting firm, while rest of the mount would be arranged by KPT from its own resources.

6 Sri Lanka cricketers hurt, 7 killed in Lahore shooting

LAHORE: Seven people including five policemen were killed and six Sri Lankan cricketers were wounded in a shooting attack in Lahore on Tuesday.

Sri Lankan tour has been called off after the attack. According to sources, unknown attackers opened fire on Sri Lankan cricket team bus near Gaddafi Stadium.

Intense trade of fire occurred between police and unknown attackers. CCPO Lahore Habibur Rehman said there were 12 attackers carrying rocket launchers; hand grenade, Kalashnikovs and Mousers who reportedly reached the site in rickshaws. Seven people including five cops were killed in the shooting.

NATO secretary general terms Swat deal as Pakistan’s internal issue

BRUSSELS: NATO Secretary General Jaap De Hoop has said that the Swat peace deal is Pakistan’s internal matter.

Talking to media in Brussels, Hoop said NATO forces had no intention to enter Pakistani borders. He said Pakistani routes for NATO supplies still carried importance despite the start of NATO supply to Afghanistan through Russia. Hoop said cultivation of opium and smuggling were becoming major reasons for terrorism in Afghanistan.

Gas demand goes up 10 pc annually

KARACHI: Demand for gasoline consumption is going up by 10 percent annually here in Pakistan; experts said adding it is necessary to find new oil and gas reservoirs to meet the rising demand.

In a report on energy in Pakistan, it is stated that country’s daily gas demand was 4731 mmcfd while locally we produce 4528 mmcfd.

Pakistan remain short of 203 mmcfd gas daily while mere 17 percent of the total population have access to gas in country.

Sri Lanka to pull cricket team out of Pakistan

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka is to immediately pull its national cricket team out of Pakistan following Tuesday's gun attack that wounded six squad members, Sri Lanka cricket chief Duleep Mendis said. He said he had spoken with Pakistani officials about the matter."The match is off and we are getting the team back today," Mendis said.

Desirous of resolving matters in democratic way: President Zardari

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has said that he didn’t want confrontation and conflict and wishing to resolve the issues in democratic way.

President Asif Ali Zardari chaired a high-profile meeting at the President House here, which focused on the overall law and order situation in the country and particularly in Punjab.

The prime minister and president in the meeting appreciated the allies’ efforts of reconciliation with N-League and mulled over the issue lawyers’ long march.

Sources confided President Asif Ali Zardari during the meeting said that efforts would be made to end Governor’s rule in Punjab. The meeting vowed that the responsibility for the resolution of the country’s political crisis would be met, as the country today needed reconciliation instead of confrontation.

Prior to the meeting, President Asif Ali Zzardari and the Prime Minister, Yusuf Raza Gilani had also exchanged views separately.