LHR Layout 29 pages_Layout 1 11/11/2011 2:20 AM Page 3
Friday, 11 November, 2011
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ARtS & ENtERtAiNMENt
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Tibetan self-immolation protests continue
Madonna upset over new song leak
Misbah wary of Malinga threat
News 03 CoMMENt Slighted?: Being brushed aside by the US.
The promise of SCo: A boost to the economy.
ejaz haider says: The (shallow) Atlantic!: Another example of shoddy journalism.
Kuldip nayar says: Heir unapparent: Who’ll take the reins from PM Singh?
Imran husain says: The missing goalpost: The forgotten future.
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Zardari sets deadline for Sindh projects President directs Sindh government to rebuild road network between Nawabshah, Sanghar and Mirpur Khas g
KARACHI APP
P
RESIDENT Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday directed that infrastructure projects related to irrigation and roads, approved by the Sindh government, be finalised by the Planning Commission in one week and the work completed within one year. Chairing a meeting at the Bilawal House on rebuilding the infrastructure damaged by floods, the president advised the government to set up an infrastructure bank to finance projects and invite private entrepreneurs to rebuild roads, bridges,
rail tracks and other infrastructure on Build-Operate and Own (BOO) basis. He also advised the Sindh government to utilise the $35 million loan offered by the Exim Bank of China for the reconstruction of road links between Nawabshah, Sanghar and Mirpur Khas. Presidential Spokesman Farhatullah Babar said that during the presentation on rehabilitation of infrastructure, Zardari said the government was tapping all possible resources for reconstructing the infrastructure damaged by recent floods. Zardari said the government was prioritising the reconstruction of road networks to increase road density in the country.
He said the reconstruction of thousands of kilometres of roads and railway tracks, and breaches in the canals was a huge challenge. He said Pakistan was looking towards its friends for assistance in rehabilitation efforts so that the affected people take a fresh start following the devastation caused by the natural calamity. The president thanked the Chinese government and the Exim Bank for their assistance. The president said various components of the proposed road project be completed on the basis of foreign loan facility, public-private partnership and the Sindh government’s share.
US ‘confident’ pakistani nukes are safe WASHINGTON onlIne
Rebutting a US media report that Pakistan’s atomic arsenal was vulnerable to theft, the United States has expressed confidence in Islamabad’s ability to keep its nuclear weapons safe. “We have confidence that the Government of Pakistan is well aware of the range of potential threats to its nuclear arsenal and is accordingly giving very high prior-
ity to securing its nuclear weapons and materials effectively,” State Department spokesman Mark Toner told reporters. “We continue to believe - we continue to have confidence in the government of Pakistan that they both understand the varied threats to the nuclear arsenal, and that they’re taking appropriate steps to safeguard them,” he said in response to a question. Two US publications, The Atlantic and the National Journal,
citing unnamed sources, last week said Pakistan had transported nuclear weapons in low-security vans on congested roads to hide them from US spy agencies. Asked if the US had spoken to Pakistan about these reports, Toner said: “We’re always talking to the Pakistanis, and one of the things we talk to them about is ways to improve safety around their nuclear arsenal. But again, we’re confident that there are safety measures in place.”
‘By 2030, Pakistan will produce 9,700Mw from alternative energy’ ISLAMABAD APP
The government has set out an ambitious target to produce at least 9700MW through alternative and renewable energy sources, equal to 5 percent of total power generation, by 2030. A senior Ministry of Water and Power official on Thursday said, “The government has initiated an extensive wind energy programme to meet increasing power demand and introduce renewable energy technologies in the country.” He said the government had established the Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) mandated to work through the private sector in the field of Renewable Energy (RE). He said as it stands 64 percent of power generation is through thermal energy, 34 percent through hydel and 2 through nuclear energry. He said the current annual shortfall was 4,000 MW and a 2000 MW additional capacity required annually to maintain the current growth rate with an investment of US $ 4-6 billion per year. He said energy supply must increase to 80 percent by 2015. He said increased by 7 percent annually over 2003-08 while with generation growth lagged behind at 4.8 percent. He said a detailed analysis to determine wind energy potential had been undertaken which had identified major wind resources in thenorthern Indus valley, southwestern and central Pakistan and elevated mountains summits and ridge crests in the north.