Despite being grounded on doctor’s orders after a bout of ill health, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Tuesday took a virtual round-the-world trip to say a final farewell. Using satellites and the Internet, she hooked into some of the world’s major television networks to answer questions from local anchors and audiences in what was billed as a “Global Townterview” by the State Department. Clinton, who has travelled almost a million miles, apparently held 1,700 meetings with world leaders and eaten some 570 airplane meals, never moved from her seat in the Washington-based Newseum during the hour-long interview. It was one of her last public events before she steps down on Friday after four years as America’s top diplomat and hands over to Senator John Kerry, who was confirmed as the next secretary of state by 94 votes to three on Tuesday.
Assemblies to be dissolved before March 15: Shujaat
The coalition government decided to dissolve the national and provincial assemblies before March 15, PML-Q leader Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain said on Wednesday. Talking to media representatives, the PML-Q chief said the decisions in this regard were made by leaders of all parties which were part of the Pakistan People’s Party-led coalition government. Hussain said the participants of the meeting had agreed upon holding the general polls in May and the dissolution of the provincial and national assemblies would therefore take place before March 15. He added that the dissolution would be followed by general elections in May. Moreover, he said Dr Tahirul Qadri, chief of the Tehreek-i-Minhajul Quran (TMQ) would also be taken into confidence regarding the dissolution of assemblies.
Tauqir Sadiq handed over to consulate in Dubai
Former Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) chairman Tauqir Sadiq has been handed over to the Pakistani consulate in Dubai. According to media reports, Tauqir Sadiq, the key player in the alleged mega scandal of Rs 82 billion, was arrested in Dubai on Tuesday by a team of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and Pakistani police. He is likely to be sent to Pakistan in the next 48 hours. The police was also trying to send his front man, Sajid Ahmed, to Pakistan but legal documentation is needed for the move, the report said. It may be mentioned that the Supreme Court of Pakistan had issued orders for Sadiq’s arrest. He is accused of misusing authority, embezzling funds and causing losses to the national exchequer.
