Eid likely on 31st

ISLAMABAD, Aug 25: The Pakistan Meteorological Department on Thursday said there is a chance for sighting of the Shawwal moon on Tuesday (August 30) evening. Therefore, Eidul Fitr is expected on Wednesday (Aug 31) subject to confirmation by the Ruet-i-Hilal Committee.

In a press release, the Met Office forecast fair/partly cloudy weather in southern parts of the country on Tuesday evening.

“Three threshold values of the astronomical parameters are essential for sighting of the new moon of Shawwal. First, the age of the new moon should be more than 31 hours at the time of twilight, whereas this time it is more than 34 hours in most parts of the country.”

Secondly, the minimum duration for the new moon after sunset should be more than 41 minutes whereas on this occasion it is more than 40 minutes in coastal areas; and thirdly, the positions of the new moon and its angles at the time of sunset are also favourable for its sighting in coastal areas.

“Conditions for sighting of the new moon on August 30 are consonant with the prescribed criteria. Therefore, the first day of Shawwal will start on Wednesday,” it added. — Our Reporter

Bid to smuggle heroin foiled

RAWALPINDI, Aug 25: The Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) on Thursday foiled an attempt to smuggle 6kg heroin to the United Kingdom and arrested a man from the Benazir Bhutto International Airport.

On a tip-off the ANF staff offloaded a passenger from a Pakistan International Airlines’ flight PK-791 leaving for Manchester.

From his baggage, 6kg heroin was recovered, sources said. A case was registered against the passenger identified as Mohammad Fazal. — Staff Reporter

One killed in accident

ATTOCK, Aug 25: A person was killed while four others sustained serious injuries in a road accident near Mohari village of Fatehjang police station on Wednesday evening.

Police said that a Kohat bound passenger van collided with a car coming from the opposite direction. Resultantly, the car driver Muhammad Yaqoob, resident of Kamrial village died on the spot and four car riders Ameer Sultan, Qamar Sultan, Mohammad Babar and Mohammad Irfan sustained serious injuries. On information, the local police and Rescue-1122 officials reached the scene and shifted the body and injured to the THQ hospital. —Correspondent

Man shot dead

RAWALPINDI, Aug 25: A man was shot dead in Ganjmandi while body of a young man was found stuffed in a plastic drum in Saddar Barooni on Thursday, police said.

Subhanullah Khan, along with his nephew Wakeel Khan, was going home when he was shot dead by an unidentified gunman.

Wakeel told police he worked along with his uncle at a tyre shop, adding as they were going home, a car started following them.

He said as they were passing through a street, one of the car’s occupants opened fire, killing Subhanullah on the spot. The body was removed to DHQ Hospital. Wakeel said neither he nor his uncle had any enmity with anyone.

Meanwhile, a body of the unidentified young man was recovered from a plastic drum in Saddar Barooni.— Staff Reporter

Cedar trees cut down

MURREE, Aug 25: About ten cedar (deodar) trees were chopped down from outside the General Post Office (GPO) by an advertising company to install its billboard.

The people of the area protested the illegal cutting down of the precious trees. Haji Shafa-ul-Haq, president, Murree Horticultural Society strongly condemned the illegal act. He said that it would not only damage the scenic beauty of the Mall but also affect the environment of the hilly resort. President traders’ organisation Abdul Hameed Abbasi expressed his resentment over the situation.

District Coordination Officer (DCO) Rawalpindi Captain (R) Saqib Zafar took the serious notice and directed the police to register a case against the responsible. Following the direction, the police registered a case and arrested three labourers. — Correspondent

Lineman electrocuted

ATTOCK, Aug 25: Another lineman was electrocuted while rectifying a fault in high tension wire in Hazro Sub division on Wednesday evening, it has been learnt.

Police sources said that lineman, Mohammad Shabeer, resident of Charsadda, was not wearing safety gear.

Local police and Iesco officials shifted his body to tehsil headquarters hospital Hazro and later handed over to the relatives after fulfilling legal formalities, sources maintained.

It is third incident of electrocution in Hazro tehsil in about 26 days.— Correspondent

PBM Sweet Homes

ISLAMABAD, Aug 25: Managing Director Pakistan Baitul Mal Zamurd Khan has asked philanthropists and social workers to support the Sweet Homes project.

Addressing a function in Bhara Kahu, he said the PBM’s Sweet Homes have adopted 2,800 children, taking care of their education, health, food, and lodging. He said 750 orphans have already been sponsored by various philanthropists for a period of 14 years.

Most of these children have lost their fathers or both parents in bomb blasts, 2005 earthquake and other natural calamities.

The PBM has established 16 orphanages – ‘Sweet Homes’ – where these children are being kept. These children have been admitted to the best educational institutions in different cities throughout the country. — Staff Reporter

Book launched

ISLAMABAD, Aug 25: Senior vice-president of Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) Makhdoom Javed Hashmi on Thursday said politics of despotism was at its ending moment and the doors were being shut on those who wanted to continue occupying political parties.

Speaking at the launching ceremony of My parliamentary diaries, the three-year account of Marvi Memon at a local hotel, the firebrand leaguer said: “I have no doubt that the future of Pakistan is shining as ever and the difficulties through which the nation is passing will be overcome by collective wisdom.”

He paid tributes to Ms Memon for daring to record the happenings and proceedings of the parliament during her three-year stint which needs to be emulated by other young parliamentarians.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms Memon said she had traveled through the length and breadth of Pakistan after resigning from her National Assembly seat and had come to the conclusion that the people had great expectations from their leadership but they wanted accountability of those at the helms. — Staff Reporter