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Monday, 28 October 2013
ARY News: Highlights of the Day (28-10-13)
Senior Hoti levels allegations against ANP leadership
PESHAWAR: Former member of the Awami National Party (ANP), Senator Azam Khan Hoti on Monday accused party chief Asfandyar Wali Khan and Senator Afrasiab Khattak of entering into a "secret pact" with the United States.
Hoti claimed Asfandyar Wali Khan and Senator Afrasiab Khattak had "sold out the party" for a sum of 35 million dollars.
Earlier this month, the party's organising committee had terminated the party membership of the senior leader for violation of party discipline. The committee expelled the leader for leveling "baseless" allegations and using foul language against senior leadership.
Speaking at a press conference here today, Hoti leveled another barrage of accusations against the top leadership. Hoti said that the Asfandyar Wali and Khattak had travelled to the US for negotiations and that the two "disappeared" for a period of ten days.
He said the two accepted money to enter into a secret pact with the US against the interests of the "Pashtun homeland".
Failing to provide any documentary evidence to back his claims, Hoti said that such pacts do not have any records, receipts or written agreements. However, he stated that the secret agreement was against the interests of the party and the "Pashtun nation".
Azam Hoti is the father of former chief minister Ameer Haider Hoti and a brother-in-law of Asfandyar Wali Khan. He has previously held Asfandyar responsible for the party's massive defeat in general elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
He has also previously said in a statement that it was necessary to separate Mr Asfandyar from the party leadership and keep him away from its affairs to save it from collapse.
Meanwhile, the ANP rejected Hoti's claims as "baseless accusations" leveled against the party.
ANP's Zahid Khan said Hoti had effectively rejected his own claims by saying he had no documentary evidence to support them.
Speaking outside the Parliament House in Islamabad, Khan said that conspiracies and failed attempts to topple the ANP leadership was not a new phenomenon, and Hoti's allegations were a continuation of the same phenomenon. Khan questioned why Hoti had not raised the allegations while he was enjoying the perks of being a minister during the previous ANP government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Dawn
Steps to Take when Moving to Dubai for a Job
Dubai has become a favoured offshore location amongst international job seekers and professionals seeking a higher standard of living and unique career experience. Although the advantages of moving to Dubai are numerous, and many expats will tell you of the fantastic benefits there are to living in the UAE, it is also important that you are aware of the restrictions, downsides and any draw backs that may affect your time there.
There are many steps that need to be followed in order to successfully move to Dubai for employment, some of which are detailed below.
Obtain an offer of employment
Due to the fact that a sponsor is required, along with a work visa to reside and work in Dubai, it is vital that you have an offer of employment, together with an employment contract before relocating.
File for a visa
You must have the required visa before you can begin employment in Dubai. In order to obtain the visa, you may need the following documents; passport, birth certificate, degree certificate, 6 months bank statement and employment contract from sponsor in Dubai.
UAE driving license
If your job requires you to drive, you must obtain a separate UAE driving license as your current license will not be valid in Dubai.
Changing jobs in Dubai
You should note that it is not easy to change jobs in Dubai and this is because your employer is your sponsor and reason you are in the country. In order to move from one employer to the next, you must obtain a no objection certificate (NOC) which is to be signed by your current employer and which permits you to move employment.
Renting and living costs
Dubai is known for its high standards of living, attractive salaries and tax free incentives, however the renting market and general living expenses are also considered to be relatively high. It is therefore important that you have enough money in your bank account to fund your first month there before you receive your first month's salary. Usually, property owners can request anything from one – six months worth of rent upfront.
PTI may abandon bid to replace leader of opposition
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)'s bid to install a new leader of the opposition in the National Assembly may not be pursued further after its core committee expressed reservations about the possibility of joining hands with Muttahida Qaumi Movement to dislodge the incumbent Leader of the Opposition Syed Khursheed Shah.
Its numerical strength on the opposition benches in the National Assembly makes it impossible for the PTI to realise its idea of removal of PPPP's Shah, whom it has accused of being hand in glove with the PML-N government. The PPPP has 44 MNAs, followed by PTI's 35 while the MQM has a tally of 24
MNAs while eight legislators are still having an independent status.
Imran Khan caused a stir in political circles when in a news briefing on Friday he declared that the PTI would push for the removal of Khursheed Shah. But it appears the commotion has subsided after the core committee's meeting.
The key decision-making forum of the party also gave a go-ahead to launching countrywide agitation against price spiral and unprecedented inflation.
The core committee also took a major decision that the assets and tax details of all MNAs, MPAs and members of the core committee belonging to PTI, would be shortly put on the party's website to promote transparency.
Sources privy to the committee's meeting here, chaired by Chairman Imran Khan, told The News that the majority of participants were opposed to PTI's alignment with MQM at any cost.
"It is expected that Imran will regularly attend the assembly sessions in future to expose, what they called- the dummy opposition leader. He will demonstrate that he is a genuine opposition leader," sources maintained.
PTI sources claimed that instead of talking to media conferences, Imran would concentrate on raising the burning issues such as skyrocketing prices of commodities and petroleum products as well as massive hike in power tariff and security issues.
They dispelled the impression that the committee had proposed the name of Imran Khan as leader of the opposition in place of Shah, whose leader Asif Zardari immediately after leaving the Presidency had declared in Lahore that his party would ensure that the PML-N government completes its five-year term.
PTI sources hastened to add that nothing was final in politics but presently, there was fierce opposition to having a working relationship with MQM in the National Assembly and to remove Shah with its support in the numerical game.
The proposal of floating name of Awami Muslim League leader MNA Sheikh Rashid Ahmad for the slot of leader of the opposition was opposed.
Imran asked party leaders to desist from issuing statement regarding the appointment of brother of leader of opposition in Punjab Assembly as head of the Land Acquisition Department of the LDA.
Sources said that he also called for issuing notices to those who issued statements in this connection. Further PTI Punjab President Ijaz Chaudhry was asked to look into the appointment of brother of Mehmoodur Rashid as LAD head.
Cleaning house: Health dept suspends 81 doctors across province
PESHAWAR: The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government has suspended 81 doctors and a pharmacist, for their continued absence from work for the past several years, The Express Tribune has learnt.
According to a notification issued by the health department on October 21, a pharmacist and 81 doctors from various public sector hospitals in K-P have been suspended. Disciplinary action against them has been initiated.
The notification, a copy of which is available with The Express Tribune, states the absent officials have been served various show-cause notices at their home addresses. Notices were also published in newspapers directing them to resume their duties within a stipulated period, however, the officials failed to comply.
Missing in action
"Therefore, in exercise of powers under the K-P Government Servants (efficiency and discipline) Rules 2011, the competent authority is pleased to impose the major penalty of removal from services upon the doctors and pharmacist with immediate effect.
The period from the date of absences till the date of imposition of penalty shall be treated as unauthorised absence from duty without pay," states the notification.
Six senior doctors from Khyber Teaching Hospital, four from Lady Reading Hospital, four from Hayatabad Medical Complex, five from various public hospitals in Swat, two from Mardan Medical Complex and various others employed at district hospitals have remained absent since the last seven to eight years, shared a health department official requesting anonymity.
"Some doctors have been absent for the last ten years. They are working aboard and continue to receive salaries from the health department," he informed. The department received many complaints from locals but failed to take any action, he said.
"However, the present government has decided to be strict and directed the health department to take immediate action against absent officials, dismiss them and hire new doctors."
Health Department Special Secretary Akbar Khan confirmed the notification had been issued against absent officials. Khan said officials were sent letters and show-cause notices multiple times, however, they gave no response which is why the health department suspended them.
"After investigation, we found some of the doctors are not even in the country. A majority of them are working in UAE and Saudi Arabia," shared Khan. The department will send these vacant posts to the Public Service Commission to recruit new doctors, he added.
Responding to a question about the shortage of doctors in district hospitals, Khan stated doctors have been hired on a contractual basis and vacant posts will be filled up soon through the commission.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 28th, 2013.
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