Motor bikes, 3-wheelers’ sale up 18% in FY 2017-18

Aside July 18, 2018 Syed Tauqeer Hussain Zaidi

ISLAMABAD: Sale of motor bikes and three wheelers in the country during the year 2017-18 increased by 18.32 percent when compared to the sale during same period of fiscal year 2016-17.

The motor bikes sale rose to 1,929,613 units during July-June 2017-18 compared to sale of 1,630,735 units in same period of previous year.

On year-on-year basis, the motor bike and three wheelers’ sale in the country also rose to 156,497 units in June 2018 from 129,342 units in same month of last year, posting an increase of 21 per cent.

According to details issued by Pakistan Automotive Manufacturing Association (PAMA), sale of Honda bikes surged by 19.81 per cent as it jumped to 1,150,346 units in Jul-June (2017-18) from 960,105 units in same period of previous year.

On year-on year basis, the sale of Honda bikes also soared to 91,507 units in June 2018 compared to the sale of 71,465 bikes in same month a year ago, showing an increase of 28 percent.

Similarly, production of Suzuki two-wheelers also registered an increase of 17.5 per cent as it was recorded 21,724 units against the sale of 18,478 units in same period of last year, however DYL motorcycles’ sale fell by 22.8 per cent to 5,703 units during the period under review against the sale of 7,391 units in same same period of previous year.

The sale of Yamaha motorcycles also increased to 21,810 units in Jul-June 2017-18 from 13,282 units in same period of previous year thus registering an increase of 64 per cent.

ISLAMABAD, LATEST, PAKISTAN

Preparations continue for upcoming general elections: ECP

Aside July 18, 2018 Syed Tauqeer Hussain Zaidi

ISLAMABAD: All wings of the Election Commission of Pakistan are continuing preparations for upcoming general elections to be held on 25th of this month.

This was briefed during a meeting of the ECP chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Sardar Muhammad Raza Khan in Islamabad.

It was informed that printing of ballot papers has entered the final phase. However, this process has been halted for 85 constituencies of national and provincial assemblies due to cases pending in various high courts.

The commission was briefed about monitoring, voter education, transportation of election material to the polling stations, provision of voters’ data on RMS, facilitation to security, media persons, and international observers at the polling stations, training of election staff and other matters.

The commission expressed its satisfaction over preparations made so far.

Meanwhile, Election Commission has launched SMS service in major cities for the voters to get details about their polling stations.

According to the ECP, the voters by sending their CNIC number on 8300 can get the required details about their polling stations.

LATEST, PAKISTAN, PANJAB

Attempts being made to form IJI-like puppet alliance, claims Bilawal

Aside July 18, 2018 Syed Tauqeer Hussain Zaidi

LALA MUSA: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari claimed on Wednesday that a puppet alliance like the Islami Jamhoori Ittehad is being formed for the upcoming election.

He added that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan is mistaken if he thinks he can scheme his way into becoming the prime minister.

Speaking to the media in Lala Musa Bilawal said, that if Imran was as popular as he thinks he is, he would not have to employ tactics to win the elections.

Bilawal added that Imran’s politics is destroying the country adding that a puppet alliance is being formed. The PPP chief further added whether it is the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) or the PTI they cannot compete against the PPP. He further stated he would present evidence against them one day.

Speaking about his policies Bilawal said that he will focus on people-friendly policies over country politics adding that he is against banned political parties contesting elections. When asked about PPP’s manifesto,

Bilawal said, it was different than the one presented by the Pakistan Mulsim League (PML-N) and PTI which focused more on economic policies of the country. The PPP’s manifesto he said, had a bottom of the pyramid approach with its Bhook Mitao Program and focus on all sectors in the country.

LATEST, Multan, PAKISTAN

ANP first female candidate from Punjab breaks stereotypes

Aside July 18, 2018 Syed Tauqeer Hussain Zaidi

MULTAN: A candidate running from National Assembly constituency NA-155 Multan is different from the other contenders in many aspects.

Nosheen Khan Jatoi is Awami National Party’s first women candidate in Punjab, who is contesting on a general seat.

A lawyer by profession, Nosheen is also running her campaign in an interesting way.

She rides a motorcycle to interact with constituents in order to garner their support. The candidate is going door-to-door conveying her party’s message.

“Since I was a little kid, I would look at the conditions of the people around me and wonder what I can do for them,” Nosheen said.

In order to help people, she pursued a degree in law. However, she soon realized that she wasn’t being able to reach out to as many people as she wanted. Then, she opened a non-governmental organization, Niharki Welfare Organization, which offers vocational training, educates people about law, and operates dispensaries at different places.

With time, Nosheen, who hails from Jatoi district of Muzaffargarh, realised that she can only achieve her goals was by becoming a parliamentarian.

ISLAMABAD, LATEST, PAKISTAN

Maryam, Safdar’s appeals against Avenfield verdict to be filed today: sources

Aside July 15, 2018 Syed Tauqeer Hussain Zaidi

ISLAMABAD: Maryam Nawaz and her husband Captain (retired) Safdar Awan are likely to file an appeal challenging the verdict in the Avenfield Properties corruption reference against them, according to media sources.

An accountability court last week sentenced Maryam, the daughter of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, to eight years in prison with a £2-million fine (Rs335-million), and her husband Captain (retd) Safdar to a year in prison. Nawaz himself was sentenced to a total of 11 years in prison and slapped with a £8 million fine (Rs1.3 billion).

Nawaz and Maryam arrived in Pakistan on Friday evening, where they were arrested upon their arrival and shifted to Adiala Jail in separate convoys. Safdar was arrested earlier on July 9.

Maryam’s appeal has been drafted and her legal counsels will visit the jail shortly to get the power of attorney signed by their client, sources further said.

According to media sources, the appeal asks for the accountability court’s verdict to be declared null and void. It highlights the legal flaws in the verdict.

The appeal asks for Captain (retd) Safdar’s sentence to be suspended till a decision on the petition seeking the accountability court’s verdict to be declared void is reached, sources said.