Afghan Taliban reject democratic system and will enforce Islamic system

KABUL- Afghan Taliban say they do not recognize the democratic system and have made many sacrifices for the establishment of an
Islamic government and free the country from foreign occupation.
In an interview with BBC, about Afghanistan's presidential and provincial council elections, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid rejected them and said that the Taliban have the right to liberate their country and should implement the Islamic system. Mujahid said that those who have attended election rallies do not understand political affairs and cities are living under the umbrella of the enemy. The Taliban spokesman said that the majority of people who are engaged in Jehad day and night by offering their blood, soul and money have the right to decide the actual Islamic principles and select the system for the country. Mujahid said the presence of foreign troops in the polls and vote would mean
nothing because the money and the plots have deceived millions of people. He said this does not mean that the Taliban, who in the past 13 years defeated the world's greatest fighting force have lost

Badin coal field: Geological Survey of Pakistan approves plan

These projects will help establish additional coal reserves to meet the growing domestic energy demand and develop coal fields in order to increase power generation. PHOTO: FILE

ISLAMABAD: The Geological Survey of Pakistan (GSP) has approved a plan to explore coal resources for the Badin Coal Field and its adjoining areas of Southern Sindh (Thar), which would be completed by 2016 at a total cost of Rs170 million.

The GSP is also engaged in the exploration of tertiary coal in Central Salt Range, Punjab, costing Rs43.350 million, over a three-year implementation period (2013-16).

These projects will help establish additional coal reserves to meet the growing domestic energy demand and develop coal fields in order to increase power generation.

“Exploration of mineral and coal resources is undertaken as a regular activity by the concerned federal and provincial organisations within their domains through private sector investment as well as public funding,” official sources told the media. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources has done extensive work, contributing to discoveries of all major coal fields in the country, he added.

Besides sponsoring coal exploration and development projects through government funding, the provincial governments have granted many coal prospecting and exploration licences in private and public sectors, investing their own resources for the requisite exploration work.

Against all odds: ‘Ailing’ pharma industry looks for recovery

The component of imported and finished pharmaceutical products in Pakistan is less than 15%, indicating that the majority of products sold are manufactured within the country. PHOTO: FILE

LAHORE: 

The pharmaceutical industry of Pakistan has been facing a crisis for years and several multinationals that have invested millions of dollars in the country have been either forced to shut down or limit their operation due to the absence of a proper regulatory environment.

However, the Pharma Bureau Pakistan, a representative body of the research-based multinational companies (MNCs) operating in Pakistan, still has a positive outlook for the future — more so after the government’s commitment to address the socio-economic challenges. But, the body requires assurance and a framework from concerned authorities.

Several multinational companies have left the country after working here for decades, prompting serious concerns and particularly at a time when the government is eager to encourage foreign investment in the country, said Pharma Bureau Chairman Shahab Rizvi while addressing the Pakistan prime minister via a letter.

“We remain optimistic and we see this sector developing into a strong contributor to the economy of Pakistan, but for that it is important that the government must not fall prey to misleading reports and have a clear picture of the industry,” Rizvi said.

The total market of registered pharmaceutical products in Pakistan is estimated at $2.2 billion, out of which the share of MNCs is 42%, Rizvi said.

He further stated that the companies have large local manufacturing operations and continue to invest in capacity, quality enhancement projects as well as human resources in their local manufacturing operations.

In addition, the prices of most MNC drugs in Pakistan are lower than India and Bangladesh. The component of imported and finished pharmaceutical products in Pakistan is less than 15%, indicating that the majority of products sold in Pakistan are manufactured within the country. Local manufacturing operations of MNCs include their respective global brands, claimed Rizvi.

“The per unit average price of products sold by local companies is higher than that by MNCs,” he said

It is unfortunate that during the past few years a number of global pharmaceutical companies have shut down their operations in Pakistan due to the unpredictable regulatory environment faced by the industry.

A report published by McKinsey Consultants in 2010 identified Pakistan’s pharmaceutical industry as one of the three industrial sectors that could, with the right reforms and regulatory framework, help the country’s economy. It could help boost exports, increase domestic production, bring in much-needed Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) (together with transfer of new technology in manufacturing and supply chain) and expanding employment opportunities for the country’s youth, he said.

It needs to be understood that MNCs act as a tool that helps bring innovative, research solutions from developed countries to a developing country like Pakistan for the benefit of patients suffering from life threatening diseases, Rizvi said.

The government should ensure that this industry realises its potential by devising manufacturing-friendly policies and providing a conducive environment which would in turn help the government revive the national economy, he added.

Power initiative: K-Electric to switch to coal, says NEPRA

An engineering and procurement contract for the project had already been executed with Harbin Electric International of China in November 2013. PHOTO: FILE

KARACHI: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has allowed K-Electric to switch a few of its fuel-run power plants to coal, marking a major step in Pakistan’s fight against the energy crisis.

K-Electric announced that Nepra approved its Licencee Proposed Modification (LPM), a pre-requisite sent by the company for its coal conversion project.

This is the first initiative of its kind in the country where a power producer is moving towards an alternative fuel.

K-Electric will convert its unit number three and four at Bin Qasim Power Station-1 to coal. Each unit has a capacity of 210 megawatts.

The project is also unique in its structure. Instead of making a direct investment, K-Electric has leased the two units to a special purpose company K-Energy, which has been formed by project sponsors.

These sponsors, who have been wooed by the management, will invest $350 million to build new coal-specific boilers and auxiliary facilities including coal handling equipment.

An engineering and procurement contract for the project had already been executed with Harbin Electric International of China in November 2013.

The company is still waiting for Nepra to approve the tariff. Soon after coming to power last year, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government resolved the contagious circular debt crisis by releasing Rs500 billion to energy firms and, in return, asked a few independent power producers (IPP) to switch from oil to coal.

Nepra had to prepare a policy including a tariff for the IPPs that switched to coal. The authority’s existing framework for power plants, which use coal, covers completely new projects. Hub Power Company has also approached Nepra for the tariff.

K-Electric, formerly known as Karachi Electric Supply Company, decided to use coal even before the government came out with its proposal in mid 2013.

Unlike other IPPs, the power utility’s existing plants do not operate under a fixed internal rate of return regime. Instead, K-Electric has an efficiency-based formula to determine the return.

Marine Group of Companies, which is building a dirty terminal at Port Qasim with an annual capacity to handle 15 million tons of coal, cement and clinker, had signed an agreement with K-Electric to handle coal logistics.

Microsoft unveils voice assistant Cortana

(Reuters) - Microsoft Corp on Wednesday formally announced it has developed a voice activated phone assistant feature called Cortana.

The feature has been rumored for some months and a test version was demonstrated by Joe Belfiore, a Windows Phone executive, at Microsoft's annual developer conference in San Francisco.

The Cortana service, which can take verbal instructions to search the Web, set alarms, make calls and a host of other actions, is still in beta testing, said Belfiore, but will soon be a standard feature on Windows phones.

Belfiore announced that the latest version of Microsoft's smartphone software, called Windows Phone 8.1, will be rolled out to consumers as a downloadable upgrade in the next few months, and new phones running the software will be in stores by late April or early May.

X-Men: Days of Future Past to focus on Charles Xavier

'X-Men: Days of Future Past' will centre on young Charles Xavier.
While the blockbuster movie features a huge ensemble cast, including the cast of the original 'X-Men' trilogy and the stars of 2011 prequel 'X-Men: First Class', producers felt the film very much belonged to James McAvoy's character as he evolves into his older, wiser self - played by Sir Patrick Stewart in the earlier films.
Screenwriter Simon Kinberg said: 'One of the things we talked about a lot was, 'Whose movie is it?' Because as much as any ensemble movie is about all the main characters, there is a primary point of view or primary arc that you're tracking over the span of the film.
'For us, very early on, we made the decision that it was young Charles' arc and that, really, the emotional story of the movie is watching him go from the guy who's lost his legs, lost his best friend, lost his sister, and in some ways lost his mind, to a guy who will become the all powerful, benevolent Professor Xavier.'
The character is expected to be in a very dark place at the start of the new movie following the events of the 2011 movie.
Kinberg added: 'When you start the movie, McAvoy is really about as far as one can be from the Patrick Stewart that we know from 'X-Men'. We're really watching him take the first big step towards owning that chair and becoming a leader.'
'X-Men: Days of Future Past' is due for release in May 2014.

Mark Wahlberg to receive MTV Generation Award

Mark Wahlberg will receive the Generation Award at the MTV Movie Awards.
The 'Transformers: Age of Extinction' actor will be presented with the prestigious honour at the MTV Movie Awards next month by the cast of 'Entourage', the show which he served on as executive producer.
Stephen Friedman, President of MTV, said: 'Mark Wahlberg is the definition of a modern day Renaissance Man: from Dirk Diggler to 'The Departed,' 'The Basketball Diaries' to 'Ted,' 'Entourage' to 'The Fighter,' in front of the camera and behind - he's done it all and he's always memorable.
'Mark has captivated the MTV audience for over 20 years, and for this rare feat, we're proud to recognize him with this year's Generation Award.'
The awards ceremony - which will be hosted by Conan O'Brien - will mark the first reunion of 'Entourage' stars Adrian Grenier, Kevin Connolly, Kevin Dillon and Jerry Ferrara before the spin-off movie, which is released next year.
The Generation Award is handed out to 'an artist who has shown us a variety of impressive roles, a personal and professional flair and of course, an awesome level of talent' and previous recipients have included Johnny Depp, Jamie Foxx, Reese Witherspoon, Sandra Bullock, Tom Cruise and Mike Myers.
The 2014 MTV Movie Awards will take place on April 13 at the Nokia Theatre in Hollywood.