NAB tightens noose around Usman Buzdar

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has launched an investigation into appointment and transfers of government officials during tenure of former Punjab chief minister (CM) Usman Buzdar. Media reports said the Lahore accountability watchdog has launched the inquiry into appointment and transfers of government officials during Buzdar’s tenure and sought ‘complete records’ from Services Secretary. It claimed that allegations regarding bribery of millions of rupees for appointments and transfers were reported during the Usman Buzdar’s tenure. Farhat Shahzadi aka Farah Gogi and former Principal Secretary Tahir Khursheed were also allegedly involved in the case, reports added.

Railways denies passing on benefit of cut in diesel prices to masses

Pakistan Railways has decided not to pass on the benefit to reduction in prices of diesel to masses. Despite massive decrease of Rs35 per litre of diesel, fares of PRS have not been reduced. The government itself has become hurdle in provision of relief to masses. Minister for Pakistan Railways Saad Rafique increased the railway fares with increase in prices of petroleum products but seems to be reluctant in reducing the fare with decrease in prices. Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar on May 16 announced a massive increase in prices of petroleum products. The prices of diesel were reduced by Rs30 per litre on the day and revised again from June 01, by cut of Rs5 per litre. However, decrease in prices of diesel is of no use for railway passenger as fare remain same and have not been revised, neither Pakistan Railways was agreed to do so. Earlier, in February this year, fares of all passenger trains except Green Line were increased by 8 percent in the wake of increase in prices of petroleum products. Finance Minister while announcing the decrease in prices of petroleum products had also appealed for passing on the relief to masses.