Pakistan to join Saudi coalition against Yemen rebels: senior official

(GNN) - Pakistan will send troops to Saudi Arabia to give military support to a coalition of mainly Gulf states fighting Yemeni Houthi rebels, a senior government official said on Monday.

Largely Sunni Muslim Pakistan - a regional ally of Saudi Arabia, the Gulf's main Sunni Muslim power - would join a Saudi-led military coalition conducting air strikes against Shi'ite Houthi forces, the official said.

The air strikes are targeting the rebels' southward advance on the port city of Aden, the last bastion of Saudi-backed president, Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.

Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaj Asif denied that the country had made a decision to send troops to Saudi Arabia, saying a delegation led by him and foreign policy chief Sartaj Aziz, would go to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday and then decide.

Saudi Arabia has not decided yet whether to send ground troops into Yemen but is keeping its options open, its ambassador to the United States said on Sunday, but was committed to completing its air campaign. [ID:nL2N0WV09R]

Nuclear-armed Pakistan shares a long border with Iran, considered to be the center of Shi'ite power, and has a warm relationship with Saudi Arabia, Iran's main regional rival. An estimated 20 percent of Pakistanis are Shi'ite.

"We have already pledged full support to Saudi Arabia in its operation against rebels and will join the coalition," the Pakistani official said.

The Pakistani delegation, led by Asif and Aziz, had been due to arrive in Saudi Arabia on Monday but delayed the trip at the request of the Saudis, the official told Reuters.

On Monday night, Aziz and Asif met Pakistan's military chiefs and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

"Pakistan remains firmly committed to supporting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia in accordance with the aspirations of the people of Pakistan," a statement from Sharif's media office said.

"Pakistan stands committed to playing a meaningful role in arresting the deteriorating situation in the Middle East."

There are already about 750-800 Pakistani servicemen in Saudi Arabia but none are combat troops. On Monday, a Pakistani military spokesman said 292 Pakistani soldiers were meeting Saudi troops for annual, pre-scheduled military exercises.

Saudi and United Arab Emirates planes are leading the air attacks and alliance spokesmen have not confirmed whether any other Gulf Arab states are taking part in the strikes, although Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain are members of the alliance.

Residents said ships believed to be Egyptian shelled a column of Houthi fighters trying to advance on Aden.

The United States is providing intelligence support, and a Gulf diplomatic official said France was giving similar help.

Pakistan has already had small demonstrations both for and against military intervention.

Right-wing religious groups demonstrated last week vowing to defend Saudi Arabia. But some civil society groups and opposition politicians spoke against intervention, in the view that it could further inflame sectarian tensions at home.

Sharif has long enjoyed close relations with the Saudi royal family. After his second term as prime minister was ended by a military coup in 1999, he was sent into exile in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia lent $1.5 billion to Pakistan last year to help Islamabad shore up foreign exchange reserves. Pakistani officials initially refused to divulge the source of the loan.

(Reuters)(Additional reporting by Katharine Houreld; Editing by Louise Ireland)

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Pakistan militants deny 30 killed in renewed Khyber fighting

(GNN) - Pakistan security forces killed 30 militants in gunbattles in the mountainous northwestern Khyber region on Saturday, a senior official said, but a spokesman for the militants denied suffering any losses.

The two sides have been making conflicting claims about their success in clashes in Tirah Valley, near the Afghan border, and there is no way to confirm casualties independently as the area is sealed off to journalists.


"The security forces had started advancement towards the hilltops where the terrorists had established sanctuaries," a senior security official in Peshawar, who requested that he not be identified, said.

"So far, 30 terrorists have been killed and a number of their compounds de‎stroyed." He said "fierce" fighting was continuing.

The government said on Saturday 32,347 people had been arrested on charges "aimed at ridding the country of terrorism and extremism" since the launch of the National Action Plan in December, Pakistan's APP news agency reported.

The plan was introduced after the Dec. 16 killing of 132 schoolchildren by suspected Taliban militants in Peshawar. The APP did not say what had happened to those detained.

The air force, struggling to reclaim land lost to the militants years ago, has been pounding positions in the Tirah Valley for days and the military said before Saturday's clashes it had killed more than 100 militants. At least seven soldiers had also been killed, it said.

Salahuddin Ayubi, a spokesman for the Lashkar-e-Islami, which announced an alliance with the Pakistani Taliban earlier this month, denied suffering losses on Saturday.

Ayubi said fighting between the militants and Pakistani forces started early on Saturday in parts of the valley.

"We didn't suffer human losses. Our fighters are engaged in fighting and didn't vacate their posts in Tirah," he told Reuters.

‎Taliban sources said that leaders had urged fighters to get to the valley and support Lashkar-e-Islami.

The Pakistani and Afghan Taliban share a similar jihadist ideology but operate as separate entities. The Pakistani Taliban is focused on toppling the state and establishing strict Islamic rule.

A military official said on condition of anonymity on Friday it would be extremely difficult for Pakistan to commit troops to a Saudi-led coalition in Yemen as it was already overstretched on its own borders.

(Reuters)(Reporting by Jibran Ahmad in Peshawar and Saud Mehsud in Dera Ismail Khan; Writing by Nick Macfie; Editing by Andrew Roche)

Related articles

• U.S. drone strike kills Taliban commander on Afghan-Pakistan border (dailymail.co.uk)
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• Pakistan Claims 30 Militants Killed in Khyber Region (voanews.com)
• Pakistan says 80 militants killed in Khyber clashes (theguardian.com)

ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 - Live Match

(GNN Sports) ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 - Live Match

Now Playing:  Match Highlights 3rd Quarter Final | Pakistan v Australia | Australia won by 6 wickets.

Petroleum ministry contradicts Imran Khan’s statement

ISLAMABAD: The spokeperson of Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources taking exception to the statement of Imran Khan has said that the statement made by him about petroleum prices in Pakistan is devoid of facts.

In a statement, he said that in fact the present government has substantially decreased the price of petrol already up to 30 rupees, which is based on actual import price in the past five months.

The prevalent per litre petrol price of Rs 78.28 in Pakistan is far cheaper compared to other countries in the region as per litre prices in India, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka are rupees 105, 92 and 97 respectively.

Petroleum prices are expected to be decreased further in February 2015, he added.

APP

Death toll in Shikarpur blast rises to 49

SUKKUR: The death toll in the blast in Shikarpur Imam Bargah has risen to 49 while 55 others were injured on Friday.

This was informed by Deputy Commissioner Shikarpur (DC) Haadi Bux Zardari.According to SSP Shikarpur, Saqib Ismail Memon the explosion took place inside an imambargah in Lakhi Dar area during Friday prayers.

Heavy contingent of Rangers reached the scene.
Locals residents shifted the injured to nearby hospitals.

Injured people were rushed to civil hospitals in Sukkur, Larkana and Khairpur where ermergency has been declared.

The CM Sindh has directed the medical authorities for provision of best medical facilities to the injured.

The Opposition leader in NA, Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah strongly condemned the incident.

He expressed condolences with the bereaved families.

APP

Anti-Charlie rally in Pakistan draws 5,000

(AsiaTimes.ga) - Around 5,000 people rallied against French magazine Charlie Hebdo in Pakistan's eastern city of Lahore on Sunday, and the founder of a group banned for militant links urged protesters to boycott French products.

Hafiz Saeed, who founded Lashkar-e-Taiba, an organization banned for launching attacks in neighboring India, told protesters: "We will launch a movement against the insulting caricatures of our beloved prophet."

French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo published a picture of the Prophet Muhammad weeping on its cover last week after two gunmen stormed its offices and killed 12 people. The gunmen said their attack was revenge for previous cartoons the magazine had published mocking Islam.

Saeed urged traders to stop importing French products and for Pakistani leaders to try to get an international law against blasphemy passed.

Blasphemy is punishable by death in Pakistan.

On Friday, protesters trying to storm the French consulate in the southern city of Karachi shot and injured a photographer working for French news agency AFP.

Saeed called for more rallies next Friday. He says he has no links to militancy these days and only runs a charity, which is banned by the U.S. government for suspected militant links. The U.S. government has offered $10 million for information leading to Saeed's conviction.

(Writing by Katharine Houreld; Editing by Clelia Oziel)(GA, Reuters, Asia Times)

President, Prime Minister meet business people #pmln

(ATimes) President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Wednesday that every possible facility will be provided to the business community to bolster trade activities in the country. The President and Prime Minister expressed these views in a meeting with a delegation of businessmen and industrialists here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.

The Prime Minister earlier held a one-on-one meeting with the President. President Mamnoon said the importance of strong economy has increased manifold in the era of globalisation and termed liberal trade policies a vital factor in this regard.

He said the government is sincerely taking steps in the right direction for the improvement of national economy and promotion of business activities. He urged the business community to benefit from the trade policies of the government and mentioned the flexible business policies of the country.

The President said that law and order situation and energy crisis are major impediments towards smooth continuation of business activities in the country, however expressed hope that these issues would be overcome soon.

Prime Minister Sharif said the government is taking steps towards facilitating businesspeople. He mentioned that the country was facing big challenges of terrorism and energy shortages, and added that efforts were afoot to meet these challenges and increase electricity generation. Besides, he said the import of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to meet energy demand.

He said infrastructure development was the government’s major priority and said a motorway would be constructed from Lahore to Karachi.

Sharif said, “We have discouraged lethargy in the government’s decision-making and are bringing an economic turnaround in the country.” He said economic indicators are improving, foreign currency reserves and stock market are high and rupee was stable against dollar. The Prime Minister said a 20-point agenda has been prepared for rooting out terrorism and extremism from the country. He said the 21st Amendment and the amendment to the Army Act are important steps “to clear this mess.”

He said swift justice is key to eradicating terrorism and the people spreading hatred and sectarianism would be tried in military courts. He said the Operation Zarb-e-Azb has played an important role in dismantling terror infrastructure and those terrorising society in the name of religion will be brought to justice.

Under the National Action Plan, another operation was being launched to make the country peaceful, he added. “These decisions have been taken in national interest and should have been taken earlier,” he said. The PM said the government will give incentives to the business community and said steps will be taken to woo overseas Pakistanis to invest in Pakistan.

He asked the Federal Board of Revenue to consider decreasing tax rates to encourage more people pay taxes resulting in larger revenue collection. He directed the Chairman FBR to hold a meeting with members of the business community to sort out their issues and apprise him personally on the outcome.

The Prime Minister also directed the Ministry of Water and Power and Private Power and Infrastructure Board (PPIB) to expedite approvals of pending cases of power plants and immediately remove all hurdles. The businesspeople gave relevant suggestions to the President and the Prime Minister. They regarded the unity displayed by all parties on the issue of terrorism as a good omen.

The meeting was informed that overseas Pakistanis are sending 25 billion dollars annually through different channels, and also Free Trade Agreement 2 is being negotiated with China. It will be independent of FTA 1, signed nine years ago. Minister for Commerce Khurram Dastgir Minister for Water and Power Khwaja Asif, Petroleum Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Chairman FBR and Secretary Water and Power were present.

APP, Asia Times

PM expresses sorrow over loss of lives in Orakzai mines blast #PMLN

(ATimes) ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Thursday expressed grief over the death of labourers working in a coal mine in Lower Orakzai.

The Prime Minister extended condolences to the bereaved families, a PM’s Office statement said issued here.

He directed the concerned authorities for provision of best medical facilities to the injured.
At least six labourers were killed and six others injured in a blast caused by gas accumulation inside a coal mine in Lower Orakzai Agency on Thursday morning.

APP

PM Nawaz condemns blasphemous sketches by French journal

(ATimes) ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Thursday strongly condemned the publication of blasphemous sketches in a French journal and said international community should discourage it.

Freedom of speech should not be used to hurt religious sentiments of any community, the Prime Minister said in a statement issued by his office.

He said publication of provocative material should be discouraged by the international community.

APP

Shahbaz Bhatti’s murder trial transferred to military court

(ATimes) Police on Thursday said they have asked that the high-profile trial for the murder of a former minority minister be moved to a newly formed military court. Catholic Shahbaz Bhatti was gunned down in Islamabad in March 2011 for demanding that controversial blasphemy law be reformed.

The murder trial has, however, been hampered by threats from extremists. Police hope that hearing the case in a closed military court will speed up the process and reduce interference from radicals.

“We have sent an official request to the Interior ministry to carry out the murder trial of Shahbaz Bhatti in a military court,” a police official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

Another police official confirmed the move, adding that the police have been directed to send all terror-related cases to be heard by military courts.

Interior ministry will now have to give approval before the case can be transferred.

Paul Bhatti, brother of the former minority minister, was forced to flee the country last year after receiving threats from extremists for pursuing the case.

The All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA) said threatening pamphlets were also found in the office of a key witness.

AFP

Lyari grenade attacks claim two cops’ lives

(ATimes/PK)KARACHI: As many as three people lost their lives including two policemen in two separate hand grenade attacks in Baghdadi area of Lyari Town here on Monday.

According to the reports, five others also sustained wounds in the attacks after which shops and businesses were closed down in the neighbourhood.  Meanwhile, the police cordoned off the area.

The deceased and wounded were taken to a nearby hospital.

Kerry urges Pakistan to fight terror groups threatening whole region

(ATimes) - Pakistan must fight militant groups that threaten Afghan, Indian and U.S. interests, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Tuesday as he offered sympathy for the victims of last month's massacre of children at a Pakistani school.

Nuclear-armed Pakistan has long been suspected by the West of playing a double game, fighting some militants while supporting those its generals have regarded as strategic assets to be used against rivals and neighbors, India and Afghanistan.

Visiting Pakistan after going to India over the weekend, Kerry said all militant groups should be targeted to bring security to the region.

"Terror groups like the Pakistani and Afghan Taliban, the Haqqani network, Lashkar-e-Taiba and other groups continue to pose a threat to Pakistan, to its neighbors and to the United States," Kerry told a news conference in Islamabad, listing some of the most feared groups.

"And all of us have a responsibility to ensure that these groups do not gain a foothold but rather are pushed back into the recesses of (Pakistan’s) memory... Make no mistake. The task is a difficult one and it is not done."

Most U.S.-led forces in neighboring Afghanistan officially completed their combat mission last month, prompting concern about the stability of the region where insurgents have been increasingly aggressive in past months.

Following last month's attack on the school in which 134 children were killed, Pakistan has promised to stop differentiating between "good" and "bad" militants and to step up operations against their hideouts on the Afghan border.

Speaking at a news conference with Kerry, Pakistani foreign adviser Sartaj Aziz reassured his counterpart that "action will be taken without discrimination against all groups".

But, although observers have noted some progress, most agree that Pakistan has yet to show it is seriously committed to go after all groups equally, including the powerful Haqqani network which attacks targets in Afghanistan from its bases in Pakistan.

"Obviously, the proof is going to be in the pudding," Kerry said. "It will be seen over the next days, weeks, months, how extensive and how successful this effort is going to be."

Aziz said, however, that the Haqqani group’s infrastructure had been “totally destroyed” as a result of the Pakistani army’s operation in a tribal region that has long been regarded as a safe haven for militants.

"Their ability to operate from here across to Afghanistan has virtually disappeared," Aziz said.

FURTHER AID

The United States identified Pakistan as a key partner in its war against terror following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and has spent billions of dollars on military aid to help the country fight insurgents.

But there is growing consternation in Washington about continuing with the same level of assistance unless Pakistan provided evidence it was using the funds effectively to eliminate militants holed up on its soil.

Kerry said however Washington would provide an additional $250 million in food, shelter and other assistance to help people displaced by conflict in tribal areas.

Aziz made a plea for the United States to keep giving Pakistan money to help rebuild the regions where the Pakistani military has been fighting militant groups.

"We expect our defense forces to remain engaged in counterterrorism operations for some time in the foreseeable future," Aziz said. "Continuation of coalition support fund reimbursements are therefore a valuable support that must continue in the interests of both countries."

Pakistan was deeply scarred by the December attack when gunmen killed the children at the military-run high school in the northwestern city of Peshawar in revenge for an army operation against Taliban hideouts.

Some analysts believe the national revulsion over brutal attack could convince hawks in the military to withdraw support for militants like the Haqqanis.

For its part, the government has reassured the West and its own skeptical public that it is doing everything to eliminate insurgent violence, reinstating the death penalty and expanding military operations in the tribal North Waziristan region.

(Writing by Maria Golovnina; Editing by Nick Macfie)(GA, Reuters, Asia Times)

Pakistan reaches critical stage in campaign against terrorism: COAS

GNN/RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Raheel Sharif Friday said that Pakistan was at critical stage of the campaign against terrorism.

“We will win decisively. I can’t even imagine to lose as state or the society,” the COAS who is attending All Parties Conference (APC) was quoted by Director General, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Maj. Gen. Asim Saleem Bajwa as saying, in his tweet at the social media.

The COAS said, “Our today’s decisions will determine the destiny of our nation, then we have to stay focused on their implementation.”

General Raheel Sharif said that consensus reached during the first APC must endure and we need to make quantum decisions. He said that the special courts are not desire of the Army but need of extraordinary times, adding “We will return to original system when normalcy returns.”

APP

11 arrested in Rangers raids in Karachi

GNN KARACHI: As many as 11 suspects have been arrested by the Sindh Rangers during raids in different parts of the city.

According to a spokesman for the paramilitary force, the raids were carried out in Mianwali Colony, Jam Goth and Lyari.

Members of banned outfits were also among the detainees, he said.

Four alleged gangster were arrested in Gulistan Colony area of Lyari. Arms were also recovered from their possession.

Aaj

Four outlaws killed in Lahore

GNN LAHORE: Four notorious outlaws who had escaped after jail break from Sheikhupura last year were killed in a police encounter  here in the Manawaan area during early hours of Friday.

According to SP CIA, Umar Virk, on a tip off CIA police conducted a raid in the area where these outlaws had taken refuge. The criminals resorted to firing at the police party which also retaliated. The shoot out resulted in on the spot death of four proclaimed offenders identified as Irfan, Amjad, Usman and Shakir.

Police said these criminals were wanted by police in Sheikhupura, Lahore and Gujranwala in more than 43 cases of kidnapping for ransom, murders, dacoities etc.

APP

Millions of children devastated by conflicts in 2014

GNN ISLAMABAD: As 2014 winds down, it comes as no surprise that children were hit the hardest by violence and conflicts across the globe,  the UN children’s agency said.
“Children are the ones who lose everything in war zones,” Xenia Schlegen, an activist from the Save the Children charity, told The Anadolu Agency.

“The problem with being a child in a war zone is that not only are your young years taken away from you, but also your future.”

At least 230 million children lived in areas plagued by conflict in 2014, which has been a year of horror, fear and despair for the world’s youngest, according to UNICEF, with as many as 15 million children caught up in violent conflicts in the Central African Republic, Iraq, South Sudan, Palestine, Syria and Ukraine, Anadolu news agency reported.

Millions of children were exposed to extreme violence or deliberately targeted by warring groups. Hundreds of children were kidnapped from school and tens of thousands were recruited or used by armed groups.

“Children are the innocent victims of conflicts across the world,” said Mervyn Fletcher from Save the Children. “All too often, violence happens in places where children should be safe,
including in schools.”

APP

KE Along with Aman Foundation, Engro & Civil Hospital become a part of PAKATHON

GNN - K-Electric through its press statement has announced that the company has become the first ever corporate in Pakistan to pose a real time data mining challenge in the Pakathon Data and Design Connect 2014. The event in collaboration with the MIT Enterprise Forum of Pakistan was launched back in May 2014. Universities which participated in Pakathon this year included IBA, IVS, FAST, MIT, Boston University, Karachi University, Bahria University, NED and Szabist.

The press statement added that organizations that posed challenges other than K- Electric included, Aman Foundation, Civil Hospital and Engro, where students were asked to come up with innovative ideas and solutions for operational challenges that these companies and institutions faced.

KE’s challenge was focused to devise data driven solutions to curb theft in high loss areas and consequently reduce load shed. The response was overwhelming and five teams were shortlisted including a team headed by an MIT professor. In the end one team with the best ideas and solutions was selected as the winning team by KE’s operational team and was awarded PKR 200,000 by KE.

Spokesman KE added, “We are proud to be a part of this where such talented individuals come up with solutions for organizational operations. We will be testing out some of the solutions provided by the winning team for the next few months for adaptability and reliability”.

SOURCE: PRESS RELEASE

Thick fog in Lahore, affects flights and train schedule

GNN LAHORE: Thick fog disrupted flight operations at Airport and affected train schedule in Lahore and its adjacent areas,
According to Airport sources, flight operations were suspended due to mist. Train schedule was also badly affected due to fog in the city, sources added.

Citizens using vehicular traffic are also facing difficulties at Mal Road, Canal Road and Gulburg early on Monday.(Aaj News)

Karachi’s Timber Market: massive fire causes huge financial losses

A massive fire that broke out at Karachi’s biggest timber market in the early hours of Sunday, was extinguished by fire fighters after a rescue effort lasting over 12 hours. The fire caused billions of rupees losses to traders and others; however, no casualty was reported in the incident. According to witnesses, the fire initially broke out in a building, but it quickly spread over to nearby residential and commercial buildings.

The fire was rated as category three, which also engulfed nearby buildings of the densely populated locality of Old Haji Camp area.

Atique Mir, Chairman All Karachi Tajir Ittehad (AKTI), told Business Recorder that it was criminal negligence of Fire Brigade department as its ‘sluggish’ team reached the site after almost 70 percent of the timbers and other valuables were completely burnt by the fire.

He said that Fire Brigade department miserably failed to perform its duty effectively. He said that fire tenders reached the site three hours after the fire broke out.

“It does not have the capacity to fight even 20 percent of such untoward incident in the city. Had the department been active and fully equipped to deal with the situation, the traders of timber market would have not suffered billions of rupees losses today,” he lamented. The traders lost several commercial warehouses where timber was stored for the furniture manufacturing industry, he added.

Meanwhile, the Sindh government announced that it would compensate the losses of traders and residents caused by the fire.

Provincial Minister for Information Sharjeel Memon while addressing an emergency press conference at Commissioner’s House said that the Sindh government had constituted a committee comprising Commissioner Karachi Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui and Administrator Karachi Rauf Akhter to estimate the losses caused by the fire. The committee would submit its comprehensive report within a week. He further said that the government would provide relief to traders and residents by compensating their losses.

He said that 28 fire tenders took part in the operation to extinguish the fire.

He added that the fire was finally extinguished after 11 hours long efforts, however the cooling process took two to three hours. Officials suspected that the fire might have broken out due to electric short circuit.

Meanwhile, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Chief Altaf Hussain expressed grief and sorrow over the incident. MQM chief further said the provincial government had no such arrangements to extinguish the fire.

He advised the rulers to make public the contact numbers for rescue so that the pained and disconcerted people may lodge their complaints.

MQM leader Farooq Sattar visited the site and criticised the concerned authorities for their failure in timely extinguish the fire.

APP adds: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Sunday took notice of the eruption of fire in Timber Market of Karachi.

Expressing grief and sorrow over the tragedy, the Prime Minister asked the provincial government and relevant departments to take steps to avert recurrence of such tragedies in future at all costs.

SOURCE: APP/RECORDER REPORT

Chicken prices register sharp increase despite cut in fuel cost

GNN ISLAMABAD: The extremely cold weather has multiplied the demand of chicken and as a result its prices have registered a sharp increase during the last week in twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

Normally in winter season, the use of poultry products increase which ultimately result in escalating prices.

But, according to market sources, the prices of two essential commodities including chicken have increased from Rs 150 per kilogram to Rs 180 kilogram and eggs from Rs 115 per dozen to Rs 125 per dozen.

A couple of a weeks ago, the chicken prices was around Rs 150 per kg and eggs Rs 115 per dozen but despite the decrease in the prices of petroleum products, the poultry prices are going up.

Most of the people use eggs in their daily breakfast as it contains sufficient proteins which help maintaining good health but now they have to go for an alternative energy intake source.

Imran Ahmad, an employee of a private office said that the demand of eggs usually increases in the winter season and subsequently the prices shoot up.

Eggs are an absolute priority in breakfast and people are forced to purchase them on high prices.

A student, Waqas Majeed said it never happened in the past that the prices of eatables shoot up to this extent.

The concerned authorities should chalk out a mechanism to control prices of kitchen items especially chicken and eggs which are essential for a sound health, Sadia Sajjad, a house wife, suggested.

When contacted, a representative of the Poultry Association held costly feed, rise in electricity prices responsible for increasing prices of the poultry products.

He claimed that despite cut in fuel prices, the transporters have not cut down transportation charges.

Source: APP