Jeremy Corbyn sets sights on downing street ahead of Brexit vote

Jeremy Corbyn sets sights on downing street ahead of Brexit vote

LONDON, JAN 13 - Jeremy Corbyn has set his sights on taking over Brexit negotiations, confirming he will call a no confidence vote to trigger a general election "soon" if Theresa May's current deal is rejected in parliament.

The Labour leader made the admission as Transport Secretary Chris Grayling denied there was a "void" in government over Brexit.

MPs are due to return to Westminster on Monday - a day before they will vote on whether to pass or reject the prime minister's divorce deal with Brussels.

Mr Corbyn was pressed to name a date for when he would table a no confidence vote but refused to.

He said: "We will table a motion of no confidence in the government at a time of our choosing, but it's going to be soon, don't worry about it."

Senior shadow cabinet ministers have also said it will come soon, with shadow justice secretary Richard Burgon told on Thursday it will be "a matter of days at the most".

Mr Corbyn also suggested he would extend Article 50 if a general election was called and he won the keys to Downing Street.

"Clearly there's only a few weeks between that and the leave date, there would have to be time for those negotiations," he said.

And he hinted at his opposition to another referendum, saying: "My own view is that I'd rather get a negotiated deal now, if we can, to stop the danger of a no-deal exit."

Mr Grayling tried to woo Conservative MPs to back Mrs May's deal, calling it a "sensible compromise".

He told "It's not giving everybody everything what they want, but it was never going to - this was a 52-48 result."

Asked if he had got everything he wanted, the Brexiteer admitted: "Of course not.

"The prime minister herself has said this is not the perfect deal.

"But if you offered me this deal back in 2016 at the time of the referendum and you'd have said instead of staying in the EU you can have this, I'd have said thank you very much."

Mr Grayling also talked down reports of calling in military chiefs to help plan for a no-deal divorce, but admitted some Ministry of Defence staff were being seconded.

He was given a chink of hope by Labour MP John Mann, who also told he was likely to side with the government on Tuesday.

"A day is long time in politics so things can change but as it stands it is likely I will vote for the deal, yes," he said.

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AIOU expedites mailing of books to its students

AIOU expedites mailing of books to its students

ISLAMABAD, JAN 13 - Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) has so far dispatched text books to its about six lakh students of Matric, FA, BA, B.Ed (1.5 years) and Postgraduate programs who had registered themselves for Autumn 2018 semester.

Total number of students registered during the semester was seven lakh fifty thousand, which were highest-ever. One semester covers study period of six months.

According to the Director Admissions, the rest of enrolled students will receive the books by end of this month.

The books' mailing process has been expedited as per the instructions of the Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Zia-Ul-Qayyum.

It was being ensured that the students could get the same at the earliest so that they submit their academic assignments within stipulated time-schedule.

The students have been advised to contact their relevant post offices in case of delay in the books’ delivery.

For any relevant information, the students have been advised to contact University’s helpline: 051-111-112-468.

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Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock put South Africa on top

Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock put South Africa on top

JAHANNESBURG: JAN 13 - Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock put South Africa in a commanding position on the third day of the third and final Test against Pakistan at the Wanderers Stadium on Sunday.

South Africa were 232 for seven at lunch, a lead of 309 on a pitch of occasional unpredictable bounce.

Amla (71) and De Kock (77 not out) shared a sixth wicket partnership of 102 before Amla was caught behind off a ball from Hasan Ali which lifted sharply off a good length. 

He faced 144 balls and hit 14 fours. The pair had come together at 93 for five, when South Africa’s lead was only 170.

While Amla was largely watchful and patient, De Kock batted fluently in reaching his fifty off 49 balls. By lunch he had faced 91 deliveries and hit ten fours.

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Papa John's coming back to Pakistan

Papa John's coming back to Pakistan

Pizza lovers in Pakistan unite. Papa John’s, the undisputed king of Pizza in the USA, is gearing up for a major push across Pakistan this year.

Food connoisseurs here may remember that Papa John’s used to have a branch in Clifton, Karachi a few years ago. Though the branch eventually closed, it seems that things will be different this time as Papa John’s aims for a massive promotion to announce its re-entry this time.

The fast food franchise has already got people talking on social media, with posts on both Instagram and as well as their official website that promises a #BetterPizza for all:

The brand is already asking friends where do they think Papa John’s will launch their first branch. The following social media post strongly hints that it will start their operations in Lahore first, though its unconfirmed for now:

A Better Pizza for everyone

Papa John’s is the fourth biggest pizza franchise in USA, which, fun fact, is the largest pizza consumer worldwide. It was founded in Kentucky by John Schnatter.

The pizza brand has over 5,000 outlets worldwide. Its claim to fame? Papa John’s unique butter dips are a hit with its customers, just in case all that cheese doesn’t make it stand out from the rest.

Interestingly, Papa John’s Pakistan website says it will offer a ‘Create Your Own Pizza’ styled offering. You can design your pizza exactly how you like.

Hopefully, Papa John’s is relaunching here under a new management, and remind people what makes it the best. The likes of other Pizza startups will have to contend with this new competitor in town.

Papa John’s can stand out from the rest by getting its famous dough-to-sauce-to-cheese ratio just right for Pakistani pizza lovers. We won’t have to wait too long to find out!

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Pak business delegation holds productive meetings in Jeddah

Pak business delegation holds productive meetings in Jeddah

ISLAMABAD, JAN 13 – The high level business delegation is in Jeddah to explore various avenues of business cooperation.

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan enjoy excellent bilateral relations and with the visit of high level business  team from Pakistan, trade and business ties would surely get a considrabe boost.

On Sunday, the Pakistani delegation met with the deputy trade minister of Saudi Arabia. Malik Shahid Saleem the President of Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry led he delegation.

Both sides discussed various ways and means to enhance and cement business ties between the two countries.

Pak business delegation holds productive meetings in Jeddah

Earlier, the Commercial Attaché of the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Pakistan bid farewell to the delegation of Pakistani businessmen participating in the meetings of the Saudi-Pakistani trade mission being held in Jeddah under the auspices of the Saudi Export Development Authority.

Saudi Trade Attaché in Pakistan, Mohammad Ahmad Asiri and members of the office saw the delegation off.

A total of 65 Saudi companies and 35 Pakistani companies are interested in importing Saudi products in the food and building materials sectors.

The trade mission in Jeddah is scheduled to last for two days, 13 and 14 January 2019 and to discuss opportunities to enhance the quality of Saudi products in order to achieve greater openness to international markets and to allow local exporters to undertake many deals to develop their exports and open new markets for their products.

It may be mentioned here that Saudi Arabia had recently appointed a fully fledged trade and commercial attaché in Pakistan.

Ever since his appointed Ahmad Asiri has been engaged with various Pakistani business enterprises with a view to promoted trade and economic links between the two brotherly nations.

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Info Minister Fawad Chaudhry phone his Saudi counterpart Turki Alshabanah

Info Minister Fawad Chaudhry phone his Saudi counterpart Turki Alshabanah

ISLAMABAD, JAN 13 - Federal Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry on Sunday called his Saudi counterpart Turki Alshabanah and greeted him  on assuming charge of his office.

Fawad Chaudhry said both countries enjoy excellent relation and hoped these relations would further be strengthened in the coming days.

He further said Pakistan was eagerly awaiting visit of Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman adding the visit would further deepen bilateral ties.

It may be mentioned here that the Saudi energy minister also visited Pakistan in order to explore various new business avenue.

He also visited Gwadar where Saudi Arabia is to set up an oil refinery. The energy minister had termed the Gwadar Port very important for the regional and global connectivity.

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AIOU’s M.Phill (Pak. Study) workshop from Jan 19

AIOU’s M.Phill (Pak. Study) workshop from Jan 19

ISLAMABAD, JAN 12 - Department of Pakistan Studies, Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) has scheduled 1st workshop of M.Phill (Pakistan Study) from January 19 at the University’s main campus here in Islamabad.

The workshop will be continued till February 3.  Information letters for attending the workshop have been sent to all the enrolled students at their given addresses.

In addition the students are advised to make sure their attendance in the workshop at the Department of Pakistan Studies from 19th January.

For further detail, the students can contact Dr. Badshah Sardar, Associate Professor, Department of Pak. Studies personally or at Phone No.051-9057226 Ex.7226.

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