Possible outcomes in Pakistan's political crisis

THE Pakistan People's Party (PPP) is scrambling to stop its main coalition partner from pulling out of the ruling alliance in the country's latest political storm. President Asif Ali Zardari is leading efforts to pacify the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), the second largest party in the coalition, which this week pulled its two ministers from the federal cabinet. Following are some possible outcomes of the turmoil which has raised questions over the fate of the US-backed government already under pressure to improve the fragile economy and contain Taliban militants. The MQM agrees to rejoin cabinet The MQM said the withdrawal of its ministers from the cabinet was a first step to breaking with the coalition. It pulled them out because of what it said was the government's failure to improve security and stamp out corruption, something that is unlikely to happen any time soon and the party is aware of that. The MQM, which has made threats to abandon the coalition in the past, is likely to rejoin the cabinet. A return to the status quo would ease tension, but the crisis will reinforce the impression that Pakistani politicians are highly skilled at drama and not committed to tackling the country's most pressing issues. To get the MQM back on board, Zardari may have to take decisive steps such as the dismissal of his close aide and Sindh province's home minister, Zulfiqar Mirza, a vocal critic of the MQM, which dominates politics in Pakistan's financial capital and biggest city Karachi, capital of Sindh. Raising the likelihood that the coalition will survive are deepening divisions between the MQM and the main opposition party, led by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, one of Pakistan's most popular politicians. Chances are slim that the MQM will join forces with Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League, the second largest party in parliament. As the influential Dawn newspaper said in an editorial on Thursday: "Everything is in flux, until it appears that nothing may in fact be moving - that could sum up all the political 'action' the country has seen in recent weeks." The MQM joins opposition benches In that case, the government would lose its majority and fall. Forming a new one would likely be a protracted, delicate process. No political parties have good ties with Sharif and his party's differences with the MQM have started to get ugly, with both sides engaging in public, personal attacks on leaders. If the government collapses, it could mean a call for early elections, which are otherwise due in 2013. That would plunge the country into political uncertainty and distract leaders from tackling security and economic problems. The Prime Minister quits Zardari's aides are trying to win back the Jamiat-e-Ulema-e-Islam (JUI), a small coalition partner, which left the government this month over the sacking of one of its ministers and sat with the opposition. While Pakistan's pro-Taliban religious parties don't win significant votes in elections, they have the capability to stir emotions and street protests. The government can't afford to ignore them. The head of the JUI, Fazal-ur-Rehman, has called for the resignation of Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani. While there are no signs yet that may happen, rising difference between Zardari and Gilani have raised speculation that the prime minister is becoming vulnerable. Some analysts say Gilani may opt to resign if the pressure on his government becomes unbearable. Military intervention A long shot but it can't be ruled out. The military has ruled Pakistan for more than half of its history. If the generals decide the government's failures are stacking up and it is losing control, they may take drastic action. The military may already be stepping in behind the scenes to try to ease tension.

Appointments of governors challenged in SC

ISLAMABAD: Senator and leader of PML-N Zafar Ali Shah Wednesday challenged the appointments of governors of all provinces in Supreme Court.

The petitioner contended that president was bound to take advice from prime minister while appointing governors in the light of Article 101 of the constitution, adding that all the governors were appointed in Musharraf’s tenure so all the appointments have now become unconstitutional.

The petitioner sought to declare the appointments of governors unconstitutional.

JUI-F demands Gilani's resignation

Tuesday, December 28, 2010  ISLAMABAD: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) chief Fazlur Rehman on Tuesday demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, compounding pressure on a coalition government shedding support. Pro-Taliban cleric Fazlur Rehman made the call just hours after the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), the main coalition partner of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), announced that it was quitting the federal cabinet, although would not join the opposition. "The prime minister should resign and the PPP should appoint a new one," Rehman told reporters. His own Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUIF) party walked out on December 14 after Gilani sacked one of its three cabinet ministers over a war of words with religious affairs minister Hamid Saeed Kazmi, a PPP member, who was also fired. Their spat related to a corruption scandal reportedly implicating Kazmi's ministry in booking accommodation for tens of thousands of pilgrims. "He (Gilani) has sabotaged the process of reconciliation among coalition partners and his actions have caused political instability in the country," said Rehman, wearing an orange turban. "The government is under pressure and the president will have to take this step." The departure of JUIF reduced the PPP's coalition to 185 seats in the 342-member national assembly. The MQM says it is withdrawing its two cabinet ministers over differences with the PPP, but has yet to join the opposition. The loss of its 25 lawmakers would leave the coalition in a parliamentary minority and could bring down the government.

Mirza says he knows who killed Benazir

KARACHI: Sindh Home Minister Dr.Zulfiqar Mirza said on Monday that he knew who the killers and mastermind behind Benazir Bhutto’s assassination were.
Speaking to the media in Ghari Khuda Bux, Mirza said that Benazir Bhutto’s son, Bilawal Bhutto had been made aware of these developments and after consultations, all the details of the case will be made public.

Mirza also said that Interior Minister Rehman Malik was responsible for briefing Bilawal about the investigations yesterday, however, he was unable to do that due to certain reasons.

Garhi Khuda Bux is PPP’s Kerbala, says Zardari

NAUDERO: President Asif Ali Zardari Monday said Garhi Khuda Bux is Kerbala of Pakistan People's Party (PPP).

Addressing a large gathering held here to observe 3rd death anniversary of Benazir Bhutto, Zardari said, “Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto is renowned across the world for his intelligence and a day came when our spiritual father offered his martyrdom.”

Zardari said Benazir also used to tread the same path, adding, ‘Benazir is standing by me and is visible to me.’

Benazir served the nation for 30 years, as serving people was to her a mode of worship, Zardari asserted.

On this occasion, Zardari also disclosed that BB was assassinated by Baitullah Mehsud, who is dead now.

Taliban following in footprints of Tamil Tigers

Militant outfits in Bajaur and banned Tehrik Taliban Pakistan sometimes back have warned through FM radio and in conversations with journalists that they had trained squads of female bombers that could be sent on mission any time.
Over 250 suicide attacks have so far been carried out in Pakistan since 2006, but for the first time woman bomber was used in Bajaur. The first suicide attack occurred at Ashura procession in Hangu in 2006, killing 22 people.
In December 2007, although a woman, believed to be a bomber, was killed in an explosion near a security barrier in Peshawar, yet intelligence reports confirmed that the said woman was only carrying explosives and the device was triggered by someone else.
Defence analyst and former secretary security Fata Brig Mahmood Shah said that he was not sure that a woman bomber had carried out attack in Khar. It might be misperception of the eyewitnesses, who believed that they heard a woman`s cry, he said.
“If females are used in suicide attacks then it can be more dangerous,” he said. He added that militants had been using teenagers in suicide attacks and he did not believe that they would engage women also.
Some Islamist groups in Middle East and Liberation of Tamil Tiger Elam (LTTE), a separatist organisation in Sri Lanka, had used females in suicide missions. But such trend was not seen in Pakistan so far.
Sources said that Taliban leaders Maulana Faqir Mohammad and Maulvi Mohammad Omar had warned time and again that they had women, who were willing to blow themselves up.
“Maulana Faqir was making announcements on FM radio warning of involving female in suicide missions,” said a resident of Bajaur. He said that local authorities had received intelligence reports that militants might carry out attack in the area.
Taliban spokesman Azam Tariq, who claimed responsibility for the attack in Bajaur, though did not verify involvement of female suicide bomber, yet he claimed that they had dozens of trained women, who were ready to lay down their lives.
Injured persons brought to Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar mostly believed that they had heard screaming of a female following which the blast occurred. They added that they were sure that the attacker was a female clad in the traditional shuttlecock burqa.
An inhabitant of Bajaur told Dawn that any use of female for conducting such blasts in future would complicate the situation for the security agencies as the traditional burqa was all enveloping and in that costume it would be difficult to differentiate between a bomber and ordinary woman.

BB’s assassins too powerful to be held: Pagara

KARACHI: Chief of Pakistan Muslim League (Functional) Pir Pagara has termed investigation into Benazir Bhutto’s assassination a futile exercise because ‘the culprits hold (very powerful) positions’ and ruled out possibility of their arrest.

He was talking to media men after holding a meeting with Awami Muslim League Chief Sheikh Rashid here at Kingri House.

“Now there will be no thumping of army boots,” Pir Pagara made a prediction, but added that a change is inevitable.

He also ruled out the possibility of Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman’s rejoining the coalition government.

Muttahida Qaumi Movement, he said, was deeply engaged in resolving the issues of the masses.

The PML-F chief said he was a supporter of commissioner system in Sindh.

He said he would not make any comment against the Prime Minister on in-house change because the latter had been his student.

ISI chief won't appear in US court over Mumbai attack: Gilani

ISLAMABAD: The chief of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) spy agency will not appear in any US court in connection with the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani declared Thursday.

Addressing the National Assembly, Gilani said the ISI "is a sensitive agency of the Pakistani military and it is unimaginable that we will force their officers to appear in the US court on foreign dictation".

Gilani was responding to a fiery speech by opposition leader Nisar Ali Khan, who took the government to task over what he described as a failed foreign policy.

"The situation has deteriorated so much that the chief of our premier intelligence agency is now being summoned (to the US) without taking our government into confidence," said Khan.

The Pakistani foreign office Wednesday said: "Our mission in (the US) is yet to receive the summons and we can't comment before going through its contents."

A US court has summoned ISI's powerful chief Lt. Gen. Ahmed Shuja Pasha and other officials as also Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander Zakiur Rahman Lakhvi and Jamaat-ud Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed, the alleged masterminds of the November 26-28, 2008, Mumbai terror attack.

The 26-page lawsuit was filed before a Brooklyn court by family members of Rabbi Gavriel Noach Holtzberg and his pregnant wife, Rivka, who were among the 166 people killed during the attack. Their son Moshe was saved by his Indian nanny in the tragedy.

The suit alleges that the ISI "provided critical planning, material support, control and coordination for the attacks" to the Pakistan-based militant group LeT, which has been blamed for the 26/11 siege. The LeT is also named in the suit.

Besides Pasha, who has been director general of the ISI since September 2008, the court has also summoned his predecessor, Lt. Gen. Nadeem Taj and ISI officials Major Samir Ali, Azam Cheema and Major Iqbal.

"The ISI has long nurtured and used international terrorist groups, including the LeT, to accomplish its goals and has provided material support to LeT and other international terrorist groups," said the lawsuit.

"The Mumbai terrorist attack was planned, trained for and carried out by members of LeT. ISI provided critical planning, material support, control and coordination of the attacks," it alleged.

It accuses ISI officers Pasha, Taj, Iqbal and Ali of being purposefully engaged in the direct provision of material support or resources, including weapons and explosives.

ISI chief won't appear in US court over Mumbai attack: Gilani

ISLAMABAD: The chief of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) spy agency will not appear in any US court in connection with the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani declared Thursday.

Addressing the National Assembly, Gilani said the ISI "is a sensitive agency of the Pakistani military and it is unimaginable that we will force their officers to appear in the US court on foreign dictation".

Gilani was responding to a fiery speech by opposition leader Nisar Ali Khan, who took the government to task over what he described as a failed foreign policy.

"The situation has deteriorated so much that the chief of our premier intelligence agency is now being summoned (to the US) without taking our government into confidence," said Khan.

The Pakistani foreign office Wednesday said: "Our mission in (the US) is yet to receive the summons and we can't comment before going through its contents."

A US court has summoned ISI's powerful chief Lt. Gen. Ahmed Shuja Pasha and other officials as also Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander Zakiur Rahman Lakhvi and Jamaat-ud Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed, the alleged masterminds of the November 26-28, 2008, Mumbai terror attack.

The 26-page lawsuit was filed before a Brooklyn court by family members of Rabbi Gavriel Noach Holtzberg and his pregnant wife, Rivka, who were among the 166 people killed during the attack. Their son Moshe was saved by his Indian nanny in the tragedy.

The suit alleges that the ISI "provided critical planning, material support, control and coordination for the attacks" to the Pakistan-based militant group LeT, which has been blamed for the 26/11 siege. The LeT is also named in the suit.

Besides Pasha, who has been director general of the ISI since September 2008, the court has also summoned his predecessor, Lt. Gen. Nadeem Taj and ISI officials Major Samir Ali, Azam Cheema and Major Iqbal.

"The ISI has long nurtured and used international terrorist groups, including the LeT, to accomplish its goals and has provided material support to LeT and other international terrorist groups," said the lawsuit.

"The Mumbai terrorist attack was planned, trained for and carried out by members of LeT. ISI provided critical planning, material support, control and coordination of the attacks," it alleged.

It accuses ISI officers Pasha, Taj, Iqbal and Ali of being purposefully engaged in the direct provision of material support or resources, including weapons and explosives.

Barack Obama signs gay military law

US President Barack Obama has signed a landmark law allowing gay people serving in the military to be open about their sexuality.

Mr Obama said the law meant that tens of thousands of Americans would no longer be asked to live a lie.
He had campaigned to change the 1993 "don't ask, don't tell" law, overturned by Congress last week.
More than 13,000 service members have been dismissed under the policy, enacted in 1993 as a compromise.
Opponents argue that the change will damage troop morale at a time of war.
But earlier this month, a Pentagon report said that allowing openly gay troops would have little impact on the cohesion of US forces fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The outgoing Senate and House of Representatives approved the new law last week, with moderate Republicans joining the Democratic majority.

Army plane crashes; pilots dead

 QUETTA: A training plane of Army Aviation crashed near Muslim Bagh area of district Qila Saifullah near Quetta, killing pilot and co-pilot.
According to sources, the plane was flying from Zhob to Quetta, when it crashed in mountains in Nasai area of Muslim Bagh, killing pilot and co-pilot on the spot.

According to initial reports, the mishap occurred owing to some technical fault.

DPO Qila Saifullah said the local people, who witnessed the plane coming down, informed the administration, saying the rescue teams have been dispatched towards the crash site.

According to ISPR, rescue teams from Quetta left for Muslim Bagh.

Raisani says no threat to his govt

ISLAMABAD: After the PML-Q and JUI-F threatened to topple Balochistan government, CM Aslam Raisani reached Maulana Fazlur Rehman's home here today and discussed the regional political situation and after the meeting Raisani said there was no threat to his government.

While spaking on the occasion, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said the proposal to change the provincial political scene came from the chief of the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain.

In reply to a question, the JUI-F chief said Syed Khursheed Shah could not talk of Maulana Sheerani's resignation. 'Majlis-e-Shura would discuss the matter of Balochistan in its meeting.' Senator Maulana Muhammad Khan Sheerani is the Chairman of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) and a strong leader of the party.

CM Raisani said he don't care if the government was toppled.

The JUI-F chief had welcomed a suggestion by Chaudhry Shujaat that both the political parties could unite to change the chief minister of the province. Chaudhry Shujaat proposed that both the PML-Q and JUI-F, with the help of independent MPAs, could form a democratic government in Balochistan.

In response, the Maulana had said the matter could be further discussed if such a move comes from Chaudhry Shujaat. Both said the in-house change largely depends on the PPP and they would decide about their future strategies keeping in view their limitations. Both the leaders expressed these views in the Geo News programme "Capital Talk", hosted by Hamid Mir.

Raisani says no threat to his govt

ISLAMABAD: After the PML-Q and JUI-F threatened to topple Balochistan government, CM Aslam Raisani reached Maulana Fazlur Rehman's home here today and discussed the regional political situation and after the meeting Raisani said there was no threat to his government.

While spaking on the occasion, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said the proposal to change the provincial political scene came from the chief of the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain.

In reply to a question, the JUI-F chief said Syed Khursheed Shah could not talk of Maulana Sheerani's resignation. 'Majlis-e-Shura would discuss the matter of Balochistan in its meeting.' Senator Maulana Muhammad Khan Sheerani is the Chairman of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) and a strong leader of the party.

CM Raisani said he don't care if the government was toppled.

The JUI-F chief had welcomed a suggestion by Chaudhry Shujaat that both the political parties could unite to change the chief minister of the province. Chaudhry Shujaat proposed that both the PML-Q and JUI-F, with the help of independent MPAs, could form a democratic government in Balochistan.

In response, the Maulana had said the matter could be further discussed if such a move comes from Chaudhry Shujaat. Both said the in-house change largely depends on the PPP and they would decide about their future strategies keeping in view their limitations. Both the leaders expressed these views in the Geo News programme "Capital Talk", hosted by Hamid Mir.

Karachi students set new world record cramming 19 into smart car

KARACHI: A group of students from Karachi Grammar School and other schools made history when they set a new Guinness World of Records by accommodating 19 persons in a Smart Car.

This historic event took place at DHA Creek Club, Karachi in front of a Jury and reported worldwide Wednesday in the presence of Speaker Sindh Assembly Nisar Ahmed Khoro who was chief guest on the occasion.

The group led by Aymen Saleem Yousuf squeezed into a standard Smart Car to smash the record ealier set by the Climb Fit Team of Australia when 18 students compressed into a standard Smart Car at the Warringah Mall, Sydney Australia on January 25, 2010.

The jury comprised of Nisar Khoro, Dr. Mirza Ikhtiar Baig Advisor to Prime Minister, Sharmila Farooqui Advisor to CM Sindh on Information, former cricket captain Waseem Akram, former hockey captain and olympian Islahuddin and Ishtiaq Baig Hon. Consul General of Morocco.

China urges West to support Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao lauded on Sunday Pakistan's efforts to battle al Qaeda, just days after the United States said its ally could do more to crack down on militants, especially along the Afghan border.

Chinese leaders applaud Pakistan's efforts to fight al Qaeda -led terrorism, he added, urging the international community to "endose and support" them.

Chinese Premier vowed to stand by Pakistan to confront all challenges, bring peace and stability to the region, and to turn a new page in Pakistan-China relations.

"Lets stand together, with a new confidence, and begin a new era of progress and prosperity, by jointly confronting all challenges," Jiabao said, amidst heavy thumping of desks during his address to the specially convened joint sitting of the Parliament here.

"China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic partners and share the sorrows and joys of each other as close brothers," he said.

Premier Wen said both the countries have reached the present stage after passing through difficult phases.

He said as people in Pakistan say that a good neighbour is a blessing, "we in China say it is better to have a good neighbour than a relative, who lives far away."

Jiabao expressed the belief that the Pakistani people will be able to surmount all difficulties and assured that "the Chinese government and people will firmly stand by you to face all challenges together."

Premier Wen Jiabao who is the first Chinese and 6th world dignitary to address the joint sitting began his speech by greeting the parliamentarians saying; "Asalam-o-Alaikum".

He strongly voiced China's stance against terrorism and said it must not be linked to any particular country or religion.

"There should be no dual standards in this regard," he said and called for making efforts for addressing the real reasons that lead to terrorism.

"China's stance is clear and consistent. China while standing along with Pakistan and the international community was making sincere efforts to promote cooperation in this regard," he said.

He assured that China would continue to enhance interaction with Pakistan in all spheres.

Premier Wen said Pakistan was passing through a difficult phase as it was facing many challenges and problems. But he was confident that the government and people of Pakistan were determined to tackle these and would move ahead.

"The government and people of Pakistan are united and moving forward to safeguard solidarity, prosperity and sovereignty of the country," he added.

He said the international community was also cognizant of the struggle and efforts being made by the people of Pakistan in facing difficulties and have assured their full support.

Premier Wen Jiabao said "The people of Pakistan have neither been influenced by anyone in the past, nor will they be, in future."

He said it was the joint strategic vision of China and Pakistan to have an all-weather strategic partnership and added that it was "in conformity with the national interests of the peoples of the two countries. It would help promote peace, stability and prosperity of the region."

He said "China and Pakistan ties will get more deeper, closer and stronger."

Premier Wen Jiabao termed the Pak-China friendship as a Pine tree, that remains evergreen despite the harshest of winter, and it has stood the test of time like a strong horse, whose worth is known only when it accomplishes a long journey.

The Chinese Premier assured that China would assist Pakistan in helping it rebuild the damaged infrastructure due to the devastating floods.

"China would fulfill all promises made to Pakistan in this regard," Premier Wen said.

He said China supports Pakistan to have economic sovereignty and was keen to see it makes progress in all spheres through enhanced trade and business.

He said China would support Pakistan in energy, transport, infrastructure and other areas. He said that during his visit the two countries agreed to ink business deals worth $10 billion, reflecting wide scope of economic and trade growth between the two countries.

Jiabao said China believes that Pakistan would benefit from the bilateral trade deals and increase its exports to China.

He said the ICBC bank has been given permission to open branches at Islamabad and Karachi. He said China was also willing to have a currency swap deal with Pakistan and hoped that their cooperation would enhance further in economic sphere.

The Chinese Premier also assured increased cooperation in fields of education and culture. He said the year 2011 will be celebrated as part of their 60th anniversary and lead to more exchanges in this regard. He said over the next three years China would provide 500 scholarships to Pakistani students and conduct 2000 cataract operations in next two years.

Jiabao said next year 100 Pakistani students will participate in Chinese language program in China and expressed the hope that more Pakistanis will visit China and learn the language.

He said over the years the two countries have been engaged in student exchange programme and said the practice would continue as it would enhance their people to people cooperation.

Premier Wen Jiabao called for preserving the tradition of close exchanges at the leadership level, stepping up of communication and coordination on issues that concern respective core interests of the two countries, and firmly support and help each other.

He said China welcomes Pakistan's effort to capitalize on the preferential terms in the bilateral Free Trade Agreement to expand exports to China.

On regional and international cooperation, the Chinese premier said both countries should enhance their coordination and cooperation in regional and international affairs.

He said China and Pakistan have common interests and broad consensus on major international issues as the UN reform, the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals, climate change, and food and energy security, Wen said.

"We should make joint efforts to meet challenges and promote harmonious and sustainable development of the world," Premier Wen said.

He recalled his visit to Pakistan five years back and said this time too, with the warm welcome, it felt as if he was visiting his home. He said the people of China and Pakistan are like brothers and their ties are "deep rooted" and "rock solid" that have stood the test of time.

He said their relationship was based on the vision and far sightedness of their leaders and love of their people.

Premier Wen said Pakistan has always supported China in all those critical times and mentioned that it stood by it whether it was the issue of membership to the UN General Assembly, relations between the United States of America and China, or on the issues pertaining to Taiwan, Tibet and Sinkiang.

The Chinese Premier also recalled that Pakistan was first to support China in the aftermath of the earthquake at the Sichuan province and rushed to its aid.

He said over half the century China has always sincerely supported the sovereignty, integrity and independence of Pakistan at all levels.

He recalled that several Chinese have laid down their lives to help their Pakistani brethren and said they risked their lives in search, relief and rescue of the flood affected people. Similarly the Pakistanis rescued 268 Chinese workers in Pakistan.

He said the friendship between the two countries has deep roots and "runs in our blood".

Premier Wen appreciated the hard working, resilient and committed Pakistani nation who were proud of their rich historical and cultural heritage and said they have achieved remarkable successes.

He said despite the several challenges the people of Pakistan have stood the test of time and remained steadfast to protect their national interests. He also lauded their commitment to ensure lasting peace and stability in the region and good ties with their neighbours.

PML-Q, JUI-F vow to work together

SLAMABAD: Chief of Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain arrived today at Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman's residence and discussed the prevailing political situation of the country.
Chaudhry Shujaat said he came to discuss situation adding that PML-Q wanted that the government should complete its term.

While, Fazlur Rehman noted that PML-Q has hailed our decision to quit the government, which has changed the national politics.

Secretary General PML-Q Mushahid Hussain Syed and JUI-F Secretary General Abdul Ghafoor Haideri were also present during the meeting.

Chinese PM arrives in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao arrived in the federal capital today on a three-day official visit.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani. Gilani himself received his Chinese counterpart at the airport. Dozens of chief executives of companies and 150 business leaders are accompanying the Chinese premier.

The visit will be a unique opportunity for the two countries to enhance their trade and commercial ties. Many commercial deals will be signed during the visit.

Up to $20 billion worth of projects with Chinese help have been completed in Pakistan. Work on projects of $14 billion is continuing at present, while projects of another $20 billion are expected to be signed between the two sides.

Chinese prime minister will also address the joint session of the parliament which will be followed by his interaction with media personnel.

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PPP fails to woo JUI-F

ISLAMABAD: Senior Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leader and Federal Minister for Labour Khurshid Shah today failed to convince JUI-I chief Fazl ur Rehman.

However, the PPP leader invited Fazl ur Rehman for a meeting on December 18th. 'Sacking of the ministers was the prime minister's prerogative and no consultation was done.'

He was talking to media after a meeting with JUI-F chief outside his residence.

In reply to a question, the PPP leader said the ministers were asked to observe discipline but they did not follow the PM's directive and continue mud-slinging against each other.

Azam Swati was instructed to only speak through proper channel but he did not follow. The minister also blamed media for widening the gap between the two coalition partners.

Talking with the journalists outside his residence stood firmed by his decision to quit the coalition government and blamed the ruling PPP for breaking the accord.

He questioned the prime minister’s judgment to fire the minister without consulting the concerned party.

TAPI gas pipeline project inked

ASHGABAT: Pakistan on Saturday joined Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and India in signing the long-awaited over $7.6 billion dollars gas pipeline project to help it meet its sharply rising industrial and domestic demands.

The "inter-governmental agreement" (IGA) and the "Gas sales and purchase agreement" (GSPA) were signed by President Asif Ali Zardari, Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, Indian Petroleum Minister Murli Deora and President of the Asian Development Bank Haruhiko Kuroda here at a local hotel, almost 15 years after the project was envisioned. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh did not attend the summit as he was away to attend the India-EU summit at Brussels.

The 1,640 km long Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline backed by the Asian Development Bank will bring 3.2 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day (bcfd) from Turkmenistan's gas fields to Multan in Central Pakistan and end in the northwestern Indian town of Fazilka.

Construction of the pipeline is likely to commence soon and will be completed by 2013-14. The project would help overcome Pakistan's growing energy crisis that has caused electricity shortages and protests across the country.

President Asif Ali Zardari in a statement to the media said gas connectivity through the project would add to regional prosperity by increasing synergies of economies, and will reinforce the institutional framework for expanding cooperation with each other.

He assured complete security and full support to the multi-billion dollar gas pipeline project and said it would change the development paradigm of the entire region.

Suicide blast kills 16 in Tirah market

KOHAT: Sixteen people have been killed while 31 others injured when a suicide bomb ripped through a market in Tirah valley on Wednesday.
The explosion took place at the busy bus terminal in main Tirah bazaar, Kohat police chief Dilawar Bangash said.

Bangash said that a blast was suicidal, adding that the death toll is likely to rise.

Local police spokesman Fazal Naeem said the bomber approached the door of a bus carrying passengers and detonated his explosives.

Earlier it appeared the bomb was planted in a vehicle parked at the main bus stand, but Banghash said that "now we have found the head and legs of the suicide bomber".

WikiLeaks chief arrives in court

LONDON: WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange arrived at a London court on Tuesday, hours after British police arrested him on a Swedish arrest warrant for suspected sex crimes, a court official said.

Police sealed the street outside the City of Westminster magistrates court as a black unmarked car carrying several police officers and a silver-haired man believed to be the 39-year-old Australian raced into the car park.

A court official said the extradition hearing was due to start at 1400 GMT and confirmed that Assange had arrived.

Outside court, his London-based lawyer Mark Stephens said that Assange was "fine" after he surrendered to Scotland Yard's extradition unit at a police station in the capital on Tuesday morning.

"It was very cordial. They have verified his identity. They are satisfied he is the real Julian Assange and we are ready to go into court," Stephens told reporters.

Assange's lawyers have said they will fight all attempts to extradite him to Sweden. The legal process could take weeks or even months.

Stephens did not say whether Assange would seek bail, but police sources said he may not be granted it because of the risk that he will try to flee the country.

Assange was arrested on a European arrest warrant issued by Sweden over allegations of unlawful coercion, sexual molestation and rape, the Metropolitan Police said.

He has denied the charges, with his lawyers saying they could be "politically motivated" following the release by WikiLeaks of thousands of secret US documents.

Karzai admits Bugti’s presence in Afghanistan: Leaks

KABUL: Afghan President Hamid Karzai has finally admitted the presence of Baloch leader Brahmdagh Bugti in his country, according to WikiLeaks cables.

Karzai revealed this during a meeting with a UN official in February 2009.

The Afghan government has been reluctant to publicly admit the Baloch rebel’s presence in the country despite Islamabad’s repeated requests for his extradition to Pakistan where the authorities blame him for instigating an uprising in the restive Balochistan province.

According to WikiLeaks, during a meeting in 2007 with the then US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher, Karzai had expressed his unawareness about Brahmdagh’s presence in Afghanistan. When Boucher asked him if he knew anything about the Baloch leader, he said he was aware that around 200 Bugtis, “with their sons and money”, had entered his country to seek shelter. According to Karzai, he had advised them to go to the United Nations for asylum but they were frightened. Besides, Karzai added that the UN had declined to deal with the issue considering it “too sensitive.”

Although Karzai told Boucher that he was not interested to allow Baloch rebels in Afghanistan, he argued that Bugtis would blame the United States if Afghanistan turned them in. He declined to call Brahmdagh a terrorist. “Fomenting uprising doesn’t make one terrorist,” he said when Boucher told him that Pakistan had been blaming Brahmdagh for stirring unrest in Balochistan. For Karzai, the matter was so “sensitive” that he asked US officials to stop taking notes during the meeting.

The Afghan president went on to add that the elder Bugti was highly respected in the United States. “Karzai explained that Bugti had once tried to call Karzai but he had refused for the sake of good relations with Pakistan. Now he cannot forgive himself for refusing,” says a cable released by WikiLeaks.