Quetta bus attacks

TAKING advantage of the prevailing state of lawlessness in Balochistan, sectarian militants have seemingly escalated their attacks against Shia targets in the province. At least 11 people were killed on Saturday as gunmen opened fire on a vehicle in the provincial capital; reports indicate that all the victims were Shia. The attack follows Friday’s incident in which at least seven people were killed when gunmen attacked the office of a private transport company in Quetta. Police officials say the victims were waiting to board a coach to Iran. Proscribed militant outfit Lashkar-i-Jhangvi has claimed responsibility for both attacks. Overall, Balochistan is gripped by lawlessness. A nephew of the Balochistan chief minister was killed in a gun-and-bomb attack in Mastung on Friday. It is quite obvious that several fronts are simultaneously open in the province. Baloch political activists often turn up dead, while ‘settlers’ in the province are also routinely gunned down. Baloch separatists and security forces have also been involved in clashes. Exploiting such a situation where the writ of the state barely exists, sectarian terrorists have set their sights on the Shia community. Countless members of the Hazara community have been gunned down in targeted killings, while attacking buses carrying pilgrims provides militants with ‘soft’ targets.
Quetta is a transit point for pilgrims heading to the shrine cities of Iran and on to Iraq by land. A fair number of visitors choose the land route as flying to the holy sites is not an option for many people considering the high air fares. However, the state has completely failed to provide adequate security to these people. The government needs to put into immediate practice a plan to protect buses as well as bus stations, hotels and other points where pilgrims gather before their onward journey to Iran. Perhaps security forces should escort the caravans to the Iranian border in order to deter potential attacks. The government should note that if attacks targeting caravans continue unchecked, the reaction may spread beyond Quetta as people from all over Pakistan pass through or stop over in the city en route to Iran and Iraq.

Wasan phones Altaf, discusses Karachi situation

Karachi—Sindh Home Minister Manzoor Wasan on Saturday telephoned the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain and appreciated his efforts in connection with restoring peace in Karachi. Wasan said that all political parties should be taken along for restoration of peace in the city.

The provincial home minister said that he was impressed by Altaf Hussain’s opinions for maintaining peace in the Karachi, adding that his efforts for peace were quite appreciable. Terming Altaf Hussain as his elder brother, Manzoor Wasan stressed his (Altaf’s) good wishes and guidance were vital to re-establish peace in the province. “I will not flinch back from giving my life for peace in the province and the rights of people here, if needed,” Altaf said.—INP 

SC cancels notification of Sohail’s relegation

The Supreme Court (SC) on Friday has cancelled the notification of relegation of Sohail Ahmed from the post of establishment secretary to the post of ‘officer on special duty’ (OSD).

According to a private television channel, the court in its detailed verdict said that the notification to make Sohail Ahmed an OSD was not correct.

Earlier, AG also told the court that he was not able to contact Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani over the relegation of Sohail Ahmed from the post of establishment secretary to a sinecure post of ‘officer on special duty’.

Sohail Ahmed has been punished for obeying the court’s orders to transfer Hussain Asghar, the IG of Gilgit-Baltistan, back to the FIA to enable him to resume investigation into the unprecedented mismanagement in last year’s Haj operations. The move angered the government because the secretary did not seek the prime minister’s approval.

Pak desires to have good relations with India, says PM

Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani reiterated that Pakistan desires to have good neighbourly relations with all the regional countries including India, in the larger interest of the welfare of the people of South Asia.

The continuation of dialogue process with India, he stated, would help both the countries to improve environment as well as facilitate discussions on all issues of concerned between the two countries.

The Prime Minister was talking to Ms Hina Rabbani Khar, Foreign Minister who called on him here at Prime Minister’s Secretariat to brief him on her visit to India and outcome of talks.

The Prime Minister said that it was an encouraging sign that talks between the two countries were helping to develop better understanding of each other’s point of view on all issues including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir.

He was also pleased to learn that the Indian Prime Minister would be visiting Pakistan at his earliest convenience.

Earlier Foreign Minister Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar briefed the Prime Minister about the outcome of official talks with Indian delegation. She also briefed him about her meeting with the Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, leader of the oppositions and the Kashmiri leaders.

India and Pakistan in a 'new era' of talks

NEW DELHI: Two weeks after a triple bombing in Mumbai, the Indian and Pakistani foreign ministers heralded a ''new era'' of friendlier and more stable relations between the nuclear-armed neighbours.

Both sides played down their differences on Wednesday in unexpectedly positive comments after talks in the Indian capital.

But analysts warned that a huge gulf persists under the surface and that the peace process could still be derailed by another major terrorist attack on Indian soil.

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Pakistan's first female and youngest-ever Foreign Minister, Hina Rabbani Khar, 34, said the governments needed to acknowledge a ''mind-set change'' among a new generation of Indians and Pakistanis, who have been pressing their governments to engage more constructively than in the past.

The south Asian rivals have fought three wars since independence from Britain in 1947, two of them over the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir, with their front line often seen as one of the world's most dangerous flash points.

The newly-installed Khar, a businesswoman and politician, blunted concerns about her lack of experience by appearing to charm her Indian hosts.

Studiously avoiding the word Kashmir at a joint media appearance after two and a half hours of talks with her vastly experienced Indian counterpart, S.M. Krishna, 79, Khar said both sides wanted the dialogue to be ''uninterrupted and uninterruptible''.

Despite the challenges, she said, ''I can confidently say that relations are on the right track''.

The peace process broke off after the attack on India's financial capital, Mumbai, by Pakistani militants that killed 166 people in 2008. But under intense American pressure, both sides resumed formal talks in February.

Indian officials kept their cool after the triple bombing in Mumbai on July 13 that killed 24 people, partly because they have not found a a direct link between Pakistan and the attack.

''There is full awareness of the levels of difficulty involved in relationships as complex as those between India and Pakistan, but what is also important is for the fog to lift from this relationship,'' India's Foreign Secretary, Nirupama Rao, said.

Pakistan disputes India's right to the Himalayan valley of Kashmir and has long backed militants fighting there.

Hina Rabbani Khar meets Manmohan Singh, Indian PM to visit Pakistan

NEW DELHI, July 27 (APP)  - Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar held a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh here on Wednesday and conveyed the message of goodwill from Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani. During the meeting, they discussed bilateral matters of mutual interest. On behalf of Prime Minister Gilani, Hina Rabbani Khar invited the Indian Prime Minister to visit Pakistan. Dr. Manmohan Singh accepted the invitation to visit Pakistan. Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir, Pakistan’s High Commissioner to India Shahid Malik and Additional Secretary Sajjad Kamran were also present at the meeting.

 

Political activists among 17 killed in Karachi

KARACHI: The city once again fell victim to law breakers on Sunday, as 17 more people, including activists of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement and Ahle Sunnat Wal-Jamaat, were killed.

Also, many city areas were shut down due to fierce gunbattles between different groups. Moreover, rockets were fired at the Jaffar-e-Tayyar Society, while the house of a Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader also came under attack in the same area.

The violence, which had started from Malir and Khokharapar early on Friday morning, claiming many innocent lives, has gradually spread to many other areas of the city.

Early on Sunday morning, three activists of the MQM were targeted in the Buffer Zone area in the Taimuria police limits. Police said that the deceased, identified as Owais, Raheel and Salahuddin, were activists of the MQM, Unit-136, North Karachi. Police officials added that the deceased were heading towards North Nazimabad on a motorcycle when, in the Buffer Zone area, armed men opened indiscriminate fire on them, gravely injuring all three. They were taken to a nearby hospital where they succumbed to their injuries. The incident is being termed as part of the ongoing cases of target killing in the city. The incident has been reported to the concerned police station.

Soon after, Iqbal Kiyani, 30, was shot dead in the Nabi Bux police limits. Police said the incident occured in the Ramswami area when the deceased was heading towards his home. Iqbal was a resident of Bohra Peer and the supporter of a political group. A case has been reported at the police station on the complaint of Basheer Kiyani, the father of the deceased.

Meanwhile, Irfan alias Amir was gunned down near Murgi Khana, Quaidabad. Police said the deceased, an activist of the MQM, was passing through a street when unidentified armed men, riding a motorcycle, fired on him, killing him on the spot. A passerby, Abdul Rasheed, also a friend of the deceased, was injured in the incident. Irfan was a resident of the Surjani Town area. Police termed it a case of target killing and the case was reported at the police station.

Another MQM activist, Badaruddin, who got injured on Friday in an armed attack in the Ammar-e-Yasir Society, Malir, and was under treatment at a hospital, died on Sunday.

At least 10 people were injured as armed groups clashed in Shah Faisal Colony, Drigh Road, Azam Town, Abul Hassan Isphahani Road, Sohrab Goth, Jehangir Road, Quaidabad, Baldia, Millat Town, Shadman Town, Memon Goth and Quaid-e-Azam Colony. The injured were shifted to the Abbasi Shaheed, Jinnah and some private hospitals. At Banaras, a Mashallah Coach came under attack in which a passenger got injured, while three people were injured in the Malir area. Firing incidents were also reported from the Malir City, Landhi, Saudabad and Khokharapar area.

Things got worse on Sunday evening when armed men riding motorcycles opened random fire on people on the streets near the Bohray Khan Center, Liaquatabad, injuring five people, including a boy Qayyum, 11. In Saudabad’s Jaffer-e-Tayyar Society, two rockets were fired but no casualty or injury was reported. There were also reports that armed men had attacked the house of PPP leader Sher Mohammed Baloch in the Malir area. While his car was damaged, no casualty or injury was reported in the incident.

Later, in the Surjani Town area, Naveed was shot dead while another person was injured. Police said the incident happened near the Siddiq-i-Akber Masjid in the evening when six to seven armed men on three motorcycles opened indiscriminate fire on the two and fled. Naveed was an activist of the ASWJ and a resident of the same area.

Soon after the above incident, in the same area, armed men attacked three more people, identified as Zafar, Furqan and Iqbal, killing all of them. Police said the incident happened near the Anda More, New Karachi. They added that the deceased, residents of Sector-9, New Karachi, were activists of the ASWJ. The police seized the empty casings from the scene of the crime which were of a 9mm pistol. Investigators termed the two incidents part of sectarian killings.

After the two incidents, armed men resorted to aerial firing in the area, forcing traders to close their businesses. The ASWJ leaders and activists protested over the killings and accused their rival group for the killings.

In Napier police limits, armed men killed Khalil Baloch. Police said the incident happened on Sunday night at the Soomro Gali. They added that the deceased was a labourer and was passing through a street when armed men on a motorcycle shot him dead.

The deceased was a resident of Azeem Pura and a supporter of the Peoples Aman Committee (PAC). The case has been reported at the concerned police station.

Furthermore, three people, Khalid, Ikhlaq and Kalay Khan, were killed in a firing incident at the Macca Madina Quetta Hotel in the Gulberg area.

Police said the three were working at the hotel when four armed men barged in and opened indiscriminate fire on them. They were shifted to a hospital where all the three were pronounced dead. Khalid hailed from Rahim Yar Khan, Kalay Khan from Hazara while Ikhlaq Khan was from Quetta. Investigators termed the incident part of target killing. A case was registered at the police station.

In the Khokharapar area, Asif alias Datto was shot dead. Police said armed men riding a motorcycle opened fire on Asif and fled. The deceased was an activist of the MQM Unit-94, Malir. The case was reported at the police station.

In Shah Faisal Mohallah of Orangi Town, two activists of the MQM were gunned down. Police said two armed men riding a motorcycle opened indiscriminate fire on Sohail alias Machlee Wala and Khurram and fled. One unknown person was also injured in the incident.

Both the deceased and the injured were activists of the MQM. After the incident, armed men resorted to aerial firing in the area and forced the shopkeepers to close their businesses.

Till our going to press, the situation in many areas of the city was tense and volatile.

Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police, Sindh, Wajid Ali Khan Durrani, taking notice of the continuing violence in the city, called a high-level meeting late in the night at his office. Talking to our sources, Durrani said that a pro-active approach will be taken by the police and he had issued orders of raids on disturbed areas. He claimed that the intelligence network had been expanded.

Our correspondent adds: President Asif Ali Zardari has convened a high-level meeting here on Monday to review the law and order situation in Karachi.

Sources said important decisions will be taken in the meeting to control law and order in the city.

Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad, Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Sindh Home Minister Manzoor Wassan, the DG Rangers and senior police officials would attend the meeting.

The sources confirmed that Rehman Malik during his meeting with President Zardari on Sunday night briefed him on the situation, especially after the clashes between the two rival factions of the MQM.

The sources claimed that President Zardari had directed Rehman Malik to chalk out a joint strategy to maintain peace in Karachi.

Agencies adds: Sindh home department again imposed a ban on pillion riding in the wake of firing incidents in Karachi, TV channels reported on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Sunday said that political parties needed to make concerted efforts for restoration of peace in Sindh and particularly the economic hub city of Karachi in the larger national interest.

“There is no blame game, we need coordination with all the allied parties to restore peace and police and Rangers are playing their respective role,” Malik said while addressing media persons at the Jinnah International Terminal here on his arrival from Bhutan.

The minister said he was optimistic that the recently appointed Provincial Home Minister Manzoor Wassan was capable of tackling the issues of law and order.

To a question about the law and order situation in the province and particularly Karachi, the minister said that a special meeting had been convened in this regard here on Monday.

End.

Kashmiri separatist leader Fai arrested in US

The FBI has arrested prominent Kashmiri separatist leader Ghulam Nabi Fai for allegedly being on the payroll of Pakistan's ISI, which funnelled millions of dollars to him for over two decades, and illegally lobbying US lawmakers to influence the American policy on Kashmir.
62-year-old Fai, a US citizen, was arrested by the federal agency yesterday from his home in Fairfax, Virginia, on charges of being an ISI agent who lobbied for the Pakistani spy agency and army on the issue of Kashmir.
The agency filed a 43-page affidavit in a US court in Alexandria in connection with the indictment of Fai and another US citizen Zaheer Ahmad, 63, as agents of Pakistan.
Fai, popular as "doctor sahib" among the Pakistani-American community here, was produced before the court hours after being arrested by FBI, Fai is the Director of the Kashmiri American Council (KAC), a Washington-based group that lobbies for "self-determination" for Kashmir. Its activities, the affidavit said, are funded by ISI. The money includes USD 100,000 given to political campaigns every year.

Taliban video shows policemen’s execution

ISLAMABAD, July 18: The Inter-Services Public Relations said on Monday that a gruesome Taliban video showing the execution of 17 security personnel was authentic.
“On June 1, some 50 to 60 Taliban insurgents belonging to Tehrik-i-Taliban’s Swat faction crossed over from Kunar (Afghanistan) and attacked a joint checkpost of police and levies in Upper Dir and killed 30 personnel. Seventeen out of the 30 killed were brutally executed with their hands tied,” said ISPR spokesman Maj-Gen Athar Abbas after Taliban posted the video on a website.
The policemen and levies had been taken hostage after the raid on the post in Shaltalu.
Gen Abbas said the execution was supervised by important Taliban commanders Hafeezullah alias Kowchwan, Muftahuddin alias Shabbar, Tor Mohammad alias Tor Mullah, all of them belonging to Swat.
Though the site of the execution could not be verified, those familiar with the landscape believe it took place in Dir.
In the video, a commander, whose face was covered, accused security personnel of being enemies of Islam.
“These are the enemies of Allah’s religion and have left Islam. Allah orders to kill such people,” the commander said in Pashto before he and his fighters opened fire on them with their AK-47 rifles.
The victims were shot a number of times from close range after the initial round of firing to ensure that none survived.
Taliban claim that the executions were in revenge for the killing of six children in Swat, but ISPR promptly denied the allegation.
Besides killing the security personnel, the terrorists had set ablaze six schools in the area after the pre-dawn raid.

PPP to withdraw from 2 AJK seats: Qaim Ali Shah

KARACHI: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has announced the withdrawal of two candidates from the Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) LA-30 and LA-36 seats in favour of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Express 24/7 reported on Tuesday.
The announcement was made by Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah while addressing a press conference with Sindh Governor Ishratul Ebad in Karachi.
The MQM had boycotted the elections after the AJK Election Commission postponed polling in three constituencies, one in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and two in Karachi.
MQM ministers in the federal and Sindh provincial cabinets had also resigned from their posts, while MPAs had applied for opposition seats in the provincial assembly.
Earlier, MQM chief Altaf Hussain had asked Ebad to take back his resignation and resume his duties as Sindh Governor. A statement from the MQM said that President Asif Ali Zardari had called Altaf Hussain and requested him to allow Ebad back as governor, to which Hussain agreed.
The Sindh governor returned on a specially chartered plane from Dubai.

Ministry says Malik did not allege any country in Karachi unrest

ISLAMABAD: A spokesman for the Interior Ministry on Monday clarified that Interior Minister Rehman Malik did not allege any country, including Israel, for involvement in Karachi unrest.

He said that some of the electronic and print media had misinterpreted the minister’s statement.

He clarified that the federal minister stated only that “some weapons of Israeli origin have been recovered by law enforcers in Karachi from some of the criminals.”

The spokesman said that a section of media has misreported the minister’s statement.

Pak must coop with Iran in energy sector: Rohail

Islamabad—A Member of National Assembly, Sheikh Rohail Asghar has welcomed the visit of President Asif Ali Zardari to Iran adding that Pakistan must cooperate with Iran in energy sector irrespective of pressures exerted by Americans. Sheikh Rohail Asghar who is also a member of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz has said that Iran and Pakistan have a long history of cordial ties and Iran has always helped Pakistan in difficult times.

“Pakistan has always enjoyed strong relations with Iran,” the PML-N leader told IRNA in an interview. President Asif Ali Zardari is undertaking a day-long official visit to Iran on Saturday to discuss mutual and regional developments. President Zardari during his visit will meet Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and his President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik will also accompany President Zardari during his Tehran visit. Sheikh Rohail Asghar said that Pakistan must enhance its cooperation with Iran and abandon its friendship with US. ‘US is the common enemy of both Iran and Pakistan,’ he said. The politician urged Pakistani government to cooperate with Iran in energy sector irrespective of pressures exerted by the West. ‘We must quickly respond to Iran’s offers of electricity and natural gas,’ he added.

Sheikh Rohail Asghar was of the view that Iran and Pakistan are two brotherly neighbors. ‘We share same sentiments for each other,’ he said. “The momentum of relationship was not affected even by the change of governments in Pakistan, where the successive governments attached high priority to establishing bilateral relations with Iran,” he said. The parliamentarian said that Pakistani leadership should learn from Iran how to resist the western pressure.

“Now Iran due to the struggle of its nation has been able to achieve the status of a respectable nation around the world,” he said. The political leader opined that other nations should learn from the struggle of the Iranian nation. It will be President Zardari’s second meeting with Presidemt Ahmedinejad in Tehran in a period of three weeks. The last meeting took place when Zardari, attended a two-day international conference against terrorism in Tehran on June 25.—NNI

Anjum Aqeel finally nabbed

ISLAMABAD, July 16: Amid behind the scene negotiations and finding no support from his party, Anjum Aqeel, a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) MNA from Islamabad facing two cases of land fraud, was finally arrested on Saturday.
After his supporters forcibly took him out of the police custody on Friday amid firing in the air and scuffles, he now also faces more charges, including the terrorism act. A local court had also declared him proclaimed offender. He was detained at Kohsar police station.
The legislator, facing a Rs6 billion land scam in National Police Foundation, was arrested on Friday night in a fraud case registered last year.
On Saturday evening, the MNA was spotted near Karachi Company in a fleet of vehicles, majority of them his supporters. Shortly afterwards his vehicle was surrounded by police mobiles, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Bani Amin Khan told Dawn .
To avoid conflict with his supporters, the legislator`s vehicle was allowed to move forward but others in his fleet were intercepted at different check points, he said. The MNA`s vehicle was finally stopped in sector F-7 and he was arrested.
The IGP said the legislator was scheduled to address a press conference and planned to surrender himself either at National Press Club or Shalimar police station.
Mr Khan said the MP would be produced before the Anti-Terrorist Court`s duty magistrate on Sunday (today) for seeking physical remand.
His arrest came about after hectic daylong negotiations between PML-N lawmakers, mostly from Rawalpindi and Islamabad, and police officials. The district and sessions court`s decision to declare him proclaimed offender on the request of police also forced Anjum Aqeel to surrender.
Shalimar police had approached the court of Senior Civil Judge Rai Laiquat Ali Kharal for declaring the MNA proclaimed offender after a case was registered against him and others for his escape from custody on Friday night.
The case was registered on charges of 7ATA (Anti-Terrorism Act) and PPCs 224, 225, 324, 353, 427, 148, 149, 186, 188 and 109 against Aqeel Anujm and 86 persons.
Sources said after he was declared proclaimed offender, Anjum Aqeel approached the police bosses through party MNAs, outlining his terms for surrender.
On condition of anonymity, a senior police officer said the legislator agreed to surrender himself but added he would not be handcuffed or detained in a lock-up. Moreover, during his detention at a private place, he asked for VIP protocol. He also asked the police not to seek his judicial or physical remand and wanted `help` in seeking bail. The terms were tabled before Interior Minister Rehman Malik, who turned them down and asked the police to arrest him, the officer said, adding that 20 relatives of the legislator were also nabbed. Out of them, 15 have been nominated in the case. The officer said the legislator made two attempts during the day to enter the capital, but returned after seeing heavy presence of police at pickets.
At the time of arrest, three people, including two MNAs, were accompanying him.
IGP Khan 31 persons, including PML-N activists and supporters of Anjum Aqeel, were arrested for Friday night`s attack on police team.
Meanwhile, 13 policemen, including former SHO Shalimar, were booked under PPCs 225, 223, 224 and 462 for negligence which helped the escape of Anjum Aqeel. They were produced in the court of executive judicator, Assistant Commissioner Fareeduddin and released on bail against Rs50,000 surety bonds each.
The FIR registered against the policemen stated that the inspector, sub-inspector, assistant sub-inspector, head constables and constables acted cowardly as the MNA was taken away by his supporters.
Meanwhile, a judicial inquiry ordered by the interior minister also held the police officials responsible for the MNA`s escape on Friday night

Anjum Aqeel should surrender before law : Rehman Malik

ISLAMABAD, July 16 (APP): Minister for Interior, Rehman Malik on Saturday said Member National Assembly, Anjum Aqeel should show respect to law and surrender himself to police. “Anjum Aqeel has violated the law and I ask him to seek pardon from the nation and surrender. He would be prosecuted as per country’s law,” he told mediapersons. Rehman Malik said the escape of PML-N MNA Anjum Aqeel from police station on Friday night with the help of party workers, showed the respect which members of PML-N had for law. He said the PML (N), which talked about good governance, now stood exposed through this illegal act.

The Minister expressed the hope that the PML-N leadership would take action against the MNA and workers, involved in this illegal activity.
Airial firing and assault on the police station were, somehow, act of terrorism, he added.
According to reports, Anjum Aqeel was arrested by Islamabad Police for his alleged involvement in a fraud case on Friday but later managed to escape from police station with the help of party workers.
The armed workers also attacked and resorted to firing at the Shalimar Police Station.

President to visit Iran today

ISLAMABAD, July 16 (APP): President Asif Ali Zardari is undertaking a day long visit to Tehran on Saturday on the invitation of the Iranian leadership. Foreign Office spokesperson Ms. Tahmina Janjua giving details of the visit said President Zardari will call on the Iranian Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and hold meetings with Iranian President Ahmadinejad. She said this is an important visit integral to Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to deepen engagements with a brotherly neighbours.

The spokesperson said the visit of President Zardari to Iran also aimed at widening horizons of multidimensional cooperation and an essential part of Pakistan’s reach-out to regional states for continuous consultations coordination and cooperation on issues of stability and peace in a period of uncertainty and turbulence in regional affairs.
She said, “Pakistan attaches special significance to joining efforts of immediate neighbours in an endeavour to bring peace to Afghanistan and to reversing the tide of terrorism that has afflicted the region.

Pillion riding ban lifted in Karachi

KARACHI: Sindh government lifted the ban on pillion riding in Karachi on Friday as the situation in the city returned to normalcy.
The decision was taken during a meeting between IG Sindh Wajid Ali Durrani and Sindh Home Minister Manzoor Wassan, said sources.
IG Sindh presented a report to the Home Minister on the situation in Karachi after which Manzoor Wassan ordered the ban to be lifted.
The Home Minister also directed police to increase its patrolling in all sensitive areas of the city.
The Sindh government had earlier imposed a ban on pillion riding due to poor law and order in the city including a wave of target killings and violent protests following controversial statements by Sindh Minister Zulfiqar Mirza.

South Sudan becomes 193rd member of UN

United Nations—The UN General Assembly on Thursday unanimously approved a resolution admitting the newly independent Republic of South Sudan as the 193rd member of the United Nations.

The 192-member body approved the resolution by acclamation. With a bang of gavel, General Assembly President Joseph Deiss said, “I declare the Republic of South Sudan admitted to membership in the United Nations.”

The representatives of South Sudan were then escorted by the UN chief protocol officer to their seat in the General Assembly hall. Diplomats from many of the 192 other UN members seated in the hall burst into applause.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon congratulated South Sudan’s admission as the newest country into the community of nations. “Now they have reached an important milestone. But the journey continues,” Ban told the General Assembly.

Ban saluted the leaders of both Sudan and South Sudan — President Omar al-Bashir of the Republic of Sudan and President Salva Kiir, saying they “showed courage and commitment in bringing about a successful referendum that expressed the democratic will of the people.”

“Matters of borders, sharing of resources and migration should be dealt with as soon as possible, “Ban said. “It is imperative that you resolve outstanding differences with the same pragmatism and leadership that you have each shown so far.”

A peacekeeping mission is being established for South Sudan while Ethiopian peacekeepers have been deployed in the contested north-south border town of Abyei.

“The well-being and future prosperity of each depends on the other. South and North share a common destiny — they must see a future as true partners, not rivals,” Ban said.

Assembly President Joseph Deiss said in his address that Thursday marks a “historic” moment for Africa and for the world community.

Pakistan could "pull troops from Afghan border" if U.S. cuts aid

(Reuters) - Pakistan could pull back troops fighting Islamist militants near the Afghan border if the United States cuts off aid, the defense minister said on Tuesday in an interview with Pakistani media.
The United States Monday said it would hold back $800 million -- a third of nearly $2 billion in security aid to Pakistan -- in a show of displeasure over Pakistan's removal of U.S. military trainers, limits on visas for U.S. personnel and other bilateral irritants.
"If at all things become difficult, we will just get all our forces back," Defense Minister Ahmed Mukhtar said in an interview with the Express 24/7 television to be aired later on Tuesday.
The television aired excerpts of the interview Tuesday.
"If Americans refuse to give us money, then okay," he said. "I think the next step is that the government or the armed forces will be moving from the border areas. We cannot afford to keep military out in the mountains for such a long period."
In Pakistan, the defense minister is relatively powerless. Real defense and military policy is made by the powerful Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Kayani, and the head of the Directorate of Inter-Services Intelligence, Lieutenant-General Ahmed Shuja Pasha.
Monday, the military said it could do without U.S. assistance by depending on its own resources or turning to "all-weather friend" China.
Mukhtar later told Reuters Pakistan wanted the money spent on the maintenance of the army in the tribal areas. "This is what we are demanding," he said. "It is our own money."
The United States provides hundreds of million of dollars a year to reimburse Pakistan for deploying more than 100,000 troops along the Afghan border to combat militant groups.
Other funding covers training and military hardware. The White House announcement puts $300 million in reimbursement and another $500 million in aid in question.
Pakistan is an important ally of the United States but relations between the two uneasy allies have been on the downward spiral since last year when a CIA contractor killed two Pakistanis in January and then U.S. Navy SEALS killed Osama bin Laden in a secret raid in the Pakistani town of Abbottabad in May without informing Islamabad beforehand.
Islamabad sees the May 2 raid as a breach of its sovereignty and has drastically cut back on the numbers of U.S. troops allowed in the country and has set clear limits on intelligence sharing with the United States.
In Washington, Pentagon spokesman Colonel David Lapan on Monday said the $800 million in U.S. aid put on hold could be resumed if Pakistan increased the number of visas for U.S. personnel and reinstated the training missions.

Suspension of US military assistance

The White House has confirmed that the US is suspending $800 million in military aid to Pakistan. It says the US relationship with Pakistan is difficult and must be made “to work over time” and until “we get through that difficulty, we’ll hold back some of the money that the American taxpayers are committed to give” to its ally, Pakistan. The American press says that “the US is upset with Pakistan for expelling American military trainers and wants tougher action against the Taliban and others fighting American soldiers in Afghanistan”.
The aid that will not be forthcoming will be military aid, which means the quarrel is with the Pakistan Army, whose chief, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, has already expressed himself opposed to receiving it, recommending that it be given to the civilian side. His observation that the army was receiving far less American money than was being publicised by Washington shows the intensity of the quarrel that is developing between the two sides, the Pakistani side being represented by the army because it essentially handles the country’s foreign policy and makes all the big decisions. As for public opinion, General Kayani could have felt no twinge of conscience as the country is completely engulfed in anti-Americanism.
If you separate the political aspects of going it alone, then the economist in Pakistan is happy to provide the grounds for saying goodbye to American money. One leading economist observed: “The facts speak for themselves. Although the Congress authorised a tripling of development assistance in 2008 to $1.5 billion per year, the actual disbursements in fiscal year 2009 were $275 million and $676 million in 2010, including $500 million spent on flood relief. Assuming that the whole $3 billion in economic and military assistance (including $1 billion under the Coalition Support Fund) is disbursed fully, this accounts for less than seven per cent of the total foreign exchange earnings of the country’.
However, the political fallout remains unstudied. The divorce with America will be followed by one from the European Union where foreign policy pronouncements are usually muffled but where fear of terrorism radiating from Pakistan is greatly felt. The all-important $12 billion received as foreign remittances might be affected if Pakistan’s failure of governance worsens since this could have an adverse effect on the banking system. Pakistan’s own capital, including funds stashed away by the politicians, is fleeing the country. If punitive measures are taken against the country through the IMF and the World Bank, Pakistan could be in great difficulty.
What the Pakistani economist is not realising is the nature of the American or western grievance. Let us list it as it appears in the American press: “Pakistan is home to more terrorists than any other country, many of them harboured by the Pakistani Army and its ISI intelligence service. Osama bin Laden lived less than a mile from the country’s top military academy, its West Point, for five years. His heir, Ayman alZawahiri, is probably somewhere nearby. Mullah Omar, amir of Believers to al Qaeda and head of the Afghan Taliban, commutes between Quetta and Karachi. Hafiz Saeed, head of Lashkar-e-Taiba and mastermind of the Mumbai massacre, lives and preaches openly in Lahore. Fazlur Rehman Khalil, head of Harkatul Mujahedeen, which hijacked an Indian airliner in 1999, lives in an Islamabad suburb. Dawood Ibrahim, who killed hundreds with bombs on Mumbai’s metro in 1993, lives in Karachi”. And the Americans believe Pakistan is getting the Taliban to kill Americans across the Durand Line. Will Pakistan be bailed out by China? Or Saudi Arabia? So far, there are no signs of it, unless there is a secret agreement, but then the economist will have to spell out to the Chinese and the Saudis how much money will be required for a Pakistan institutionally dysfunctional to handle money. On the other hand, it is equally uncertain if terrorism will end by itself because Pakistan has finally ‘got rid of the Americans’. In fact, this thinking is a corollary to the intensely felt anti-Americanism in Pakistan. Is Pakistan in a position to take the risk of testing the truth of its passions?
Published in The Express Tribune, July 12^th, 2011.

Visual News Agency has launched its office in Islamabad.

www.vna24.com Visual News Agency(VNA) has been working in the field of visual news in pakistan and the region to provide all sort of news coverage round the clock,and on demand interviews and documentaries.now she has launched its office in Islamabad with the following products: news coverage, on demand documentaries and interviews, rough footage on any topics   Visual News Agency(VNA)need video journalists from all over the pakistan and  from the region. Interested may contact to the following: Azhar Niaz 0321-5063947(00923215063947) 0092512854838

Govt not to accept MQM`s every demand now: PM Gilani

LAHORE: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that unlike in the past, the government will not succumb to each and every demand of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), and now onwards only those demands which are in the national interest will be accepted.

He was talking to the Lahore Press Club (LPC) governing body members, headed by its President Sarmad Bashir, at his DHA Lahore residence on Saturday.

He said he didn’t see any grand opposition alliance-making in the country and hoped that the MQM would soon rejoin the ruling alliance. However, he added, if any grand opposition alliance is formed, the PPP government would welcome it.

The prime minister said all past political governments worked under the Army, and if the PPP government is removed through constitutional means, his party would not hesitate to sit on the opposition benches. However, he hoped, the incumbent ruling alliance would complete its constitutional term and it would take the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid along on all matters.

About relations with the USA, Gilani said the PPP government did not bow down to the American government in every matter, and that’s why it was speaking against Pakistan.

The PM said the federal government did not want any change of government in Punjab and it would not topple the PML-N led provincial government.

To a question, the premier said a case has been registered against former president Pervez Musharraf in Balochistan; however, those demanding action against him under Article 6 should register a case against Pervez Musharraf in Punjab.

APP adds: The PM said it makes no difference for him to be in the government or in the opposition, as he would continue serving masses. Federal Information Minister Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan was also present.

The PM said: “I don’t mind sitting on the opposition benches in the parliament, as I have no lust for power. But my motto is to work for the betterment of the people of Pakistan,” he added.

The prime minister said an effective strategy had been chalked out which would help improve law and order situation in Karachi at the earliest. He said they had given the concept of commissionerate system under which effective governance could be ensured.

Pakistan Muslim League-F Chief Pir Sahib Pagara has also supported the system, he said adding that “We will take all political parties on board while implementing the commissionerate system.”

Gilani said his government had the credit of having resolved all controversial and long-standing issues including the NFC Award, 18th Amendment, internal autonomy of Gilgit-Baltistan, Balochistan Package, as well as waging an effective war against terrorism especially in Swat and other tribal areas. “Though issues are being raised one after the other, the PPP government is settling all these problems in an amicable manner,” he added.

He said the government was keeping in view the supreme national interest while maintaining relations with the foreign countries including the US, adding that instead of bowing to any foreign pressure, we talk about mutual interest. “We will ever do what is in the interest of Pakistan and its people,” he assured.

To another question, he said that in his view non-holding of local government elections means depriving the people of their rights, adding if the Punjab government holds the LG polls, the PPP would extend full support to it. After passage of the 18th Amendment, he said he had asked all four chief ministers to sit together to evolve a uniform policy on the local governments.

The PM said the PPP was following the vision of Benazir Bhutto, who used to say that ‘democracy is the best revenge’.

From the day one, the present PPP government has not resorted to any political vengeance and has been adhering to the politics of reconciliation, he claimed. The PPP government, he added, has so for ensured 80 per cent implementation of the Charter of Democracy.

Under the 17th Amendment, he said, they had ensured the right of becoming prime minister for the third time to Nawaz Sharif, adding that it was the PML-N which itself parted ways with the PPP at federal and provincial (Punjab) government level. However, the PPP would not let the Punjab government to be destabilised, as it wanted continuation of the parliamentary process, so that masses’ confidence in their representatives could be restored.

Gilani said the PPP and the PML-Q alliance was not an individual-to-individual but a ‘party-to-party’ alliance.

To another question, he said there should be more provinces, if people want so, to end their sense of deprivation, citing the founders of 1973 Constitution had introduced the bi-cameral system under which Senate (Upper House) was formed with equal representation from all provinces just to end the sense of deprivation among the small provinces.

To another question, he said the government had added 2,000-megawatt electricity to the national grid, which was not an easy task, adding that other projects of same capacity are in the pipeline. The government inherited the power circular debt from the last regime and resolved it substantially, while the overall subsidy on electricity had been withdrawn just to improve the economic situation, and as on today, Pakistan foreign reserves have scaled up to $18 billion, and exports expanded to $25 billion.

The PM said the government had convened an energy summit last year and a number of measures were decided to save energy but a many other events/issues shadowed these. However, “we are preparing to call such a conference again for an effective implementation of the energy conservation steps.”

pakistani children need help

Islamabad:Pakistani children help to launch a kids channel in pakistan.they requested for donation.kindly visit the following sites and help if possible.

Please donate online account of United Bank Ltd. in your city, by money order, by cheque, or by cash. You can also send your donation via Western Union or MoneyGram

Account Title: Voice of Children

Account # 023401033884

Swift Code: UNILPKKA741

Bank: United Bank Ltd, G/8 Markaz Islamabad, Pakistan
postal address:voice of children (VOC)A -6 Block D-12 G/ 8 Markaz Islamabad .Pakistan ph.92512854838
http://vocpk.blogspot.com/
www.voc.org.pk

Day 5: Karachi slowly returning to normalcy

KARACHI: Seven people were killed in different incidents across Karachi as normalcy slowly started to return to the city after shops and markets reopened in different areas, Express 24/7 reported on Saturday.
One person was killed in PIB Colony and miscreants burnt down a store in Shah Faisal Colony. The death toll from five days of violence has risen to 108.

Traders have announced shops and markets will remain open today. Petrol pumps in the city are also open.
All Karachi Traders Union Chairman, Attique Mir has said all markets and business centres will remain open. He said that daily wage workers were suffering due to closure of businesses.
Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry President, Saeed Shafique has said that traders and industrialists will go on an indefinite strike if the government does not control the situation in the city.
Karachi Transport Union President, Irshad Bukhari has also announced that there will be no strike today, but any serious incident might affect their decision.
The MQM had earlier called for a ‘day of mourning’ to mark the killing of the victims of the previous three days of violence. Karachi’s transportation union also declared a strike, effectively paralysing the city.
Rangers enter Qasba, suspects arrested
Rangers and police are carrying out an operation in Qasba Colony to hunt down miscreants and to rescue and evacuate residents trapped in the violence hit area, Express News reported on Saturday.
Sindh Rangers had earlier received a written notification for taking charge of the troubled areas, to conduct operations and take all ‘necessary’ actions to restore peace.
Over a dozen miscreants were arrested after a large number of police and Rangers cordoned off different sectors of Qasba Colony after midnight.
Express 24/7 correspondent, Shaheryar Mirza reported the operation was not a door-to-door one but Rangers personnel were targeting houses that had been identified as having criminal elements inside.
Firing had reportedly stopped after law enforcement personnel took control of the area.
Rangers Spokesman Major Bilal has said that forces did not face any retaliation during the operation.
Stranded people were evacuated in ambulances and armoured vehicles after Rangers entered the area.
Rangers have rescued at least 50 families from the area.
Those being evacuated from the area have started moving to homes of relatives nearby.
Earlier, Rangers had also taken control of Kati Pahari and Orangi Town. Heavy contingents of rangers and police reached Katti Pahari and Orangi town and shifted women and children to safety in armoured vehicles.
Although a large number of people have been moved to safer places, many people are still trapped in their houses without medicines and food supply.
More than 100 people have been killed during the last four days in an ongoing wave of violence that has hit Karachi and paralysed life in the port city.
At least 490 people were killed in targeted killings in the first six months of 2011, compared to 748 in 2010 and 272 in 2009.

Law enforcers nabbed 173 suspect miscreants: Interior Minister

KARACHI, July  8 (APP): Interior Minister A. Rehman Malik said here Friday that law enforcing agencies (LEAs) have arrested 173 suspected persons and killed two alleged assailants in an encounter during an  operation against killers in the city.He was talking to media after attending a high level meeting at the Chief Minister House. Sindh Chief Minister, Syed Qaim Ali Shah was also present on the occasion.He said that under a new strategy, some areas will be handed over to the rangers while others to the police. In addition, 250 personnel of Frontier Constabulary (FC) have also been called to assist police and rangers, he added.

Malik said that rangers is an elite force and has produced results in the past.They have been given a “free hand” to conduct operations against the  killer and miscreants who have killed innocent people in the city during the last  three days.
“They have been asked to go for encounters against the miscreants when  necessary to stop killing of innocent people in the city”, he remarked.
He pointed out that the presence of intelligence has also been enhanced three times to get authentic information against the miscreants.   
He said that  President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani have asked him to show zero tolerance to the violence in Karachi and ordered for stringent action against the killers.
“We will bring back  life and normalcy to Karachi and take the killers to the task”, he vowed.
The Minister said that Sindh Chief Minister has been busy for the last  24 hours taking actions against the killers.
Responding to a question,  the Interior Minister said that he was in contact with MQM chief, Altaf Hussain and ANP chief Asfandyar Wali and other parties to request them to control their workers.
“I also appealed to them to ask their leaders and workers to support and cooperate with the government in its efforts to arrest the killers,” he added.
“I was in contact with Altaf Bhai last night and today (Friday) to seek his support and I thank him for withdrawing the strike call and also postponing the march which was planned for Friday.”
Malik said that all the workers of MQM or ANP were as close to him as PPP workers.
He pointed out that law enforcing agencies have been directed to take  tough action  against the miscreants, irrespective of party affiliation or influence.
He said that LEAs have  also been given the identity of those groups which were demanding “bhatta” from businessmen in the city.
Referring to some pockets where criminal groups are resorting firing on transport and people, Rehman Malik said that LEAs have been directed to conduct operation in Katti Pahari area, Qasba Morr and Sherpao Colony.
He also urged the media not to sensationalise the incidents and not to count the deceased like  cricket score. They are human beings and their respect should be maintained, he added.
Malik said media will not be allowed for their own safety in those areas where LEAs are conducting operations against the criminals.
They will be allowed, once an area is cleared from the miscreants, the  Minister added.         
Earlier, Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah said that law and order situation has improved and firing incidents have reduced after LEAs action against miscreants since last (Thursday) night.
He said Sindh government will support the rangers as they are an effective force. “We will own their actions as they are needed to control law and order and take action against the criminals,” he added.
Shah expressed deep sorrow over the loss of innocent lives and said this killing will be stopped and this problem will be solved.
He said that an effective plan has been devised to deal with the criminals and killers in the city.

 

Violent clashes leave 90 dead in Karachi

Police have been given orders to shoot gunmen on sight in Karachi, Pakistan’s commercial capital, as authorities struggled to contain a four-day spate of violence in which more than 90 people have been killed.
The city of some 18m people is in the grip of one of its worst outbreaks of bloodshed in years, fuelled by a power struggle between rival political parties divided along ethnic lines.

“It’s much worse than I’ve seen in the last five years,” said one resident. “There are reports of rocket launchers being used. The streets are almost completely empty.”
The killings have posed a fresh challenge to the coalition government of Asif Ali Zardari, the president, and the city’s overstretched and outgunned police. The government said it was deploying 1,000 paramilitaries to provide back-up.
Gunmen have raked buses with gunfire, rampaged through slum neighbourhoods, and set fire to buildings, with police manning checkpoints largely powerless to intervene. A police source said more than 90 people had been killed since Tuesday.
Business ground to a halt in much of the city on Friday as transport workers went on strike and many shops remained shuttered as the crackle of gunfire rang out from side-streets.
“It’s very bad for all of us, it’s very traumatising,” said Seemin Jamali, who runs the casualty ward at the Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre in Karachi. “It’s very depressing for us to see so many of our citizens dying like this.”
Ms Jamali said her emergency room had received nine victims of gunshot wounds on Friday, two of whom had died.
Police say privately that the killing is broadly carried out by armed gangs linked to two rival political parties – the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, the dominant party in the city, and the rival Awami National party, which has gained an important foothold in Karachi in recent years. Activists from the ruling Pakistan People’s party are also believed to be involved.
The MQM draws much of its support from middle-class members of the Urdu-speaking Mohajir community, which arrived from India at Pakistan’s creation in 1947. The ANP largely represents a more recent influx of poorer Pashtun migrants from north-western areas near the border with Afghanistan.
Members of both communities have been targeted in the latest wave of tit-for-tat killings to rock the city, which has become increasingly polarised along ethnic lines.
The latest violence appears to be linked to last month’s decision by the MQM to quit the PPP-led ruling coalition. The MQM left in protest at the government’s decision to postpone elections in two seats in a regional assembly which it believed it would win.
“Every time something happens on the political level, immediately the city starts burning,” said Amber Alibhai, general secretary of Shehri, a group which campaigns for better urban planning. “The first fear when MQM left the coalition was that Karachi is going to disintegrate into violence.”
Some residents believe the MQM activists are fomenting violence against Pashtuns to underscore their dominant position in the city in spite of their party’s decision to withdraw from the ruling coalition.
Members of the MQM deny such allegations, and have in turn accused the PPP of seeking to punish them by giving a free hand to gunmen to attack Mohajirs.
“There have been numerous cases where these militants have opened fire in parts of Karachi and the police have casually watched,” said Nasreen Jalil, a senior member of the MQM. “There has been criminal neglect.”

SC orders to stop inquiry against Qureshi, transfer of officials

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) has issued orders for FIA to stop the transfer of four officials and the departmental inquiry against investigating officer, Zafar Qureshi, Geo News reported.

During proceedings in the NICL scam case, Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry expressed anger over reports and reasons behind Qureshi's suspension published in numerous newspapers.

In his remarks the CJ said that the courts orders were not being followed and asked what Zafar Qureshi's fault was. The Chief Justice added that six newspapers had stated that the decision to suspend Qureshi was made in a meeting between Prime Minister Gilani, Rehman Malilk and Pervez Elahi. He said that a retired judge would investigate the matter and make the f

Publish Post

acts clear.

Political matters were interfering in the work of the court, the Chief Justice remarked. He told the Attorney General that the investigation in the NICL scam case would be conducted and the money would be brought back. The court also directed the DG FIA to stop the transfer of four officials who were investigating the case alongside Qureshi.

Security forces kill 30 militants in Kurram Agency

Security forces killed 30 militants after helicopter gunships targeted their hideouts during a military operation in Kurram Agency on Wednesday.
Sources said security forces are heading towards Ali Sherzai and Zemashq areas after gaining control of the Dambaki area.
Manato, which is a stronghold of terrorists, has also been cordoned off.
A number of families in Kurram Agency have been shifted to safer places.
So far, 550 families have registered themselves as IDPs.
The Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations Major General  Athar Abbas praised the military for reclaiming territory previously under the control of terrorists.
Earlier this week, the Pakistan army announced that it had launched an air and ground offensive in Kurram region on the Afghan border.
Army spokesman Major General Athar Abbas gave few details of the operation in Kurram — a tribal region that had become increasingly used as a refuge for militants.
But he said the offensive aimed to reopen the road to Parachinar, a Shia majority town on the Afghan border that had been virtually cut off from the rest of Pakistan for years and was facing increasing attacks from Sunni militants.
“The operation has been launched with the aim of clearing the region of militants who have indulged in kidnapping and suicide attacks on security installations and forces there,” Abbas said.

Hajj Policy 2011: SC overrules LHC judgement

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Thursday overruled the Lahore High Court’s (LHC) verdict on the suspension of Hajj Policy 2011 and the cancellation of the Hajj quota.
The verdict was announced by a four member bench, headed by Justice Javed Iqbal, hearing the federation’s appeal and 17 other petitions filed by tour operators against the LHC verdict.
The petitioners had requested the apex court to set aside the LHC judgment of June 6 on the grounds that it would cause tremendous loss to tour operators and inconvenience some 90,000 pilgrims.
During the hearing Additional Attorney General KK Agha stated that courts should not interfere in administrative matters. He stated 90,000 pilgrims would be affected if Hajj Policy 2011 was cancelled.
The court directed the government to devise a transparent Hajj policy for next year.
The LHC had revoked the Hajj quota issued by the religious affairs ministry to private tour operators and had directed the ministry to reallocate it.
Through a short order on petitions against allocation of quota under Hajj Policy 2011, a full bench headed by LHC Chief Justice Ijaz Ahmad Chaudhry had ruled that the clause in the new policy – which limits selection of Hajj Group Organisers (HGOs) to organisations which have provided services during last year’s Hajj or the ones preceding it – was illegal.

Pakistan hardly to see any change in gov't soon

ISLAMABAD, July 7 (Xinhua) -- Despite the political mercury shooting up in Pakistan after the country's biggest opposition party, Pakistan Muslim league-Nawaz (PML-N), launched a campaign to unite other opposition parties against the current government, the country will hardly see any big political move or change in the government soon, analysts said.
The political circles got active when PML-N chief and two-time former prime minister Nawaz Sharif announced on June 30 to unite all opposition parties on a "minimum agenda" to overthrow the current government of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) led by President Asif Ali Zardari.
Sharif took this decision soon after his two-decade rival party Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), or United National Movement, quit the coalition government over some differences with the President Zardari.
Some key leaders of the PML-N were assigned tasks to make contacts with all opposition parties to oust the Zardari-led regime.
Two PML-N leaders, Ishaq Dar and party president Shahbaz Sharif, met MQM central leader Farooq Sattar in Dubai and London respectively and discussed political situation including the options to form the grand opposition alliance.
As a result of these political connections, MQM and PML-N on Wednesday agreed to work together as a joint opposition in both upper and lower houses, and in provincial assemblies to solve the key national issues.

Army answerable to people, their representatives in Parliament: Gen Kayani

MINGORA (SWAT), July 6 (APP): Chief of the Army Staff Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on Wednesday said Pakistan Army being a national army, derived its strength from the people of Pakistan and was answerable to the people and their representatives in the Parliament. In his key note address at a seminar on ‘deradicalization’ here, Gen Kayani said,” accordingly, Pakistan Army considers people’s support vital for its operations against terrorists, and believes that only the people of Pakistan can determine the national interest and army’s role in their achievement”. He said that Pakistan’s commitment to war against Al-Qaeda and its affiliates is total and unwavering as it firmly believes in taking stern action against all terrorist groups.

The Pakistan Army is determined to lead the fight on terror in partnership with other law enforcement agencies and in line with the Constitution, he added.

Gen Kayani reiterated that there is no military solution to terrorism since military strategy can only provide an enabling environment. The menace has to be tackled in the domain of national security which warrants a comprehensive response entailing synergy by all elements of national power, he added.
He said following the success of military operations, reconstruction and rehabilitation of infrastructure was immediately launched to restore life.
This rehabilitation effort, in addition to a host of other activities, included an effective de-radicalization programme.
He said that de-radicalization, as a process, is gaining eminence in many parts of the world.
He said,” there is general consensus in societies that the national security interests are better served by de-indoctrinating and re-integrating the radicals back into the society. By radicalism, I refer to a socio-psychological process of incremental commitment to radical trends - may it be political, psychological or religious. Radicalism is, therefore, a risk factor that can transform into violence and push societies into anarchy”.
He said the de-radicalization effort was a result of the demand placed on the Army by the post-operation environment.

“Driven by the detention of thousands of miscreants after the operation, our de-radicalization programme was built around four pillars, including de-radicalization of juveniles,  de-radicalization of selected reconcilable detainees, de-radicalization of families of selected detainees and de-radicalization of certain villages in general, from which the bulk of militants had originated,” he added.  
He said this programme was initiated with the help of Government  of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and certain NGOs, in specially created facilities.
“Our effort to transform the members of public who embraced radical trends, has met considerable success. We are getting back to you with validation and a sense that this is doable,” he added.
Gen Kayani said it would be prudent for all elements of national power and the nation to take a holistic view of national security, within the purview of ‘state as well as human security’ in modern times, no single organ of the state, was configured to mount a wholesome response to the challenges confronting national Security.
He said all instruments of state and society have a role to play.
De-Radicalization is an important contributor towards achieving human security.
Such efforts are to be expressed through attempts to change behaviours, primarily by ‘rehabilitating or de-indoctrination’, he added. 

He said the effort, therefore, has a larger context and merits time resources and commitment.  
To sustain these undertakings, the state and the society, have to provide enabling ideological, political and socio-economic safeguards integrated into a well thought-out, encompassing national policy with the ultimate goal of achieving counter-radicalization of the society at large in the long term, he added.
He said that Army is following a well thought out campaign plan, which is succeeding and providing space to other organs of State which must expeditiously build on military success to achieve during peace and stability.
“While we have taken the first step here in Swat by initiating de-radicalization programme, it needs support and initiative of the society, intellectuals and policy makers to take the lead and put into effect a
counter-radicalization construct, not only to sustain the de-radicalization effort, but also to assure a free and progressive future for Pakistan,” he added.

Commenting briefly on the situation in Swat, as it existed in 2009, he said Swat was virtually lost to terrorists, writ of the government had ceased to exist while police and other government functionaries had almost stopped functioning.
Public stood terrorized and powerless against the militants. Images of armed militants moving freely raised concerns regarding the Army’s capabilities and resolve to fight militants, he added.
In order to re-establish writ of the government, eliminate miscreants and restore general public’s confidence, he said, the largest Pakistani counter insurgency operation was launched by the Army, involving approximately three divisions i.e. 30,000 troops supported by artillery, combat aviation and air force.

He said the largest ever helicopter borne operation on altitude of 7000 feet was conducted in Peochar, an inaccessible mountainous area, not far from where “we are sitting today”.
Within three months, Swat stood restored. 2.4 million displaced persons were managed, and helped safely return to their homes, he said and added, 75% of the IDPs were looked after by extended families.
Gen. Kayani opined that it was difficult to find a parallel in history considering the magnitude and scale of operation in a short time of three months.
He said that Pakistan Army suffered 985 casualties (including 228 officers and men killed and 757 wounded) with high officers to troops casualty ratio 1: 8 in known history.
Additionally, there were 595 casualties of other LEAs and 981 civilians lost their lives, he added.
“When we were still in the recovery process, Swat was hit by the worst floods in its history. It further compounded the problem,” he said.            
Gen. Kayani also paid  tribute to the resilience and sacrifices of valiant people of Swat, Pakistan Army Shuhada and their families.
The debt owed to them can only be repaid by achieving and ensuring lasting peace in Swat as well as in Pakistan. De-radicalization is therefore, a step towards that end, he added.

People, state institutions to jointly eliminate terrorism; Gilani

SWAT, Jul 6 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday vowed to eliminate terrorism from the country and said the people of Pakistan and the state institutions were united in their resolve to take this campaign to its logical end. “Pakistan’s commitment is total and unwavering. Despite the challenges, the political leadership, Parliament and other state institutions stand united for elimination of terrorism,” Gilani said in his address to the “National Seminar on De-radicalization”.

The conference was also addressed by Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kiyani. Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Barrister Masood Kosar and federal and provincial ministers were present at the seminar besides several foreign speakers.
The prime minister expressed the hope that “with collective support and struggle of the masses, political parties and military leadership, we will overcome extremism and terrorism.”
Prime Minister Gilani who flew into the picturesque valley on a day-long visit termed the war against extremism and terrorism as a matter of national survival.

the security situation in islamabad

security van is punctured and waiting for rescue

no problem if you pay a little amount more to CDA people

if you pay a little amount more under the table then no problem and you can hang the banner across the road,other wise it is not allowed and illegal.