Tuesday, August 30, 2011
British High Commissioner Adam Thomson’s message on Eid-ul-Fitr
ISLAMABAD, Aug 30 (APP): British High Commissioner to Pakistan Adam Thomson has extended Eid greetings to Muslims saying that it is day of gratitude for everyday blessings.
In his message on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, the British High Commissioner said, “Eid-ul-Fitr is a special day for the Muslims to mark end of the holy month of Ramadan, a month of charity, family, contemplation and recitation of the Qur’an.” The British High Commissioner in his message further said, “On behalf of Her Majesty’s Government, the staff at British High Commission in Pakistan and on my own behalf; I am delighted to extend our best wishes to everyone celebrating Eid al-Fitr in Pakistan and around the world.”
In his message on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, the British High Commissioner said, “Eid-ul-Fitr is a special day for the Muslims to mark end of the holy month of Ramadan, a month of charity, family, contemplation and recitation of the Qur’an.” The British High Commissioner in his message further said, “On behalf of Her Majesty’s Government, the staff at British High Commission in Pakistan and on my own behalf; I am delighted to extend our best wishes to everyone celebrating Eid al-Fitr in Pakistan and around the world.”
He said it is his second Eid-ul-Fitr here in Pakistan and he is delighted to join his staff as well as the Muslim community in Pakistan in celebrations of this blissful occasion.
The High Commissioner said Eid-ul-Fitr is a joyous occasion but also a day of gratitude for the everyday blessings in life.
“It brings together friends and families, and encourages Muslims to continue the teachings from the month of Ramadan throughout rest of the year, particularly the lessons of giving, charity and tolerance,” he added.
The British High Commissioner said the shared values are reflected in the generosity that Muslims all over the world and particularly in Britain have shown over the years.
“Eid-ul-Fitr is a festival that we can all learn from. My best wishes to you and your family and Eid Mubarak,” he said.
Meanwhile British Foreign Secretary William Hague in his Eid-ul-Fitr message said, “I am delighted to send my best wishes to Muslims in Britain and across the world as they mark the end of the month of Ramadan.”
The Foreign Secretary said Eid-ul-Fitr celebrates the completion of a month of fasting, prayer, devotion and charitable giving.
He said it is a fitting time to remember all those who are in need around the world, in particular those who are struggling to build a better future for their societies in the Middle East and North Africa.
The High Commissioner said Eid-ul-Fitr is a joyous occasion but also a day of gratitude for the everyday blessings in life.
“It brings together friends and families, and encourages Muslims to continue the teachings from the month of Ramadan throughout rest of the year, particularly the lessons of giving, charity and tolerance,” he added.
The British High Commissioner said the shared values are reflected in the generosity that Muslims all over the world and particularly in Britain have shown over the years.
“Eid-ul-Fitr is a festival that we can all learn from. My best wishes to you and your family and Eid Mubarak,” he said.
Meanwhile British Foreign Secretary William Hague in his Eid-ul-Fitr message said, “I am delighted to send my best wishes to Muslims in Britain and across the world as they mark the end of the month of Ramadan.”
The Foreign Secretary said Eid-ul-Fitr celebrates the completion of a month of fasting, prayer, devotion and charitable giving.
He said it is a fitting time to remember all those who are in need around the world, in particular those who are struggling to build a better future for their societies in the Middle East and North Africa.
Eid in S Arabia, parts of KP today
LAHORE/PESHAWAR – Pakistanis will celebrate two Eids this time again as some religious groups claimed sighting of the moon on Monday and announced to celebrate Eidul Fitr with Saudi Arabia Tuesday (today).
But majority of Pakistanis would mark the day either tomorrow or the day after, following a decision by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee that will meet for sighting of the moon today in Karachi.
The unofficial moon-sighting committee of Masjid Qasim Ali Khan in Peshawar declared Monday night that Eidul Fitr would be celebrated today as the Shawwal moon had been sighted at several places in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. However, the provincial government neither endorsed the decision nor rejected it.
Mufti Shahabuddin Popalzai, Khateeb of Masjid Qasim Ali Khan, announced that he and his fellows had received 10 evidences of Shawwal moon by people hailing from different parts of the city. He said that testimonies were also received from other parts of the province. “We are satisfied that the Shawwal moon has been sighted and Eidul Fitr will be celebrated on Tuesday,” he announced in the presence of media.
Meanwhile, the local Ruet-i-Hilal committee in Mardan received 20 evidences of Shawwal moon. The Jamiat Ulema-i-Afghan, Charsadda also announced to celebrate Eid on Tuesday. Most people in Peshawar, Charsadda, Mardan, Nowshera, Swabi, Bannu and Fata areas including Khyber, Bajaur, Orakzai and North Waziristan agencies would celebrate Eid today. Afghan refugees residing in camps and different parts of the province will also celebrate Eidul Fitr today.
On the other hand, the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Pakistan would meet for sighting of Shawwal moon today after Namaz-e-Asr at Met Complex in Karachi, announced chairman of the committee Mufti Munibur Rehman. The members of Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Pakistan would be assisted by officials of Met Office and Suparco, and they would also receive reports from Zonal Ruet-e-Hilal committees, which would hold meetings at their respective headquarters.
It has been a practice for last many years that a large section of population in Northwestern areas of the country observe Eid with Saudi Aribia, often a day or two before the rest of the country.
In a statement aired on state television Al-Ekhbariyah, religious authorities said the new moon had been sighted and that Ramazan ends on Monday with the feast to follow the next day. Egypt, United Arab Emirates and Qatar will also celebrate Eid today.
But majority of Pakistanis would mark the day either tomorrow or the day after, following a decision by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee that will meet for sighting of the moon today in Karachi.
The unofficial moon-sighting committee of Masjid Qasim Ali Khan in Peshawar declared Monday night that Eidul Fitr would be celebrated today as the Shawwal moon had been sighted at several places in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. However, the provincial government neither endorsed the decision nor rejected it.
Mufti Shahabuddin Popalzai, Khateeb of Masjid Qasim Ali Khan, announced that he and his fellows had received 10 evidences of Shawwal moon by people hailing from different parts of the city. He said that testimonies were also received from other parts of the province. “We are satisfied that the Shawwal moon has been sighted and Eidul Fitr will be celebrated on Tuesday,” he announced in the presence of media.
Meanwhile, the local Ruet-i-Hilal committee in Mardan received 20 evidences of Shawwal moon. The Jamiat Ulema-i-Afghan, Charsadda also announced to celebrate Eid on Tuesday. Most people in Peshawar, Charsadda, Mardan, Nowshera, Swabi, Bannu and Fata areas including Khyber, Bajaur, Orakzai and North Waziristan agencies would celebrate Eid today. Afghan refugees residing in camps and different parts of the province will also celebrate Eidul Fitr today.
On the other hand, the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Pakistan would meet for sighting of Shawwal moon today after Namaz-e-Asr at Met Complex in Karachi, announced chairman of the committee Mufti Munibur Rehman. The members of Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Pakistan would be assisted by officials of Met Office and Suparco, and they would also receive reports from Zonal Ruet-e-Hilal committees, which would hold meetings at their respective headquarters.
It has been a practice for last many years that a large section of population in Northwestern areas of the country observe Eid with Saudi Aribia, often a day or two before the rest of the country.
In a statement aired on state television Al-Ekhbariyah, religious authorities said the new moon had been sighted and that Ramazan ends on Monday with the feast to follow the next day. Egypt, United Arab Emirates and Qatar will also celebrate Eid today.
South Africa’s Parnell converts to Islam
 Parnell confirmed in a statement on Thursday that he converted to Islamic faith in January this year and is considering to change his name to Waleed, which means 'Newborn Son'. Parnell confirmed that he will "continue to respect the team's endorsement of alcoholic beverages." South Africa's Test team is sponsored by Castle Lager, a local beer. Hashim Amla, also of Muslim faith, does not wear the beer logo on his playing kit after making a special arrangement with CSA because of his religious beliefs. Proteas team manager Mohamed Moosajee, himself a Muslim, said Parnell's Muslim teammates Hashim Amla and Imran Tahir had not influenced his decision to convert from Christianity. Supporting Moosajee's denial of influence by Amla, the players said he had never attempted to convert them to his religion, although they had all been very impressed by the discipline and strict adherence that Amla showed to his religion, by refusing to participate in celebrations with them that involved liquor, staying steadfast in his daily prayers even while on tour, and refusing to wear the kit sponsored by South African beer brand Castle Lager. | ||
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Taxila boy sets world record, scores 28 A's in O levels
Nineteen-year-old Syed Zohaib Asad who belongs to Wah Cantonment in Taxilla aced in subjects like world geography and travel tourism in Pakistan.
He had to gather content all by himself, given the reason that these subjects were unique and are not covered well.
Zohaib expressed his concern for Pakistan and said that he’s worried about the rough phase that Pakistan is going through.
But Zohaib is hopeful and holds a belief that the country can be steered out of crisis through hardwork and honesty.
“I see the problems of Pakistan in line with the political scenario, the economic condition and educational structure. I aspire to contribute in the economic sector and will join the ministry of finance one day.”Zohaib’s father Syed Asad Ali said that he is grateful to Zohaib’s teachers who taught him devotedly.
“It’s a pleasure for me that he has done a great job, not just for our family, Pakistan but the whole Muslim community.”He further said that Zohaib is going to Canada for pursuing higher studies with an aim of doing something big for his nation when he returns.
Last year, a student in Islamabad, Ibrahim Shahid, had set the previous world record by scoring 23 As in Cambridge O level exams. Shahid, a student of a private school in Islamabad, sat for 24 subjects and scored 23 As.
SC resumes hearing of Karachi violence case
KARACHI: The hearing of the Supreme Court’s suo motu notice of Karachi violence resumed on Tuesday.
On Monday, a five-member bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry ordered Attorney General Anwarul Haq to file a new report, carrying the latest information about those who are creating unrest in Karachi.
The Attorney General is expected to file a new report on the inquiry of the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) and Military Intelligence (MI) into the unrest in the port city as per the directions of the court.
The earlier document contained inquiry reports of the Special Branch, Federal Investigations Agency (FIA), and the Intelligence Bureau.
Last week, the court had taken notice of three months of continuous violence in the megalopolis that claimed over 400 lives, in what has been described as one of the deadliest spells of violence the city has ever experienced.
During yesterday’s hearing, the five-member bench hearing the Karachi violence suo motu case said it was “unhappy” with the report. It said apart from the first three pages of the report, it was “all newspaper reports and no analysis”.
Sindh government’s counsel Abdul Hafeez Pirzada is defending the police.
The Jamat-e-Islami and Awami National Party had also submitted applications to become a party in the case during the last hearing.
On Monday, a five-member bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry ordered Attorney General Anwarul Haq to file a new report, carrying the latest information about those who are creating unrest in Karachi.
The Attorney General is expected to file a new report on the inquiry of the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) and Military Intelligence (MI) into the unrest in the port city as per the directions of the court.
The earlier document contained inquiry reports of the Special Branch, Federal Investigations Agency (FIA), and the Intelligence Bureau.
Last week, the court had taken notice of three months of continuous violence in the megalopolis that claimed over 400 lives, in what has been described as one of the deadliest spells of violence the city has ever experienced.
During yesterday’s hearing, the five-member bench hearing the Karachi violence suo motu case said it was “unhappy” with the report. It said apart from the first three pages of the report, it was “all newspaper reports and no analysis”.
Sindh government’s counsel Abdul Hafeez Pirzada is defending the police.
The Jamat-e-Islami and Awami National Party had also submitted applications to become a party in the case during the last hearing.
Monday, August 29, 2011
A video thank you from Google to newisnews.com
Just ten years ago, a small team added the phrase 'See your ad here' alongside our search results. A few minutes later, the first AdWords customer placed an ad for live mail-order lobsters.
Ten years and billions of ads later, we want to mark AdWords' 10th birthday by thanking you for advertising with us. We hope you enjoy this small token of our appreciation, a personalized video just for you:
Your video: http://www.youtube.com/
Thank you. And we wish you success for the next 10 years!
The Google AdWords team
Ten years and billions of ads later, we want to mark AdWords' 10th birthday by thanking you for advertising with us. We hope you enjoy this small token of our appreciation, a personalized video just for you:
Your video: http://www.youtube.com/
Thank you. And we wish you success for the next 10 years!
The Google AdWords team
Saudi Arabia discovers 9,000 year-old civilization
EDDAH, Saudi Arabia, Aug 29 (bdnews24.com/Reuters) - Saudi Arabia is excavating a new archeological site that will show horses were domesticated 9,000 years ago in the Arabian peninsula, the country's antiquities expert said Wednesday.
The discovery of the civilization, named al-Maqar after the site's location, will challenge the theory that the domestication of animals took place 5,500 years ago in Central Asia, said Ali al-Ghabban, Vice-President of Antiquities and Museums at the Saudi Commission for Tourism & Antiquities.
"This discovery will change our knowledge concerning the domestication of horses and the evolution of culture in the late Neolithic period," Ghabban told a news conference in the Red Sea port of Jeddah.
"The Maqar Civilization is a very advanced civilization of the Neolithic period. This site shows us clearly, the roots of the domestication of horses 9,000 years ago."
The site also includes remains of mummified
skeletons, arrowheads, scrapers, grain grinders, tools for spinning and weaving, and other tools that are evidence of a civilization that is skilled in handicrafts.
Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter, is trying to diversify its economy away from oil and hopes to increase its tourism.
Last year the SCTA launched exhibitions in Barcelona's CaixaForum museum and Paris's Louvre museum showcasing historic findings of the Arabian Peninsula.
The discovery of the civilization, named al-Maqar after the site's location, will challenge the theory that the domestication of animals took place 5,500 years ago in Central Asia, said Ali al-Ghabban, Vice-President of Antiquities and Museums at the Saudi Commission for Tourism & Antiquities.
"This discovery will change our knowledge concerning the domestication of horses and the evolution of culture in the late Neolithic period," Ghabban told a news conference in the Red Sea port of Jeddah.
"The Maqar Civilization is a very advanced civilization of the Neolithic period. This site shows us clearly, the roots of the domestication of horses 9,000 years ago."
The site also includes remains of mummified
skeletons, arrowheads, scrapers, grain grinders, tools for spinning and weaving, and other tools that are evidence of a civilization that is skilled in handicrafts.
Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter, is trying to diversify its economy away from oil and hopes to increase its tourism.
Last year the SCTA launched exhibitions in Barcelona's CaixaForum museum and Paris's Louvre museum showcasing historic findings of the Arabian Peninsula.
Armstrong relives historic Moon landing
SYDNEY — It's more than 40 years since Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the Moon, but his memories of the historic flight remain as undimmed as his passion for further exploration of space.
The Apollo 11 commander, now aged 81, relived the 1969 mission that enthralled the world as he watched Google's new high-definition images of the Moon in Australia last week.
The pictures, available on YouTube since May but which Armstrong said he had only just seen, show Apollo 11's landing spot, including the fuel cell left behind which it also used as a launch pad.
"So for the sceptics about whether we ever landed on the Moon -- this is a pretty good indication that somebody's done it," he quipped to a business audience that had paid hundreds of dollars to hear him speak.
The famously private astronaut provided a rare glimpse into the flight, recalling the moment he hurtled free of Earth's gravity at "more than 10 times the speed of a rifle bullet".
"You're looking down at Asuncion Island in the Atlantic at dusk, and you soon fly into darkness," he said.
"You see some city lights on the African coast and notice lightning flashes illuminating some thunderheads like neon mushrooms far below you."
Crossing over to the daylight side of Earth he said a "scimitar of light" became a flood, blinding in its brightness, and though minutes passed by swiftly "you seem to be perfectly motionless".
"You look at Malaysia and the islands of Indonesia below, they're dropping away from you six or 8,000 kilometres per hour they're dropping away," he said.
"The horizon is growing more and more, you can see Australia off to the right and Japan off to the left, and all of a sudden you can see the entire circle -- the whole planet Earth, kind of a gigantic blue medicine ball covered with white lacy clouds, and it's floating slowly away from you into the inky black sky."
Playing the new high-definition pictures of the Moon alongside the original July 1969 Apollo footage, Armstrong recalled his arrival on the desolate, cratered landscape and the historic phrase relayed back to Earth: "Tranquility Base here, the Eagle has landed."
But he was also forward looking, telling the audience that the American space programme was "in some chaos".
As the United States contemplates the future of its space programme following the end of the shuttle era last month, he said NASA should start using the Moon for training missions for Mars exploration.
"I do favour going to Mars but I believe it is both too difficult and too expensive with the technology we have available at the current time," he told those gathered in Sydney.
"I favour returning to the Moon. We made six landings there and explored areas as small as a city lot and perhaps as large as a small town. That leaves us some 14 million square miles that we have not explored."
Armstrong also reflected at length on the Apollo programme and America?s space race with Russia.
It was a sometimes desperate and very close contest, he said, with the Soviets? unmanned Luna 15 racing neck-and-neck for the lunar surface with Apollo 11 after an ambitious John F. Kennedy had set a deadline of 1970 for the United States to land on the Moon almost a decade earlier.
The Soviet craft's landing gear failed as it approached the Moon and it crashed into the surface, while Armstrong hoisted the American flag to "reach a goal that dreamers had been dreaming of for many, many centuries".
After Apollo 11, Armstrong said five more lunar spacecraft and 10 astronauts landed on the Moon, with the experiments completed there and samples returned multiplying mankind?s knowledge of its closest neighbour "one thousand-fold".
"We understood the substantial risks, we were willing to accept them because we believed that our goal was a worthy goal," he said.
"I was fortunate enough to be led by men who made me yearn for the vast and endless sea above the surface of the Earth, and I am in their debt."
The Apollo 11 commander, now aged 81, relived the 1969 mission that enthralled the world as he watched Google's new high-definition images of the Moon in Australia last week.
The pictures, available on YouTube since May but which Armstrong said he had only just seen, show Apollo 11's landing spot, including the fuel cell left behind which it also used as a launch pad.
"So for the sceptics about whether we ever landed on the Moon -- this is a pretty good indication that somebody's done it," he quipped to a business audience that had paid hundreds of dollars to hear him speak.
The famously private astronaut provided a rare glimpse into the flight, recalling the moment he hurtled free of Earth's gravity at "more than 10 times the speed of a rifle bullet".
"You're looking down at Asuncion Island in the Atlantic at dusk, and you soon fly into darkness," he said.
"You see some city lights on the African coast and notice lightning flashes illuminating some thunderheads like neon mushrooms far below you."
Crossing over to the daylight side of Earth he said a "scimitar of light" became a flood, blinding in its brightness, and though minutes passed by swiftly "you seem to be perfectly motionless".
"You look at Malaysia and the islands of Indonesia below, they're dropping away from you six or 8,000 kilometres per hour they're dropping away," he said.
"The horizon is growing more and more, you can see Australia off to the right and Japan off to the left, and all of a sudden you can see the entire circle -- the whole planet Earth, kind of a gigantic blue medicine ball covered with white lacy clouds, and it's floating slowly away from you into the inky black sky."
Playing the new high-definition pictures of the Moon alongside the original July 1969 Apollo footage, Armstrong recalled his arrival on the desolate, cratered landscape and the historic phrase relayed back to Earth: "Tranquility Base here, the Eagle has landed."
But he was also forward looking, telling the audience that the American space programme was "in some chaos".
As the United States contemplates the future of its space programme following the end of the shuttle era last month, he said NASA should start using the Moon for training missions for Mars exploration.
"I do favour going to Mars but I believe it is both too difficult and too expensive with the technology we have available at the current time," he told those gathered in Sydney.
"I favour returning to the Moon. We made six landings there and explored areas as small as a city lot and perhaps as large as a small town. That leaves us some 14 million square miles that we have not explored."
Armstrong also reflected at length on the Apollo programme and America?s space race with Russia.
It was a sometimes desperate and very close contest, he said, with the Soviets? unmanned Luna 15 racing neck-and-neck for the lunar surface with Apollo 11 after an ambitious John F. Kennedy had set a deadline of 1970 for the United States to land on the Moon almost a decade earlier.
The Soviet craft's landing gear failed as it approached the Moon and it crashed into the surface, while Armstrong hoisted the American flag to "reach a goal that dreamers had been dreaming of for many, many centuries".
After Apollo 11, Armstrong said five more lunar spacecraft and 10 astronauts landed on the Moon, with the experiments completed there and samples returned multiplying mankind?s knowledge of its closest neighbour "one thousand-fold".
"We understood the substantial risks, we were willing to accept them because we believed that our goal was a worthy goal," he said.
"I was fortunate enough to be led by men who made me yearn for the vast and endless sea above the surface of the Earth, and I am in their debt."
Some areas in Karachi are no go areas: IG informs SC
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has remarked peace stands ruled out in Karachi without deweaponization of the city.
CJP gave these remarks while presiding over 5-member bench of Supreme Court (SC) during the course of hearing of suo motu notice here in Karachi on Monday. The other members of bench were Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali, Justice Sarmad Jalal Usmani, Justice Amir Hani Muslim and Justice Ghulam Rabbani.
Sources told Attorney General (AG) Moulvi Anwar ul Haq presented reports of Special Branch, FIA and IB in the courts. AG requested the court not to provide some parts of FIA report to media and they be also not be made part of the record. Court remarked these all were only the general reports and these reports contained the details of arrested persons and responsible persons. CJP said to AG in his remarks “ Information provided by you are insufficient. We have got information from some other resources too”.
Court inquired from IG Sindh Police what investigations he had made. Who is held responsible therein, How the court will reach any conclusion”.
CJP remarked “It was responsibility of police and law enforcement agencies to provide protection to people. How the SHO does not come to know about the crimes committed in his respective limits”.
IG Sindh Wajid Durrani informed the bench in his report “Karachi was not a no go area. However certain areas therein were no go areas”.
Upon IG Sindh briefing CJP remarked “you admit there are certain areas in Karachi where police can not enter.
IG Sindh Police replied “There are some areas in Karachi where police and common man can not enter”.
He informed the court 306 people had been killed in the limits of 75 police stations from July, 24 to August, 24. 17 bodies were found in gunny bags. 18 persons who were kidnapped on August, 19 were recovered from different areas and 20 culprits had also been arrested during one month.
CJP inquired from IG Sindh if he had inquired from any kidnapped person who kidnapped him and where he was taken.
IG Sindh Police told those who are recovered are so much terrified that they are not able to give any statement.
IG Sindh told extortion money was being grabbed since the last 10 to 12 years and this was grabbed from homes and traders through chits.
He told arms were in abundance in Karachi and by dint of arms and ammunition lands are occupied illegally and extortion money is grabbed.
CJP remarked “we have ascertained facts and now we have to find who is patronizing the criminals.
Babar Awan appeared on behalf of federation and Abdul Hafiz Pirzada and Advocate General Sindh Abdul Fateh Malik represented government of Sindh.
The hearing has been adjourned till Wednesday.
CJP gave these remarks while presiding over 5-member bench of Supreme Court (SC) during the course of hearing of suo motu notice here in Karachi on Monday. The other members of bench were Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali, Justice Sarmad Jalal Usmani, Justice Amir Hani Muslim and Justice Ghulam Rabbani.
Sources told Attorney General (AG) Moulvi Anwar ul Haq presented reports of Special Branch, FIA and IB in the courts. AG requested the court not to provide some parts of FIA report to media and they be also not be made part of the record. Court remarked these all were only the general reports and these reports contained the details of arrested persons and responsible persons. CJP said to AG in his remarks “ Information provided by you are insufficient. We have got information from some other resources too”.
Court inquired from IG Sindh Police what investigations he had made. Who is held responsible therein, How the court will reach any conclusion”.
CJP remarked “It was responsibility of police and law enforcement agencies to provide protection to people. How the SHO does not come to know about the crimes committed in his respective limits”.
IG Sindh Wajid Durrani informed the bench in his report “Karachi was not a no go area. However certain areas therein were no go areas”.
Upon IG Sindh briefing CJP remarked “you admit there are certain areas in Karachi where police can not enter.
IG Sindh Police replied “There are some areas in Karachi where police and common man can not enter”.
He informed the court 306 people had been killed in the limits of 75 police stations from July, 24 to August, 24. 17 bodies were found in gunny bags. 18 persons who were kidnapped on August, 19 were recovered from different areas and 20 culprits had also been arrested during one month.
CJP inquired from IG Sindh if he had inquired from any kidnapped person who kidnapped him and where he was taken.
IG Sindh Police told those who are recovered are so much terrified that they are not able to give any statement.
IG Sindh told extortion money was being grabbed since the last 10 to 12 years and this was grabbed from homes and traders through chits.
He told arms were in abundance in Karachi and by dint of arms and ammunition lands are occupied illegally and extortion money is grabbed.
CJP remarked “we have ascertained facts and now we have to find who is patronizing the criminals.
Babar Awan appeared on behalf of federation and Abdul Hafiz Pirzada and Advocate General Sindh Abdul Fateh Malik represented government of Sindh.
The hearing has been adjourned till Wednesday.
‘I am a Baloch from Lyari and I am not a gangster’
KARACHI: On a seemingly calm Sunday, when the Rangers’ operation in the city’s oldest quarter was on and Zulfiqar Mirza was making headlines with his diatribe, many in Lyari felt that their voices were not being heard by the politicians and the media.
“Our locality and its inhabitants are being singled out as being part of a gang war that is sabotaging peace in the city,” said Mohammad. A driver by profession, Mohammad, 33, belongs to the Katchi community and is a resident of Old Kumhar wara. “Despite the hype we see about Lyari’s gangs and goons, I was never hurt or threatened by any Baloch in Lyari. For me, the town is my second home.”
Visibly frustrated at the way things were going on in the city, he said, “If the Rangers operation is necessary it has to be across the board. Why is it that it’s only Lyari that is being targeted and termed as a ‘gangsters’ town?”
Living in abject poverty with little means to sustain their day to day existence, the locals feel that broken promises of their elected representatives and the media are responsible for the crisis that this area faces.
“I’m a Baloch from Lyari and I’m not a gangster. Please stop Lyari’s media trail,” said Raza (not his real name), a 23 years old student who runs a net café in the area.
Talking about the recent turn of events that have once again shoved Lyari into the limelight for all the wrong reasons, he says, “The media is very biased and polarised. Lyari was never a ‘No Go’ area for anyone. We have all kinds of ethnic groups living in the same neighborhood; we share each other’s sorrows and happiness together. However, the media is hell bent on creating a hostile picture and there is no one willing to share our stories.”
Of the ethnic violence and gang war in the area, he says its “political in nature with extortionists calling the shots.”
“But it’s not only the killings that are worrying us. After the brutal killing of five men from Lyari, many employers have asked their Baloch workforce not to come to work as security cannot be guaranteed. As it is, poverty and lack of employment opportunities has been frustrating the residents of Lyari for years. Now, this will allow more youngsters to go for the guns and drugs.”
With its narrow interlinked lanes that are no less a maze, a trip to the area is an eye opener. With many communities living side by side, the place once known for its late night rendezvous and football crazy locals is now a shadow of its former self.
Shahid Husain, a senior Journalist and former activist, termed Lyari the most vibrant place in Karachi with its unique sub-culture. “I have never seen such a lively place. I use to go to Lyari everyday when I was a student. I never felt threatened because the people there were so friendly and loving.” But that was over three decades ago and then the downfall of this peaceful locality began. “Considered a stronghold of the Pakistan People’s Party, Lyari was transformed when heroine and Kalashnikov were introduced during the Afghan War. That was a dictator’s gift.”
A highly populated area, with the 1998 census stating Lyari’s population to be over 600000; Lyari is no more than a slum. Come elections and the politicians throng the area for getting the maximum political mileage and disappear once in the assembly. Years of neglect and official apathy hasn’t gone unnoticed by the locals and nor has the ‘gifts’ of dictators.
“Despite being the oldest slum in South Asia, Lyari was always known for its peace and calm and the mutual respect that people had for various communities. It was a peaceful coexistence,” said Asghar Baloch, a government school teacher.
Sharing a similar sentiment as Raza and others, he too blamed the media for being biased, with “the ‘gang war’ being created by the media”.
“Petty drug peddlers in Lyari are portrayed as larger than life characters by the media,” he said.
“The then government of Arbab Ghulam Rahim and its ally the MQM deliberately allowed the killing of the people of Lyari by two rival gangs,” he alleged.
“The Musharraf regime allowed for the systematic nurturing of violence. The drug peddlers and goons, who were criminals and should have been dealt accordingly, were given a freehand and now they rule the roost. They (government) ignored the killings in Lyari when one Baloch was killing another Baloch for drug money. Many of the Baloch men who were killed were not gangsters or from the drug mafia. But because Lyari was never their vote bank, they looked away.”
“No one did anything for this area and the communities living here. The very youngsters who lost their family members in gang war back then are now holding guns and trying to avenge for their loss. Today Lyari is once again being used for political gains while the future of its people looks bleak,” he added.
Fearing for their lives and afraid of being singled out, many Baloch residents have stopped venturing to other parts of the town. A vocal matriarch, Hamida Baloch says that her children have barred her from travelling to other areas. “I wear Balochi dress. My children say that I could be kidnapped and killed,” she said. She claimed that some of her acquaintances were humiliated and had their heads and eyebrows shaved by men from the Urdu-speaking community.
Recalling old times, she said that she was born and bred in Karachi and her family members playing an active part in the development of the Karachi port. “Our forefathers moved to Karachi back in 1880’s from Balochistan. Their sweat and blood is there in the foundation of the Karachi Port Trust. My grandchildren are the fifth generation who were born here in Karachi. We are the children of this soil and are more loyal and patriotic to Karachi than anyone else and today we are being called criminals, it really hurts!” she complained.
On the Rangers’ operation in Karachi, she said that her family and those in neighbourhood did not join in the protests as “we want an operation against anyone who is involved in violence in the city.”
“Our locality and its inhabitants are being singled out as being part of a gang war that is sabotaging peace in the city,” said Mohammad. A driver by profession, Mohammad, 33, belongs to the Katchi community and is a resident of Old Kumhar wara. “Despite the hype we see about Lyari’s gangs and goons, I was never hurt or threatened by any Baloch in Lyari. For me, the town is my second home.”
Visibly frustrated at the way things were going on in the city, he said, “If the Rangers operation is necessary it has to be across the board. Why is it that it’s only Lyari that is being targeted and termed as a ‘gangsters’ town?”
Living in abject poverty with little means to sustain their day to day existence, the locals feel that broken promises of their elected representatives and the media are responsible for the crisis that this area faces.
“I’m a Baloch from Lyari and I’m not a gangster. Please stop Lyari’s media trail,” said Raza (not his real name), a 23 years old student who runs a net café in the area.
Talking about the recent turn of events that have once again shoved Lyari into the limelight for all the wrong reasons, he says, “The media is very biased and polarised. Lyari was never a ‘No Go’ area for anyone. We have all kinds of ethnic groups living in the same neighborhood; we share each other’s sorrows and happiness together. However, the media is hell bent on creating a hostile picture and there is no one willing to share our stories.”
Of the ethnic violence and gang war in the area, he says its “political in nature with extortionists calling the shots.”
“But it’s not only the killings that are worrying us. After the brutal killing of five men from Lyari, many employers have asked their Baloch workforce not to come to work as security cannot be guaranteed. As it is, poverty and lack of employment opportunities has been frustrating the residents of Lyari for years. Now, this will allow more youngsters to go for the guns and drugs.”
With its narrow interlinked lanes that are no less a maze, a trip to the area is an eye opener. With many communities living side by side, the place once known for its late night rendezvous and football crazy locals is now a shadow of its former self.
Shahid Husain, a senior Journalist and former activist, termed Lyari the most vibrant place in Karachi with its unique sub-culture. “I have never seen such a lively place. I use to go to Lyari everyday when I was a student. I never felt threatened because the people there were so friendly and loving.” But that was over three decades ago and then the downfall of this peaceful locality began. “Considered a stronghold of the Pakistan People’s Party, Lyari was transformed when heroine and Kalashnikov were introduced during the Afghan War. That was a dictator’s gift.”
A highly populated area, with the 1998 census stating Lyari’s population to be over 600000; Lyari is no more than a slum. Come elections and the politicians throng the area for getting the maximum political mileage and disappear once in the assembly. Years of neglect and official apathy hasn’t gone unnoticed by the locals and nor has the ‘gifts’ of dictators.
“Despite being the oldest slum in South Asia, Lyari was always known for its peace and calm and the mutual respect that people had for various communities. It was a peaceful coexistence,” said Asghar Baloch, a government school teacher.
Sharing a similar sentiment as Raza and others, he too blamed the media for being biased, with “the ‘gang war’ being created by the media”.
“Petty drug peddlers in Lyari are portrayed as larger than life characters by the media,” he said.
“The then government of Arbab Ghulam Rahim and its ally the MQM deliberately allowed the killing of the people of Lyari by two rival gangs,” he alleged.
“The Musharraf regime allowed for the systematic nurturing of violence. The drug peddlers and goons, who were criminals and should have been dealt accordingly, were given a freehand and now they rule the roost. They (government) ignored the killings in Lyari when one Baloch was killing another Baloch for drug money. Many of the Baloch men who were killed were not gangsters or from the drug mafia. But because Lyari was never their vote bank, they looked away.”
“No one did anything for this area and the communities living here. The very youngsters who lost their family members in gang war back then are now holding guns and trying to avenge for their loss. Today Lyari is once again being used for political gains while the future of its people looks bleak,” he added.
Fearing for their lives and afraid of being singled out, many Baloch residents have stopped venturing to other parts of the town. A vocal matriarch, Hamida Baloch says that her children have barred her from travelling to other areas. “I wear Balochi dress. My children say that I could be kidnapped and killed,” she said. She claimed that some of her acquaintances were humiliated and had their heads and eyebrows shaved by men from the Urdu-speaking community.
Recalling old times, she said that she was born and bred in Karachi and her family members playing an active part in the development of the Karachi port. “Our forefathers moved to Karachi back in 1880’s from Balochistan. Their sweat and blood is there in the foundation of the Karachi Port Trust. My grandchildren are the fifth generation who were born here in Karachi. We are the children of this soil and are more loyal and patriotic to Karachi than anyone else and today we are being called criminals, it really hurts!” she complained.
On the Rangers’ operation in Karachi, she said that her family and those in neighbourhood did not join in the protests as “we want an operation against anyone who is involved in violence in the city.”
PML-N files requisition to summon NA on Karachi situation
PML-N has filed requisition to summon National Assembly (NA) to hold debate on growing target killing incidents and deteriorating law and order situation in Karachi.
PML-N legislators including Dr Fazal Chaudhry, Malik Ibrar, Anjum Aqeel and Shakil Awan have filed requisition under article 54 (3) of the constitution in NA secretariat bearing signatures of 93 legislators.
They have taken the plea in the requisition that all the political parties of the country including PML-N and people of the country were too much concerned over the worsening law and order situation in Karachi. Innocent citizens were being killed in target killing incidents, therefore, NA session be summoned to hold debate over Karachi situation.
Talking to media men after filing requisition, Tariq Fazal Chaudhry PML-N law maker said they had not filed the requisition after the statement was given by Zulfiqar Mirza but PML-N understands it that situation in Karachi was over deteriorated and government was making no sincere effort to bring normalcy in the situation, he held. Being opposition party it was right of PML-N to divert attention of the house to national issues, he observed.
Federal government and Rehman Malik should give replies to the allegations levelled by Zulfiqar Mirza, he underlined. If government does not give reply to these accusations then 170 million people will consider them true, he remarked.
PML-N legislators including Dr Fazal Chaudhry, Malik Ibrar, Anjum Aqeel and Shakil Awan have filed requisition under article 54 (3) of the constitution in NA secretariat bearing signatures of 93 legislators.
They have taken the plea in the requisition that all the political parties of the country including PML-N and people of the country were too much concerned over the worsening law and order situation in Karachi. Innocent citizens were being killed in target killing incidents, therefore, NA session be summoned to hold debate over Karachi situation.
Talking to media men after filing requisition, Tariq Fazal Chaudhry PML-N law maker said they had not filed the requisition after the statement was given by Zulfiqar Mirza but PML-N understands it that situation in Karachi was over deteriorated and government was making no sincere effort to bring normalcy in the situation, he held. Being opposition party it was right of PML-N to divert attention of the house to national issues, he observed.
Federal government and Rehman Malik should give replies to the allegations levelled by Zulfiqar Mirza, he underlined. If government does not give reply to these accusations then 170 million people will consider them true, he remarked.
Pakistan is Powerful, Can Safeguard National Interest: Gilani
Islamabad, Aug 29 (IANS): Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has asserted that Pakistan is a powerful country and fully capable of safeguarding its vital national interests.
Addressing a press conference in Lahore Sunday, Gilani said safeguarding national interest was of supreme importance for his government.
He said Pakistan wanted to maintain friendly relations with the US on the basis of mutual respect and mutual interest without compromising on each other's national interests, reported Associated Press of Pakistan.
Ties between Washington and Islamabad were hit after US undercover agent Raymond Davis fatally shot two Pakistanis in Lahore in February.
The ties were further strained after the May 2 killing of Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad by US commandos.
Gilani said: "We have explained to the US government that if it is answerable to Congress, then we are equally accountable to parliament."
The prime minister added that Pakistan's intelligence agencies and the Central Intelligence Agency of US were working in close liaison with each other.
Addressing a press conference in Lahore Sunday, Gilani said safeguarding national interest was of supreme importance for his government.
He said Pakistan wanted to maintain friendly relations with the US on the basis of mutual respect and mutual interest without compromising on each other's national interests, reported Associated Press of Pakistan.
Ties between Washington and Islamabad were hit after US undercover agent Raymond Davis fatally shot two Pakistanis in Lahore in February.
The ties were further strained after the May 2 killing of Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad by US commandos.
Gilani said: "We have explained to the US government that if it is answerable to Congress, then we are equally accountable to parliament."
The prime minister added that Pakistan's intelligence agencies and the Central Intelligence Agency of US were working in close liaison with each other.
Political response: Parties want probe into allegations
ISLAMABAD: Most parties from across the political spectrum commented on former Sindh Senior Minister Zulfiqar Mirza’s remarks against Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), with many calling upon the Supreme Court to take Mirza up on his offer to submit evidence.
“The timing is perfect since the Supreme Court begins a hearing on the violence in Karachi on Monday (today),” said Senator Tariq Azim of the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q). “The nation will soon learn who is telling the truth.”
Which element of Mirza’s speech each party chose to focus on seemed to depend upon which side of the political divide they came from.
The Awami National Party (ANP), the party that is one of the MQM’s biggest rivals in Karachi, seemed to be practically giddy at Mirza’s allegations against the MQM.
“Mirza has offered his testimony to the Supreme Court. I think that the court should take him up on his offer and ask him to submit evidence for his allegations,” said Senator Haji Adeel of the ANP.
Adeel pointed to Mirza’s allegations of the MQM’s alleged secessionist tendencies.
“The allegations that Altaf Hussain is a partner of the Americans in conspiracies to break Pakistan are alarming. It is high treason and the president, chief justice and military chief should investigate them.”
Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf leader Imran Khan also chose to focus on the allegations against the MQM, calling them ‘shocking’ and ‘treasonous’ and demanding an investigation.
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the largest opposition party in parliament and the ruling PPP’s biggest rival, meanwhile chose to focus on the allegations against the interior minister and called for an investigation against them.
“These were startling revelations. His allegations were so alarming that nobody should try to sweep things under the carpet,” said Senator Mushahidullah Khan, the PML-N spokesperson. “People whom he accused must come forward to prove them wrong. All will have to respond to these accusations.”
However, the party still blamed President Asif Ali Zardari for most of the problems in Karachi.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 29th, 2011.
“The timing is perfect since the Supreme Court begins a hearing on the violence in Karachi on Monday (today),” said Senator Tariq Azim of the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q). “The nation will soon learn who is telling the truth.”
Which element of Mirza’s speech each party chose to focus on seemed to depend upon which side of the political divide they came from.
The Awami National Party (ANP), the party that is one of the MQM’s biggest rivals in Karachi, seemed to be practically giddy at Mirza’s allegations against the MQM.
“Mirza has offered his testimony to the Supreme Court. I think that the court should take him up on his offer and ask him to submit evidence for his allegations,” said Senator Haji Adeel of the ANP.
Adeel pointed to Mirza’s allegations of the MQM’s alleged secessionist tendencies.
“The allegations that Altaf Hussain is a partner of the Americans in conspiracies to break Pakistan are alarming. It is high treason and the president, chief justice and military chief should investigate them.”
Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf leader Imran Khan also chose to focus on the allegations against the MQM, calling them ‘shocking’ and ‘treasonous’ and demanding an investigation.
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the largest opposition party in parliament and the ruling PPP’s biggest rival, meanwhile chose to focus on the allegations against the interior minister and called for an investigation against them.
“These were startling revelations. His allegations were so alarming that nobody should try to sweep things under the carpet,” said Senator Mushahidullah Khan, the PML-N spokesperson. “People whom he accused must come forward to prove them wrong. All will have to respond to these accusations.”
However, the party still blamed President Asif Ali Zardari for most of the problems in Karachi.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 29th, 2011.
Karachi violence case hearing underway in SC Registry
KARACHI: The Supreme Court’s Karachi Registry began hearing the suo moto case regarding the security situation in Karachi Monday, Geo News reported. A five-member bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry is hearing the case.
A five-member bench of the apex court comprises of the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP), Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali, Justice Sarmad Jalal Usmani, Justice Ameer Hani Muslim and Justice Ghulam Rabbani, according to an official of the Supreme Court's registry.
IG Sindh Wajid Durrani has submitted the record before the court regarding the violence in Karachi
In his remarks, the Chief Justice said that protection of life and property lay with institutions. He asked why SHOs were not aware of crime in their jurisdiction. To this, IGP Sindh Wajid Ali Durrani replied that police and ordinary citizens were not allowed entry in no-go areas of Karachi.
The bench expressed its dissatisfaction over the report presented by the government, stating that a decision in the case was difficult with the facts presented in the report.
The court asked IGP Sindh Wajid Ali Durani what investigations had been conducted and who were responsible for the violence in Karachi.
The chief justice formed two benches for hearing cases at the Karachi Registry on August 29 and 30.
The first bench is headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry while the second bench will be headed by Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali.
The families of the victims of target killings were also asked to volunteer their appearance before the apex court and may also submit any evidence, if available.
A five-member bench of the apex court comprises of the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP), Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali, Justice Sarmad Jalal Usmani, Justice Ameer Hani Muslim and Justice Ghulam Rabbani, according to an official of the Supreme Court's registry.
IG Sindh Wajid Durrani has submitted the record before the court regarding the violence in Karachi
In his remarks, the Chief Justice said that protection of life and property lay with institutions. He asked why SHOs were not aware of crime in their jurisdiction. To this, IGP Sindh Wajid Ali Durrani replied that police and ordinary citizens were not allowed entry in no-go areas of Karachi.
The bench expressed its dissatisfaction over the report presented by the government, stating that a decision in the case was difficult with the facts presented in the report.
The court asked IGP Sindh Wajid Ali Durani what investigations had been conducted and who were responsible for the violence in Karachi.
The chief justice formed two benches for hearing cases at the Karachi Registry on August 29 and 30.
The first bench is headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry while the second bench will be headed by Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali.
The families of the victims of target killings were also asked to volunteer their appearance before the apex court and may also submit any evidence, if available.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
A planet made of diamonds found?
Astronomers claim that a planet orbiting a small fast spinning star, called a pulsar, is likely made of diamond. Pulsars are small spinning stars about 20 km in diameter – the size of a small city – that emits a beam of radio waves. As the star spins and the radio beam sweeps repeatedly over
Earth, radio telescopes detect a regular pattern of radio pulses.
Researchers, from The University of Manchester as well as institutions in Australia, Germany, Italy, and the USA, noticed that the arrival times of the pulses were systematically modulated. They concluded that this was due to the gravitational pull of a small companion planet, orbiting the pulsar in a binary system.
But despite its small size, the planet has slightly more mass than Jupiter.
“This high density of the planet provides a clue to its origin”, said Professor Bailes.
The team thinks that the ''diamond planet'' is all that remains of a once-massive star, most of whose matter was siphoned off towards the pulsar.
“This remnant is likely to be largely carbon and oxygen, because a star made of lighter elements like hydrogen and helium would be too big to fit the measured orbiting times,” said Dr Michael Keith (CSIRO), one of the research team members.
The density means that this material is certain to be crystalline: that is, a large part of the star may be similar to a diamond.
The study has been published in the journal Science.
Earth, radio telescopes detect a regular pattern of radio pulses.
Researchers, from The University of Manchester as well as institutions in Australia, Germany, Italy, and the USA, noticed that the arrival times of the pulses were systematically modulated. They concluded that this was due to the gravitational pull of a small companion planet, orbiting the pulsar in a binary system.
But despite its small size, the planet has slightly more mass than Jupiter.
“This high density of the planet provides a clue to its origin”, said Professor Bailes.The team thinks that the ''diamond planet'' is all that remains of a once-massive star, most of whose matter was siphoned off towards the pulsar.
“This remnant is likely to be largely carbon and oxygen, because a star made of lighter elements like hydrogen and helium would be too big to fit the measured orbiting times,” said Dr Michael Keith (CSIRO), one of the research team members.
The density means that this material is certain to be crystalline: that is, a large part of the star may be similar to a diamond.
The study has been published in the journal Science.
Turkey Says Lost Trust in Syria, Arab League Sending Envoy
Aug. 28 (Bloomberg) -- Turkish President Abdullah Gul said he's lost confidence in Syria and the Arab League announced that it was sending its chief to press for an end to the bloodshed, intensifying regional pressure on the regime of Bashar al-Assad.
"In today's world there is no place for authoritarian rule, one-party governments and closed regimes," Gul said in an interview with Turkey's state-run Anatolia news agency. "These will either be changed by force or by the initiative of those who rule." Arab League foreign ministers, meeting in Cairo, called on Syria to recognize the "legitimate aspirations toward political, economic and social reforms by the Syrian people" and said they were sending Nabil El Arabi to Syria. The statement gave no date for the visit.
Syrian security forces killed at least six more protesters in overnight violence, according to Mahmoud Merhi, head of the Arab Organization for Human Rights. President Assad's forces attacked demonstrators in suburbs of the capital, Damascus, in the eastern town of Deir al-Zour, in the central city of Homs and in Nawa, according to Merhi and Ammar Qurabi of the National Organization for Human Rights in Syria.
International pressure has been mounting for an end to more than five months of violence. U.S. President Barack Obama earlier this month joined the leaders of the U.K., France, and Germany in calling for Assad to step down. The protests that began in mid-March are part of the wave of unrest across the Middle East and North Africa this year that has unseated the leaders of Egypt and Tunisia and threatened the regime of Muammar Qaddafi in Libya.
Daily Reports
Gul said he was receiving detailed daily intelligence reports on the shootings of protesters in neighboring Syria.
"Today how many will it be?" he asked. "We've lost our confidence."
Turkey's $740 billion economy is the largest among Syria's neighbors. Relations with Syria have deepened since Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's Justice and Development Party came to power in 2002. The two countries have dropped visa requirements and in 2009 started joint military training exercises.
Turkish exports to Syria have increased to more than to $1.8 billion in 2010 from $267 million in 2002.
Muscle-Flexing
"Turkish intervention, whether that's muscle-flexing on the border or economic sanctions, would be really, really important, but I don't see that yet," said Shashank Joshi of the Royal United Services Institute in London. "I don't see them having completely made up their minds that Assad should go."
Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi yesterday called on Assad to "pay heed to the legitimate demands of his people" and warned that a potential power vacuum in Damascus "would bring about unpredictable consequences" for the region, according to the Iranian state-run news agency, ISNA. Salehi also warned against "foreign meddling" in Syria and said Assad should be supported.
"What's interesting now is that the state-controlled press in Iran is being allowed to criticize Iran openly," Joshi said by telephone. "Iran is supporting Syria now and wishes it to survive, but this shows it knows that it thinks its survival is now in question."
Between Aug. 19 and Aug. 25 at least 96 people were killed by government forces, according to Qurabi, who compiles the names of those who have died in the uprising. At least 2,400 people have been killed in Syria since the protests started, according to Merhi and Qurabi. The UN puts the death toll at more than 2,200. More than 500 members of the security forces have died, the government has said.
Foreign Conspiracy
Assad has blamed the dissent on a foreign conspiracy, while saying protesters' demands "have merit" and that changes are needed.
In New York, Russia's ambassador to the United Nations, Vitaly Churkin, told reporters two days ago that a "very important envoy from Moscow" will travel to Damascus on Aug. 29. The Russian mission to the UN later identified the envoy as Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov.
Churkin also introduced a draft resolution in the UN Security Council that "calls on the Syrian government to expedite the implementation of the announced reforms in order to effectively address the legitimate aspirations and concerns" of Syria's people.
The Russian move followed the introduction last week of a U.S. and European draft resolution that would freeze the foreign assets of Assad, his brother Maher, who commands a Syrian army division, and 21 other senior government officials. That resolution would also impose an arms embargo on Syria.
Russia and China boycotted two Security Council meetings to discuss the resolution, to which Churkin said his government had a "strongly negative" reaction.
--With assistance from Bill Varner and Flavia Krause-Jackson at the United Nations, Massoud Derhally in Beirut, Nadeem Hamid in Washington, Dahlia Kholaif in Kuwait and Vivian Salama in Dubai. Editors: Louis Meixler, Digby Lidstone, James Gomez.Over a dozen people arrested, torture cells destroyed in Lyari raid
The Rangers also destroyed two torture cells and seized a heavy cache of weapons.
The Rangers cordoned off the Nayabad area of Lyari early in the morning and launched a door-to-door search.
As soon as the operation was launched, residents of Lyari started protesting against the raids and blocked the roads, however, the Rangers continued the search.
The head of Sachal Rangers, Brigadier Waseem Ayub also visited the area with media persons and briefed them with the details of the operation.
Separately, it was also reported that PPP senior leader Dr Zulfiqar Mirza resigned from his party post in protest against the operation conducted by the Rangers in Lyari this morning.
More dengue cases amid all-under-control claims
LAHORE: The Health Department and City District Government might keep making claims about having dengue under control but the number of dengue cases continues to rise.
On Saturday, 118 more cases of dengue infection were reported in hospitals across the city. Four cases of dengue were reported in other cities of the Punjab including two in Multan, one in Gujranwala and one in Rahim Yar Khan.According to a Health Department report, 14 cases of dengue infection were reported at the Institute of Public Health, 11 cases at Lahore General Hospital, 11 cases at Mayo Hospital, 38 cases at Shaukat Khanum Hospital, one case at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, four cases at Services Hospital, 26 cases at Fauji Foundation, Four cases at Ghurki Hospital, one case at Kot Khwaja Saeed Hospital and two cases at Doctors Hospital.
Health Director General Dr Aslam Chaudhry said that under a new strategy one town of Lahore was now being covered with anti-mosquito spray and fogging per day. He said so far the anti-mosquito campaign had been completed in Shalimar Town, Data Ganj Bakhsh Town, Gulberg Town, Samanabad Town, Aziz Bhatti Town, Cantt, Ravi Town and Nishtar Town. He said the staff of the Solid Waste Management Department was removing heaps of garbage and WASA was fixing leaking water pipes.
Dr Chaudhry said the dengue situation in Punjab was under control. “Diagnosis and treatment facilities are provided free of cost to everyone, without any discrimination. There are plenty of platelet transfusion kits in case of a dengue crisis,” he said.
The doctor stressed that public cooperation was a must in effectively controlling dengue. Dengue is not only affecting Pakistan, it is the major viral disease gripping the world at the moment, with more than 2.5 billion peoples at risk, he said. “People should not panic. Mortality associated with dengue fever is far less than that of viral hepatitis, diabetes, hypertension, CVA, and even road side accidents,” Dr Chaudhry said.
EDO (Health) Dr Umar Farooq Baloch said that people shouldn’t be afraid of dengue as it was a curable disease.
At Services Hospital, additional medical superintendents, deputy medical superintendents, doctors, nurses and other staff have been assigned duties for Eidul Fitr holidays. The staff at the OPD will serve in Emergency and other wards due to closure of OPD from August 31 to September 4, 2011.
According to Services Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Muhammad Javed, days off for sanitary inspectors and security staff of all three shifts have been cancelled and the additional medical superintendent, the administration and nursing superintendents would not be authorised to allow additional leave or a day off to their staff.
Dr Javed directed the security officer to be vigilant and ensure that no security guard leaves his position until the arrival of the next shift. Administrative doctors will also monitor the performance of all the deputed staff ensuring the provision of diagnostic facilities and medicines to patients in the Emergency Ward during their duty hours.
Dr Javed directed the social welfare officers to take care of the needs of poor and deserving patients during Eid holidays. He also directed the sanitation staff to maintain cleanliness throughout the hospital, the residential colony and the hostels. He also directed the concerned staff to keep the generator functional, the ambulances on stand by and the blood bank staff to be alert. He warned that strict action will be taken against absentees.
A spokesman for the Health Department said much like Services Hospital arrangements had been made in all public teaching hospitals to facilitate patients during the Eid holidays. He said that dengue wards at teaching hospitals would run round the clock.
Pakistan Medical Society chairman Dr Masood Akhtar Sheikh, speaking to The Express Tribune, said that efforts were being made to genetically modify the dengue-carrying mosquito so that its life span was reduced from the normal of 2 to 3 weeks to 2 to 5 days. “The virus needs 3 to 5 days in the mosquito’s body before it is finally capable of spreading the virus to people. In comings days dengue control will be based on the genetically engineered virus and reduction of the life span of the adult Aedies mosquito which spreads dengue,” he added.
Dr Sheikh said that platelets transfusion, though a very important treatment option in dengue, should be reserved for special cases only, as undue transfusions result in transfusion-related risks like hepatitis C and B and HIV, in addition to a hypersensitivity reaction.
He suggested that a platelet level as low as 30,000 can be managed by effective and close monitoring of the patients. He said that the platelet kits were being sold at 10 to 15 times of their fair price due to the panic in general public.
He said that effective control of dengue fever was not possible with out community participation, adding that advocacy campaigns should be organised all over the province.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 28th, 2011.
Virtual watchdog: Internet users banned from browsing privately for ‘security reasons’
KARACHI: In an effort to ramp up the monitoring of internet security, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has directed all ISPs to prevent internet users from using technology that would allow them to privately browse the internet. This was stated in a PTA notice provided to The Express Tribune by a source at an Islamabad-based internet service provider (ISP).
The notice states, ‘In line with [Monitoring & Reconciliation of International Telephone Traffic] Regulations 2010 and national security, Authority prohibited usage of all such mechanisms including encrypted virtual private networks (EVPNs) which conceal communication to the extent that prohibits monitoring.’ The notice further stated, ‘It is observed that the aforementioned directive has not been followed in true letter and spirit as EVPNs are heavily being used on the Licensees Network.’A PTA spokesman said that the directive was intended only to stop militants from using secure internet connections to communicate with each other, but admitted that this could only be done by preventing all internet users in Pakistan from using VPNs. A VPN allows two or more users to share data without letting anyone else monitor it.
‘Access denied’
Meanwhile, the PTA has become increasingly aggressive in blocking websites in the country. The entire website of Rolling Stone, a pop-culture and politics magazine, has been blocked since July. The PTA spokesman confirmed that the website has been blocked but said he did not know why it had been done so.
The source at the Islamabad ISP said that they had been issued a notice to block a blog post by a writer, Matt Taibbi, on the Rolling Stone website. However, the source said that ISPs are unable to block specific URLs on websites and have to block the whole domain.
The post in question was titled ‘Pakistan’s insane military spending up there with America’s.’
The post quoted a column written by Thomas Friedman of the New York Times that criticised the Pakistan Army for having a vast budget that was used only to guard against India, and not to fight militants. Taibbi has quoted this section to point out that most of the criticisms directed against Pakistan could be applied to the US and its military budget too.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 28th, 2011.
Pakistan summons Afghan envoy
Pakistan has summoned the Afghan charge d'affaires to the foreign ministry in protest at recent cross-border attacks by Taliban militants. Islamabad says hundreds of militants from Afghanistan's Kunar and Nuristan provinces attacked seven army posts in Chitral near Afghan border on Saturday, killing 25 Pakistani security forces. "The activities of the terrorists are a matter of great concern to both the governments and peoples of Pakistan and Afghanistan. They cannot be allowed to continue such blatant attacks from across the border," the ministry said in a statement. The statement also urged US-led NATO forces and the Afghan National Army to prevent such cross-border attacks by militants
Rehman Malik A Compulsive Liar: Pak Minister
The senior leader from the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party, who has been opposed to the paramilitary operation, said he would have brought peace to the city within 15 days if he had been given a free hand.
Mirza's resignation is likely to further complicate the already volatile situation in Karachi, where political ethnic violence has claimed as many as 1400 lives this year, 530 of them over the last two months. It is said to be the worst ethnic and political violence in the city in 16 years.
At a crowded news conference where he lashed out at both Malik and the MQM, Mirza said he was resigning as senior minister in the Sindh Cabinet, as a member of the Provincial Assembly and also quit as senior Vice President of the Pakistan Peoples Party.
Mirza criticised Malik for mishandling the situation in Karachi and said he will provide proofs to the government about his role in deterioration of the peace in Karachi.
He said that Malik was "hand in glove with terrorists" and termed him an opportunist and the biggest enemy of Pakistan, while also holding him responsible for killings in Karachi.
"I have repeatedly told the PPP leadership that Rehman Malik is a pathological liar," said Mirza.
A close friend of Zardari, Mirza has always been a controversial figure with several of his statements against the ethnic Urdu-speaking group Mutahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) creating a rift with allies.
While acknowledging that Malik was a "good politician and good human being", Mirza maintained that he was also a "compulsive liar".
Mirza had opposed the operation by security forces in the restive Lyari area of Karachi, which is the stronghold of the ruling party.
Mirza, however, reiterated his commitment to the party and to his friendship with President Asif Ali Zardari and pledged to continue working as a normal party activist.
His controversial remarks last month in which he said that the Urdu-speaking migrants had come "hungry and naked" to this city had fuelled further unrest in the already simmering city.
The MQM, which is the single largest party from Karachi in the national and provincial assemblies has repeatedly accused Mirza of patronising criminal gangs which were fanning ethnic and political violence in Pakistan's biggest city.
The severe differences between the MQM and Mirza came to the fore last year when Mirza as home minister first accused the MQM of running extortion rackets and killings in the city.
Mirza was made senior minister after the MQM broke away from the coalition at the centre and the province.
But following his controversial remarks against immigrants all hell broke loose and the government sidelined him and started rapprochement with the MQM.
"Altaf Hussain is a killer and his party is also a terrorist organisation and they are behind the killings and violence in Karachi," Mirza alleged while constantly swearing on the Koran and putting it on his head to insist that he was speaking the truth.
He also alleged the MQM was behind the killing of Geo news journalist Wali Babar and five of the arrested killers belonged to the MQM.
Pakistani court orders confiscation of Musharraf's assets
The court has already declared Pervez Musharraf as an " absconder" in the assassination case of Benazir Bhutto as he has not agreed to clarify his position in court despite several notices.
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had requested the court to summon Pervez Musharraf who was President at the time of the assassination, but he had refused a request to cooperate in the investigation into Bhutto's death.
Following the lack of cooperation by Musharraf, he was named as an "absconding accused", FIA prosecutor Chaudhry Zulfiqar said.
The FIA on Saturday presented a final report in the court about Pervez Musharraf's refusal to appear and the court issued orders to confiscate property of the former president. Local media reported that the court has also ordered to freeze Musharraf's bank accounts.
The court ruled that the trial of Musharraf will be started separately from other accused and after he is arrested.
The anti-terrorism court is conducting the trial of five terror suspects including alleged members of the Tehrik-e- Taliban Pakistan who have been charged with planning and facilitating the assassination.
Bhutto was killed by a suicide bomber shortly after she addressed an election rally in Rawalpindi on December 27, 2007.
The charge sheet further said that former Rawalpindi Police chief Saud Aziz and former Superintendent of Police Khurram Shahzad, who were arrested this year by the FIA on charges of negligence in providing security to Bhutto, were acting on the orders of Musharraf. Both former police officers were bailed out and are now being tried in the case.
The FIA's charge against Musharraf is one of a long list of legal and criminal cases against the former president who resigned in August 2008 and it could cause problems for his planned return to Pakistani politics.
Musharraf, who has been living in self-exile in Britain since April 2009, said that he planned to return to Pakistan before the next general election in 2013.
He has also formed a new party, the All Pakistan Muslim League, with an eye to the next polls.
Dr Imran Farooq murder: Stop spreading untrue reports, MQM tells media
KARACHI: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) tersely urged the media to refrain from spreading “unfounded speculations” about arrests made in Dr Imran Farooq’s murder case.
A statement issued by MQM’s coordination committee said that news reports on two people being arrested at the Karachi airport were “devoid of truth, baseless and concocted.”The committee said that the purpose behind these “fabricated and malicious” reports was nothing but to “tarnish the image of the MQM and damage its reputation.”
Members of the coordination committee said that MQM was “consulting its legal advisers for (taking) legal action in this regard.”
They said that the case was being investigated by “the (New) Scotland Yard, and the media should desist from spreading false and unfounded speculations.”
In Karachi, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said that law enforcement agencies had not arrested any man named ‘Waseem’ from Karachi airport in the Dr Imran Farooq murder case and no agency had sent any report to the British authorities regarding any Pakistani political party.
Rebuffing all media reports in this regard, Malik said this was “all being done to drive a wedge between the PPP and the MQM.”
Malik told reporters that reports regarding arrest of two MQM workers from an airport “are baseless and no information was provided by Scotland Yard or other British agency (in this regard).” He said that the government of Pakistan had not sent any report against the MQM to the British authorities.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 28th, 2011.
Pervaiz Elahi for early recovery of Taseer son
LAHORE: Senior PML-Q leader Ch Pervaiz Elahi while expressing concern over the kidnapping of Shahbaz Taseer proposed that Punjab government should launch a joint investigation comprising federal and provincial agencies into the matter if it really desires speedy results.
He expressed these views while talking to the media after consoling the Taseer family at their residence on Saturday.
He said that Chief Minister Punjab should focus on his province instead of interfering into the affairs of other provinces. Pervaiz said that every person in the province feel insecurity in the province, as crimes of ransom for kidnapping has increased by 10 percent in big cities of the province including South Punjab. He claimed that provincial capital was left at the mercy of dacoits and robbers, as 300 crimes were being committed in the provincial metropolis alone.
He said that businessmen community of the City was in permanent grip of fear, while the PML-Q was pointing out the poor law and situation in the province since the PML-N took power in Punjab. PML-Q leader asked the PML-N-led government to make public a single formula or plan which they evolved to maintain law and order in the last three and a half years. Pervaiz claimed that people of Punjab were remembering the era of PML-Q government, as it was the period of peace during which the life and property was safe.
He expressed these views while talking to the media after consoling the Taseer family at their residence on Saturday.
He said that Chief Minister Punjab should focus on his province instead of interfering into the affairs of other provinces. Pervaiz said that every person in the province feel insecurity in the province, as crimes of ransom for kidnapping has increased by 10 percent in big cities of the province including South Punjab. He claimed that provincial capital was left at the mercy of dacoits and robbers, as 300 crimes were being committed in the provincial metropolis alone.
He said that businessmen community of the City was in permanent grip of fear, while the PML-Q was pointing out the poor law and situation in the province since the PML-N took power in Punjab. PML-Q leader asked the PML-N-led government to make public a single formula or plan which they evolved to maintain law and order in the last three and a half years. Pervaiz claimed that people of Punjab were remembering the era of PML-Q government, as it was the period of peace during which the life and property was safe.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Letter threatening Pakistani president found
A letter threatening to attack Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has been found in the court's parking lot, a media report said Saturday.
A seven-member police team is examining the letter, Dawn News reported.
The team has questioned Javed Altaf, a cameraman of a private TV channel who spotted the letter. He told the investigating body he found the letter lying between two cars.
A police officer said that in the letter, the English words were correctly spelt but the Urdu words were wrongly written.
It seemed a deliberate ploy by the writer to give a false impression, he said.
The investigators were, however, undecided if the letter was a prank or a serious threat.
The officer added that it may be a tactic to delay a hearing into a case like that relating to the target killings in Karachi.
A seven-member police team is examining the letter, Dawn News reported.
The team has questioned Javed Altaf, a cameraman of a private TV channel who spotted the letter. He told the investigating body he found the letter lying between two cars.
A police officer said that in the letter, the English words were correctly spelt but the Urdu words were wrongly written.
It seemed a deliberate ploy by the writer to give a false impression, he said.
The investigators were, however, undecided if the letter was a prank or a serious threat.
The officer added that it may be a tactic to delay a hearing into a case like that relating to the target killings in Karachi.
Militants from Afghanistan Kill 26 in Pakistan
(PESHAWAR, Pakistan) — Hundreds of militants crossed the Afghan border Saturday and attacked three security checkpoints in northwestern Pakistan, killing 26 paramilitary soldiers and police, officials said.
It was the latest of a series of attacks that Pakistani officials say have been launched from an area of eastern Afghanistan where the U.S. has largely pulled out its troops. The raids have increased tension between Pakistan, Afghanistan and the U.S.
Armed with heavy weapons, the militants seized control of a local village after attacking the security checkpoints in Chitral district, said local police official Nizam Khan. Pakistani forces responded to the raid and killed nine insurgents, he said.
But fighting was still ongoing Saturday afternoon, and Pakistani troops have called in helicopter gunships to drive the militants back across the border, said Maj. Ghulam Rasool, a member of the paramilitary forces.
The militants chanted "God is great!" and "Long live jihad!" as they fought, said Capt. Abdul Ghani, another member of the paramilitary forces.
Chitral is located across the border from the Afghan districts of Nuristan and Kunar, both of which house significant numbers of Afghan and Pakistani Taliban fighters. The U.S. largely pulled out of the area about a year ago but has recently added additional troops.
Pakistan complained earlier this summer that militants coming from Afghanistan killed at least 55 members of the security forces and tribal police in a spate of attacks, and demanded that U.S. and Afghan forces do more to stem the flow of fighters.
Kabul and Washington have long accused Pakistan of not doing enough to stop militants from crossing into Afghanistan to stage attacks. Afghanistan has also complained that Pakistan fired more than 750 rockets into eastern Afghanistan earlier this summer that killed at least 40 people.
The Pakistan army denied it intentionally fired rockets into Afghanistan, but acknowledged that several rounds fired at militants conducting cross-border attacks may have landed over the border.
Also Saturday, gunmen kidnapped and killed a retired army colonel in northwestern Pakistan, and a police officer died trying to rescue him, said police official Umer Hayat.
The gunmen seized Col. Shakeel Ahmad as he was on his way home from morning prayers in the garrison city of Kohat, said Hayat. Police intercepted the gunmen's car at a checkpoint and engaged them in a firefight in which one police officer was killed and two others wounded. The gunmen escaped and later shot dead Ahmad and abandoned his body alongside a road.
No group has claimed responsibility, but the Pakistani Taliban have often targeted soldiers and police in the country.
90 suspects arrested in Karachi, search operation continues
Over 20 suspects were reportedly arrested during a police operation in the Haji Ilyas Goth area near Liaquatabad.
The suspects have been shifted to different police stations for interrogation.
According to Assistant Superintendent of police (ASP) Afnan, most people arrested during the operation were affiliated with drug dealers in that area.
Earlier, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said that the police and Rangers will continue the search operation until peace is restored in the city.
Government should focus more on Karachi
The National Assembly Opposition Leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said that the government should be more open about its ongoing dialogue with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).
He said this while speaking to the media in Islamabad.
Nisar said that Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani should focus more on the situation in Karachi instead of appointing “incompetent people” on important seats.
The opposition leader termed the search operations in Karachi a “charade” and also alleged that the government is protecting its own groups in this operation.
He further said that the government is more interested in creating an alliance with the MQM than stopping the ongoing violence in Karachi.
Government announces reward for identifying target killers
Earlier, the Sindh government had announced a reward of Rs1 million for anyone who provides information about the target killers and helps in identifying them.
On the other hand, the provincial government has announced Rs0.5 million for the families whose members had died in the violence.
The decisions were taken in a meeting in Karachi which was chaired by Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah and Interior Minister Rehman Malik.
In the meeting, it was also decided to cancel Eid holidays of police and Rangers officials.
Timely action thwarts deadly suicide attack in capital
ISLAMA: The Islamabad Police, in collaboration with intelligence agencies, took into custody two terrorists in two raids in the early hours of Friday and recovered a suicide jacket with arms and ammunition from their possession, sources in secret agencies said.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Bani-Amin Khan, when contacted confirmed the report and termed the arrests a great achievement of the Islamabad Police.
Police commandoes and personnel of law enforcement and intelligence agencies in the wee hours of Friday conducted a raid on a hotel in Aabpara as well as a house in Sector G-6/1-1 and nabbed a terrorist, five other suspects, who wanted to hit at a big religious gathering in the capital on the occasion of Juma-tul-Wida.
Acting on a tip-off about the presence of a terrorist at Anwar Hotel in Aabpara, police conducted a raid there and arrested a man identified as ‘Qari'. Police teams conducted a raid on the house in the wee hours of Friday and arrested five suspects from there.
During preliminary investigation from the nabbed men, it was revealed that Sardar Ali Khan Khattak had been working as a ‘naib qasid' in the Ministry of Finance and at present availing a two-year leave, sources said.
Police also recovered a suicide jacket, a hand-grenade, two pistols, bullets and foreign currency from the house. Further investigation is underway.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Bani-Amin Khan, when contacted confirmed the report and termed the arrests a great achievement of the Islamabad Police.
Police commandoes and personnel of law enforcement and intelligence agencies in the wee hours of Friday conducted a raid on a hotel in Aabpara as well as a house in Sector G-6/1-1 and nabbed a terrorist, five other suspects, who wanted to hit at a big religious gathering in the capital on the occasion of Juma-tul-Wida.
Acting on a tip-off about the presence of a terrorist at Anwar Hotel in Aabpara, police conducted a raid there and arrested a man identified as ‘Qari'. Police teams conducted a raid on the house in the wee hours of Friday and arrested five suspects from there.
During preliminary investigation from the nabbed men, it was revealed that Sardar Ali Khan Khattak had been working as a ‘naib qasid' in the Ministry of Finance and at present availing a two-year leave, sources said.
Police also recovered a suicide jacket, a hand-grenade, two pistols, bullets and foreign currency from the house. Further investigation is underway.
Overnight search operation for Shahbaz recovery
LAHORE: The Punjab police has been unable to locate Shahbaz Taseer, son of former Punjab governor Salman Taseer, who was kidnapped on Friday from Gulberg area of Lahore, Geo News reported Saturday. The kidnappers have not made any demand so far.
The police conducted overnight search operation in the areas of Lahore and Cantt division and made several arrests to investigate the incident.
So far, police has not provided any details of the search to the media, however, the Punjab government has put the security forces on high alert in the entire province.
The police conducted overnight search operation in the areas of Lahore and Cantt division and made several arrests to investigate the incident.
So far, police has not provided any details of the search to the media, however, the Punjab government has put the security forces on high alert in the entire province.
PPP Punjab to protest in assembly over Taseer’s kidnapping
LAHORE - Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Punjab on Saturday decided to submit a requisition regarding calling a Punjab Assembly’s meeting on Shahbaz Taseer’s kidnapping incident.
Opposition Leader Raja Riaz said that the requisition will be submitted in the assembly secretariat on Tuesday. If Shahbaz Sharif did not come in the assembly on that day, then we will stage protest, he said.
Riaz also said that Shahbaz Sharif should concentrate on maintaining peace in the province instead of talking about Karachi’s peace. Taseer’s kidnapping has exposed the good governance of the Punjab government, he added.
Opposition Leader Raja Riaz said that the requisition will be submitted in the assembly secretariat on Tuesday. If Shahbaz Sharif did not come in the assembly on that day, then we will stage protest, he said.
Riaz also said that Shahbaz Sharif should concentrate on maintaining peace in the province instead of talking about Karachi’s peace. Taseer’s kidnapping has exposed the good governance of the Punjab government, he added.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Poet of romance and resistance remembered
Ahmad Faraz, who has often been compared with Faiz Ahmed Faiz, holds a distinctive position as one of the greatest romantic Urdu poet of our times, with an excellent yet plain style of writing which a common man can easily understand and relate to. Recalling Ahmed Faraz, a prominent journalist, Khalid Hasan remarked that “Ahmed Faraz was a classicist like Faiz Ahmed Faiz who, like him, produced poetry of great lyrical beauty and who, like his mentor, never hesitated to stand up against oppression and never was afraid of suffering for his beliefs.”
Syed Ahmad Shah, generally known as Faraz, which was his nom de plume, was born in Kohat in 1931. He wrote 13 books and put all together as Shehr-e-Sukhan Aarasta Hai (A City of Poetry is Adorned). Faraz suffered imprisonment and persecution under Zia-ul-Haq era and was so heartbroken that he left the country like Faiz and lived in exile for six years. After returning to Pakistan, he was initially appointed Chairman Academy of Letters and later chairperson of the Islamabad-based National Book Foundation for several years. He has been awarded with numerous national and international awards. He was awarded the Hilal-i-Imtiaz in 2004, in recognition of his literary achievements, but he returned the award in 2006 after becoming embittered with the government and its policies. Faraz studied Persian and Urdu and later became lecturer at the Peshawar University. He died in Islamabad on August 25, 2008.
Ahmed Faraz is a national treasure, but “it is a pity that instead of praising the work of great poet like Faraz, some people have started to defame the work of the poet through humorous text messages.
I don’t understand why we cannot give him the honour which he deserved!” remarked Ali Qureshi, a young admirer of Faraz.
This upsetting trend of our young generation imply that worst fears of Khalid Hasan may come true, as he once wrote: “Are we going to lose Faraz, the supreme poet of romance, whose poetry we have loved and lived with all these years? It is a horrible thought.”
Meanwhile, the Chairman pf Capital Development Authority (CDA), Imtiaz Inayat Elahi announced naming of Service Road (West), Sector F-10 after the name of the great poet, Ahmad Faraz on Thursday.
Prominent scholar and critic Professor Fateh Muhammad Malik, Iftikhar Arif, Agha Nasir, former MD, PTV, Kishwar Naheed, Shabnam Shakil, Mansha Yaad and a large number of poets, scholars, intellectuals from twin cities witnessed the ceremony.
$20m grant to create job opportunities in KP, Fata
ISLAMABAD, Aug 25: The World Bank-administered Multi-Donor Trust Fund (MDTF), set up for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Fata and Balochistan, on Thursday approved a $20 million grant to create sustainable employment opportunities in militancy-hit Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Fata.
The project envisages rehabilitation of some 850 small and medium enterprises, mobilisation of diaspora investments and building institutional capacities to support regulatory reforms.The Economic Revitalisation of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Fata (ERKF) project is a three-year endeavour that will rehabilitate, upgrade and support the development of crisis-hit SMEs in these areas, says a press release issued here by the World Bank.
The MDTF, which provides a coordinated financing support to the government`s development programmes in KP, Fata and Balochistan, serves as a funds mobilisation mechanism for the implementation of the Post-Crisis Needs Assessment (PCNA) designed jointly by the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. Its overall objective is to support reconstruction and reduce the potential for renewed conflict in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Commenting on the approval of the grant, Secretary, Economic Affairs Division, Abdul Wajid Rana said: “Small businesses are the backbone of the economy of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Fata.”
“These businesses suffered immense losses in the militancy crisis of 2009. Now is their chance to recover and help the province stand on its feet once again,” he said.
Malik extends stay in Karachi to monitor law, order
ISLAMABAD: On the instructions of President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, Interior Minister Rehman Malik has extended his stay in Karachi to effectively monitor the ongoing surgical operation of Rangers and police against the miscreants in the city.
Political observers are of the view that the timely action by Rangers and police within the legal limits in Karachi has started producing positive results. Life is fast turning back towards normalcy in the mega city, as the trade centres are open now and people are busy in Eid shopping in various markets.
"Well done Rehman Malik, once again!" is the message Rehman Malik is receiving from hundreds of citizens of Karachi. The political observers are of the view that Rehman Malik knows the art of shutting the mouth of the country's enemies.
The interior minister is personally monitoring the situation in Karachi in order to further improve the law and order. He meets different people till late night, disregarding security threats in the city. He roamed in Karachi markets till 3:00 am Wednesday night without any security squad, which increased the confidence of the locals.
Political observers are of the view that the timely action by Rangers and police within the legal limits in Karachi has started producing positive results. Life is fast turning back towards normalcy in the mega city, as the trade centres are open now and people are busy in Eid shopping in various markets.
"Well done Rehman Malik, once again!" is the message Rehman Malik is receiving from hundreds of citizens of Karachi. The political observers are of the view that Rehman Malik knows the art of shutting the mouth of the country's enemies.
The interior minister is personally monitoring the situation in Karachi in order to further improve the law and order. He meets different people till late night, disregarding security threats in the city. He roamed in Karachi markets till 3:00 am Wednesday night without any security squad, which increased the confidence of the locals.
Pakistani gunmen kidnap son of slain governor
Shahbaz Taseer, whose father was killed in January for opposing a blasphemy law, is removed from his car in Lahore. Authorities have no suspects, and no ransom demand has been made.
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan—
Gunmen on Friday kidnapped the son of Salman Taseer, the liberal provincial governor assassinated by one of his bodyguards earlier this year in retaliation for Taseer's opposition to Pakistan's blasphemy law.The abduction of Shahbaz Taseer in the eastern city of Lahore raised concerns that Islamic extremists were intent on targeting members of the Taseer family, some of whom have continued to speak out against intolerance in Pakistani society after the governor's slaying Jan. 4.
Western leaders and analysts were particularly dismayed by how segments of Pakistani society reacted to Taseer's assassination. Many Pakistanis showered Qadri with praise and called him a hero, a reaction that showed how widely supported Islamist radicals and extremists are within Pakistan. Two months after Taseer's murder, Shahbaz Bhatti, a Christian and Pakistan's minority affairs minister, was assassinated apparently also because of his opposition to the blasphemy law.
Police say Shahbaz Taseer, 28, was en route to his office when four gunmen on motorcycles pulled up to his silver Mercedes and forced him out at gunpoint. They pushed him into a waiting sport utility vehicle and sped away, police said. Authorities say they have no suspects and that the Taseer family has yet to receive any ransom demands. The provincial government had assigned a security team to the younger Taseer, but no guards were with him when the abduction occurred, police said.
Rana Sanaullah, Punjab's law minister, suggested Islamic militants may have been behind Taseer's kidnapping.
"This is a very distressing incident," Sanaullah told reporters in Lahore. "Involvement of terrorist organizations in abduction incidents is getting grave across the country."
Ali Dayan Hasan, South Asia researcher for Human Rights Watch, urged Pakistani authorities to move quickly to rescue Taseer.
"This family has suffered too much already, and given the security threats directed toward them in the aftermath of Gov. Taseer's death, this kidnapping underscores the failing writ of the state and its inability to provide security even to those known to be at high risk," Hasan said in a statement.
Taseer's abduction follows the Aug. 13 kidnapping of American development expert Warren Weinstein from his house in the eastern city of Lahore. On Thursday, police raided a house in the central Pakistan town of Khushab where they believed Weinstein was being held, but the kidnappers had fled with the American before police arrived, Lahore authorities said.
Weinstein was kidnapped just two days before he was scheduled to move back to the U.S. after living in Pakistan for seven years. He is Pakistan country director for J.E. Austin Associates, a consultant for development projects in Pakistan and a host of other countries. Police have arrested three people they believe are linked to the gang that kidnapped Weinstein.
CJ seeks early resolution of Karachi issue
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry Friday expressed grave concerns over uncontrolled volatile situation in Karachi, saying the governmental apparatus seemed to have broken down in the city to contain violence.
It should be mentioned here that the apex court took suo motu notice on the newspaper reports regarding the ongoing lawlessness in the city.
A five-member bench headed by Chief Justice Chaudhry began the hearing of the suo motu case. The other judges of the bench include Justice Shakirullah Jan, Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk, Justice Tariq Parvez and Justice Ghulam Rabbani. Former Law Minister Babar Awan appeared before the court on the part of the federal government; while, the chief secretary and Sindh Inspector General Police (IGP) Wajid Ali Durrani represented the Sindh government before the court.
Sindh IG and chief secretary presented the report in the court. The chief justice expressed his dissatisfaction over the report. The chief secretary said due to its being a provincial subject, complete information could not be had.
The federation’s counsel Babar Awan voiced reservations over the some of judiciary’s observations and remarks regarding administration’s failure.
Chief Justice stressed the Attorney General had been asked to submit report consisting of incidents over past one month
CJP told the attorney general about the sensitivity of the case directing him not to take it in a light manner. One strike in Karachi incurs a loss of Rs 25 billion, CJP added. The situation in Karachi is out of control for the last one month. The CJP said it was demand of the 180 million people that was why the court took the action. He directed to include the take of all the agencies in the report.
Sindh government’s attorney said court didn’t have the solution to the Karachi issue. The CJP said the court has the constitutional right to ensure the rights of the common people. The court asked how many people had been killed and why the culprits could not be nabbed. Advocate general said a man who killed 100 people was released by the court. Justice Rabbani said why did the government not nabbed when he was killing 100 people. The court convicts when there are proofs, the CJP added. The next hearing will be held in Karachi on August 29.
It should be mentioned here that the apex court took suo motu notice on the newspaper reports regarding the ongoing lawlessness in the city.
A five-member bench headed by Chief Justice Chaudhry began the hearing of the suo motu case. The other judges of the bench include Justice Shakirullah Jan, Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk, Justice Tariq Parvez and Justice Ghulam Rabbani. Former Law Minister Babar Awan appeared before the court on the part of the federal government; while, the chief secretary and Sindh Inspector General Police (IGP) Wajid Ali Durrani represented the Sindh government before the court.
Sindh IG and chief secretary presented the report in the court. The chief justice expressed his dissatisfaction over the report. The chief secretary said due to its being a provincial subject, complete information could not be had.
The federation’s counsel Babar Awan voiced reservations over the some of judiciary’s observations and remarks regarding administration’s failure.
Chief Justice stressed the Attorney General had been asked to submit report consisting of incidents over past one month
CJP told the attorney general about the sensitivity of the case directing him not to take it in a light manner. One strike in Karachi incurs a loss of Rs 25 billion, CJP added. The situation in Karachi is out of control for the last one month. The CJP said it was demand of the 180 million people that was why the court took the action. He directed to include the take of all the agencies in the report.
Sindh government’s attorney said court didn’t have the solution to the Karachi issue. The CJP said the court has the constitutional right to ensure the rights of the common people. The court asked how many people had been killed and why the culprits could not be nabbed. Advocate general said a man who killed 100 people was released by the court. Justice Rabbani said why did the government not nabbed when he was killing 100 people. The court convicts when there are proofs, the CJP added. The next hearing will be held in Karachi on August 29.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Police fail to rescue kidnapped American national in Pak
From M Zulqernain
Lahore, Aug 25 (PTI) Amid conflicting reports over the fate of an American national in Pakistan who was kidnapped earlier this month from Lahore, the city police chief today said they had failed to recover him, but had arrested several suspects.
"We got the lead but could not succeed in recovering the American from the kidnappers'' custody," Lahore Police chief Ahmed Raza Tahir said.
He said the police had arrested several suspects and they were being quizzed.
Earlier in the day, reports said the law enforcement agencies had conducted an operation in Khushab district, over 200 kilometres from here. There were conflicting reports that Dr Warren Weinstein had been recovered from the kidnappers'' custody.
Sources said the operation could not succeed as the kidnappers had shifted the American to another unknown place.
Tahir blamed the media for leaking ''sensitive information''.
"We also have not conducted any operation in Khushab," Tahir clarified.
It is said the kidnappers got alerted when the operation''s news broke in some TV channels.
Dr Weinstein, the country head for J E Austen Associates (works for Economic Growth and Private Sector Development and also associated with USAID''s projects was kidnapped by eight or so masked men from his Lahore residence in the posh Model Town area on August 13.
The police said the agencies got the lead from the three suspects picked up from different places in Gujranwala, some 80 kilometres from here, a few days ago.
Lahore, Aug 25 (PTI) Amid conflicting reports over the fate of an American national in Pakistan who was kidnapped earlier this month from Lahore, the city police chief today said they had failed to recover him, but had arrested several suspects.
"We got the lead but could not succeed in recovering the American from the kidnappers'' custody," Lahore Police chief Ahmed Raza Tahir said.
He said the police had arrested several suspects and they were being quizzed.
Earlier in the day, reports said the law enforcement agencies had conducted an operation in Khushab district, over 200 kilometres from here. There were conflicting reports that Dr Warren Weinstein had been recovered from the kidnappers'' custody.
Sources said the operation could not succeed as the kidnappers had shifted the American to another unknown place.
Tahir blamed the media for leaking ''sensitive information''.
"We also have not conducted any operation in Khushab," Tahir clarified.
It is said the kidnappers got alerted when the operation''s news broke in some TV channels.
Dr Weinstein, the country head for J E Austen Associates (works for Economic Growth and Private Sector Development and also associated with USAID''s projects was kidnapped by eight or so masked men from his Lahore residence in the posh Model Town area on August 13.
The police said the agencies got the lead from the three suspects picked up from different places in Gujranwala, some 80 kilometres from here, a few days ago.
CM convenes all parties conference on Friday
KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah has convened all parties conference on Friday in connection with law and order situation in the city.
According to Special Assistance to the chief minister, Syed Waqar Mehdi, the provincial heads of all political parties have been invited to participate in the conference.
The participants will be apprised of the initiatives taken by the government to improve law and order situation.
He said the chief minister has constituted a committee comprising Taj Haider, Ayaz Soomro, Muzaffar Shujra, Rashid Rabbani and Waqar Mehdi to invite the leaders to the conference.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Eidul Fitr likely to fall on August 31
LAHORE: Provided the sky is clear and free of clouds, the Eid moon may be sighted on the evening of Tuesday, August 30 (29th Ramazan), consequently Eid being celebrated collectively across the country on August 31.
According to Ruet-e-Hilal Research Council Secretary General, Khalid Ejaz Mufti, the new moon could not be sighted until and unless its age was a minimum 20 hours at the time of sunset, at the place of observation, whereas the difference between sunset and moon set (lag time) is more than 40 minutes.
However, he said, if the age of the new moon was much higher than 20 hours, the moon would be visible at the lag time of about 33 minutes.
He said that the new moon would be born on August 29, at 08:04 Pakistan Standard Time.
The age of the new moon at the time of sunset on Tuesday evening, August 30, will be more than 34 hours in all the areas of the country but on the other hand lag time (difference between sunset and moonset) will be 29 minutes in Peshawar and Rawalpindi/Islamabad, 32 minutes in Lahore, 34 minutes in Quetta and 41 minutes in Gwadar, Jiwani and Karachi.
So the new moon will easily be sighted in cities, including Gwadar, Jiwani, Turbat and Ziarat of Balochistan, Badin, Dadu, Hyderabad, Karachi and Thatta of Sindh. The moon will also be visible in Bahawalnagar, Rahim Yar Khan, Multan, Muzaffargarh and DG Khan but it will not be easily visible in the rest of the cities of Punjab and in all cities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Khalid Ejaz Mufti said some so-called ulema of Peshawar could announce Eidul Fitr on August 30 by accepting false crescent observations on August 29 but it is pertinent to mention that the age of the moon will be less than 12 hours and the moon will set before sunset in all parts of the country on August 29. app
According to Ruet-e-Hilal Research Council Secretary General, Khalid Ejaz Mufti, the new moon could not be sighted until and unless its age was a minimum 20 hours at the time of sunset, at the place of observation, whereas the difference between sunset and moon set (lag time) is more than 40 minutes.
However, he said, if the age of the new moon was much higher than 20 hours, the moon would be visible at the lag time of about 33 minutes.
He said that the new moon would be born on August 29, at 08:04 Pakistan Standard Time.
The age of the new moon at the time of sunset on Tuesday evening, August 30, will be more than 34 hours in all the areas of the country but on the other hand lag time (difference between sunset and moonset) will be 29 minutes in Peshawar and Rawalpindi/Islamabad, 32 minutes in Lahore, 34 minutes in Quetta and 41 minutes in Gwadar, Jiwani and Karachi.
So the new moon will easily be sighted in cities, including Gwadar, Jiwani, Turbat and Ziarat of Balochistan, Badin, Dadu, Hyderabad, Karachi and Thatta of Sindh. The moon will also be visible in Bahawalnagar, Rahim Yar Khan, Multan, Muzaffargarh and DG Khan but it will not be easily visible in the rest of the cities of Punjab and in all cities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Khalid Ejaz Mufti said some so-called ulema of Peshawar could announce Eidul Fitr on August 30 by accepting false crescent observations on August 29 but it is pertinent to mention that the age of the moon will be less than 12 hours and the moon will set before sunset in all parts of the country on August 29. app
LUMS professor among `World`s Top Young Innovators`
LAHORE: Dr Umar Saif, a Professor at Lahore University of Management Sciences (Lums) has just become the first Pakistani to be recognised as one of the top 35 innovators of the world` The MIT Technology Review has named him as one of their 35 `World`s Top Young Innovators for the year 2011`.
No surprise, given his background; Saif started out at Aitchison, went on to Lums, did his Doctorate at Cambridge and ended up doing his Post doctorate at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
The MIT Technology Review (TR35) recognizes the world’s top 35 young innovators that are radically transforming technology as we know and this is the first time in the past decade that a Pakistani has been recognised.
Saif says that he couldn’t have done it without Lums. While talking to Our Sources, he said, “It would have been difficult at other universities. There are certain things that Lums has gotten right. The faculty is empowered and hiring and promotion is all done based on how research active you are.”
“I am tenured at Lums and I cannot be fired. The rest of the universities in Pakistan have more of a teaching focus. Lums lets me do only two to three courses a year. This gives me ample time to do my research.” Saif now joins an elite group of researchers and technologists including the likes of Google’s Seregy Brin and Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg.
While talking about one of his projects, SMSall.pk; he excitedly explained that it was like Twitter and that it was fanning out at an exponential rate in Pakistan. “Political parties, media channels; everyone is signing up for it,” he exclaimed. SMSall.pk is Pakistan’s largest SMS social network and has sent close to 4 billion SMS for users in Pakistan.
Technologies developed by Saif’s research group and startups are used by millions of people in the developing world. Other notable technology is BitMate, which enhances the speed of Internet in the developing world using peer-to-peer technology.
The MIT Technology Review selects the top innovators after a rigorous evaluation process. Judges, who are leading experts in their fields from universities such as MIT, Stanford and Harvard, consider hundreds of high-impact researchers and entrepreneurs from all over the world, out of which top 35 are chosen for the award.
When asked about the innovation process. Saif explained that he had a startup incubator called the Saif Centre of Innovation. “It deals with new projects the same way as Silicon Valley,” said Saif. People, mostly students come to me when they want to do a startup. “We keep discussing the idea till it is viable. Then we put together a team, distribute equity – I am always a minority stakeholder. Then I give the startup money to get it off the ground.” Saif says that the reason these projects are successful is because he gets the kids to run these companies. And they work 18 hours a day to get their ideas to work.
Saif is working on some incredibly innovative start ups right now. One uses mobile phone cameras to allow illiterate people to understand English. People can take pictures of English text – newspaper clippings, labels, anything – from any cell phone, MMS it to a number and they will get a call back that that reads out the text to them in Urdu.
Best of all, Pakistan need not fear losing Saif to any other country. Because he has no plans to move his home base out of Pakistan. Even though he spends some time visiting other universities to get some work done, Saif says that he is in Pakistan to stay permanently.
Surgical operation continues in Karachi; 83 miscreants arrested
Rangers and Police have recovered illegal weapons and drugs from 83 miscreants in Karachi on Wednesday while Interior Minister Rehman Malik has vowed that people sabotaging peace in Karachi would be brought before the public and the miscreants would be dealt with iron hand.
Police and Rangers carried out joint search operations in different areas of Karachi after Tuesday midnight following a high-level meeting in Islamabad jointly chaired by President Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani gave approval surgical operations in troubled areas of the metropolitan city. The Rangers and police are patrolling in different areas of Karachi while heavy contingents of Rangers and police have reached in Orangi Town and Qasba Colony. Meanwhile, Rangers have been deployed in Old Area Lyari, however, police will launch all operations in Qasba Colony. The Rangers have started snap checking in different areas of Lyari. According to the sources, the door to door search operation was conducted after cordoning off the area. Meanwhile Talking to media during his visit to Kati Pahari area along with Sindh IG Wajid Durrani Rehman Malik said that Rangers and police have been given complete authority to launch operation. Rehman Malik directed Inspector General of Police (IGP) Sindh, Wajid Ali Durrani to disclose the names of the arrested accused through a Press Note. He said that the people sabotaging peace in Karachi would be brought before the public and the miscreants would be dealt with iron hand. He said indiscriminate action would be taken against the miscreants and terrorists across the board in light of the directives of Prime Minister, Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani. He also appealed to the media to provide leads about the criminal elements and cooperate with the authorities. Malik said that the operation order was not for some particular area; however, the operation would be launched in any area where the information of miscreants’ presence would be received.
He also announced Quaid-e-Azam police medals and cash rewards for a Deputy Superintendent Police (DSP) officer and other senior cops upon arresting target killers during search operation in Lyari, Orangi Town and Qasba Colony areas.
Rehman Malik also lauded the performance of the Karachi Police for taking action against criminals. He also directed the IG Police Sindh to present the arrested accused before the media within 24 hours of their arrest.
Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) teams kept many areas of Lyari under siege for no less than four hours but arrested from there only five suspected militants.
While, many arrests were made from Orangi Town, Kati Pahari and Qasba Colony areas who have been shifted to unknown location for interrogations.
Police and Rangers carried out joint search operations in different areas of Karachi after Tuesday midnight following a high-level meeting in Islamabad jointly chaired by President Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani gave approval surgical operations in troubled areas of the metropolitan city. The Rangers and police are patrolling in different areas of Karachi while heavy contingents of Rangers and police have reached in Orangi Town and Qasba Colony. Meanwhile, Rangers have been deployed in Old Area Lyari, however, police will launch all operations in Qasba Colony. The Rangers have started snap checking in different areas of Lyari. According to the sources, the door to door search operation was conducted after cordoning off the area. Meanwhile Talking to media during his visit to Kati Pahari area along with Sindh IG Wajid Durrani Rehman Malik said that Rangers and police have been given complete authority to launch operation. Rehman Malik directed Inspector General of Police (IGP) Sindh, Wajid Ali Durrani to disclose the names of the arrested accused through a Press Note. He said that the people sabotaging peace in Karachi would be brought before the public and the miscreants would be dealt with iron hand. He said indiscriminate action would be taken against the miscreants and terrorists across the board in light of the directives of Prime Minister, Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani. He also appealed to the media to provide leads about the criminal elements and cooperate with the authorities. Malik said that the operation order was not for some particular area; however, the operation would be launched in any area where the information of miscreants’ presence would be received.
He also announced Quaid-e-Azam police medals and cash rewards for a Deputy Superintendent Police (DSP) officer and other senior cops upon arresting target killers during search operation in Lyari, Orangi Town and Qasba Colony areas.
Rehman Malik also lauded the performance of the Karachi Police for taking action against criminals. He also directed the IG Police Sindh to present the arrested accused before the media within 24 hours of their arrest.
Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) teams kept many areas of Lyari under siege for no less than four hours but arrested from there only five suspected militants.
While, many arrests were made from Orangi Town, Kati Pahari and Qasba Colony areas who have been shifted to unknown location for interrogations.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
SC takes suo motu notice of Karachi bloodshed
ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on Monday took suo motu notice of ongoing target killings in Karachi.
The director of the Human Rights Cell of the Supreme Court directed the news directors of eight television channels to submit by today (Tuesday) all the relevant material containing information over target killings in Karachi.
The directive was issued after the CJP gave order on a human rights case forwarded by the cell containing press clippings about an appeal made by Pakistan Awami Tahreek Chairman Dr Muhammad Tahirul Qadri.
The chief justice in his short order wrote, “CDs/DVDs from different channels be collected.”
Meanwhile, Tariq Asad advocate moved an application over the Karachi unrest.
He said that target killings continued in Karachi for the last one year, but the quarters concerned failed to control the situation.
He said that according to a data 1,981 people were killed in the city last year, 122 in January, 133 in February, 130 in March, 144 in May, 122 in June, 135 in July, 176 in August, 71 in September, 173 in October, 91 in November and 84 in December.
According to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan report, 177 women and 78 children were included in these figures, he added.
He said that the target killings increased in January this year and over 75 people were killed in reprisal attacks.
During the current spate of violence, dozens of political activists fell prey to unknown gunmen while the culprits managed to escape, he added.
Besides, extortionists had demarcated Karachi to collect money but they often resort to violence due to differences among them, he said. app
The director of the Human Rights Cell of the Supreme Court directed the news directors of eight television channels to submit by today (Tuesday) all the relevant material containing information over target killings in Karachi.
The directive was issued after the CJP gave order on a human rights case forwarded by the cell containing press clippings about an appeal made by Pakistan Awami Tahreek Chairman Dr Muhammad Tahirul Qadri.
The chief justice in his short order wrote, “CDs/DVDs from different channels be collected.”
Meanwhile, Tariq Asad advocate moved an application over the Karachi unrest.
He said that target killings continued in Karachi for the last one year, but the quarters concerned failed to control the situation.
He said that according to a data 1,981 people were killed in the city last year, 122 in January, 133 in February, 130 in March, 144 in May, 122 in June, 135 in July, 176 in August, 71 in September, 173 in October, 91 in November and 84 in December.
According to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan report, 177 women and 78 children were included in these figures, he added.
He said that the target killings increased in January this year and over 75 people were killed in reprisal attacks.
During the current spate of violence, dozens of political activists fell prey to unknown gunmen while the culprits managed to escape, he added.
Besides, extortionists had demarcated Karachi to collect money but they often resort to violence due to differences among them, he said. app
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