Washington: Imran riding a tidal of youth power: Report Languishing on the political sidelines for years, cricketer-turned politician Imran Khan is fast riding a tidal wave of youth support which could see him swept to power in Pakistan.
Though critics and political opponents still dismiss him as 'political nobody', US media reports said that the 58-year-old Tehreek-e-Insaf party chief was emerging as the most serious challenger in the country, cashing in almost total disillusionment of the people with mainline parties.
The New York Times said that the huge turnout at Khan's last evening rally in Lahore had made his opponents in the ruling People's party and Nawaz Sharif led Muslim League sit up with surprise and that the former pacer was also cashing in rampant anti-American sentiments in the country.
The paper said that though Khan's party has no seats in the current parliament, his popularity has soared recently as voters, specially younger ones, have grown disillusioned with the establishment parties.
NYT said a survey conducted by a US polling organisation, the Pew Research centre in June found that Khan had suddenly become the most popular figure in Pakistan.
The ruling Pakistan People's Party is not required to call general elections until February 2013, the paper said with a sinking economy, rising inflation, power struggles and terrorism taking a toll on the nation, a clamour had begun for a mid-term poll.
Khan in an interview to the paper said he expected the Lahore rally to be seen as a test of his political future.
"Lahore decides what happens in Punjab," he said. "Punjab decides what happens in Pakistan."
On the turnout at his rally, Khan said, "this is not a flood, this is a tsunami and anyone up against it will be swept away."
NYT said that Khan's anti-Americanism was at fore as he expressed opposition to cooperating with US against militants based in the country's north-west region, near the Afghan border.
He also said that Pakistan army should not conduct operations in those areas and not allow American drone strikes.
"My message to America is that we will have friendship with you, but we will not accept any slavery," he said. "We will help you in a respectable withdrawl of your troops from Afghanistan, but we will not launch a military operation in Pakistan for you."
The media report said that Imran was an emerging force and was already getting tactic backing from the powerful army as also endorsements from erstwhile military ruler Parvez Musharraf.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Sunday, October 30, 2011
PML-N censures opponents
LAHORE – Senator Pervaiz Rashid has said that Imran Khan, MQM and People’s Party were talking in same tone against PML-N.
He questioned that why Zardari, Altaf Hussain and Imran Khan have joined hands against PML-N. Whenever Imran Khan visited America and UK, he did not stage demonstrations against drone attacks. Whenever he visited India, he never condemned Indians over atrocities in Kashmir. Imran Khan has never visited any family member of those who were attacked and killed by terrorists in Pakistan. He never raised voice against the target killing of Balochs, Hazaras and settlers in Balochistan. Has Imran Khan ever visited Nawabshah, Sangar and Umarkot and other flood affected districts in Sindh, he questioned.
Meanwhile, Senator Pervaiz Rashid asked Governor Punjab Latif Khosa to inform the people about the reason that why he had been removed from the office of attorney general by his own government.
He questioned that why Zardari, Altaf Hussain and Imran Khan have joined hands against PML-N. Whenever Imran Khan visited America and UK, he did not stage demonstrations against drone attacks. Whenever he visited India, he never condemned Indians over atrocities in Kashmir. Imran Khan has never visited any family member of those who were attacked and killed by terrorists in Pakistan. He never raised voice against the target killing of Balochs, Hazaras and settlers in Balochistan. Has Imran Khan ever visited Nawabshah, Sangar and Umarkot and other flood affected districts in Sindh, he questioned.
Meanwhile, Senator Pervaiz Rashid asked Governor Punjab Latif Khosa to inform the people about the reason that why he had been removed from the office of attorney general by his own government.
Taliban kills 16 soldiers and three civilians in Afghanistan
SevenTEEN people were killed in a suicide blast in Kabul yesterday in the deadliest attack on Nato forces in the Afghan capital since the war began.
The Taliban bomber rammed an armoured military bus, setting off a huge explosion. The dead included 12 Americans and a Canadian.
The Taliban bomber rammed an armoured military bus, setting off a huge explosion. The dead included 12 Americans and a Canadian.
Punjab CM’s anti-Zardari remarks slammed
KARACHI, Oct 29: Reacting to the remarks of Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif at the ‘Go Zardari Go’ rally in Lahore on Friday, Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon on Saturday criticised him for “using unparliamentarily language against President Asif Ali Zardari” and accused Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif and his younger brother, Shahbaz Sharif, of corruption and bad governance.
Speaking at a press conference at the Sindh Secretariat, Mr Memon said he possessed proof of corruption by the PML-N leaders which he would unveil in his coming press conference.
He said that their ‘Go Zardari Go’ demand was a conspiracy against democracy, adding that the Sharif Brothers would soon flee to Jeddah. Without naming the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, which has announced holding of a rally against what it described as the president’s ‘character assassination’, Mr Memon said that Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) was thankful to all democratic parties for planning pro-Zardari rallies.
He said that the people of Pakistan could very well understand the motive behind the malicious campaign launched by the Sharif Brothers and their party.
“The foul language used by Shahbaz Sharif against President Zardari is an attempt to hide misgivings about his party,” he said, adding that the PPP leadership did not want to stoop low but the masses could never forget the loot and plunder made by the Sharif Brothers in the yellow cab scheme.
“Even during their current tenure, the exchequer was deprived of Rs1.6 billion under the fake scheme of Sasti Roti,” Mr Memon said.
He said PML-N was getting jittery due to their growing unpopularity over its bad governance and failure of anti-dengue measures in Punjab.
The minister advised Shahbaz Sharif to desist from provoking people, who he said go to any length for the sake of democracy.
“We will not allow anyone to derail democracy and the democratic rule in the country,” he warned.
He said Mr Zardari had handed over all the powers of a president to parliament and the fact was largely appreciated by the general public.
In reply to a question, he described the Friday rally in Lahore as ‘a show of patwaris and tehsildars’.
He said that Shahbaz Sharif while criticising ‘dynastic culture’ forgot that it was very much prevalent in his own party, adding that “the fact that his son, Hamza, is the de facto chief minister of Punjab is known to all”.—APP
Speaking at a press conference at the Sindh Secretariat, Mr Memon said he possessed proof of corruption by the PML-N leaders which he would unveil in his coming press conference.
He said that their ‘Go Zardari Go’ demand was a conspiracy against democracy, adding that the Sharif Brothers would soon flee to Jeddah. Without naming the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, which has announced holding of a rally against what it described as the president’s ‘character assassination’, Mr Memon said that Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) was thankful to all democratic parties for planning pro-Zardari rallies.
He said that the people of Pakistan could very well understand the motive behind the malicious campaign launched by the Sharif Brothers and their party.
“The foul language used by Shahbaz Sharif against President Zardari is an attempt to hide misgivings about his party,” he said, adding that the PPP leadership did not want to stoop low but the masses could never forget the loot and plunder made by the Sharif Brothers in the yellow cab scheme.
“Even during their current tenure, the exchequer was deprived of Rs1.6 billion under the fake scheme of Sasti Roti,” Mr Memon said.
He said PML-N was getting jittery due to their growing unpopularity over its bad governance and failure of anti-dengue measures in Punjab.
The minister advised Shahbaz Sharif to desist from provoking people, who he said go to any length for the sake of democracy.
“We will not allow anyone to derail democracy and the democratic rule in the country,” he warned.
He said Mr Zardari had handed over all the powers of a president to parliament and the fact was largely appreciated by the general public.
In reply to a question, he described the Friday rally in Lahore as ‘a show of patwaris and tehsildars’.
He said that Shahbaz Sharif while criticising ‘dynastic culture’ forgot that it was very much prevalent in his own party, adding that “the fact that his son, Hamza, is the de facto chief minister of Punjab is known to all”.—APP
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Commonwealth leaders pledge to eradicate polio
Commonwealth leaders gathered in Perth, Australia are divided over how to rein in member nations that violate human rights.
But some of them, including Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, held a news conference Saturday to highlight one issue on which they agree: the fight against polio cannot end. Not until it has been eradicated and every child has been safe.
Lots of high-sounding talk, with some extra money to boot — $15 million from Canada, and $50 million from Australia.
Canada pledges more money toward fight against polio
PERTH, Australia — Commonwealth leaders pledged Saturday to step up their efforts to eradicate polio to save the lives of children from the crippling disease.
As part of that commitment, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced that Canada will boost its anti-polio drive — adding $15 million over two years to the $348 million that the country has granted to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative since 2000.
The leaders chose to highlight the issue on the second day of their biennial gathering. Four of them — Harper, Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, British Prime Minister David Cameron, and the leaders of Nigeria and Pakistan held a joint a news conference to promise a renewed commitment to eradicate polio.
Australia pledged an additional $50 million over four years, with Gillard declaring that countries are at a critical crossroads in their decades-old efforts to rid the world of the paralyzing disease which also can be fatal.
"We are within grasp of declaring the end of polio worldwide," she said.
For his part, Harper recalled how polio was once seen as a disease that could not be prevented.
"People who cared had the courage to dream big dreams, nothing less, in fact, where the world would be without polio."
Now, he said, the cost of a vaccine is just 13 cents a dose.
"When doing good is that easy and that inexpensive, doing nothing is really inexcusable."
Cameron concurred, insisting that with the vaccines and tools in place to immunize people, there is no excuse for delay."
"Because while we wait, children are dying."
Cameron said that while countries have made great progress in recent decades, they "haven't quite finished the job" because the disease has not been eradicated.
And until it is stamped out, he said, it could re-emerge and spread again.
"As long as one children remains at risk, all children are at risk."
Polio remains endemic in only four countries: Afghanistan, India, Nigeria, and Pakistan (the latter three are members of the Commonwealth).
The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) is a public-private partnership spearheaded by the World Health Organization to eradicate polio worldwide. Canada is the eighth largest donor.
It was launched in 1988 by national governments, the World Health Organization, Rotary International, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and UNICEF. At that time, polio was endemic in more than 125 countries on five continents, paralyzing more than 1,000 children every day.
Since then, the number of cases has fallen by more than 99 per cent. As of October of this year, there were 444 cases reported globally, down from 717 reported in October 2010.
The initiative comprises everything from immunization to the distribution of vitamin and zinc supplements and anti-malarial bed nets.
In addition to government support, it receives funding from organizations such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
At Saturday's news conference, a video recording of Bill Gates was played in which he congratulated the Commonwealth for its commitment and revealed that his foundation was adding an additional $40 million.
At this weekend's Commonwealth summit, leaders are continuing divisive discussions over the dominant issue of the gathering — human rights.
The leaders of the 54-nation association, including Harper, received two reports Friday.
One report from a group of foreign affairs ministers known as the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG), has gained broad acceptance from the Commonwealth leaders.
But the other report, by a panel of "eminent persons," which includes Canadian Senator Hugh Segal has split the Commonwealth leaders, who were debating its proposals Saturday.
The advisory group has made 106 recommendations, including the establishment of a charter of the Commonwealth and the appointment of a Commissioner for Democracy, the Rule of Law and Human Rights to keep track of whether member nations are persistently violating human rights, and who also would recommend "remedial action."
While countries such as Canada and Britain are strong supporters of the report, others within the association — which spans regions such as the Caribbean, Africa and South Asia — oppose some of its key recommendations, particularly the notion of a Democracy and Human Rights commissioner.
Harper told reporters at the end of Friday's meetings that he thinks the report's recommendations are "necessary to modernize the Commonwealth."
He said he's hopeful the leaders will make progress in their deliberations, but cautioned: "I think it will be a step-by-step process."
For instance, it is understood that among the assurances being sought by Canada is the protection of religious freedoms.
The bulk of the summit's core discussions wrap up Saturday evening.
Harper will attend some of the sessions Sunday morning but will depart early — missing the leaders' final closed-door session and Gillard's public news conference — so he can journey back home and prepare for his next conference, an economic summit of G20 leaders next week in Cannes, France.
But some of them, including Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, held a news conference Saturday to highlight one issue on which they agree: the fight against polio cannot end. Not until it has been eradicated and every child has been safe.
Lots of high-sounding talk, with some extra money to boot — $15 million from Canada, and $50 million from Australia.
Canada pledges more money toward fight against polio
PERTH, Australia — Commonwealth leaders pledged Saturday to step up their efforts to eradicate polio to save the lives of children from the crippling disease.
As part of that commitment, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced that Canada will boost its anti-polio drive — adding $15 million over two years to the $348 million that the country has granted to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative since 2000.
The leaders chose to highlight the issue on the second day of their biennial gathering. Four of them — Harper, Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, British Prime Minister David Cameron, and the leaders of Nigeria and Pakistan held a joint a news conference to promise a renewed commitment to eradicate polio.
Australia pledged an additional $50 million over four years, with Gillard declaring that countries are at a critical crossroads in their decades-old efforts to rid the world of the paralyzing disease which also can be fatal.
"We are within grasp of declaring the end of polio worldwide," she said.
For his part, Harper recalled how polio was once seen as a disease that could not be prevented.
"People who cared had the courage to dream big dreams, nothing less, in fact, where the world would be without polio."
Now, he said, the cost of a vaccine is just 13 cents a dose.
"When doing good is that easy and that inexpensive, doing nothing is really inexcusable."
Cameron concurred, insisting that with the vaccines and tools in place to immunize people, there is no excuse for delay."
"Because while we wait, children are dying."
Cameron said that while countries have made great progress in recent decades, they "haven't quite finished the job" because the disease has not been eradicated.
And until it is stamped out, he said, it could re-emerge and spread again.
"As long as one children remains at risk, all children are at risk."
Polio remains endemic in only four countries: Afghanistan, India, Nigeria, and Pakistan (the latter three are members of the Commonwealth).
The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) is a public-private partnership spearheaded by the World Health Organization to eradicate polio worldwide. Canada is the eighth largest donor.
It was launched in 1988 by national governments, the World Health Organization, Rotary International, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and UNICEF. At that time, polio was endemic in more than 125 countries on five continents, paralyzing more than 1,000 children every day.
Since then, the number of cases has fallen by more than 99 per cent. As of October of this year, there were 444 cases reported globally, down from 717 reported in October 2010.
The initiative comprises everything from immunization to the distribution of vitamin and zinc supplements and anti-malarial bed nets.
In addition to government support, it receives funding from organizations such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
At Saturday's news conference, a video recording of Bill Gates was played in which he congratulated the Commonwealth for its commitment and revealed that his foundation was adding an additional $40 million.
At this weekend's Commonwealth summit, leaders are continuing divisive discussions over the dominant issue of the gathering — human rights.
The leaders of the 54-nation association, including Harper, received two reports Friday.
One report from a group of foreign affairs ministers known as the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG), has gained broad acceptance from the Commonwealth leaders.
But the other report, by a panel of "eminent persons," which includes Canadian Senator Hugh Segal has split the Commonwealth leaders, who were debating its proposals Saturday.
The advisory group has made 106 recommendations, including the establishment of a charter of the Commonwealth and the appointment of a Commissioner for Democracy, the Rule of Law and Human Rights to keep track of whether member nations are persistently violating human rights, and who also would recommend "remedial action."
While countries such as Canada and Britain are strong supporters of the report, others within the association — which spans regions such as the Caribbean, Africa and South Asia — oppose some of its key recommendations, particularly the notion of a Democracy and Human Rights commissioner.
Harper told reporters at the end of Friday's meetings that he thinks the report's recommendations are "necessary to modernize the Commonwealth."
He said he's hopeful the leaders will make progress in their deliberations, but cautioned: "I think it will be a step-by-step process."
For instance, it is understood that among the assurances being sought by Canada is the protection of religious freedoms.
The bulk of the summit's core discussions wrap up Saturday evening.
Harper will attend some of the sessions Sunday morning but will depart early — missing the leaders' final closed-door session and Gillard's public news conference — so he can journey back home and prepare for his next conference, an economic summit of G20 leaders next week in Cannes, France.
Friday, October 28, 2011
US met Haqqani at ISI's instance: Clinton
The US held a meeting with a Haqqani network representative at the instance of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) of Pakistan, but this was not a negotiation, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told lawmakers. "The ISI asked us to meet with a representative of the Haqqani Network.
There was such a meeting. It was not a negotiation... There was no follow-up meeting," Clinton said in response to a question at a Congressional hearing on Afghanistan and Pakistan convened by the House Committee on Foreign Affairs on Thursday.
"This was done in part because I think the Pakistanis hope to be able to move the Haqqani Network towards some kind of peace negotiation... And the answer was an attack on our embassy," Clinton said in response to a question from Congressman Steve Chabot.
Clinton emphasised the negotiations that would be part of any Afghan-led peace process would have to include the Quetta Shura and would have to include some recognition by the Quetta Shura which is still led by Mullah Omar.
"I think everyone agrees that the Haqqani Network has safe havens inside Pakistan, that those safe havens give them a place to plan and direct operations that kill Afghans and Americans," she said.
Clinton said there was a major military operation that was held in Afghanistan just in the past week that rounded up and eliminated more than a hundred Haqqani Network operatives.
"We are taking action to target the Haqqani leadership on both sides of the border. We're increasing our international efforts to squeeze them operationally and financially.
"We are already working with the Pakistanis to target those who are behind a lot of the attacks against Afghans and Americans," she said.
"I made it very clear to the Pakistanis that the attack on our embassy was an outrage, and the attack on our forward operating base that injured 77 of our soldiers was a similar outrage.
"And it was in both instances terrible, but the fact is we avoided having dozens and dozens of wounded or killed," she said.
In her remarks, Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Chairman of the House Committee on foreign affairs, questioned the Obama Administration's decision to both hold talks and go for crackdown on the Haqqani network.
"On the one hand, the US is negotiating with the Haqqani network, and yet on the other, we're attempting to destroy the network.
"There have been some unwelcome developments since the president's announcement four months ago such as the multiple, high profile assassination of major leaders in Afghanistan," she said.
There was such a meeting. It was not a negotiation... There was no follow-up meeting," Clinton said in response to a question at a Congressional hearing on Afghanistan and Pakistan convened by the House Committee on Foreign Affairs on Thursday.
"This was done in part because I think the Pakistanis hope to be able to move the Haqqani Network towards some kind of peace negotiation... And the answer was an attack on our embassy," Clinton said in response to a question from Congressman Steve Chabot.
Clinton emphasised the negotiations that would be part of any Afghan-led peace process would have to include the Quetta Shura and would have to include some recognition by the Quetta Shura which is still led by Mullah Omar.
"I think everyone agrees that the Haqqani Network has safe havens inside Pakistan, that those safe havens give them a place to plan and direct operations that kill Afghans and Americans," she said.
Clinton said there was a major military operation that was held in Afghanistan just in the past week that rounded up and eliminated more than a hundred Haqqani Network operatives.
"We are taking action to target the Haqqani leadership on both sides of the border. We're increasing our international efforts to squeeze them operationally and financially.
"We are already working with the Pakistanis to target those who are behind a lot of the attacks against Afghans and Americans," she said.
"I made it very clear to the Pakistanis that the attack on our embassy was an outrage, and the attack on our forward operating base that injured 77 of our soldiers was a similar outrage.
"And it was in both instances terrible, but the fact is we avoided having dozens and dozens of wounded or killed," she said.
In her remarks, Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Chairman of the House Committee on foreign affairs, questioned the Obama Administration's decision to both hold talks and go for crackdown on the Haqqani network.
"On the one hand, the US is negotiating with the Haqqani network, and yet on the other, we're attempting to destroy the network.
"There have been some unwelcome developments since the president's announcement four months ago such as the multiple, high profile assassination of major leaders in Afghanistan," she said.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Some elements in Pakistan are supporting Taliban: Hillary
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said we are aware that some elements in Pakistan are supporting Taliban.
In an interview with British news channel, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said we are aware, as we have publicly stated, of some of the activities that some elements in Pakistan are allegedly supporting Taliban.
She said it is more difficult to say that the people at the top are fully aware as it is to say that they are both current and retired members of the intelligence service who either have sympathies or view the use of these organizations as a hedging against their own instability or attacks from somewhere else.
We have had a series of very frank, comprehensive conversations with the Pakistanis during the recent visit, Clinton said.
Discussing the situation about the region, Hillary said that US is well aware of what has been going on, but it also knows that stability and security in Afghanistan requires that the neighbors, including Iran, Pakistan, the Central Asian countries, India, Russia, China, all have to be invested in a stable, secure Afghanistan.
The US Secretary of State further said the US hopes that all the countries, including Pakistan, will be willing to affirm their commitment to stability and security inside Afghanistan and come forward with concrete actions in the meeting being held next week in Istanbul to discuss the region.
“I know there’s so much potential in Afghanistan, in Iran, in places around the world that is not being realized, it’s not only a terrible loss for the individual or the family or the community, it’s a terrible loss for the world.”, Clinton said.
If Iran does not want to change the potentially dangerous and reckless behavior, as we saw in this recent plot against the Saudi ambassador, sanctions is the tool that we have at our disposal to use as the criminal complaint that was filed in this case carries a lot regarding evidence, she said.
In an interview with British news channel, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said we are aware, as we have publicly stated, of some of the activities that some elements in Pakistan are allegedly supporting Taliban.
She said it is more difficult to say that the people at the top are fully aware as it is to say that they are both current and retired members of the intelligence service who either have sympathies or view the use of these organizations as a hedging against their own instability or attacks from somewhere else.
We have had a series of very frank, comprehensive conversations with the Pakistanis during the recent visit, Clinton said.
Discussing the situation about the region, Hillary said that US is well aware of what has been going on, but it also knows that stability and security in Afghanistan requires that the neighbors, including Iran, Pakistan, the Central Asian countries, India, Russia, China, all have to be invested in a stable, secure Afghanistan.
The US Secretary of State further said the US hopes that all the countries, including Pakistan, will be willing to affirm their commitment to stability and security inside Afghanistan and come forward with concrete actions in the meeting being held next week in Istanbul to discuss the region.
“I know there’s so much potential in Afghanistan, in Iran, in places around the world that is not being realized, it’s not only a terrible loss for the individual or the family or the community, it’s a terrible loss for the world.”, Clinton said.
If Iran does not want to change the potentially dangerous and reckless behavior, as we saw in this recent plot against the Saudi ambassador, sanctions is the tool that we have at our disposal to use as the criminal complaint that was filed in this case carries a lot regarding evidence, she said.
Mecca al Makarrama
Makkah al Mukarramah Slideshow: Azhar’s trip to mecca (near Mecca), Saudi Arabia was created by TripAdvisor. See another Mecca slideshow. Create your own stunning free slideshow from your travel photos.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Nato helicopters violate Pakistan’s airspace
Nato helicopter gunships on Wednesday violated airspace of Pakistan in northwestern tribal region, official sources said. The sources, requesting anonymity as they were not authorized to share information with the media, told that helicopter gunships belonging to Nato forces stationed in neighboring Afghanistan, violated Pakistani airspace in Datta Khel area of North Waziristan Agency. They said that the choppers hovered for at least 15 minutes in the area.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
NICL case: Moonis was separated from regular trial
ISLAMABAD: A three-member bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry heard the NICL scandal case on Tuesday, our sources reported.
During proceedings, the chief investigation officer in the case Zafar Qureshi informed the apex court that DG FIA and Secretary Interior created hurdles during the investigation which benefitted the main accused Moonis Elahi.
Qureshi added that Moonis Elahi owed Rs32 million while Mohsin Warraich owed Rs10 million. The court was also informed that Elahi was separated from the regular trial and set free through another court.
On the basis of Qureshi's accusations, the Supreme Court has issued notices to DG FIA, Secretary Interior, Director Lahore Waqar Haider and Assistant Director Legal and adjourned the hearing of the case till November 2.
During proceedings, the chief investigation officer in the case Zafar Qureshi informed the apex court that DG FIA and Secretary Interior created hurdles during the investigation which benefitted the main accused Moonis Elahi.
Qureshi added that Moonis Elahi owed Rs32 million while Mohsin Warraich owed Rs10 million. The court was also informed that Elahi was separated from the regular trial and set free through another court.
On the basis of Qureshi's accusations, the Supreme Court has issued notices to DG FIA, Secretary Interior, Director Lahore Waqar Haider and Assistant Director Legal and adjourned the hearing of the case till November 2.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Crews scramble to find survivors as Turkish earthquake toll climbs
ERCIS, TURKEY—Turkey's interior minister says the death toll in a 7.2-magnitude earthquake has reached some 270.
Interior Minister Idris Naim Sahin tells Associated Press television on Monday that more than 1,000 others were injured in the temblor that struck eastern Turkey a day earlier.
On Monday, rescuers pulled out several people alive from collapsed buildings, including a man who managed to call for help on his cellphone.
Dozens of people were trapped in hills of debris, but authorities offered hope that the death toll may not rise as high as initially feared.
Interior Minister Idris Naim Sahin tells Associated Press television on Monday that more than 1,000 others were injured in the temblor that struck eastern Turkey a day earlier.
On Monday, rescuers pulled out several people alive from collapsed buildings, including a man who managed to call for help on his cellphone.
Dozens of people were trapped in hills of debris, but authorities offered hope that the death toll may not rise as high as initially feared.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Banks to remain closed on Monday
KARACHI, Oct 23 (APP): The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), public and private sector banks will remain closed on Monday.A spokesman of SBP told APP that the banking sector will remain closed on the sad demise of former Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairperson Begum Nusrat Bhutto, the mother of former prime minister Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, who died after a protracted illness in Dubai on Sunday.
Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia dies
CAIRO -- Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdel Aziz Al Saud, the heir apparent to the Saudi throne and one of the kingdom's most powerful princes until illness sapped his strength in recent years, has died.
The Royal Court announced the death Saturday morning, saying the prince had died abroad. State television immediately switched to broadcasting Quranic verses.
Sultan, who was the minister of defense and aviation, has reportedly been battling colon cancer since 2004. He has spent periods of up to a year outside the kingdom for treatment since 2008. A U.S. diplomatic cable released by WikiLeaks described him in 2009 as "to all intents and purposes incapacitated."
He had been admitted to New York-Presbyterian Hospital over the summer, where in recent weeks he had been slipping in and out of a coma, according to several sources, not wanting to speak publicly about the royal family. A U.S. official confirmed that he died at the hospital.
Sultan, at least 80 and by some accounts 85, was a member of the Sudeiri seven, seven full brothers by the favorite wife of King Abdel Aziz, who founded the kingdom in 1932. They have formed a kind of sub-tribe within the ruling Al-Saud clan and often worked to block or stall King Abdullah's reform measures. Prince Nayef, the interior minister and also a Sudeiri, is expected to be named heir apparent.
Abdullah, who is recuperating from back surgery this month, had formed a new family council to deal
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with succession questions, particularly when the throne might pass to a new generation. This would be the first time the 35-member council would endorse the inheritance, rather than just the king.
Given the power of Nayef, the nation's top law enforcement officer since 1975, he is expected to be confirmed, a move also signaled by his appointment as second deputy prime minister in 2009.
The Saudi monarchy, which has sought to counter the revolutions shaking its neighbors, wants to be seen as stable while much of the Arab world is in political turmoil. Attempts to organize anti-government demonstrations in the kingdom have largely fizzled, while those that did emerge among the Shiite minority in the Eastern province were put down forcefully.
The Royal Court announced the death Saturday morning, saying the prince had died abroad. State television immediately switched to broadcasting Quranic verses.
Sultan, who was the minister of defense and aviation, has reportedly been battling colon cancer since 2004. He has spent periods of up to a year outside the kingdom for treatment since 2008. A U.S. diplomatic cable released by WikiLeaks described him in 2009 as "to all intents and purposes incapacitated."
He had been admitted to New York-Presbyterian Hospital over the summer, where in recent weeks he had been slipping in and out of a coma, according to several sources, not wanting to speak publicly about the royal family. A U.S. official confirmed that he died at the hospital.
Sultan, at least 80 and by some accounts 85, was a member of the Sudeiri seven, seven full brothers by the favorite wife of King Abdel Aziz, who founded the kingdom in 1932. They have formed a kind of sub-tribe within the ruling Al-Saud clan and often worked to block or stall King Abdullah's reform measures. Prince Nayef, the interior minister and also a Sudeiri, is expected to be named heir apparent.
Abdullah, who is recuperating from back surgery this month, had formed a new family council to deal
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with succession questions, particularly when the throne might pass to a new generation. This would be the first time the 35-member council would endorse the inheritance, rather than just the king.
Given the power of Nayef, the nation's top law enforcement officer since 1975, he is expected to be confirmed, a move also signaled by his appointment as second deputy prime minister in 2009.
The Saudi monarchy, which has sought to counter the revolutions shaking its neighbors, wants to be seen as stable while much of the Arab world is in political turmoil. Attempts to organize anti-government demonstrations in the kingdom have largely fizzled, while those that did emerge among the Shiite minority in the Eastern province were put down forcefully.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Clinton leaves but with mounting pressure on Pakistan
SLAMABAD, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) - U.S. Secretary of States Hillary Clinton has left Islamabad at the conclusion of her two- day trip but has delivered a message of urgency for the Pakistani civil and military leadership to act against the groups, blamed for cross-border attacks into Afghanistan.
"So we had a very in-depth conversation with specifics, and we are looking forward to taking that conversation and operationalizing it over the next days and weeks not months and years, but days and weeks because we have a lot of work to do to realize our shared goals," Clinton told reporters in Islamabad on Friday after her talks with Pakistani leaders. She, however, agreed with Pakistan's quest to give a chance to peace.
"Now we have to turn our attention to the Pakistani Taliban, the Afghan Taliban, Haqqani, and other terrorist groups, and try to get them into a peace process, but if that fails, prevent them from committing more violence and murdering more innocent people," Clinton said when she spoke to reporters along with Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar.
It was the second visit to Pakistan by Hillary Clinton in five months in tense environment. She had visited Pakistan in late May just weeks after the U.S. military killed Osama bin Laden in an unilateral action in the city of Abbotabad. Pakistanis had been angry at the U.S. military's May 2 action and she flew into Islamabad to pacify them. Pakistan had condemned the U.S. attack and had described it as violation of its sovereignty.
Clinton again paid a two-day Oct. 20-21 visit as senior U.S. military officials recently publicly accused Pakistan's spy agency of having links with the armed Afghan insurgents, including the Haqqani network. They also said that the Inter-Services Intelligence, or ISI, helped the Haqqani network in attack on the U.S. embassy in Kabul on Sept. 13 and the huge truck bomb strike at the major U.S. military base at Wardak province of Afghanistan on Sept. 11. A total of 77 U.S. soldiers had been injured in the attack, coincided with the 10th anniversary of 9/11 attacks. Pakistan had dismissed the charges of helping the Haqqanis as irresponsible.
The relationship further soured when top U.S. officials threatened unilateral action against the Haqqani network and other Pakistan-based armed groups. The U.S. threats were taken very seriously in Pakistan and nearly 60 top political and religious leaders met at an emergency conference and threw weight behind the security forces to counter any U.S. ground offensive. Pakistan's Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani warned at a recent rare briefing to the members of parliament at the army headquarters that the United States will think 10 times before launching ground offensive in Pakistan.
Officials believe that hot verbal exchanges between the U.S. and Pakistani military leaders prompted Clinton's visit to Pakistan, which had not been officially announced by Pakistan and the United States until her arrival and even the U.S. embassy had denied the visit when section of Pakistani media had reported the visit.
Before Clinton landed in Islamabad, the U.S. administration, as per its traditions, told the mainstream American media that the Secretary of State will deliver a tough message to Pakistani leaders on militant groups. And when Clinton met Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, a U.S. daily said that she conveyed her tough message. She had also stated herself in Kabul, a day ahead of Islamabad arrival, that she would have a hard message for Pakistan to act against the militants.
Clinton was right to say in Kabul as she proved it in Islamabad and gave a warning that Pakistan must act in "days or weeks" against the Taliban and Haqqanis. The statement shows that the United States is frustrated at failure of thousands of American troops in Afghanistan to deal with Taliban in ten years. Pakistani analysts believe that the United States, as a policy, has to blame others for its failure in Afghanistan and it has Pakistan to use it as a scapegoat when withdrawal of the U.S. troops has already started.
The United States needs Pakistan in both cases in any possible dialogue with Afghan Taliban and Haqqani network and for any military action in its border regions against the militants who are thought to be crossing into Afghanistan for attacks. Pakistan, using its influence on militant groups, has already arranged talks between the U.S. officials and members of the Haqqani network a few months ago. That process had not yielded any results as both did not show any softness.
Clinton admitted that talks had been held with Haqqanis through Pakistan. Chief of Haqqani network Siraj Haqqani has also admitted contacts with the United States and other countries in recent interview. So if the United States requires Pakistan's help for military action or dialogue, it's better, as Pakistan would expect, to stop public accusations against security institutions and also look at Islamabad's legitimate interests in Afghanistan.
"So we had a very in-depth conversation with specifics, and we are looking forward to taking that conversation and operationalizing it over the next days and weeks not months and years, but days and weeks because we have a lot of work to do to realize our shared goals," Clinton told reporters in Islamabad on Friday after her talks with Pakistani leaders. She, however, agreed with Pakistan's quest to give a chance to peace.
"Now we have to turn our attention to the Pakistani Taliban, the Afghan Taliban, Haqqani, and other terrorist groups, and try to get them into a peace process, but if that fails, prevent them from committing more violence and murdering more innocent people," Clinton said when she spoke to reporters along with Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar.
It was the second visit to Pakistan by Hillary Clinton in five months in tense environment. She had visited Pakistan in late May just weeks after the U.S. military killed Osama bin Laden in an unilateral action in the city of Abbotabad. Pakistanis had been angry at the U.S. military's May 2 action and she flew into Islamabad to pacify them. Pakistan had condemned the U.S. attack and had described it as violation of its sovereignty.
Clinton again paid a two-day Oct. 20-21 visit as senior U.S. military officials recently publicly accused Pakistan's spy agency of having links with the armed Afghan insurgents, including the Haqqani network. They also said that the Inter-Services Intelligence, or ISI, helped the Haqqani network in attack on the U.S. embassy in Kabul on Sept. 13 and the huge truck bomb strike at the major U.S. military base at Wardak province of Afghanistan on Sept. 11. A total of 77 U.S. soldiers had been injured in the attack, coincided with the 10th anniversary of 9/11 attacks. Pakistan had dismissed the charges of helping the Haqqanis as irresponsible.
The relationship further soured when top U.S. officials threatened unilateral action against the Haqqani network and other Pakistan-based armed groups. The U.S. threats were taken very seriously in Pakistan and nearly 60 top political and religious leaders met at an emergency conference and threw weight behind the security forces to counter any U.S. ground offensive. Pakistan's Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani warned at a recent rare briefing to the members of parliament at the army headquarters that the United States will think 10 times before launching ground offensive in Pakistan.
Officials believe that hot verbal exchanges between the U.S. and Pakistani military leaders prompted Clinton's visit to Pakistan, which had not been officially announced by Pakistan and the United States until her arrival and even the U.S. embassy had denied the visit when section of Pakistani media had reported the visit.
Before Clinton landed in Islamabad, the U.S. administration, as per its traditions, told the mainstream American media that the Secretary of State will deliver a tough message to Pakistani leaders on militant groups. And when Clinton met Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, a U.S. daily said that she conveyed her tough message. She had also stated herself in Kabul, a day ahead of Islamabad arrival, that she would have a hard message for Pakistan to act against the militants.
Clinton was right to say in Kabul as she proved it in Islamabad and gave a warning that Pakistan must act in "days or weeks" against the Taliban and Haqqanis. The statement shows that the United States is frustrated at failure of thousands of American troops in Afghanistan to deal with Taliban in ten years. Pakistani analysts believe that the United States, as a policy, has to blame others for its failure in Afghanistan and it has Pakistan to use it as a scapegoat when withdrawal of the U.S. troops has already started.
The United States needs Pakistan in both cases in any possible dialogue with Afghan Taliban and Haqqani network and for any military action in its border regions against the militants who are thought to be crossing into Afghanistan for attacks. Pakistan, using its influence on militant groups, has already arranged talks between the U.S. officials and members of the Haqqani network a few months ago. That process had not yielded any results as both did not show any softness.
Clinton admitted that talks had been held with Haqqanis through Pakistan. Chief of Haqqani network Siraj Haqqani has also admitted contacts with the United States and other countries in recent interview. So if the United States requires Pakistan's help for military action or dialogue, it's better, as Pakistan would expect, to stop public accusations against security institutions and also look at Islamabad's legitimate interests in Afghanistan.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Libyans Cheer Qaddafi Death as Step Toward Democratic Future
Oct. 21 (Bloomberg) -- Exuberant Libyans waving flags and assault rifles poured into the streets of Tripoli and other cities to celebrate the death of Muammar Qaddafi, who ruled by force of arms and personality for 42 years.
His attempt to escape the holdout coastal city of Sirte, the scene of heavy fighting in recent weeks, was foiled by French warplanes, which spotted and blocked his convoy of SUVs until Libyan fighters reached the scene, according to French Defense Minister Gerard Longuet.
In the celebrations, men held their children while fighters flashed victory signs and fired weapons into the air, as people danced to the new national anthem. In the evening, fireworks lit up the capital’s sky.
“Years of tyranny and dictatorship have now been closed,” Abdel Hafiz Ghoga, National Transitional Council vice chairman, told reporters in Benghazi.
Qaddafi’s son Mutassim died after being shot in the neck, according to an e-mail from the Misrata Military Council, whose fighters led the assault on Sirte and act independently of the NTC. Anti-Qaddafi forces were reported to be chasing two convoys, one of which was said to carry another Qaddafi son, his once heir-apparent Saif al-Islam, according to Ahmed Bani, an NTC defense spokesman.
‘Momentous Day’
Western leaders cheered the conclusion of the hunt for Qaddafi, which will allow NATO to end its operations, even as analysts cautioned that Libya’s political divisions may jeopardize its democratic ambitions.
U.S. President Barack Obama, in remarks at the White House, called it a “momentous day” in Libyan history and said the oil-producing North African nation now must follow the “long and winding road to full democracy.”
“A new page opens for the Libyan people, that of reconciliation in unity and liberty,” said French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who was at the forefront of Western efforts to aid the Libyan uprising.
The circumstances of Qaddafi’s death were unclear. Broadcasters carried images purporting to show Qaddafi, alive and standing after his capture, and later his corpse. Mahmoud Jibril, the acting prime minister, was cited by CNN as saying that Qaddafi was captured alive and was killed in crossfire as he was driven away in a vehicle.
Amnesty International, a human rights group, called on the NTC to make public “the full facts” on how Qaddafi died. “It is essential to conduct a full, independent and impartial inquiry to establish” whether Qaddafi was killed during combat or after he was captured, the organization said on its website.
Arab Spring
The uprising was part of the region’s so-called Arab Spring, which also unseated the leaders of Egypt and Tunisia. While Africa’s largest oil reserves may enable Libya to rebuild its economy faster than Egypt and Tunisia, the challenge facing the interim government is political as it struggles to unite the factions that challenged Qaddafi’s rule since February.
The NTC has said that control of Sirte will begin an eight- month countdown to elections for a national council, a first step toward a promised democratic system.
“The transition will probably be even more difficult compared to Egypt or Tunisia, because there’s no clear leadership, the power is very fragmented, there are big interests at stake and there’s no institution strong enough to handle all this,” Nicolo Sartori, an energy and defense analyst at Rome’s Institute for International Affairs, said in a phone interview.
Oil Output
Nuri Berruien, the chairman of Libya’s state-run National Oil Corp., said Qaddafi’s death will expedite the nation’s efforts to return to normal crude-output levels.
“A lot of things will return quickly after this good news,” he said yesterday by mobile telephone from Libya.
Oil prices dipped at around noon London time on news of Qaddafi’s capture and injuries, before advancing later. Crude oil for November delivery fell 66 cents to settle at $85.45 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
Libyan oil output, which fell from 1.6 million barrels a day to zero during the uprising, may reach 600,000 barrels a day by the end of the year, according to the International Energy Agency in Paris.
After Tripoli’s fall, Qaddafi had issued statements that he preferred to die a martyr. His loyalists massed in Sirte, strategically important because of its airport and harbor, and in Bani Walid.
‘Suspect Convoy’
A French Dassault Aviation SA Mirage 2000 jet fired its cannon ahead of the suspect convoy to make it stop as the vehicles sought to leave Sirte, Longuet said at a briefing in Paris. It did not fire directly on the convoy, he said.
“It was a suspect convoy and the goal was to stop it so it could be inspected,” he said. Libyan forces then attacked the convoy, he said.
“It was our courageous revolutionaries who have killed the tyrant and not NATO,” Bani said on Al Arabiya television.
On a visit to Libya Oct. 18, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, in response to a question from a young Libyan, said that the U.S. hoped Qaddafi could “be captured or killed soon so that you don’t have to fear him any longer.”
Clinton also urged the transitional leadership and Libyans who supported the anti-Qaddafi cause to refrain from vigilantism and to use the justice system, not the streets, to deal with those accused of atrocities during the eight-month rebellion.
Sirte Falls
The Misrata forces said they had defeated the last of Qaddafi’s loyalists in Sirte, ending weeks of battles that erupted last month after talks on the town’s surrender broke down.
The interim government attributed the tenacity of loyalists in Sirte to the presence of senior Qaddafi aides, including Mutassim. About 17 of Qaddafi’s closest aides were captured in Sirte during the final battle, said a top Libyan envoy to the U.K., Mahmud Nacua.
“Today Libya’s future begins,” he told reporters in London. “The people are looking forward to a very promising future.”
Pope Benedict XVI said the death of Qaddafi after a “bloody fight” marks the end of an “oppressive” regime that must pave the way for a transition without retaliation. NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasumussen in a statement urged the NTC “to prevent reprisals against civilians and show restraint in dealing with defeated pro-Qaddafi forces.”
Obama said the demise of Qaddafi’s regime vindicates his strategy of bringing together allies to act, meeting its objectives without putting U.S. troops on the ground.
‘Collective Action’
“We’ve demonstrated what collective action can achieve in the 21st century,” Obama said. The NATO mission in Libya “will soon come to an end.”
U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron welcomed the death of Qaddafi, urging people to think of the victims of his deposed Libyan regime.
“Today is a day to remember all Colonel Qaddafi’s victims,” Cameron told reporters outside his London residence, listing those killed in the Lockerbie bombing, British policewoman Yvonne Fletcher and people killed by the Irish Republican Army, which Qaddafi supplied with Semtex explosive, as well as those killed in Libya.
--With assistance from Stephen Voss and Robert Hutton in London, Patrick Donahue in Berlin, Karl Maier in Rome , Chiara Vasarri in Milan, Massoud A. Derhally in Beirut, Lebanon, Robert Tuttle in Doha, Margaret Talev and Terry Atlas in Washington, Gregory Viscusi in Paris and Indira A.R. Lakshmanan in Tripoli. Editors: Terry Atlas, Joe Sobczyk, Peter Hirschberg
To contact the reporters on this story: Caroline Alexander in London at calexander1@bloomberg.net; Ola Galal in Benghazi at ogalal@bloomberg.net; Mariam Fam in Cairo at mfam1@bloomberg.net
His attempt to escape the holdout coastal city of Sirte, the scene of heavy fighting in recent weeks, was foiled by French warplanes, which spotted and blocked his convoy of SUVs until Libyan fighters reached the scene, according to French Defense Minister Gerard Longuet.
In the celebrations, men held their children while fighters flashed victory signs and fired weapons into the air, as people danced to the new national anthem. In the evening, fireworks lit up the capital’s sky.
“Years of tyranny and dictatorship have now been closed,” Abdel Hafiz Ghoga, National Transitional Council vice chairman, told reporters in Benghazi.
Qaddafi’s son Mutassim died after being shot in the neck, according to an e-mail from the Misrata Military Council, whose fighters led the assault on Sirte and act independently of the NTC. Anti-Qaddafi forces were reported to be chasing two convoys, one of which was said to carry another Qaddafi son, his once heir-apparent Saif al-Islam, according to Ahmed Bani, an NTC defense spokesman.
‘Momentous Day’
Western leaders cheered the conclusion of the hunt for Qaddafi, which will allow NATO to end its operations, even as analysts cautioned that Libya’s political divisions may jeopardize its democratic ambitions.
U.S. President Barack Obama, in remarks at the White House, called it a “momentous day” in Libyan history and said the oil-producing North African nation now must follow the “long and winding road to full democracy.”
“A new page opens for the Libyan people, that of reconciliation in unity and liberty,” said French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who was at the forefront of Western efforts to aid the Libyan uprising.
The circumstances of Qaddafi’s death were unclear. Broadcasters carried images purporting to show Qaddafi, alive and standing after his capture, and later his corpse. Mahmoud Jibril, the acting prime minister, was cited by CNN as saying that Qaddafi was captured alive and was killed in crossfire as he was driven away in a vehicle.
Amnesty International, a human rights group, called on the NTC to make public “the full facts” on how Qaddafi died. “It is essential to conduct a full, independent and impartial inquiry to establish” whether Qaddafi was killed during combat or after he was captured, the organization said on its website.
Arab Spring
The uprising was part of the region’s so-called Arab Spring, which also unseated the leaders of Egypt and Tunisia. While Africa’s largest oil reserves may enable Libya to rebuild its economy faster than Egypt and Tunisia, the challenge facing the interim government is political as it struggles to unite the factions that challenged Qaddafi’s rule since February.
The NTC has said that control of Sirte will begin an eight- month countdown to elections for a national council, a first step toward a promised democratic system.
“The transition will probably be even more difficult compared to Egypt or Tunisia, because there’s no clear leadership, the power is very fragmented, there are big interests at stake and there’s no institution strong enough to handle all this,” Nicolo Sartori, an energy and defense analyst at Rome’s Institute for International Affairs, said in a phone interview.
Oil Output
Nuri Berruien, the chairman of Libya’s state-run National Oil Corp., said Qaddafi’s death will expedite the nation’s efforts to return to normal crude-output levels.
“A lot of things will return quickly after this good news,” he said yesterday by mobile telephone from Libya.
Oil prices dipped at around noon London time on news of Qaddafi’s capture and injuries, before advancing later. Crude oil for November delivery fell 66 cents to settle at $85.45 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
Libyan oil output, which fell from 1.6 million barrels a day to zero during the uprising, may reach 600,000 barrels a day by the end of the year, according to the International Energy Agency in Paris.
After Tripoli’s fall, Qaddafi had issued statements that he preferred to die a martyr. His loyalists massed in Sirte, strategically important because of its airport and harbor, and in Bani Walid.
‘Suspect Convoy’
A French Dassault Aviation SA Mirage 2000 jet fired its cannon ahead of the suspect convoy to make it stop as the vehicles sought to leave Sirte, Longuet said at a briefing in Paris. It did not fire directly on the convoy, he said.
“It was a suspect convoy and the goal was to stop it so it could be inspected,” he said. Libyan forces then attacked the convoy, he said.
“It was our courageous revolutionaries who have killed the tyrant and not NATO,” Bani said on Al Arabiya television.
On a visit to Libya Oct. 18, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, in response to a question from a young Libyan, said that the U.S. hoped Qaddafi could “be captured or killed soon so that you don’t have to fear him any longer.”
Clinton also urged the transitional leadership and Libyans who supported the anti-Qaddafi cause to refrain from vigilantism and to use the justice system, not the streets, to deal with those accused of atrocities during the eight-month rebellion.
Sirte Falls
The Misrata forces said they had defeated the last of Qaddafi’s loyalists in Sirte, ending weeks of battles that erupted last month after talks on the town’s surrender broke down.
The interim government attributed the tenacity of loyalists in Sirte to the presence of senior Qaddafi aides, including Mutassim. About 17 of Qaddafi’s closest aides were captured in Sirte during the final battle, said a top Libyan envoy to the U.K., Mahmud Nacua.
“Today Libya’s future begins,” he told reporters in London. “The people are looking forward to a very promising future.”
Pope Benedict XVI said the death of Qaddafi after a “bloody fight” marks the end of an “oppressive” regime that must pave the way for a transition without retaliation. NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasumussen in a statement urged the NTC “to prevent reprisals against civilians and show restraint in dealing with defeated pro-Qaddafi forces.”
Obama said the demise of Qaddafi’s regime vindicates his strategy of bringing together allies to act, meeting its objectives without putting U.S. troops on the ground.
‘Collective Action’
“We’ve demonstrated what collective action can achieve in the 21st century,” Obama said. The NATO mission in Libya “will soon come to an end.”
U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron welcomed the death of Qaddafi, urging people to think of the victims of his deposed Libyan regime.
“Today is a day to remember all Colonel Qaddafi’s victims,” Cameron told reporters outside his London residence, listing those killed in the Lockerbie bombing, British policewoman Yvonne Fletcher and people killed by the Irish Republican Army, which Qaddafi supplied with Semtex explosive, as well as those killed in Libya.
--With assistance from Stephen Voss and Robert Hutton in London, Patrick Donahue in Berlin, Karl Maier in Rome , Chiara Vasarri in Milan, Massoud A. Derhally in Beirut, Lebanon, Robert Tuttle in Doha, Margaret Talev and Terry Atlas in Washington, Gregory Viscusi in Paris and Indira A.R. Lakshmanan in Tripoli. Editors: Terry Atlas, Joe Sobczyk, Peter Hirschberg
To contact the reporters on this story: Caroline Alexander in London at calexander1@bloomberg.net; Ola Galal in Benghazi at ogalal@bloomberg.net; Mariam Fam in Cairo at mfam1@bloomberg.net
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Immigration system to implemented on Pak-Afghan border from November: Malik
QUETTA, Oct 19 (APP): Interior Minister Rehman Malik has said the government was going to implement immigration system on Pak-Afghan border in Chaman and Torkham from November. He announced this while addressing a crowded news conference at Chief Minister House here on Wednesday. “The Government of Pakistan has decided to monitor movement of people through Pak-Afghan border from both sides so measures are being taken to implement immigration and restore biometric system on the entrance of the border,” he added.
He said intelligence agencies had provided phone data which proved that some prisoners were involved in carryng out anti-peace acts in Quetta and other areas of Balochistan from jails. Home Secretary Balochistan has been asked to isolate such prisoners from other prisoners, he added.
He said members of some banned outfits of Punjab were also involved in anti-peace activities in Balochistan. He said during his two-day visit to Quetta, he met representatives of Hazara Community and religious scholars of Ahl-Sunnat community who reiterated their resolve to promote harmony and brotherhood for the cause of peace.
He said the government would convene a peace conference in Quetta during November which would be attended by religious scholars of different Islamic schools of thought from the country and abroad.
He said Interior Ministry would help in organizing the peace conference in Quetta.
To a question, he said President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani wanted to bring Baloch nationalists into mainstream.
He said Governor, Chief Minister and Home Minister of Balochistan had been playing active role for maintaining peace. “We want angry Baloch youth to love Pakistan Flag as it is our identity”, he added.
He said some anti-social elements were involved in target killing of innocent citizens in Balochistan only for vested interest. However, he said target killing had reduced in the province with the effective measures taken by the government.
He said three districts including Quetta were sensitive in respect of law and order and added the situation was better now.
Replying to query, he said, “Yes, the government has received some messages from Taliban for peace talks,” and added however, no such dialogues would be initiated until extremist elements laid down their weapons.
He announced arms license for every member of Quetta Press Club so that they could keep licensed weapon for their safety and security.
He said intelligence agencies had provided phone data which proved that some prisoners were involved in carryng out anti-peace acts in Quetta and other areas of Balochistan from jails. Home Secretary Balochistan has been asked to isolate such prisoners from other prisoners, he added.
He said members of some banned outfits of Punjab were also involved in anti-peace activities in Balochistan. He said during his two-day visit to Quetta, he met representatives of Hazara Community and religious scholars of Ahl-Sunnat community who reiterated their resolve to promote harmony and brotherhood for the cause of peace.
He said the government would convene a peace conference in Quetta during November which would be attended by religious scholars of different Islamic schools of thought from the country and abroad.
He said Interior Ministry would help in organizing the peace conference in Quetta.
To a question, he said President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani wanted to bring Baloch nationalists into mainstream.
He said Governor, Chief Minister and Home Minister of Balochistan had been playing active role for maintaining peace. “We want angry Baloch youth to love Pakistan Flag as it is our identity”, he added.
He said some anti-social elements were involved in target killing of innocent citizens in Balochistan only for vested interest. However, he said target killing had reduced in the province with the effective measures taken by the government.
He said three districts including Quetta were sensitive in respect of law and order and added the situation was better now.
Replying to query, he said, “Yes, the government has received some messages from Taliban for peace talks,” and added however, no such dialogues would be initiated until extremist elements laid down their weapons.
He announced arms license for every member of Quetta Press Club so that they could keep licensed weapon for their safety and security.
Immigration system to implemented on Pak-Afghan border from November: Malik
QUETTA, Oct 19 (APP): Interior Minister Rehman Malik has said the government was going to implement immigration system on Pak-Afghan border in Chaman and Torkham from November. He announced this while addressing a crowded news conference at Chief Minister House here on Wednesday. “The Government of Pakistan has decided to monitor movement of people through Pak-Afghan border from both sides so measures are being taken to implement immigration and restore biometric system on the entrance of the border,” he added.
He said intelligence agencies had provided phone data which proved that some prisoners were involved in carryng out anti-peace acts in Quetta and other areas of Balochistan from jails. Home Secretary Balochistan has been asked to isolate such prisoners from other prisoners, he added.
He said members of some banned outfits of Punjab were also involved in anti-peace activities in Balochistan. He said during his two-day visit to Quetta, he met representatives of Hazara Community and religious scholars of Ahl-Sunnat community who reiterated their resolve to promote harmony and brotherhood for the cause of peace.
He said the government would convene a peace conference in Quetta during November which would be attended by religious scholars of different Islamic schools of thought from the country and abroad.
He said Interior Ministry would help in organizing the peace conference in Quetta.
To a question, he said President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani wanted to bring Baloch nationalists into mainstream.
He said Governor, Chief Minister and Home Minister of Balochistan had been playing active role for maintaining peace. “We want angry Baloch youth to love Pakistan Flag as it is our identity”, he added.
He said some anti-social elements were involved in target killing of innocent citizens in Balochistan only for vested interest. However, he said target killing had reduced in the province with the effective measures taken by the government.
He said three districts including Quetta were sensitive in respect of law and order and added the situation was better now.
Replying to query, he said, “Yes, the government has received some messages from Taliban for peace talks,” and added however, no such dialogues would be initiated until extremist elements laid down their weapons.
He announced arms license for every member of Quetta Press Club so that they could keep licensed weapon for their safety and security.
He said intelligence agencies had provided phone data which proved that some prisoners were involved in carryng out anti-peace acts in Quetta and other areas of Balochistan from jails. Home Secretary Balochistan has been asked to isolate such prisoners from other prisoners, he added.
He said members of some banned outfits of Punjab were also involved in anti-peace activities in Balochistan. He said during his two-day visit to Quetta, he met representatives of Hazara Community and religious scholars of Ahl-Sunnat community who reiterated their resolve to promote harmony and brotherhood for the cause of peace.
He said the government would convene a peace conference in Quetta during November which would be attended by religious scholars of different Islamic schools of thought from the country and abroad.
He said Interior Ministry would help in organizing the peace conference in Quetta.
To a question, he said President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani wanted to bring Baloch nationalists into mainstream.
He said Governor, Chief Minister and Home Minister of Balochistan had been playing active role for maintaining peace. “We want angry Baloch youth to love Pakistan Flag as it is our identity”, he added.
He said some anti-social elements were involved in target killing of innocent citizens in Balochistan only for vested interest. However, he said target killing had reduced in the province with the effective measures taken by the government.
He said three districts including Quetta were sensitive in respect of law and order and added the situation was better now.
Replying to query, he said, “Yes, the government has received some messages from Taliban for peace talks,” and added however, no such dialogues would be initiated until extremist elements laid down their weapons.
He announced arms license for every member of Quetta Press Club so that they could keep licensed weapon for their safety and security.
Immigration system to implemented on Pak-Afghan border from November: Malik
QUETTA, Oct 19 (APP): Interior Minister Rehman Malik has said the government was going to implement immigration system on Pak-Afghan border in Chaman and Torkham from November. He announced this while addressing a crowded news conference at Chief Minister House here on Wednesday. “The Government of Pakistan has decided to monitor movement of people through Pak-Afghan border from both sides so measures are being taken to implement immigration and restore biometric system on the entrance of the border,” he added.
He said intelligence agencies had provided phone data which proved that some prisoners were involved in carryng out anti-peace acts in Quetta and other areas of Balochistan from jails. Home Secretary Balochistan has been asked to isolate such prisoners from other prisoners, he added.
He said members of some banned outfits of Punjab were also involved in anti-peace activities in Balochistan. He said during his two-day visit to Quetta, he met representatives of Hazara Community and religious scholars of Ahl-Sunnat community who reiterated their resolve to promote harmony and brotherhood for the cause of peace.
He said the government would convene a peace conference in Quetta during November which would be attended by religious scholars of different Islamic schools of thought from the country and abroad.
He said Interior Ministry would help in organizing the peace conference in Quetta.
To a question, he said President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani wanted to bring Baloch nationalists into mainstream.
He said Governor, Chief Minister and Home Minister of Balochistan had been playing active role for maintaining peace. “We want angry Baloch youth to love Pakistan Flag as it is our identity”, he added.
He said some anti-social elements were involved in target killing of innocent citizens in Balochistan only for vested interest. However, he said target killing had reduced in the province with the effective measures taken by the government.
He said three districts including Quetta were sensitive in respect of law and order and added the situation was better now.
Replying to query, he said, “Yes, the government has received some messages from Taliban for peace talks,” and added however, no such dialogues would be initiated until extremist elements laid down their weapons.
He announced arms license for every member of Quetta Press Club so that they could keep licensed weapon for their safety and security.
He said intelligence agencies had provided phone data which proved that some prisoners were involved in carryng out anti-peace acts in Quetta and other areas of Balochistan from jails. Home Secretary Balochistan has been asked to isolate such prisoners from other prisoners, he added.
He said members of some banned outfits of Punjab were also involved in anti-peace activities in Balochistan. He said during his two-day visit to Quetta, he met representatives of Hazara Community and religious scholars of Ahl-Sunnat community who reiterated their resolve to promote harmony and brotherhood for the cause of peace.
He said the government would convene a peace conference in Quetta during November which would be attended by religious scholars of different Islamic schools of thought from the country and abroad.
He said Interior Ministry would help in organizing the peace conference in Quetta.
To a question, he said President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani wanted to bring Baloch nationalists into mainstream.
He said Governor, Chief Minister and Home Minister of Balochistan had been playing active role for maintaining peace. “We want angry Baloch youth to love Pakistan Flag as it is our identity”, he added.
He said some anti-social elements were involved in target killing of innocent citizens in Balochistan only for vested interest. However, he said target killing had reduced in the province with the effective measures taken by the government.
He said three districts including Quetta were sensitive in respect of law and order and added the situation was better now.
Replying to query, he said, “Yes, the government has received some messages from Taliban for peace talks,” and added however, no such dialogues would be initiated until extremist elements laid down their weapons.
He announced arms license for every member of Quetta Press Club so that they could keep licensed weapon for their safety and security.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Why Israelis believe one soldier is worth 1,000 Palestinian prisoners
(CNN) -- Israel plans to free more than 1,000
Palestinian prisoners, including hundreds serving life sentences for
attacks on Israelis, in exchange for Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit who
was captured by Hamas in 2006. How and why has the controversial deal
come about?
Why is Shalit considered important enough by the Israelis to be exchanged for so many Palestinian prisoners?
Militants captured the young sergeant in June 2006 after tunneling into the Jewish state and attacking an Israeli army outpost. Israel immediately launched a military incursion into Gaza to rescue Shalit, then 19, but failed to free him.
As the Israeli attacks continued, the Palestinians death toll steadily grew -- hundreds killed, many militants, but also, according to Palestinian sources, innocent men women and children.
Shalit's captors, affiliated with the Islamic Hamas government, demanded a prisoner swap, but the Israeli government said no -- at least in public.
Since then, he has been held incommunicado by Hamas, which controls Gaza.
Efforts to free him have become a rallying cry for thousands of Israelis who have urged the government to secure his release. Shalit's supporters feared that if a deal was not reached soon, his fate could be similar to that of Israeli Air Force Navigator Ron Arad, who crashed his warplane in Lebanon 25 years ago. He was captured by a local Shiite Amal militia and later handed over to Hezbollah, Shiite militants strongly influenced by Iran and now in de facto control of Lebanon.
Prisoner swap deal stirs up debate
Despite reported attempts to negotiate his return, Israel failed to
free Arad and the trail went cold. Over the years he became a symbol of
the failure of successive Israeli governments to strike a deal that
would bring him back alive. In June 2008 Hezbollah announced Arad was
dead.
Gaza prepares to receive prisoners
Who are the Palestinians being freed by Israel?
Outrage over prisoner exchange
Israel Monday announced it will release 1,027 prisoners and it
identified the first 477 to be freed Tuesday. The group includes two
prominent female prisoners: Ahlam Tamimi, serving life terms for being
an accomplice in the 2001 bombing of a Sbarro pizza restaurant that
killed 15 people; and Amneh Muna, who plotted the killing of a
16-year-old Israeli boy in 2001 and received a life sentence.
Twenty-five other women will also be freed.
Gilad Shalit to be freed
The most notable name not on the list is that of jailed Palestinian
lawmaker Marwan Barghouti, who is serving five life sentences for murder
and other charges related to his role in planning attacks on Israelis
during the second Intifada.
He had been considered by many Palestinians the most important prisoner who might have been released in exchange for Shalit.
How will the handover take place?
Mixed emotions on Israel, Hamas deal
The first swap is expected to take place Tuesday, with a second stage
scheduled for later this year. Israel's Prisons Authority said the
Palestinians on the list will be taken to two facilities -- one for the
27 women, the rest for the men -- from which the process of their
release will begin.
Once freed, they will be under various restrictions on a case-by-case basis: Some will not be allowed to leave the country, while others will have restrictions on their movement or be required to report their whereabouts to local police according to Justice Ministry spokesman Moshe Cohen.
Shalit, meanwhile, will be transferred back into Israeli territory via the Kerem Shalom border crossing and will undergo medical tests and debriefing at an air force base, the Israeli military said.
Once that is complete, he will be flown to his home at Mitzpe Hila, north of Haifa.
Why is this happening now?
Speaking to his Cabinet this week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that with so much change sweeping the region, he did not know whether a better deal for Shalit was possible, and warned that he didn't act during this window of opportunity, it could close indefinitely.
It represented a vast change in outlook and rhetoric for the combative prime minister, who seems to have calculated that a softer approach was the more politically expedient road to follow.
Whether it was the prospect of going down in history as the Israeli leader who missed the chance to free Shalit, the calculation of larger geopolitical changes in the region, or a mere reflection of public sentiment, Netanyahu has chosen a path that has taken him away from much of what he has spent decades preaching.
The Hamas rulers of Gaza also felt pressure to make the deal now. The rival Palestinian Authority that governs parts of the West Bank is enjoying increased popularity following its recent United Nations bid for recognition of an independent state and a large scale prisoner release was seen by many in Hamas as a way of seizing back the political initiative. Hamas is also contemplating moving its headquarters out of Damascus and concluding the Shalit deal would make it easier to negotiate a possible relocation to Cairo with the post-Mubarak Egyptian government.
What is the reaction in Israel and the Palestinian territories?
The deal to free Shalit was backed by a commanding Israeli Cabinet majority of 26-3 and enjoys wide support from the Israeli public, but there was extensive debate about whether so many Palestinian prisoners should be freed.
Families of victims of terror, as well as some members of the Israeli
government, have expressed fierce opposition to the deal. One minister
who voted against the agreement called it "a great victory for
terrorism," and there are fears that the release of convicted murderers
will lead to further attacks on Israeli civilians -- a fear that,
critics say, is borne out by statistics. According to the Israeli
association of terror victims, Almagor, 180 Israelis have lost their
lives to terrorists freed in previous deals since 2000.
For Palestinians the issue of prisoners in Israeli prisons cuts deep. For several decades human rights groups estimate that hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have spent time in Israeli prisons for a wide range of alleged crimes. In many cases Palestinians face incarceration without any formal charges, and children under the age of 18 are frequently detained for offenses like rock-throwing. Most Palestinians see these inmates and those convicted of violent crimes against Israeli citizens as political prisoners detained within the course of an ongoing liberation struggle.
Palestinians in both the West Bank and Gaza welcomed the prospect of so many prisoners being released but there are reservations about the conditions requiring many of them to be exiled from their homeland.
One Palestinian in Ramallah told CNN, "If I was a prisoner and I am released, I need to go to my family, my country, to my city. Why send me to Turkey or Venezuela whatever -- why?"
How will this affect the peace process?
Israelis are equally split on whether "the release of terrorists" will harm Israeli security, with 50% saying Yes and 48% saying No -- a statistical deadlock given the margin of error for the number of people polled.
One expert, Ronald W. Zweig, the Taub Professor of Israel Studies at New York University, said the deal showed that both sides had made concessions. "And that is a sign of hope."
"Pessimists will point to the dangers of rewarding terror -- both the terror of those released from jail and the act of kidnapping Israelis to have future terrorists released. Cynics will ask if Israel's willingness to conclude the deal was not an attempt to punish (Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud) Abbas for pushing ahead with his policies in the U.N., despite Israeli and American opposition," Zweig wrote in a recent commentary for CNN.
"But there are other considerations which give grounds for optimism. Any movement in the stalled peace process might be enough to get the wheels of this heavy cart out of the rut in which it is trapped. It appears that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had a role in the final deal, perhaps indicating a return of Turkey to constructive dealing with Israel. And the fact that Israel and Hamas have talked -- albeit indirectly -- is a welcome development. Israel's 2005 withdrawal from Gaza might have had more positive long-term effect had this channel of communication been used then.
"Even more significant, the release of these prisoners removes a major obstacle from any future peace settlement between Israel and the Palestinians."
Why is Shalit considered important enough by the Israelis to be exchanged for so many Palestinian prisoners?
Militants captured the young sergeant in June 2006 after tunneling into the Jewish state and attacking an Israeli army outpost. Israel immediately launched a military incursion into Gaza to rescue Shalit, then 19, but failed to free him.
As the Israeli attacks continued, the Palestinians death toll steadily grew -- hundreds killed, many militants, but also, according to Palestinian sources, innocent men women and children.
Shalit's captors, affiliated with the Islamic Hamas government, demanded a prisoner swap, but the Israeli government said no -- at least in public.
Since then, he has been held incommunicado by Hamas, which controls Gaza.
Efforts to free him have become a rallying cry for thousands of Israelis who have urged the government to secure his release. Shalit's supporters feared that if a deal was not reached soon, his fate could be similar to that of Israeli Air Force Navigator Ron Arad, who crashed his warplane in Lebanon 25 years ago. He was captured by a local Shiite Amal militia and later handed over to Hezbollah, Shiite militants strongly influenced by Iran and now in de facto control of Lebanon.
Prisoner swap deal stirs up debate
Gaza prepares to receive prisoners
Outrage over prisoner exchange
Gilad Shalit to be freed
He had been considered by many Palestinians the most important prisoner who might have been released in exchange for Shalit.
How will the handover take place?
Mixed emotions on Israel, Hamas deal
Once freed, they will be under various restrictions on a case-by-case basis: Some will not be allowed to leave the country, while others will have restrictions on their movement or be required to report their whereabouts to local police according to Justice Ministry spokesman Moshe Cohen.
Shalit, meanwhile, will be transferred back into Israeli territory via the Kerem Shalom border crossing and will undergo medical tests and debriefing at an air force base, the Israeli military said.
Once that is complete, he will be flown to his home at Mitzpe Hila, north of Haifa.
Why is this happening now?
Speaking to his Cabinet this week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that with so much change sweeping the region, he did not know whether a better deal for Shalit was possible, and warned that he didn't act during this window of opportunity, it could close indefinitely.
It represented a vast change in outlook and rhetoric for the combative prime minister, who seems to have calculated that a softer approach was the more politically expedient road to follow.
Whether it was the prospect of going down in history as the Israeli leader who missed the chance to free Shalit, the calculation of larger geopolitical changes in the region, or a mere reflection of public sentiment, Netanyahu has chosen a path that has taken him away from much of what he has spent decades preaching.
The Hamas rulers of Gaza also felt pressure to make the deal now. The rival Palestinian Authority that governs parts of the West Bank is enjoying increased popularity following its recent United Nations bid for recognition of an independent state and a large scale prisoner release was seen by many in Hamas as a way of seizing back the political initiative. Hamas is also contemplating moving its headquarters out of Damascus and concluding the Shalit deal would make it easier to negotiate a possible relocation to Cairo with the post-Mubarak Egyptian government.
What is the reaction in Israel and the Palestinian territories?
The deal to free Shalit was backed by a commanding Israeli Cabinet majority of 26-3 and enjoys wide support from the Israeli public, but there was extensive debate about whether so many Palestinian prisoners should be freed.
Any movement in the stalled peace process might be enough to get
the wheels of this heavy cart out of the rut in which it is trapped.
Ronald W. Zweig
Ronald W. Zweig
For Palestinians the issue of prisoners in Israeli prisons cuts deep. For several decades human rights groups estimate that hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have spent time in Israeli prisons for a wide range of alleged crimes. In many cases Palestinians face incarceration without any formal charges, and children under the age of 18 are frequently detained for offenses like rock-throwing. Most Palestinians see these inmates and those convicted of violent crimes against Israeli citizens as political prisoners detained within the course of an ongoing liberation struggle.
Palestinians in both the West Bank and Gaza welcomed the prospect of so many prisoners being released but there are reservations about the conditions requiring many of them to be exiled from their homeland.
One Palestinian in Ramallah told CNN, "If I was a prisoner and I am released, I need to go to my family, my country, to my city. Why send me to Turkey or Venezuela whatever -- why?"
How will this affect the peace process?
Israelis are equally split on whether "the release of terrorists" will harm Israeli security, with 50% saying Yes and 48% saying No -- a statistical deadlock given the margin of error for the number of people polled.
One expert, Ronald W. Zweig, the Taub Professor of Israel Studies at New York University, said the deal showed that both sides had made concessions. "And that is a sign of hope."
"Pessimists will point to the dangers of rewarding terror -- both the terror of those released from jail and the act of kidnapping Israelis to have future terrorists released. Cynics will ask if Israel's willingness to conclude the deal was not an attempt to punish (Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud) Abbas for pushing ahead with his policies in the U.N., despite Israeli and American opposition," Zweig wrote in a recent commentary for CNN.
"But there are other considerations which give grounds for optimism. Any movement in the stalled peace process might be enough to get the wheels of this heavy cart out of the rut in which it is trapped. It appears that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had a role in the final deal, perhaps indicating a return of Turkey to constructive dealing with Israel. And the fact that Israel and Hamas have talked -- albeit indirectly -- is a welcome development. Israel's 2005 withdrawal from Gaza might have had more positive long-term effect had this channel of communication been used then.
"Even more significant, the release of these prisoners removes a major obstacle from any future peace settlement between Israel and the Palestinians."
Monday, October 17, 2011
PM advises media to favour educational issues over political
ISLAMABAD, Oct 17 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Monday asked media to expand their “sole craving for political issues” and focus more on highlighting educational and health issues. “You shouldn’t focus only on politicians, or when there will be new election, or who will be the new prime minister, or whether army chief will take over or not. Instead you should promote educational issues,” Gilani said while addressing the award-distribution ceremony of PM’s Entrepreneurial Challenge, at National University of Science and Technology here. The Prime Minister said education and health are the government’s top most priorities.
“It is immaterial that I remain here or not. It is our new generation which you should project and encourage,” he said directing to the media persons present on the occasion.
He hoped that in view of his advice, tomorrow’s newspapers would give prominence to the news of “my very own brilliant students” rather than highlighting the prime minister, opposition or the army chief.
“It is immaterial that I remain here or not. It is our new generation which you should project and encourage,” he said directing to the media persons present on the occasion.
He hoped that in view of his advice, tomorrow’s newspapers would give prominence to the news of “my very own brilliant students” rather than highlighting the prime minister, opposition or the army chief.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
US decides to go after Haqqanis
LAHORE: The Obama administration has decided to go all-out against the Haqqani network, which it blames for the September attack on the US embassy in Kabul, Washington Post reported on Saturday.
As part of the latest efforts to cripple the group, a CIA drone strike Thursday killed three of its members, including a senior official, and additional strikes Friday left four dead. The attacks in Pakistan were carried out near Miranshah, capital of North Waziristan Agency, a city rarely targeted in the past because of the difficulty of finding well-concealed insurgent leaders and the possibility of civilian deaths in an urban area.
“The Obama administration has launched the opening salvos of a new, more aggressive approach towards an Afghan insurgent group it asserts is supported by Pakistan’s government,” the newspaper quoted senior US administration officials. “The decision to strike Miranshah was made at a National Security Council meeting chaired by President Obama two weeks ago and was intended to ‘send a signal’ that the United States would no longer tolerate a safe haven for the most lethal enemy of US forces in Afghanistan, or Pakistan’s backing for it,” the paper quoted one of several US officials who spoke about internal deliberations on the condition of anonymity.
The strikes were made possible by focusing intelligence collection to “allow us to pursue certain priorities,” the official said. Senior Haqqani figure Janbaz Zadran was selected along with other targets to “demonstrate how seriously we take the Miranshah” threat, he elaborated.
“Military options debated at the September 29 meeting were set aside for now,” officials said, including the possibility of a ground operation against Haqqani leaders similar to the raid that killed Osama bin Laden in May. Although the administration has left the raid option on the table, the potential negatives of such an operation — including the possible collapse of Pakistan’s military leadership and civilian government — are seen as far outweighing its benefits.
The Washington Post report says that in a series of meetings with the national security team, the White House reviewed long-standing options in Pakistan, ranging from outright attack to diplomacy, along with the likely ramifications of each, a process that culminated in the Sept. 29 NSC meeting.
The report quotes officials as saying that Obama had gradually lost faith in Pakistan and its weak civilian leadership. But the core goal of their efforts, the president reminded his team, was the elimination of “Pakistan-based al Qaeda”. It was important, he warned them, that “nobody takes their eye off the ball.”
An additional outcome of the NSC meeting, officials said, was an order for various players – the Defence Department, the CIA, the State Department, and the White House itself – to stop sending mixed messages to Pakistan and others about the administration’s war policies.
The report further reveals that Obama’s National Security Adviser, Thomas E Donilon, conveyed administration resolve to Chief of Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Kayani at a secret meeting in Saudi Arabia. The United States wanted a relationship with Pakistan, officials said Donilon told Kayani, but it also wanted the Haqqani attacks to stop. Pakistani officials said Donilon offered Kayani three choices: kill the Haqqani leadership, help us kill them, or persuade them to join a peaceful, democratic Afghan government. daily times monitor
As part of the latest efforts to cripple the group, a CIA drone strike Thursday killed three of its members, including a senior official, and additional strikes Friday left four dead. The attacks in Pakistan were carried out near Miranshah, capital of North Waziristan Agency, a city rarely targeted in the past because of the difficulty of finding well-concealed insurgent leaders and the possibility of civilian deaths in an urban area.
“The Obama administration has launched the opening salvos of a new, more aggressive approach towards an Afghan insurgent group it asserts is supported by Pakistan’s government,” the newspaper quoted senior US administration officials. “The decision to strike Miranshah was made at a National Security Council meeting chaired by President Obama two weeks ago and was intended to ‘send a signal’ that the United States would no longer tolerate a safe haven for the most lethal enemy of US forces in Afghanistan, or Pakistan’s backing for it,” the paper quoted one of several US officials who spoke about internal deliberations on the condition of anonymity.
The strikes were made possible by focusing intelligence collection to “allow us to pursue certain priorities,” the official said. Senior Haqqani figure Janbaz Zadran was selected along with other targets to “demonstrate how seriously we take the Miranshah” threat, he elaborated.
“Military options debated at the September 29 meeting were set aside for now,” officials said, including the possibility of a ground operation against Haqqani leaders similar to the raid that killed Osama bin Laden in May. Although the administration has left the raid option on the table, the potential negatives of such an operation — including the possible collapse of Pakistan’s military leadership and civilian government — are seen as far outweighing its benefits.
The Washington Post report says that in a series of meetings with the national security team, the White House reviewed long-standing options in Pakistan, ranging from outright attack to diplomacy, along with the likely ramifications of each, a process that culminated in the Sept. 29 NSC meeting.
The report quotes officials as saying that Obama had gradually lost faith in Pakistan and its weak civilian leadership. But the core goal of their efforts, the president reminded his team, was the elimination of “Pakistan-based al Qaeda”. It was important, he warned them, that “nobody takes their eye off the ball.”
An additional outcome of the NSC meeting, officials said, was an order for various players – the Defence Department, the CIA, the State Department, and the White House itself – to stop sending mixed messages to Pakistan and others about the administration’s war policies.
The report further reveals that Obama’s National Security Adviser, Thomas E Donilon, conveyed administration resolve to Chief of Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Kayani at a secret meeting in Saudi Arabia. The United States wanted a relationship with Pakistan, officials said Donilon told Kayani, but it also wanted the Haqqani attacks to stop. Pakistani officials said Donilon offered Kayani three choices: kill the Haqqani leadership, help us kill them, or persuade them to join a peaceful, democratic Afghan government. daily times monitor
Saturday, October 15, 2011
US drone kills four militants in S Waziristan: Officials
SOUTH WAZIRISTAN: A US drone strike targeting a militant compound in a Pakistani tribal region killed four rebels in the fourth attack in two days near the Afghan border, security officials said Saturday.
The drones fired eight missiles Friday night at the compound in Baghar, 40 kilometres west of Wana, the main town of South Waziristan tribal district, where the military launched a ground offensive two years ago.
“The strike killed four militants and wounded three others,” a senior security official told AFP on condition of anonymity.
He said the identities of those killed in the attack could not be immediately established.
Another security official confirmed the strike and said that the targeted compound was one of the few buildings used by mujahideen during the Afghan war against the former Soviet Union.
Baghar is a mountainous area covered by thick forests and is difficult to access. It is said to be used by Pakistani warlord Maulvi Nazir, whose fighters are allied to the Haqqani network and active in the 10-year war in Afghanistan
A US official in Washington described a commander in the al Qaeda-linked Haqqani network who was killed on Thursday as “the most senior Haqqani leader in Pakistan to be taken off the battlefield”.
Pakistani officials reported 10 militants killed in two US drone strikes on Thursday and named the Haqqani commander as Jamil Haqqani, a coordinator for the Afghan Taliban faction in North Waziristan.
The US official said he was known as Jamil and as Janbaz Zadran, accusing him of having “played a central role in helping the Haqqani network attack US and coalition targets in Kabul and southeastern Afghanistan”.
Pakistani officials said the slain commander was not a relative of Jalaluddin Haqqani, the Afghan warlord who founded the Taliban faction, but had been close to his son Sirajuddin Haqqani, who now runs the network.
The United States blames the Haqqanis for fuelling the 10-year insurgency in Afghanistan, attacking US-led Nato troops and working to destabilise the Western-backed government of Afghan President Hamid Karzai.
The tense partnership between Pakistan and the United States in the war on terror took a further battering this month, with Washington demanding that Islamabad take action against the Haqqani network and cut ties to the group.
The outgoing top US military officer Admiral Mike Mullen called the Haqqani network a “veritable arm” of Pakistan Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency and accused Pakistan of supporting attacks on US targets in Afghanistan.
Islamabad officially denies any support for Haqqani activities, but has nurtured Pashtun warlords for decades as a way of influencing events across the border and offsetting the might of arch-rival India.
The Pakistani military says it is too over-stretched fighting local Taliban to acquiesce to American demands to launch an offensive against the Haqqanis, a battle that not all observers think the Pakistani military would win.
More than 50 strikes have been reported in Pakistan so far this year including dozens since Navy SEALs killed al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in the garrison city of Abbottabad, close to the capital Islamabad, on May 2.
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has said for the first time that the United States was waging “war” in Pakistan against militants, referring to the covert CIA drone campaign that Washington refuses to discuss publicly.
The drones fired eight missiles Friday night at the compound in Baghar, 40 kilometres west of Wana, the main town of South Waziristan tribal district, where the military launched a ground offensive two years ago.
“The strike killed four militants and wounded three others,” a senior security official told AFP on condition of anonymity.
He said the identities of those killed in the attack could not be immediately established.
Another security official confirmed the strike and said that the targeted compound was one of the few buildings used by mujahideen during the Afghan war against the former Soviet Union.
Baghar is a mountainous area covered by thick forests and is difficult to access. It is said to be used by Pakistani warlord Maulvi Nazir, whose fighters are allied to the Haqqani network and active in the 10-year war in Afghanistan
A US official in Washington described a commander in the al Qaeda-linked Haqqani network who was killed on Thursday as “the most senior Haqqani leader in Pakistan to be taken off the battlefield”.
Pakistani officials reported 10 militants killed in two US drone strikes on Thursday and named the Haqqani commander as Jamil Haqqani, a coordinator for the Afghan Taliban faction in North Waziristan.
The US official said he was known as Jamil and as Janbaz Zadran, accusing him of having “played a central role in helping the Haqqani network attack US and coalition targets in Kabul and southeastern Afghanistan”.
Pakistani officials said the slain commander was not a relative of Jalaluddin Haqqani, the Afghan warlord who founded the Taliban faction, but had been close to his son Sirajuddin Haqqani, who now runs the network.
The United States blames the Haqqanis for fuelling the 10-year insurgency in Afghanistan, attacking US-led Nato troops and working to destabilise the Western-backed government of Afghan President Hamid Karzai.
The tense partnership between Pakistan and the United States in the war on terror took a further battering this month, with Washington demanding that Islamabad take action against the Haqqani network and cut ties to the group.
The outgoing top US military officer Admiral Mike Mullen called the Haqqani network a “veritable arm” of Pakistan Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency and accused Pakistan of supporting attacks on US targets in Afghanistan.
Islamabad officially denies any support for Haqqani activities, but has nurtured Pashtun warlords for decades as a way of influencing events across the border and offsetting the might of arch-rival India.
The Pakistani military says it is too over-stretched fighting local Taliban to acquiesce to American demands to launch an offensive against the Haqqanis, a battle that not all observers think the Pakistani military would win.
More than 50 strikes have been reported in Pakistan so far this year including dozens since Navy SEALs killed al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in the garrison city of Abbottabad, close to the capital Islamabad, on May 2.
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has said for the first time that the United States was waging “war” in Pakistan against militants, referring to the covert CIA drone campaign that Washington refuses to discuss publicly.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Policeman killed in Islamabad firing
A Sub Inspector of Police has been killed and another policeman injured in firing by unknown armed men on a police mobile in Islamabad Sector I-10/2.
According to the details, the ill-fated police mobile was on a routine patrol when attacked by two motorcycle riders leaving policeman severely injured. Sub Inspector Riaz succumbed to injuries on way to hospital while Constable Mohammad Ashraf sustained severe injuries, he has been admitted to a hospital and his condition is said to be critical.
According to eye witnesses the armed men escaped quickly after the crime.
The law enforcement agencies have cordoned off the whole area and have started a search for the culprits while all the exit and entry points of Islamabad are being monitored.
According to the details, the ill-fated police mobile was on a routine patrol when attacked by two motorcycle riders leaving policeman severely injured. Sub Inspector Riaz succumbed to injuries on way to hospital while Constable Mohammad Ashraf sustained severe injuries, he has been admitted to a hospital and his condition is said to be critical.
According to eye witnesses the armed men escaped quickly after the crime.
The law enforcement agencies have cordoned off the whole area and have started a search for the culprits while all the exit and entry points of Islamabad are being monitored.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Federal cabinet approves two weekly offs
ISLAMABAD, (SANA): The federal cabinet on Wednesday approved two days holiday a week for those industries completely dependent on electricity and gas.
The decision was taken by the federal cabinet in response to the ongoing energy crisis in the country Wednesday. Cabinet meeting held under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani.
After the cabinet Meeting Federal Minister for Finance Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, Minister for Water & Power Naveed Qamar and Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Dr Asim Hussain briefed the media.
Finance minister said that the production of energy has been increased, adding that during cabinet meeting briefing was given regarding energy crisis and government has decided to meet energy crisis.
Cabinet also approved shutdown of the commercial markets after the sunset.
Syed Naveed Qamar said that the chief executives of the electricity companies would have to achieve the targets, adding that the connection of the defaulters would be disconnected after 45 days.
He said that the NEPRA would introduce system of equal increase and decrease in the prices of power distributing companies.
He said it was also decided that the subsidy on the tube wells in Balochistan would continue but the limit of subsidy on the tube well would be fixed.
The proposal for this move will be forwarded to Council of Common Interest (CCI) for a final approval. The CCI’s approval is necessary to take the Punjab on board, as a large number of industrialists who will be affected by the two-day weekend belong to the province.
Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif will attend the CCI session where the final decision will be taken.
Prime Minister House sources said that Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani is due to summon a session of the CCI in a couple of days in which the premier will invite members of the CCI to discuss implementing the decision. However, the Karachi business community has already rejected the decision.
The decision will be implemented from October 15 and will be applicable to banks also
The decision was taken by the federal cabinet in response to the ongoing energy crisis in the country Wednesday. Cabinet meeting held under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani.
After the cabinet Meeting Federal Minister for Finance Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, Minister for Water & Power Naveed Qamar and Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Dr Asim Hussain briefed the media.
Finance minister said that the production of energy has been increased, adding that during cabinet meeting briefing was given regarding energy crisis and government has decided to meet energy crisis.
Cabinet also approved shutdown of the commercial markets after the sunset.
Syed Naveed Qamar said that the chief executives of the electricity companies would have to achieve the targets, adding that the connection of the defaulters would be disconnected after 45 days.
He said that the NEPRA would introduce system of equal increase and decrease in the prices of power distributing companies.
He said it was also decided that the subsidy on the tube wells in Balochistan would continue but the limit of subsidy on the tube well would be fixed.
The proposal for this move will be forwarded to Council of Common Interest (CCI) for a final approval. The CCI’s approval is necessary to take the Punjab on board, as a large number of industrialists who will be affected by the two-day weekend belong to the province.
Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif will attend the CCI session where the final decision will be taken.
Prime Minister House sources said that Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani is due to summon a session of the CCI in a couple of days in which the premier will invite members of the CCI to discuss implementing the decision. However, the Karachi business community has already rejected the decision.
The decision will be implemented from October 15 and will be applicable to banks also
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Karachi University awards honorary PhD degree to 'social scholar' Rehman Malik
Karachi, Oct 12(ANI): Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik has
been conferred with an honorary Doctorate degree by the University of
Karachi.
Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan, who is also the Chancellor of the University of Karachi, conferred the degree upon Malik.
The degree has been awarded by the Syndicate of Karachi University in recognition of Malik's "matchless services to the country in the war on terror and particularly in restoring peace to the citizens of Karachi.
Speaking on the occasion, the interior minister expressed his resolve to come up to the expectations of the nation and serve Pakistan in an effective manner.
He told the gathering that his father had advised him to always respect the teachers.
"I paid heed towards this advice and throughout my life, I remained successful in every sphere," the Dawn quoted Malik, as saying.
Malik, who did his Masters in Statistics in 1973 from the University of Karachi, said that at that time, they all considered themselves as Pakistanis, and that there was no Sindhi, Punjabi, Baloch, Pakhtoon and Mohajir.
He said there is a need to foster the spirit of 'Pakistaniat', as they all are Pakistanis.
The Sindh Governor said he was happy that the Karachi University was awarding an honorary Doctorate degree to social scholar Malik.alik's efforts against terrorism and valuable help in maintaining law and order in Karachi are known to everyone, Dr Ebad said, adding that the interior minister has resolved some of the national issues very amicably. (ANI)
Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan, who is also the Chancellor of the University of Karachi, conferred the degree upon Malik.
The degree has been awarded by the Syndicate of Karachi University in recognition of Malik's "matchless services to the country in the war on terror and particularly in restoring peace to the citizens of Karachi.
Speaking on the occasion, the interior minister expressed his resolve to come up to the expectations of the nation and serve Pakistan in an effective manner.
He told the gathering that his father had advised him to always respect the teachers.
"I paid heed towards this advice and throughout my life, I remained successful in every sphere," the Dawn quoted Malik, as saying.
Malik, who did his Masters in Statistics in 1973 from the University of Karachi, said that at that time, they all considered themselves as Pakistanis, and that there was no Sindhi, Punjabi, Baloch, Pakhtoon and Mohajir.
He said there is a need to foster the spirit of 'Pakistaniat', as they all are Pakistanis.
The Sindh Governor said he was happy that the Karachi University was awarding an honorary Doctorate degree to social scholar Malik.alik's efforts against terrorism and valuable help in maintaining law and order in Karachi are known to everyone, Dr Ebad said, adding that the interior minister has resolved some of the national issues very amicably. (ANI)
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Ex-PM jailed for 7 years on abuse of power charge
A Ukrainian court has found former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko guilty of abuse of office and jailed her for seven years.
She was convicted yesterday of violating legal procedures during the 2009 signing of a natural gas import contract with Russia which the prosecution said inflicted damages of 1.5 billion hryvna ($243 million) on the national gas company.
The US and the European Union have condemned the case as politically motivated, and Tymoshenko said it was a government attempt to bar her from upcoming elections and persecution by her arch-foe, President Viltor Yanukovych.
She was convicted yesterday of violating legal procedures during the 2009 signing of a natural gas import contract with Russia which the prosecution said inflicted damages of 1.5 billion hryvna ($243 million) on the national gas company.
The US and the European Union have condemned the case as politically motivated, and Tymoshenko said it was a government attempt to bar her from upcoming elections and persecution by her arch-foe, President Viltor Yanukovych.
Monday, October 10, 2011
No delay in Senate polls despite PA dissolution: Khosa
LAHORE - Punjab Governor Sardar Latif Khosa has said that Senate polls will not be postponed if Punjab Assembly stands dissolved.
Talking to reporters after prize distribution ceremony of 7th National Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women Karate Championship here on Sunday, the Governor opined that in case Punjab Assembly is dissolved before the Senate elections, the vacant seats from Punjab will be filled after election of new Assembly; while rest of the vacant seats from other provinces will be filled as per schedule.
He said the suggestion to dissolve the Assembly had come from members of the forward bloc who had been kept deprived of ministries for quite some time. He also said that no legislator belonging to PML-N will like the idea of Punjab Assembly being dissolved.
Replying to a question about Supreme Court decision that governor was bound to act on chief minister’s advice on appointment of vice-chancellors in public sector universities, Khosa said his powers as chancellor of different universities had not been curtailed after the court verdict.
To a question, the governor condemned 10-day remand of Ayesha Malik by a sessions court, but appreciated the Lahore High Court for taking notice of the matter. “If it was a family matter of Mian Shahbaz Sharif, it should have been settled outside the court,” Khosa observed.
Earlier, while addressing the ceremony, the governor said that federal government was endeavouring to provide equal opportunities of development to women in accordance with the vision of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed. He also took credit for nomination of first woman speaker (in the National Assembly) and foreign minister by the PPP-led government.
Talking to reporters after prize distribution ceremony of 7th National Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women Karate Championship here on Sunday, the Governor opined that in case Punjab Assembly is dissolved before the Senate elections, the vacant seats from Punjab will be filled after election of new Assembly; while rest of the vacant seats from other provinces will be filled as per schedule.
He said the suggestion to dissolve the Assembly had come from members of the forward bloc who had been kept deprived of ministries for quite some time. He also said that no legislator belonging to PML-N will like the idea of Punjab Assembly being dissolved.
Replying to a question about Supreme Court decision that governor was bound to act on chief minister’s advice on appointment of vice-chancellors in public sector universities, Khosa said his powers as chancellor of different universities had not been curtailed after the court verdict.
To a question, the governor condemned 10-day remand of Ayesha Malik by a sessions court, but appreciated the Lahore High Court for taking notice of the matter. “If it was a family matter of Mian Shahbaz Sharif, it should have been settled outside the court,” Khosa observed.
Earlier, while addressing the ceremony, the governor said that federal government was endeavouring to provide equal opportunities of development to women in accordance with the vision of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed. He also took credit for nomination of first woman speaker (in the National Assembly) and foreign minister by the PPP-led government.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Huge discount rate cut surprises market
KARACHI: The State Bank on Saturday threw a pleasant surprise by chopping off its policy rate by 150bps above the market expectations, but analysts critical about the huge cut in view of changing of base-year to show declining inflationary trend.
The SBP brought down the discount rate to 12 per cent for October-November from 13.5 per cent. However most of the market experts were anticipating a cut of 50 basis points.
It was expected that the SBP would adopt a strategy of gradual decrease in the rates to avoid any upheaval in the economy. In July 2011 the discount rate was cut by 50 basis points after keeping it on the higher side since 2008 to fight double-digit inflation.
The government failing to rope in price hike has recently changed the base year for calculating inflation to 2008, the year when average inflation was 20 per cent.
Some analysts think the SBP move will energise the economy.
“This surprising cut suggests that the central bank is focusing on economic growth at a time when IMF support is not there,” said Mohammad Sohail, CEO of Topline Securities.
He said the decision may put some pressure on the rupee while equity and bonds would rally.
The business community welcoming the move said that it was long over due. “I must say it is positive and will definitely stir economic growth while the 150bps cut in policy rate may translate in two per cent decline in lending rate to corporate
sector,” said Saleem Parekh, former chairman SITE Association.
He added that it would also encourage long-term investment, which is almost nil at this moment.
The business community has been criticising the State Bank to keep such a high interest rate that did not allow the private sector to borrow for long term planning or expansion of existing units.
For some analysts the government would be the biggest beneficiary of this low interest rate since it has been the biggest borrower for last three years from the banking system.
Only last year the government made record borrowing of Rs598 billion from the scheduled banks and Rs247 billion in the first quarter of the current fiscal 2012.
“First the government is the real beneficiary and secondly the lower inflation is not as low as being shown because the base-year has been changed,” said Syed Shahid Iqbal, a money market expert.
However, he said the overall situation might see some relaxation for private sector provided the government reduces its borrowing.
The State Bank expected lower GDP growth and also expressed concern over exports. “The likelihood of falling short of the annual GDP growth target has increased due to damaging impact of recent flood in Sindh,” it said.
“The rapidly deteriorating global economic conditions, especially in Pakistan’s export-destination countries, do not provide much confidence either,” said the SBP
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Pakistan arrests could mark thaw with US...Militants arrested in Indonesia
WASHINGTON (AP) — The arrest of a handful of al-Qaida suspects in Pakistan could mark a turning point in soured relations between Islamabad and the United States. U.S. and Pakistani officials say Pakistani forces made the arrests at the CIA's request and allowed the U.S. access to the detainees.
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Three Islamist militants have been arrested in Indonesia. Officials say the men were wanted for allegedly plotting suicide attacks. Two other men wanted for allegedly plotting an April suicide bombing that injured 30 police officers are still at large.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is hoping to win over skeptical voters to his presidential campaign today when he speaks to a conservative group in Washington. Romney's slated to address the annual Values Voters Summit and he'll court social conservatives with an economy-heavy appeal. Given a struggling economy some voters at the summit say they're willing to give him a listen.
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Brutal killings in Mexico's drug war are not new, but a series of ever more gruesome spectacles have terrified ordinary citizens. One psychologist says the gangs have to keep escalating the violence because shock value wears off. The country's public safety secretary says drug traffickers are copying beheading tactics from al-Qaida.
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Kenyans are bidding farewell to the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. A state funeral marked with prayers, praises and tree planting is being held for Wangari Maathai (wan-GAH'-ree mah-THEYE'-ee).
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Three Islamist militants have been arrested in Indonesia. Officials say the men were wanted for allegedly plotting suicide attacks. Two other men wanted for allegedly plotting an April suicide bombing that injured 30 police officers are still at large.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is hoping to win over skeptical voters to his presidential campaign today when he speaks to a conservative group in Washington. Romney's slated to address the annual Values Voters Summit and he'll court social conservatives with an economy-heavy appeal. Given a struggling economy some voters at the summit say they're willing to give him a listen.
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Brutal killings in Mexico's drug war are not new, but a series of ever more gruesome spectacles have terrified ordinary citizens. One psychologist says the gangs have to keep escalating the violence because shock value wears off. The country's public safety secretary says drug traffickers are copying beheading tactics from al-Qaida.
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Kenyans are bidding farewell to the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. A state funeral marked with prayers, praises and tree planting is being held for Wangari Maathai (wan-GAH'-ree mah-THEYE'-ee).
US hails India's key role in Afghanistan
Applauding India's key role in Afghanistan, the US has said that New Delhi has been helpful in providing training to the security forces of the war-torn country to help improve the situation there.
"India has a training presence inside Afghanistan and has (it) for a quite some time. Obviously President (Hamid) Karzai finds that very helpful," Pentagon spokesman, Capt John Kirby, told reporters last evening.
He welcomed India's decision to train the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF), a pact on which was inked between the two countries this week during the New Delhi visit of Karzai.
Noting that a secure and stable Afghanistan is good for the region, the Pentagon spokesman said this can be achieved by having a string Afghan security force, in which India is playing a key role now.
"Everybody in the region stands to benefit from a secure and stable Afghanistan. The degree to which President Karzai wants to continue its relationship with India, is certainly his decision – the elected leader of that sovereign nation," he said.
"We certainly support that to improve security there. It is not just about Afghanistan. It is a regional issue. India has been helpful in the past, helping train the ANSF (Afghan National Security Forces)," he said.
The Indian military has been helpful in Afghanistan, Kirby said.
"Clearly both countries want to see that that kind of cooperation continues to the degree that it helps create a more secure Afghanistan. That is good for everybody in the region," he said.
"We for our part, the coalition part, the training mission is critical to the success of the strategy and we believe that it is being resourced appropriately from the alliance, NATO and other coalition partners of the United States. One of those regional partners of course is India," the Pentagon spokesman said.
"India has a training presence inside Afghanistan and has (it) for a quite some time. Obviously President (Hamid) Karzai finds that very helpful," Pentagon spokesman, Capt John Kirby, told reporters last evening.
He welcomed India's decision to train the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF), a pact on which was inked between the two countries this week during the New Delhi visit of Karzai.
Noting that a secure and stable Afghanistan is good for the region, the Pentagon spokesman said this can be achieved by having a string Afghan security force, in which India is playing a key role now.
"Everybody in the region stands to benefit from a secure and stable Afghanistan. The degree to which President Karzai wants to continue its relationship with India, is certainly his decision – the elected leader of that sovereign nation," he said.
"We certainly support that to improve security there. It is not just about Afghanistan. It is a regional issue. India has been helpful in the past, helping train the ANSF (Afghan National Security Forces)," he said.
The Indian military has been helpful in Afghanistan, Kirby said.
"Clearly both countries want to see that that kind of cooperation continues to the degree that it helps create a more secure Afghanistan. That is good for everybody in the region," he said.
"We for our part, the coalition part, the training mission is critical to the success of the strategy and we believe that it is being resourced appropriately from the alliance, NATO and other coalition partners of the United States. One of those regional partners of course is India," the Pentagon spokesman said.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Don't view India as your 'mortal enemy': Obama to Pakistan
WASHINGTON: In a lengthy pep-talk to Pakistan, US President Barack Obama has asked it not to view India as its "mortal enemy", shed its Afghan-India paranoia and realise that a "peaceful approach" towards New Delhi would be in everybody's interests.
"They see their security interests threatened by an independent Afghanistan in part because they think it will ally itself to India, and Pakistan still considers India their mortal enemy," Obama said on Thursday at a press conference at the East Room of the White House.
"Part of what we want to do is actually get Pakistan to realise that a peaceful approach towards India would be in everybody's interests, and would help Pakistan actually develop...," he said.
Obama's remarks came when he was asked whether he agreed with his former top military commander Mike Mullen's accusations that Pakistan's ISI has used the Haqqani network as a veritable arm.
The US President noted that one of the biggest problems facing Pakistan right now were poverty, illiteracy, a lack of development, civil institutions that are not strong enough to deliver for the Pakistani people.
"And in that environment you've seen extremism grow. You've seen militancy grow that doesn't just threaten our efforts in Afghanistan but also threatens the Pakistani government and the Pakistani people as well," he said.
"So trying to get that reorientation is something that we're continuing to work on; it's not easy," he said.
Obama said his administration will constantly evaluate its ties with Pakistan but warned that he will not be feeling comfortable with a long-term strategic relationship with Islamabad if it was not mindful of American interest as well.
"We will constantly evaluate our relationship with Pakistan based on, is, overall, this helping to protect Americans and our interests. We have a great desire to help the Pakistani people strengthen their own society and their own government," he said.
Obama said he would be hesitant to punish aid for flood victims in Pakistan because of "poor decisions" by Pakistani intelligence services. "But there is no doubt that we're not going to feel comfortable with a long-term strategic relationship with Pakistan if we don't think that they're mindful of our interest as well," he said.
With regard to Pakistan, Obama said that his No 1 goal was to make sure that al-Qaeda would not be able to attack America and its interests worldwide.
"I have said that my number-one goal is to make sure that al-Qaida cannot attack the US homeland and cannot affect US interests around the world. And we have done an outstanding job, I think, in going after, directly, al-Qaida in this border region between Pakistan and Afghanistan," he said.
Though he took note of Pakistan's cooperation on a whole range of issues, he also pointed out the links between Islamabad and "unsavoury characters".
"They see their security interests threatened by an independent Afghanistan in part because they think it will ally itself to India, and Pakistan still considers India their mortal enemy," Obama said on Thursday at a press conference at the East Room of the White House.
"Part of what we want to do is actually get Pakistan to realise that a peaceful approach towards India would be in everybody's interests, and would help Pakistan actually develop...," he said.
Obama's remarks came when he was asked whether he agreed with his former top military commander Mike Mullen's accusations that Pakistan's ISI has used the Haqqani network as a veritable arm.
The US President noted that one of the biggest problems facing Pakistan right now were poverty, illiteracy, a lack of development, civil institutions that are not strong enough to deliver for the Pakistani people.
"And in that environment you've seen extremism grow. You've seen militancy grow that doesn't just threaten our efforts in Afghanistan but also threatens the Pakistani government and the Pakistani people as well," he said.
"So trying to get that reorientation is something that we're continuing to work on; it's not easy," he said.
Obama said his administration will constantly evaluate its ties with Pakistan but warned that he will not be feeling comfortable with a long-term strategic relationship with Islamabad if it was not mindful of American interest as well.
"We will constantly evaluate our relationship with Pakistan based on, is, overall, this helping to protect Americans and our interests. We have a great desire to help the Pakistani people strengthen their own society and their own government," he said.
Obama said he would be hesitant to punish aid for flood victims in Pakistan because of "poor decisions" by Pakistani intelligence services. "But there is no doubt that we're not going to feel comfortable with a long-term strategic relationship with Pakistan if we don't think that they're mindful of our interest as well," he said.
With regard to Pakistan, Obama said that his No 1 goal was to make sure that al-Qaeda would not be able to attack America and its interests worldwide.
"I have said that my number-one goal is to make sure that al-Qaida cannot attack the US homeland and cannot affect US interests around the world. And we have done an outstanding job, I think, in going after, directly, al-Qaida in this border region between Pakistan and Afghanistan," he said.
Though he took note of Pakistan's cooperation on a whole range of issues, he also pointed out the links between Islamabad and "unsavoury characters".
Thursday, October 6, 2011
SC gives ruling in Karachi suo motu case
The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Thursday issued its verdict in suo motu case on Karachi targeted killing. A five member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and comprising Justices Anwar Zaheer Jamali, Ghulam Rabbani, Ameer Hani Muslim and Sarmad Jala Osmani issued the verdict. Citing Quranic verses and Hadiths, the CJ ruled Islam is a religion of peace and it doesn’t allow killing innocent people. “Islamic teachings are parts of the Constitution of Pakistan”, he said, adding that killing of one person was tantamount to killing of humanity. He said target killing has become order of the day in Karachi, adding that Sindh government took no measures to cope with extortion and targeted killings.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
PML-Q to keep PPP alliance intact
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) announced that it will keep its alliance intact with the incumbent government, even after party’s ministers in federal and provincial seats resigned from their ministries yesterday, Express 24/7 reported on Wednesday.
This was stated in a statement released by PML-Q secretariat after a meeting that took place between party chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and President Asif Ali Zardari.
The statement also said that PML-Q will contest the next general elections with the PPP.
According to sources, Shujaat met President Asif Ali Zardari and discussed PML-Q’s reservations against government’s performance and overall political situation in the country.
The issue of countrywide loadshedding was also pressed upon during the meeting.
Sources also said that President assured Hussain to address all PML-Q reservations.
PML-N in contact with PML-Q
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif said his party is in contact with PML-Q. However, he denied reports that he had held a meeting with the PML-Q chief.
Sharif made the statements during a meeting with a delegation of the Council of National Affairs in Raiwind.
Sharif asserted that his party can join hands with the PPP, only for the sake of national interests.
This was stated in a statement released by PML-Q secretariat after a meeting that took place between party chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and President Asif Ali Zardari.
The statement also said that PML-Q will contest the next general elections with the PPP.
According to sources, Shujaat met President Asif Ali Zardari and discussed PML-Q’s reservations against government’s performance and overall political situation in the country.
The issue of countrywide loadshedding was also pressed upon during the meeting.
Sources also said that President assured Hussain to address all PML-Q reservations.
PML-N in contact with PML-Q
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif said his party is in contact with PML-Q. However, he denied reports that he had held a meeting with the PML-Q chief.
Sharif made the statements during a meeting with a delegation of the Council of National Affairs in Raiwind.
Sharif asserted that his party can join hands with the PPP, only for the sake of national interests.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Amid Power Outage Protests, Pakistan Stresses US Aid Role
With U.S. - Pakistan ties in a delicate period, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani stressed the importance of U.S. energy aid in maintaining his country's stability.
His remarks come in the face of growing unrest over frequent power outages, as opposition parties move to align themselves with demonstrators who accuse the federal government of mismanaging the country's power supply.
Protests concentrated in Pakistan’s Punjab province began to spread nationwide Tuesday, as demonstrators expressed anger at frequent power outages. They say the situation has worsened over the past several years.
Residents of many major urban areas complain of 20-hour-long daily blackouts. Beyond ordinary inconvenience, Pakistani medical facilities say the frequent outages hinder efforts to treat illness, particularly an acute outbreak of dengue fever in the east. Businesses have also been severely affected.
Addressing lawmakers late Monday, Prime Minister Gilani pointed to the unrest to underscore the urgent need for U.S. assistance.
Gilani said he warned the U.S. two years ago that electricity shortages could result in riots, and that if Washington was looking for Pakistan’s friendship it should help resolve the country’s energy issue. Gilani noted that the U.S. signed a nuclear deal with India, even though Pakistan was in greater need of a civilian nuclear deal.
Citing nuclear weapons proliferation concerns, Washington ruled out a civilian nuclear deal with Islamabad similar to the one it made with India in 2005.
The Gilani government promised that the power supply situation would improve within days.
Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, leader of Pakistan’s largest opposition party, dismissed that promise as “hollow”. Sharif called on fellow opposition members to join the street protests. He put blame for the outages squarely on mismanagement by the central government.
Sharif complained that the government has been in power for more than three and a half years but continues to drag its feet. Its insensitivity is a crime, the former prime minister said, adding that it is incomprehensible that the government is sitting idle while the country experiences its worst outages ever.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton pledged $125 million in U.S. energy assistance during her visit to Pakistan two years ago. The special U.S. envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Marc Grossman, is due to arrive within weeks to discuss the issue further.
“His meetings with a full range of Pakistani officials will discuss … civilian assistance, support for their energy and agricultural and health sectors, very strong military-to-military relationship, and other regional issues,” explained Mark Stroh, a spokesman for the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad.
Grossman’s meeting is scheduled to take place amid growing demands for cuts in U.S. aid to Pakistan by American lawmakers, who accuse the Pakistani military of covertly supporting groups that attack U.S. forces in Afghanistan.
His remarks come in the face of growing unrest over frequent power outages, as opposition parties move to align themselves with demonstrators who accuse the federal government of mismanaging the country's power supply.
Protests concentrated in Pakistan’s Punjab province began to spread nationwide Tuesday, as demonstrators expressed anger at frequent power outages. They say the situation has worsened over the past several years.
Residents of many major urban areas complain of 20-hour-long daily blackouts. Beyond ordinary inconvenience, Pakistani medical facilities say the frequent outages hinder efforts to treat illness, particularly an acute outbreak of dengue fever in the east. Businesses have also been severely affected.
Addressing lawmakers late Monday, Prime Minister Gilani pointed to the unrest to underscore the urgent need for U.S. assistance.
Gilani said he warned the U.S. two years ago that electricity shortages could result in riots, and that if Washington was looking for Pakistan’s friendship it should help resolve the country’s energy issue. Gilani noted that the U.S. signed a nuclear deal with India, even though Pakistan was in greater need of a civilian nuclear deal.
Citing nuclear weapons proliferation concerns, Washington ruled out a civilian nuclear deal with Islamabad similar to the one it made with India in 2005.
The Gilani government promised that the power supply situation would improve within days.
Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, leader of Pakistan’s largest opposition party, dismissed that promise as “hollow”. Sharif called on fellow opposition members to join the street protests. He put blame for the outages squarely on mismanagement by the central government.
Sharif complained that the government has been in power for more than three and a half years but continues to drag its feet. Its insensitivity is a crime, the former prime minister said, adding that it is incomprehensible that the government is sitting idle while the country experiences its worst outages ever.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton pledged $125 million in U.S. energy assistance during her visit to Pakistan two years ago. The special U.S. envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Marc Grossman, is due to arrive within weeks to discuss the issue further.
“His meetings with a full range of Pakistani officials will discuss … civilian assistance, support for their energy and agricultural and health sectors, very strong military-to-military relationship, and other regional issues,” explained Mark Stroh, a spokesman for the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad.
Grossman’s meeting is scheduled to take place amid growing demands for cuts in U.S. aid to Pakistan by American lawmakers, who accuse the Pakistani military of covertly supporting groups that attack U.S. forces in Afghanistan.
PML-Q decides to withdraw support to PPP in Pak
Islamabad: PML-Q, a key partner in Pakistan's ruling coalition on Tuesday withdrew 17 of its ministers from the federal cabinet, saying the PPP-led government had failed to honour its commitments and to resolve the problems of the people.
The PML-Q party decided to withdraw its ministers from the cabinet as they were dissatisfied with the government's performance, federal minister Faisal Saleh Hayat said.
Hayat, a senior leader of the PML-Q, told the media that he too had quit the cabinet led by Pakistan People's Party.
A total of 17 federal ministers and ministers of state submitted their resignations to PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, party officials said. The resignations will be sent to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, they said.
The decision to withdraw the ministers was taken at a meeting of the PML-Q's parliamentary party chaired by Hussain.
The ministers claimed they could not continue to work with a government that did not fulfil its commitments.
They said they no longer had confidence in the ruling PPP. The PML-Q, formed during the regime of former military ruler Pervez Musharraf in early 2000, has nearly 50 members in the National Assembly or lower house of parliament.
It was not immediately clear if the PML-Q would leave the ruling coalition and sit in the opposition benches or continue supporting the government.
The government might lose its majority in parliament if the PML-Q decides to join the opposition. The ministers who resigned said the ruling PPP led by President Asif Ali Zardari had not honoured promises made to the PML-Q.
They said the government is not paying attention to the people's problems like a crippling energy shortage.
The PML-Q party decided to withdraw its ministers from the cabinet as they were dissatisfied with the government's performance, federal minister Faisal Saleh Hayat said.
Hayat, a senior leader of the PML-Q, told the media that he too had quit the cabinet led by Pakistan People's Party.
A total of 17 federal ministers and ministers of state submitted their resignations to PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, party officials said. The resignations will be sent to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, they said.
The decision to withdraw the ministers was taken at a meeting of the PML-Q's parliamentary party chaired by Hussain.
The ministers claimed they could not continue to work with a government that did not fulfil its commitments.
They said they no longer had confidence in the ruling PPP. The PML-Q, formed during the regime of former military ruler Pervez Musharraf in early 2000, has nearly 50 members in the National Assembly or lower house of parliament.
It was not immediately clear if the PML-Q would leave the ruling coalition and sit in the opposition benches or continue supporting the government.
The government might lose its majority in parliament if the PML-Q decides to join the opposition. The ministers who resigned said the ruling PPP led by President Asif Ali Zardari had not honoured promises made to the PML-Q.
They said the government is not paying attention to the people's problems like a crippling energy shortage.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Decision to hold an APC
Prime Minister Gilani's decision to convene an All-Parties Conference (APC), and extension of invitation to all major and minor party leaders and representatives of Pakistan to hold talks on Pakistan's stance against the US allegations, is welcomed as a positive move.
One of the main reasons for the current situation Pakistan is in is that political parties remain focused on blame-shifting and vote-gaining tactics. Nevertheless, the decision to hold such a conference was a democratic one.
For once we saw leaders put aside their differences and come together for a national cause. Their initiative to put Pakistan first is commendable and I hope that in future they can at least try to sit together to discuss the multi-faceted issues that need the participation of all the political heads of the country.
AKBAR SHEIKH Karachi
One of the main reasons for the current situation Pakistan is in is that political parties remain focused on blame-shifting and vote-gaining tactics. Nevertheless, the decision to hold such a conference was a democratic one.
For once we saw leaders put aside their differences and come together for a national cause. Their initiative to put Pakistan first is commendable and I hope that in future they can at least try to sit together to discuss the multi-faceted issues that need the participation of all the political heads of the country.
AKBAR SHEIKH Karachi
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Death for Pakistani officer who assassinated governor
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - A police officer was sentenced to death Saturday for the assassination in January of a reform-minded governor, a crime that exposed the growing influence of Islamist extremism in Pakistani society.
The conviction and sentence given Malik Mumtaz Hussain Qadri was not unexpected. He had confessed to shooting Punjab provincial Gov. Salman Taseer outside a cafe in Islamabad on Jan. 4, saying Taseer deserved to die because of his opposition to the country's controversial blasphemy law.
Under the law, it is a crime to utter any derogatory remarks about or insult in any way the prophet Muhammad, the Quran, or Islam. Critics say the law can be exploited to settle scores or persecute minorities.
Taseer, a member of the ruling Pakistan People's Party, had spoken out against the sentencing of a 45-year-old Christian woman to death for blasphemy. The woman, Asia Bibi, remains in prison, awaiting execution.
Qadri, 26, was a police commando assigned as one of Taseer's bodyguards. When Qadri first appeared in court, lawyers showered him with flower petals and kissed his cheeks, a reaction that raised fears among Pakistani liberals that support for extremism was spreading through mainstream society.
The conviction and sentence given Malik Mumtaz Hussain Qadri was not unexpected. He had confessed to shooting Punjab provincial Gov. Salman Taseer outside a cafe in Islamabad on Jan. 4, saying Taseer deserved to die because of his opposition to the country's controversial blasphemy law.
Under the law, it is a crime to utter any derogatory remarks about or insult in any way the prophet Muhammad, the Quran, or Islam. Critics say the law can be exploited to settle scores or persecute minorities.
Taseer, a member of the ruling Pakistan People's Party, had spoken out against the sentencing of a 45-year-old Christian woman to death for blasphemy. The woman, Asia Bibi, remains in prison, awaiting execution.
Qadri, 26, was a police commando assigned as one of Taseer's bodyguards. When Qadri first appeared in court, lawyers showered him with flower petals and kissed his cheeks, a reaction that raised fears among Pakistani liberals that support for extremism was spreading through mainstream society.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Afghan president says talks with Taliban useless
KABUL, Afghanistan -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai says trying to talk peace with insurgents is futile and that neighboring Pakistan - not the Taliban - needs to be the other party in the peace talks.
The president's remarks came on a video recording that his office released on Saturday.
Karzai has been pushing for years to reconcile with the Taliban.
He says that effort is no longer viable since a suicide bomber claiming to be a peace emissary from the Taliban killed former Afghan President Burhanuddin Rabbani at his home on Sept. 20. Rabbani was leading Karzai's effort to broker peace with the Taliban.
Karzai says the only way forward is for Afghanistan to negotiate with Pakistan.
The president's remarks came on a video recording that his office released on Saturday.
Karzai has been pushing for years to reconcile with the Taliban.
He says that effort is no longer viable since a suicide bomber claiming to be a peace emissary from the Taliban killed former Afghan President Burhanuddin Rabbani at his home on Sept. 20. Rabbani was leading Karzai's effort to broker peace with the Taliban.
Karzai says the only way forward is for Afghanistan to negotiate with Pakistan.
Governor killing: Cop sentenced to death
islamabad - A Pakistani court on Saturday found a police commando guilty of murder and sentenced him to death for killing a liberal governor who had urged reform of a blasphemy law, a defence lawyer said.
Malik Mumtaz Hussain Qadri, one of Punjab governor Salman Taseer's bodyguards, was charged with terrorism and murdering the man he was supposed to be protecting on an Islamabad street on January 4 this year.
Qadri confessed to killing Taseer, saying he objected to the politician's calls to amend the blasphemy law, which mandates the death penalty for those convicted of defaming the Prophet Muhammad.
"The court has awarded my client with death. The court announced the death sentence for him," Shuja-ur-Rehman, one of Qadri's lawyers, told AFP by telephone.
Judge Pervez Ali Shah announced the verdict at an anti-terrorism court behind closed doors in the high-security Adiyala prison in Rawalpindi, the lawyer said.
Dozens of people rallied outside the prison where the verdict was announced, chanting slogans in support of Qadri, an AFP photographer said.
"The judge has also ordered him to pay a fine of 200 000 rupees ($2 300)," the lawyer said.
Shuja-ur-Rehman said he will lodge an appeal in a high court against the verdict.
The killing of the reformist Taseer was the most high-profile political assassination in Pakistan since former prime minister Benazir Bhutto died in a gun and suicide attack in December 2007.
Malik Mumtaz Hussain Qadri, one of Punjab governor Salman Taseer's bodyguards, was charged with terrorism and murdering the man he was supposed to be protecting on an Islamabad street on January 4 this year.
Qadri confessed to killing Taseer, saying he objected to the politician's calls to amend the blasphemy law, which mandates the death penalty for those convicted of defaming the Prophet Muhammad.
"The court has awarded my client with death. The court announced the death sentence for him," Shuja-ur-Rehman, one of Qadri's lawyers, told AFP by telephone.
Judge Pervez Ali Shah announced the verdict at an anti-terrorism court behind closed doors in the high-security Adiyala prison in Rawalpindi, the lawyer said.
Dozens of people rallied outside the prison where the verdict was announced, chanting slogans in support of Qadri, an AFP photographer said.
"The judge has also ordered him to pay a fine of 200 000 rupees ($2 300)," the lawyer said.
Shuja-ur-Rehman said he will lodge an appeal in a high court against the verdict.
The killing of the reformist Taseer was the most high-profile political assassination in Pakistan since former prime minister Benazir Bhutto died in a gun and suicide attack in December 2007.
Pakistan must take care of Haqqani problem: Obama
US President Barack Obama has said that Pakistan must “take care” of the Haqqani network, which, according to the US Treasury Department, is a Taliban-affiliated group of militants that operates from North Waziristan Agency.
Obama did not endorse the allegations made by Admiral Mike Mullen, the departing chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, that the Haqqani network was an arm of Pakistan’s intelligence service.
"I think Mike's testimony expressed frustration over the fact that safe havens exist, including the Haqqani network safe haven inside Pakistan," the US president said in a radio interview when asked about Mullen’s testimony at a Senate hearing last week.
“The intelligence is not as clear as we might like in terms of what exactly that relationship is,” the Dawn quoted Obama, as saying.
“But my attitude is, whether there is active engagement with Haqqani on the part of the Pakistanis, or rather just passively allowing them to operate … they’ve got to take care of this problem,” he added.
Mullen had said at a Senate hearing last week that the Haqqani network of terrorists was “a veritable arm” of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and that the Pakistani intelligence agency had directed the militant group’s recent attacks at US installations in Kabul.
The remarks caused a diplomatic storm, forcing the White House to say that it did not endorse the outgoing US military chief’s language although it too believed that the Haqqanis were using their bases in Pakistan to attack US and Afghan targets.
During the same interview, Obama said that the United States would continue to push Pakistan to do more to curb militants based in its border regions, while maintaining intelligence cooperation with the country.
“We’ve been very firm with them about needing to go after safe havens inside of Pakistan, but we’ve tried to also preserve the intelligence cooperation that we’ve obtained that’s allowed us to go after al-Qaeda in a very effective way,” he said.
Obama did not endorse the allegations made by Admiral Mike Mullen, the departing chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, that the Haqqani network was an arm of Pakistan’s intelligence service.
"I think Mike's testimony expressed frustration over the fact that safe havens exist, including the Haqqani network safe haven inside Pakistan," the US president said in a radio interview when asked about Mullen’s testimony at a Senate hearing last week.
“The intelligence is not as clear as we might like in terms of what exactly that relationship is,” the Dawn quoted Obama, as saying.
“But my attitude is, whether there is active engagement with Haqqani on the part of the Pakistanis, or rather just passively allowing them to operate … they’ve got to take care of this problem,” he added.
Mullen had said at a Senate hearing last week that the Haqqani network of terrorists was “a veritable arm” of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and that the Pakistani intelligence agency had directed the militant group’s recent attacks at US installations in Kabul.
The remarks caused a diplomatic storm, forcing the White House to say that it did not endorse the outgoing US military chief’s language although it too believed that the Haqqanis were using their bases in Pakistan to attack US and Afghan targets.
During the same interview, Obama said that the United States would continue to push Pakistan to do more to curb militants based in its border regions, while maintaining intelligence cooperation with the country.
“We’ve been very firm with them about needing to go after safe havens inside of Pakistan, but we’ve tried to also preserve the intelligence cooperation that we’ve obtained that’s allowed us to go after al-Qaeda in a very effective way,” he said.
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