US piling up pressure on Pak to act over botched Times Square bombing investigations

May 6, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Washington, May 6 (ANI): The United States is piling up pressure on Pakistan to follow the leads being provided to it over the attempted Times Square bombing with substantial action.

In a series of meetings and telephonic conversations with the Pakistani leadership, the Obama Administration has made it very clear that Islamabad would have to act after ‘clear links’ were established with Pakistan in the failed bombing plot.

Addressing a press briefing here, Assistant Secretary of State Philip Crowley said Washington has been in constant touch with Islamabad regarding the investigations, and that it has specifically been told what it should do.

“The purpose of the meetings was to inform Pakistan that there are clear links to Pakistan and that we would fully expect them to do what they should do and what they have been doing. Whatever leads are generated here in the United States … we would fully expect Pakistan to follow up on,” Crowley said.

“Pakistan, as you are seeing, has already taken its own steps. I”ll defer to the Pakistani government to describe what it is doing,” he added.

Crowley said US Ambassador to Pakistan Anne Patterson had detailed meetings with President Asif Ali Zardari, Foreign Minister Shah Memmood Qureshi and also talked to Interior Minister Rehman Malik over the issue.

President Obama’s Special Envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke also had a telephonic conversation with Qureshi, The Dawn reports.

When asked whether the US was satisfied with the action initiated by Pakistan, Crowley said : “I think it’s more a matter of what we do from this point forward.”

Crowley also clarified that the White House has not given Islamabad any list of things it wanted it to concerning the botched bombing attempt, but added that Washington will make specific requests as the probe proceeds.

“I expect we will make specific requests of Pakistan in terms of cooperation,” he said.

Crowley said that the attempt to bomb Times Square had “international implications” and the United States expected Pakistan to help explore those implications. (ANI)

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Pak back to singing K-issue settlement through UN resolution tune

May 4, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, May 4 (ANI): Harping upon the country’s same old jaded tune of resolving the long pending Kashmir issue in accordance with the United Nation’s (UN) resolution, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that any resolution to the issue would not be durable until the Kashmiris are not made a part of it.

Briefing the National Assembly about the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) government’s Kashmir policy, Qureshi said Islamabad has always pushed for a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue in the light of the United Nations resolutions of 1948 and 1949, and according to the aspirations of the Kashmiri people, and would continue to do so.

“We are firm to our stance and shall continue extending moral, diplomatic and political support to Kashmiri people for their right to self-determination. It is our principle stand on Kashmir and we shall continue efforts for a durable and peaceful resolution of this issue,” The News quoted Qureshi, as saying.

He described the Kashmir issue as the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy, and said: “We cannot be oblivious to it. But, we desire a peaceful resolution through dialogue. That is the only way forward.”

Qureshi also claimed that prior to the November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, both Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and President Asif Ali Zardari, during a meeting, had agreed to continue the peace talks and seek a amicable resolution of the Kashmir issue.

He said the Pakistan Government is in constant touch with the Kashmiri leadership on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC), as it believes that a durable solution to the issue is not possible without involving the region’s leadership.

Qureshi’s statement are in clear contrast to former Foreign Minister Khursheed Mehmood Kasuri, who had claimed that India and Pakistan, through back-channel diplomacy, had evolved an ‘interim’ agreement on the Kashmir issue, and that it was subject to review after 15 years.

Kasuri said that both New Delhi and Islamabad, while working out the agreement, had realised that in view of the long standing dispute over Kashmir, none of the solutions that they evolve would resolve the issue, so the ‘interim’ agreement was the best possible solution available under circumstances at that time.

“We were aware of the fact that there would be an overwhelming support for this agreement; but we also realised that there would be criticism from some sections in Kashmir, Pakistan and India,” Kasuri had said earlier. (ANI)

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Zardari’s official residence’s 8 mln rupee unpaid gas bills is ‘minor case’ for authority

May 4, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, May 4 (ANI): Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari’s official residence, Aiwan-e-Sadr, has been slapped with a notice over non-payment of gas bills amounting to about 8.12 million rupees.

The Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL) has served the notice to the President House over non-payment of gas bills after December 2009. The gas bill from July 2009 to November 2009 is also pending, The News reports.

In normal case, the gas connection is disconnected if the bill is not paid for over three months but the President’s residence continues to get uninterrupted flow of gas even after non-payment for nearly a year.

However, when enquired about the issue, SNGPL General Manager (Islamabad range) Aamir Naseem described it as a ‘minor case’.

“This is a very minor case of non-recovery of the bill and should not be reported in the media. As far as the disconnection notice is concerned, we follow the due process,” Naseem said.

Presidential spokesperson Farhatullah Babar said he is unaware about the issue.

“I do not have the details about the gas bills. However, if there are any arrears they will definitely be deposited,” Babar said. (ANI)

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Pakistan braces for judicial war

April 28, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad , April 27 — Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and his government are now getting ready for one last battle – possibly the toughest one yet – in which they will take on the judiciary which has questioned parts of the 18th Amendment Act. The bill was passed into law last week amidst much fanfare and with the endorsement of all the major political parties of the country. The Supreme Court has formed a larger bench to hear petitions against the 18 Amendment Act, particularly objections raised against Clause 175-A which deals with the appointment of judges to the superior courts. Petitioners, which include the son of former military strongman General Zia ul Haq, have asked that the supreme court strike down the 18th amendment “as it is against the constitution.” The line being taken by the petitioners is that the 18th Amendment Act changes some very basic concepts of the constitution which it is not empowered to do. Ijazul Haq argues that “it is not the mandate of the present parliament to alter the constitution as this is the job of a constituent assembly.” Another petitioner – Akram Shaikh pleaded that the procedure proposed in the 18th Amendment for appointment of judges to the superior judiciary “is the fourth attack on the judiciary and must be checked.” He prayed to the court to “define the the paremeters according to which the parliament can make laws.” Amongst the legal community, there is heated debate over whether the Supreme Court can strike down an act of parliament. On one side is the president of the Supreme Court Bar Association, Qazi Anwar, who says that no changes can be made against the spirit of the constitution. On the other side is Aitezaz Ahsan, former lawyer for Chief Justice Chaudhry Iftikhar who says that the Supreme Court lacks the jurisdiction to strike down constitutional amendments. Ruling party politicians insist that the government will fight a legal battle with the judiciary and if all else fails, “will take the case to the people.” A possible political referendum is being hinted. In all this, there are fears that the government will enter into another protracted political crisis – which it can ill afford at this point.

So far, the statements being issued by PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif indicate that while the party is not in favour of a confrontation, if required it will stand for the supremacy of parliament. This has given the Zardari government comfort for the long term.

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Ready to take action against Zardari in Swiss laundering case on SC directives: Pak AG

April 28, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, Apr.28 (ANI): Pakistan’s newly appointed Attorney General Maulvi Anwar-ul-Haq has said that he is ready to write a letter to the Swiss government for reopening the money laundering cases against President Asif Ali Zardari if the apex court directs him to do so.

“I have gone through the judgment and the court has ordered the same that this should be a formal letter written in accordance with the rules of business and you better know what it means,” The News quoted Haq, as saying.

It may noted that Switzerland”s Attorney General (AG) Daniel Zappelli had already clarified that corruption cases against Zardari cannot be reopened, as he enjoys constitutional immunity.

Zappelli said Geneva could not open the money-laundering cases against Zardari even if it receives an official request from Islamabad.

“According to international rules, which Switzerland also applies, any chief of a state, prime minister or foreign affairs minister of any country enjoys absolute immunity,” Zappelli had said.

He, however, said that Pakistan”s National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had requested the Swiss government to reopen the cases, but the documents were not complete according to official requirements.

Zardari and his assassinated wife Benazir Bhutto , were convicted by a Geneva court in 2003 of laundering 13 million dollars linked to kickbacks, but that verdict was overturned on appeal. In 2008, Swiss judicial authorities said they had closed the file related to the case.

Zappelli had earlier said that Pakistan”s embassy in Switzerland had officially notified him in June 2008 of a decision by Pakistan”s prosecutor-general in April to withdraw proceedings against Zardari.

A trial for money laundering in Switzerland would have to be based on the proceedings of the criminal activity, but that would require proof that a crime had been committed, he had said. (ANI)

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Refugees given shelter 30 years ago killed Benazir : Zardari

April 28, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Peshawar, Apr.28 (ANI): Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has said that those who were given shelter in the country more than 30 years ago have now turned against it and killed former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

“The refugees turned out to be bitter enemies in the end as they were the people who killed their hosts and their families and led to the destruction of their property,”
Zardari said while addressing a tribal jirga at the Governor House here.

Zardari said Pakistanis have rendered major sacrifices in the past, and urged the people of the region to protect their land at all costs.

“We will not let anyone take even an inch of our land and will protect it at the cost of our lives… as we know how much sacrifices were rendered to get our liberation from the British,” The News quoted Zardari, as saying.

He admitted that the government was facing several challenges, but added that it would come out of it successfully.

Commenting on the change of name of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) to
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Zardari said the people of the region have got their true recognition.

“The decision of the new name was the result of a consensus that reflected the political maturity of the people and the political parties,” he added. (ANI)

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PML-N leaders sniff ‘third force’ conspiracy

April 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, Apr 26(ANI): Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders have expressed their fears about some conspiracy or ‘something extra-constitutional’ being hatched by certain elements belonging to the Army and intelligence agencies.

Raising concerns about the conspiracy, PML-N spokesman and senior leader Ahsan Iqbal has said that a third force wants a clash between the judiciary and parliament.

Iqbal did not name the third force precisely in the same fashion, as Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has repeatedly done in recent months, The News reports.

According to another PML-N leader, the Army is trying to pitch the judiciary against parliament and for this purpose it is using certain elements in the media.

The leader, however, did not have anything concrete to support his argument.

After the recent bloody riots in Abbottabad and Hazara, another PML-N leader had voiced his doubts that some intelligence agencies had played tricks to trigger violence in the area. (ANI)

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PML-N leaders sniff ‘third force’ conspiracy

April 26, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, Apr 26(ANI): Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders have expressed their fears about some conspiracy or ‘something extra-constitutional’ being hatched by certain elements belonging to the Army and intelligence agencies.

Raising concerns about the conspiracy, PML-N spokesman and senior leader Ahsan Iqbal has said that a third force wants a clash between the judiciary and parliament.

Iqbal did not name the third force precisely in the same fashion, as Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has repeatedly done in recent months, The News reports.

According to another PML-N leader, the Army is trying to pitch the judiciary against parliament and for this purpose it is using certain elements in the media.

The leader, however, did not have anything concrete to support his argument.

After the recent bloody riots in Abbottabad and Hazara, another PML-N leader had voiced his doubts that some intelligence agencies had played tricks to trigger violence in the area. (ANI)

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Zardari, Nawaz tried to clip Pak judiciary’s power: Imran

April 26, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Lahore, Apr 26(ANI): Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has said that by passing the 18th Amendment, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif made an attempt to clip the judiciary’s power.

Addressing a rally against loadshedding and price-hike in Lahore, Khan said he would thwart the government’s design against the judiciary.

“If Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari are true patriot, why don’t they bring their money from abroad?” The News quoted Khan, as saying.

“Despite the fact that Pakistan has no water, no electricity, people are jobless, factories are lying closed, a hefty amount of Rs. 30 million is being spent on the President of this poor country,” he added.

Khan further said that criminals are ruling the country due to which the people were suffering, and insisted that there would be no changes if people cannot fight for their rights.

“Imran called upon the nation to rise up in unison against this diabolical system of oppression and wage a crusade against forces of darkness to steer the country out of this maelstrom crisis,” The Nation quoted a PTI statement, as saying. (ANI)

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Pak legal experts oppose ‘release of terror suspects on bail’

April 26, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Peshawar, Apr 26(ANI): Pakistan’s legal experts have said that the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Ordinance 2009 will become ineffective if courts in the country begin ordering the release of terror suspects on bail under Article 199 of the Constitution.

They insist the ordinance is aimed at preventing courts from releasing persons charged with terrorism.

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari had promulgated the ordinance in October 2009, barring anti-terrorism courts from granting bail to terror suspects.

Under Section 21-D of the ordinance, superior courts’ powers to grant bail vis-a-vis terrorism cases were also curtailed, The Daily Times reports.

However, on April 21, the Peshawar High Court’s (PHC) special division bench comprising Chief Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan and Justice Dost Mohammad Khan said that arrested persons charged under the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Ordinance 2009 could file writ petitions under Article 1999 with the superior courts for release on bail.

Disapproving the decision, PHC lawyer and Peshawar High Court Bar Association (PHCBA) Secretary General, Ameenur Rehman, said the ordinance was aimed at stopping the release of terror suspects from courts on bail.

He said dozens of terror suspects had been released on bail by the PHC and anti-terrorism courts after the public prosecution and state lawyers had failed to prove charges against them. (ANI)

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‘Hostile’ Musharraf never wanted Bhutto to return to Pak in 2007 for elections

April 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Lahore, Apr.24 (ANI): Former Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf had a confrontation with slain Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto over the telephone days before she returned to the country in 2007, Bhutto’s close friend and adviser Mark Siegel has disclosed.

According to Siegel, Musharraf had called Bhutto when she was in the United States to discuss her plans to return to the country and take part in the elections.

An agitated Musharraf advised Bhutto against returning to Pakistan, however, she made it clear that she would go ahead with her plans,a private television channel said.

“It wasn’t a very good conversation. He was very confrontational. He seems to be very hostile. He didn’t want her to return. She made it clear that she was returning and the preparations were underway for her return,” The Daily Times quoted Siegel, as saying.

Siegel also sensationally revealed that after the 2002 general elections, Musharraf had offered Bhutto a deal according to which all cases against her husband, incumbent President Asif Ali Zardari, would be dropped, and he would be released from prison, and given a ministry of his choice if she agrees to alienate herself from the country’s politics for the next 10 years.

“He (Zardari) said he won’t accept the deal under any conditions and would rather spend the rest of his life in jail,” Siegel said.

Siegel said that after the suicide attack on Bhutto on October 18, 2007 in Karachi, in which she had a narrow escape, the former prime minister had sent him an e-mail asking what to do and to whom hold accountable is something happened to her in future.

“Even though I was stunned at her death, I knew I had to continue doing what she told me to. No matter how devastated I felt, I had to go forward and that’s when I released that email to CNN,” Siegel said, but refrained from disclosing details of the mail.

He, however, said that the e-mail asked him to hold Musharraf and others responsible for any untoward incidents. In her mail, Bhutto had also talked about impending threats to her life and how she was denied proper security cover by the authorities. (ANI)

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Sindh High Court quashes petition challenging Zardari’s electoral eligibility

April 23, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Karachi, Apr.22 (ANI): The Sindh High Court has quashed a petition challenging President Asif Ali Zardari’s eligibility, saying he enjoys constitutional amnesty from court proceedings.

Chief Justice Sarmad Jalal Osmani observed that the 2008 Presidential election could not be challenged, and that Zardari could only be removed from the chair through impeachment.

The petition filed by advocate Maulvi Iqbal Haider asked for scrutiny of Zardari’s nomination papers by the election commission saying that he too was a beneficiary of the defunct National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO).

The petitioner also argued that following the Supreme Court’s judgement on the NRO, all those cases dismissed under the controversial amnesty law were restored.

It may be noted that in December last year, a 17-member judge bench, headed by Chief Justice, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, had declared the NRO as “unconstitutional” and “invalid from the outset”. (ANI)

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Gilani hopes stalled Indo-Pak dialogue may resume soon

April 23, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Thursday reciprocated the good wishes conveyed to him by senior Indian leaders and hoped that the stalled dialogue between the two countries would be resumed soon.

Gilani made the remarks during a meeting with Population Welfare Minister Firdous Ashiq Awan, who visited India recently and met several leaders, including Congress party chief Sonia Gandhi and Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad.

During her meeting with Awan, Sonia Gandhi sent her felicitations to President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Gilani and the people of Pakistan on the passage of the 18th Constitutional Amendment Bill, which strips the President of his sweeping powers and removes changes made to the constitution by military dictators.

Gandhi lauded the Bhutto family’s sacrifices for democracy and appreciated Gilani’s reconciliatory policy to bring political stability to Pakistan.

“While reciprocating the goodwill gesture of the Indian politicians, the Prime Minister hoped (for the) early resumption of the bilateral dialogue between the two countries,” said a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s media office.

Pakistan desires peace and stability in the region and looks forward to establish friendly bilateral relations with all the countries of the region, Gilani said.

Pakistan is trying to solve regional issues through dialogue as stability will usher in prosperity in the region, he added.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Gilani held brief encounters at the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington last week but no meeting was held.

“Lets see when we visit Bhutan,” Gilani had this week said when asked whether he will meet Singh on the sidelines of the SAARC summit there.

Awan briefed the Prime Minister on her visit to India and her meetings with leaders of major political parties, especially Sonia Gandhi.

She said the formation of a “Friendship Forum”, especially a Women Parliamentarians Forum, was discussed in her meetings with lawmakers to bring both countries closer.

The Indian leaders stressed the need for people-to-people contacts and free bilateral trade. They also discussed proposals for socio-cultural heritage exchange through ministries and youth of both countries, she said.

While in India, Awan also attended a reception to mark the wedding of cricketer Shoaib Malik and tennis star Sania Mirza. Awan represents Shoaib’s hometown of Sialkot in parliament.

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Zardari says he is not ‘powerless’, derives strength from ‘democracy’

April 20, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, Apr.20 (ANI): Presenting a brave face after signing the 18th Constitutional Amendment bill into law, which would subsequently clip his key powers, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has said democracy is his strength and that he is not ‘powerless.’

“I believe in democracy and seek my strength from democracy as I think democratically,” Zardari told media persons after the signing the bill.

“Despite enjoying all the powers, I never thought of using these powers as I am not fond of keeping powers,” he added.

Responding to a question, Zardari said ‘doors to dictatorship’ have been shut, but hinted that possibility of another military rule in the country remains.

“I am fully confident that no dictator would dare step in now, but then, who can rule out mishaps,” The Daily Times quoted Zardari, as saying.

Zardari stressed that he had never misused his powers, and added that he took all decisions in consultation with the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)

“I have never misused my authority in the capacity of the country’s head of state and would not do so in future,” he said.

Later, interacting with reporters, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said the enactment of the 18th Amendment has increased the responsibilities of both the federal and provincial governments.

When asked about cutting the size of the cabinet, Gilani replied: “Everything will be done in accordance with the Constitution.” (ANI)

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Karzai offered security, warned Bhutto of death threat just hours before her assassination

April 17, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, Apr.16 (ANI): Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai had offered slain former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto security cover by his country’s intelligence officials just hours before she was killed in a bomb and gun attack in Rawalpindi in December 2007.

The chilling revelation was made just hours before the United Nation’s enquiry committee’s report over Bhutto’s assassination was made public.

The News quoted reliable sources, as saying that Karzai wanted Bhutto to use the expertise of the Afghan intelligence and guards who, despite several attacks on him by the Taliban, had saved his life.

It may be noted that few days ago President Asif Ali Zardari had asked the UN commission to ask Karzai as to how he knew about Bhutto’s assassination to the extent that he had even told his intelligence chief to provide security cover to her.

According to sources, Karzai had told Bhutto that she was probably heading for a deadly attack on her as his intelligence agency had intercepted some calls regarding the impending threat.

Sources also revealed that Karzai was so much disturbed by the poor security arrangements put in place by the then Musharraf government in Pakistan, that without seeking her permission, he had even asked his intelligence chief to make a plan to protect her within Pakistan.

It is worth mentioning here that the UN commission, in its report, had blamed the Musharraf regime for Bhutto’s assassination.

“The Musharraf government failed to provide foolproof security to Ms. Bhutto which ultimately allowed a lethal assault on her. The security breach left wide-open room for an attack to happen,” the report, which was released on Thursday, said. (ANI)

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Zardari likely to order new ‘proper’ investigation after UN’s Benazir assassination report

April 17, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, Apr.16 (ANI): The UN enquiry commission’s report regarding former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s assassination may pave way for another ‘proper’ investigation into the December 2007 gun and bomb attack, a close aide of President Asif Ali Zardari has said.

The 65-page UN report has blamed the then Musharraf government of ‘deliberately’ failing to probe the attack, saying the tragedy could have been averted if adequate security arrangements would have been made.

It also found that the investigation into Bhutto’s death was severely hampered by intelligence agencies and other government officials, ‘which impeded an unfettered search for the truth.’

Presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar said the report backed up the Pakistan People’s Party’s belief that Musharraf or his allies were responsible for Bhutto’s death.

Farahnaz Ispahani, one of Zardari’s close aide, said that following the UN’s report, the government is contemplating a proper police investigation and ‘possible penal proceedings.’

The PPP government is expected to issue a detailed reaction over the inquiry report later today (Friday), The Dawn reports. (ANI)

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Zardari’s key powers slashed as Pak Senate approves constitutional amendment bill

April 17, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, Apr.16 (ANI): The historic 18th Constitutional Amendment bill, which would transfer President Asif Ali Zardari’s key powers to the Prime Minister’s residence, has been passed by the Pakistan Senate by an overwhelming two-third majority.

Describing the passage of the bill as a ‘landmark’ event in the country’s history, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said: “It is a victory of democracy today. Approval of this constitutional amendment is a landmark event in the constitutional history of Pakistan.”

The bill, which also omitted the name of former President General Zia-ul-Haq from the Constitution, would now be presented to Zardari for final approval, The News reports.

The bill, which is likely to be signed into law by Zardari today (Friday), will effectively make the President an ‘ostensible’ head of state, who can formally appoint heads of the armed forces, dissolve the National Assembly and appoint provincial governors on the advice of the Prime Minister.

The House also introduced an amendment to the Constitution to change the procedure for the appointment of judges of superior judiciary.

Under this provision, the judges would now be nominated by a Judicial Commission, headed by the Chief Justice, while the final approval of the appointments would be given by a parliamentary committee, consisting of members of the National Assembly and the Senate.

Although the bill was passed by a majority of votes in the Senate, some leaders belonging to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and other political parties objected to a couple of clauses in the bill, which were related to renaming of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) as “Khyber-Pukhtunkhwa”, and intra-party polls. (ANI)

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Zardari likely to order new ‘proper’ investigation after UN’s Benazir assassination report

April 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, Apr.16 (ANI): The UN enquiry commission’s report regarding former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s assassination may pave way for another ‘proper’ investigation into the December 2007 gun and bomb attack, a close aide of President Asif Ali Zardari has said.

The 65-page UN report has blamed the then Musharraf government of ‘deliberately’ failing to probe the attack, saying the tragedy could have been averted if adequate security arrangements would have been made.

It also found that the investigation into Bhutto’s death was severely hampered by intelligence agencies and other government officials, ‘which impeded an unfettered search for the truth.’

Presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar said the report backed up the Pakistan People”s Party”s belief that Musharraf or his allies were responsible for Bhutto”s death.

Farahnaz Ispahani, one of Zardari’s close aide, said that following the UN’s report, the government is contemplating a proper police investigation and ‘possible penal proceedings.’

The PPP government is expected to issue a detailed reaction over the inquiry report later today (Friday), The Dawn reports. (ANI)

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Zardari’s key powers slashed as Pak Senate approves constitutional amendment bill

April 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, Apr.16 (ANI): The historic 18th Constitutional Amendment bill, which would transfer President Asif Ali Zardari’s key powers to the Prime Minister’s residence, has been passed by the Pakistan Senate by an overwhelming two-third majority.

Describing the passage of the bill as a ‘landmark’ event in the country’s history, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said: “It is a victory of democracy today. Approval of this constitutional amendment is a landmark event in the constitutional history of Pakistan.”

The bill, which also omitted the name of former President General Zia-ul-Haq from the Constitution, would now be presented to Zardari for final approval, The News reports.

The bill, which is likely to be signed into law by Zardari today (Friday), will effectively make the President an ‘ostensible’ head of state, who can formally appoint heads of the armed forces, dissolve the National Assembly and appoint provincial governors on the advice of the Prime Minister.

The House also introduced an amendment to the Constitution to change the procedure for the appointment of judges of superior judiciary.

Under this provision, the judges would now be nominated by a Judicial Commission, headed by the Chief Justice, while the final approval of the appointments would be given by a parliamentary committee, consisting of members of the National Assembly and the Senate.

Although the bill was passed by a majority of votes in the Senate, some leaders belonging to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and other political parties objected to a couple of clauses in the bill, which were related to renaming of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) as “Khyber-Pukhtunkhwa”, and intra-party polls. (ANI)

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UN denies receiving Pak govt’s request to delay Benazir murder report publication

April 8, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, Apr.7 (ANI): The United Nations (UN) has rejected reports in the Pakistani media that the government has sought a further delay in the publication of the investigation report of the UN commission probing the former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s assassination.

“We have received no new request,” UN spokesperson Marie Okabe said, adding that the report would be released next week.

The Pakistani media had flashed reports that the government has requested the UN to further delay the publication of the report until June or even beyond, The Daily Times reports.

It may be noted that the report was due to be published last month, but the UN delayed the process following President Asif Ali Zardari’s request.

The three-member UN commission, headed by Chilean Ambassador Heraldo Munoz, was set up following a request by the Pakistani government to probe the December 2007 attack on Bhutto, and began its work in July 2009. (ANI)

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