Govt. would lend all support to SC over summoning Musharraf : Pak law minister

May 20, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, May 20 (ANI): Pakistan Law Minister Babar Awan has made it clear that the government would not obstruct the judiciary’s way in summoning former President General Pervez Musharraf.

Addressing the Senate during the conclusion of the debate on Presidential address to the joint sitting of the Parliament, Awan said the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) led government would lend all support to the Supreme Court if it decides to summon Musharraf in cases concerning the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO).

“The government will not create any hurdles in the way of the apex court if it summons Musharraf in connection with the NRO,” The Daily Times quoted Awan, as saying.

“The Pakistan People’s party (PPP) believes in accountability, but it should be across the board and must not result in political victimisation. It should not be for a specific person or party,” he added.

During his speech, Awan also defended President Asif Ali Zardari over the issue of holding two offices.

“There is nothing in the Constitution that suggests that more than one office cannot be held by a President,” he said. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Awan to appear before SC to explain government’s stance on Swiss case against Zardari

May 15, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, May 15 (ANI): Pakistan Law Minister Babar Awan is likely to personally appear before the Supreme Court on May 25 and explain the reasons behind the government’s decision not to formally ask the Swiss government to open the money-laundering cases against President Asif Ali Zardari.

The Supreme Court has expressed its discontent over the government’s inaction in light of its December 2009 verdict declaring the controversial amnesty law, the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) as ‘unconstitutional’ following which all pending cases against Zardari and other beneficiaries of the NRO had to be reopened.

The apex court had summoned Awan to highlight the official stand concerning the case, as many contradictions had appeared in the past due to the government’s continuous flip-flops over the issues, The News reports.

Earlier, Attorney General Maulvi Anwar-ul-Haq had told the Supreme Court that Law Secretary Justice (retired) Muhammad Aqil Mirza , who has resigned, had made it clear that the Swiss cases had been closed and that there was no need for any communication with the Swiss government to reopen the multi-million dollar money laundering cases.

Cases against Zardari and 157 others were reopened after the Supreme Court declared the controversial amnesty law, the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) as ‘unconstitutional’ in December last year.

Zardari and his assassinated wife Benazir Benazir 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. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Musharraf, Malik, other top PPP leaders to be quizzed in Bhutto assassination case

May 4, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Lahore, May 4 (ANI): Former President General Pervez Musharraf, Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Law Minister Babar Awan and other Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leaders would be quizzed in connection with the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto by the fact finding committee constituted by the government following the UN committee’s report.

The decision was taken during PPP’s core committee’s meeting, which was presided over by President Asif Ali Zardari.

According to sources privy to the meeting, it was decided that all leaders who accompanied Bhutto during the election rally in Rawalpindi’s Liaqaut Bagh, where she was killed in a gun and bomb attack on December 27,2007, would be interrogated- “whether they belong to the PPP or not.”

Briefing media persons after the meeting, Presidential spokesperson Farhatullah Babar said Malik told the core committee about the progress made by the three-men fact-finding committee looking into the hosing down of the Benazir’s assassination site.

He said the committee would question “some more people” before filing its report, which would be submitted to the Prime Minister within a month, The Daily Times reports. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Bhutto murder: UN panel says Gul refused to appear before it

April 23, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Former ISI chief Hamid Gul, who was named by slain ex-premier Benazir Bhutto among those posing a threat to her life, refused to be quizzed by the UN commission that probed her December 2007 assassination, according to the panel’s head.

In a letter written to ex-President Pervez Musharraf two months before she was killed, Bhutto had named Gul, former Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and ex-Intelligence Bureau chief Ijaz Shah as the persons who should be investigated if she was murdered.

Gul refused to be interviewed by the UN commission that probed the facts and circumstances of Bhutto’s assassination, the panel’s head, Ambassador Heraldo Muñoz, said.

The UN panel was initially told that Pakistan’s intelligence agencies and army were “off limits.”

Army and intelligence officials agreed to be interviewed only after the commission’s insistence, Munoz said in an interview to ‘Express 24/7′ news channel.

The panel met Musharraf during its probe but the interview was subject to the condition of confidentiality, Munoz said.

He also described as “inexcusable” and “irresponsible” the disappearance of a black Mercedes that was to have served as Bhutto’s back-up vehicle in case of an attack on her. The vehicle left the site in Rawalpindi after she was attacked by a suicide bomber on December 27, 2007.

Senior PPP leaders Rehman Malik — currently the Interior Minister, Babar Awan — now the Law Minister and Farhatullah Babar were travelling in the bulletproof black Mercedes.

According to eyewitnesses, the Mercedes left Liaquat Bagh, the site of Bhutto’s rally in Rawalpindi, before her vehicle and was nowhere to be seen afterwards.

The UN commission said it was “incredible” that the occupants of the Mercedes drove all the way to Zardari House, some 20 minutes away, before they became aware that Bhutto had been injured in the attack.

The UN panel’s report has indicted the then Musharraf regime for failing to provide adequate security to Bhutto despite reports of numerous threats to her life. It has also highlighted several security lapses linked to the assassination.

The report described the Musharraf regime’s failure to protect Bhutto as “inexcusable.”

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Musharraf may be quizzed in Benazir murder case: Pak Presidential spokesman

April 21, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, Apr.21 (ANI): Amidst the rising demand for former President General Pervez Musharraf’s prosecution following the UN enquiry commission’s report over former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s assassination, Presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar has said that the ‘autocratic’ ruler may quizzed in the case.

Babar said the ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has asked Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to direct concerned authorities to take immediate step in this regard.

“The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has already asked Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani to take action against all those involved including Musharraf,” The Daily Times quoted Babar, as saying.

Holding Musharraf responsible for the fatal attack on Bhutto on December 27, 2007, Babar said the former President is avoiding action as he has been living abroad since the tragic incident took place.

He said the government has taken stern action against all those officials indicted in the UN commission’s probe report.

“Eight officials have been relieved of their duties while the service contract of a retired brigadier has been terminated,” Babar said. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Kidnapped toddler’s father not a ‘suspect’: Brit cops

March 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, Mar.13 (ANI): British police officials have clarified that the father of the five-year old boy kidnapped in Pakistan’s Punjab province is neither a suspect in the case nor he has been arrested.

A senior British police official said Raja Naqqash Saeed, who was branded a suspect in the abduction case of his own son, Sahil Saeed, by Pakistani police official, was helping cops in London with investigations.

“Saeed is closely working with us, and his wife and the family for the safe release of his son, The Sun quoted Chief Superintendent Darren Shenton, as saying.

Shenton, however, did not reveal much about the progress in the case but said that no arrests have been made in Britain in connection with the kidnapping.

“We have not made any arrests in relation to the Pakistani investigation. Our primary concern is Sahil”s welfare and his safe return,” Shenton said.

Confusion still persists over Sahil’s abduction, who was kidnapped from his grandmother’s house in Punjab’s Jhelum last week, with diplomats and officials failing to confirm the news regarding his whereabouts.

On Thursday, media reports said that Sahil has been found and is returning to London with his father and Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Britain Wajid Hasan also confirmed the news only to backtrack later.

“Now I’ve come to know that there’s confusion about it so I don’t want to make further comments,” Hasan told a foreign news agency minutes after he confirmed the recovery of the British toddler.

British diplomats in Pakistan and London said they were urgently checking the reports, but police in Jhelum said they could not confirm he had been located.

Earlier, Pakistan”s Law Minister Babar Awan had revealed that Sahil has been found.

Sky News quoted Awan as saying that toddler was found, but news of his freedom had been kept quiet for safety reasons.

Sahil was taken by gunmen from his grandmother”s house in Jhelum last Wednesday after a gang reportedly tortured his family for up to six hours.

The young boy and his father were preparing to fly back to Britain and booked a taxi to take them to the airport before the gunmen struck. Sahil”s mother had stayed at home in Oldham. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Pak Law Minister nominates himself for lucrative foreign assignment

March 8, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, Mar 8(ANI): Pakistan Law Minister Babar Awan has reportedly nominated himself for an international assignment worth millions of dollars.

According to reports, the Law Ministry has put Awan’s name at the top of the four-member list of legal experts recommended to the International Arbitration Forum for future assignments at the International Arbitration Court (IAC),

It is believed that a former Supreme Court judge and a former attorney general, who had backed the proclamation of emergency of November 2007, have also been nominated for the assignment.

When asked about the issue, Awan denied of any knowledge about the panel, saying that he had not been consulted on the matter.

However, he later said that somebody in his ministry had put his name on the list without his consent.

“I have ordered an inquiry into the incident and have also ordered for withdrawal of my name,” The Dawn quoted Awan, as saying.

He added that he knew nothing of the other nominees.

Meanwhile, a former Lahore High Court judge, Malik Saeed Khan, who has been nominated by Pakistan in an international arbitration involving France and Pakistan over the nuclear reprocessing plant dispute, said lawyers recommended by various countries are put on a panel from which parties to a dispute choose experts from.

“Lawyers who are finally selected from the panel by the disputing international parties get paid up to millions of dollars in fee,” Khan said. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

PML-N moves privilege motion against Zardari

September 17, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, Sep 16 (ANI): The Pakistan Muslim League-N has moved a privilege motion in the National Assembly (NA) against the statement of President Asif Ali Zardari on giving the safe passage to the former president Pervez Musharraf.

The motion signed by 91 MNAs has been brought by Hanif Abbasi, Dr. Tariq Fazal and Anjum Aqeel, the NA Members of the PML-N.

It may be recalled that opposition leader in NA, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan had announced to move a motion against Zardari the previous day, and demanded Zardari to present all the aspects of the deal – regarding Pervez Musharraf – in front of the nation and Parliament.

Earlier in the day, contradicting media reports over indemnity being granted to Musharraf, Zardari’s spokesman has said that there have been no negotiations with the so-called international guarantors to give indemnity to the former president.

In a statement, Farhatullah Babar said the President Zardari in an informal talk on Monday with reporters had remarked that national political leaders and parties had held negotiations among themselves to chase Musharraf out of office and restore Presidency to the democratic forces.

In the talk with journalists there was no mention of negotiations with the so-called national or international guarantors to give immunity to Musharraf subsequent to his exit, he said.

Zardari’s remarks of negotiations among national political parties to strategise the sacking of Musharraf have unfortunately been distorted and misrepresented as talks with so called guarantors for indemnity to Musharraf, Dawn quoted Babar, as saying.

He said no one denied the holding of negotiations among national political parties to drive Musharraf out of office.

Babar said it was the result of these negotiations that the national parliament and all provincial assemblies adopted resolutions calling upon Musharraf to quit.

It was also the result of these negotiations that the parties joined hands in preparing a comprehensive and historic charge sheet to impeach Musharraf in case he refused to quit, he said.

There was nothing new in Zardari’s remarks about negotiations among political parties to force Musharraf out of office, except for the distortion and spin now given to it, Babar added.

Babar said the noise and din raised over the alleged remarks wrongly attributed to the President is part of the campaign to discredit Zardari for anything and everything that goes wrong. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

No talks for Musharraf’s indemnity with international guarantors: Babar

September 17, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, Sep 16 (ANI): Contradicting media reports over indemnity being granted to Pervez Musharraf, President Asif Ali Zardari’s spokesman has said that there have been no negotiations with the so-called international guarantors to give indemnity to the former president.

In a statement, Farhatullah Babar said the President Zardari in an informal talk on Monday with reporters had remarked that national political leaders and parties had held negotiations among themselves to chase Musharraf out of office and restore Presidency to the democratic forces.

In the talk with journalists there was no mention of negotiations with the so-called national or international guarantors to give immunity to Musharraf subsequent to his exit, he said.

Zardari’s remarks of negotiations among national political parties to strategise the sacking of Musharraf have unfortunately been distorted and misrepresented as talks with so called guarantors for indemnity to Musharraf, Dawn quoted Babar, as saying.

He said no one denied the holding of negotiations among national political parties to drive Musharraf out of office.

Babar said it was the result of these negotiations that the national parliament and all provincial assemblies adopted resolutions calling upon Musharraf to quit.

It was also the result of these negotiations that the parties joined hands in preparing a comprehensive and historic charge sheet to impeach Musharraf in case he refused to quit, he said.

There was nothing new in Zardari’s remarks about negotiations among political parties to force Musharraf out of office, except for the distortion and spin now given to it, Babar added.

Babar said the noise and din raised over the alleged remarks wrongly attributed to the President is part of the campaign to discredit Zardari for anything and everything that goes wrong. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Concerned US asks Pak for immediate resolution of explosive Baloch issue

September 2, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, Sep.2 (ANI): Expressing concerns over the Baloch insurgency, the United States has asked the Pakistan Government to settle all outstanding issues with the Baloch people as soon as possible.

According to sources, three US Senators met President Asif Ali Zardari and asked him to resolve the crisis while expressing concerns over the deteriorating law and order situation in the region.

Senators Carl Levin and Jack Reed of the US Senate’s Armed Services Committee and Edward Kaufman of the Foreign Relations Committee stressed on the need for complete peace and stability in Balochistan during their talks with Zardari, The Dawn reports.

The US Congressional delegation led by Senator Carl Levin, which is on a visit to Pakistan currently, told Zardari that the stability of Balochistan was imperative for success in the ‘war on terror’.

Briefing media person after the meeting, Presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar said Zardari urged the senators to try to hasten the reimbursement and supply of critically needed equipment, including helicopter gunships.

Zardari also requested Washington to speed up the process for the early adoption of the Kerry Lugar Bill, and also asked the White House to release all outstanding dues amounting to 1.6 billion dollars in order to help Islamabad counter extremism effectively.

“Payment of outstanding amounts in the support funds is important for the security forces to continue the ongoing military operation against militants,” The Dawn quoted Babar, as saying.

“President Zardari said attaching conditions to aid would be counter-productive and impart a transactional nature to the relationship which must be avoided,” he added.

Zardari also welcomed the Obama Administration’s commitment to help Pakistan address its increasing energy needs. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

PML-N media committee to counter Sharif ‘smear campaign’ in ‘tit-for-tat manner’

September 2, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Lahore, Sep.2 (ANI): A four-member media team has been constituted by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif to counter the ‘smear campaign’ against the party leadership initiated by some anti-PML-N groups.

Addressing a party meeting at his Raiwind residence, Sharif asked the members of the committee to counter the allegations being levelled against the party leadership in a ‘tit-for-tat manner’.

The committee includes party leaders like Ahsan Iqbal, Saad Rafiq, Khawaja Asif and Pervez Rashid.

Meanwhile, PML-N Information Secretary Ahsan Iqbal said the party would soon give evidence of involvement of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) in the character assassination campaign being carried out against the PML-N chief.

Iqbal said PML-N wants to work with the PPP cordially, but it can not tolerate such a ‘smear campaign’ against its party chief.

“The PML-N believes in positive politics and welcomes PPP’s stance on reconciliation. However, if the campaign against the PML-N was not stopped immediately, the PML-N would have to defend itself,” The Daily Times quoted Iqbal, as saying.

Meanwhile, Presidential spokesperson Farhatullah Babar has said that government is not worried by the formation of such ‘media committee’.

“The Pakistan People’s Party-led government is least bothered whether the PML-N forms a four-member or a 40-member media team to counter the alleged “propaganda campaign” against its leadership,” Babar said.

Talking to a private television channel, Babar rejected reports of a media cell being run in the Presidency to malign the image of PML-N leadership.

He asked the PML-N to produce evidence in support of its claims, and said PPP would respond in a democratic manner in this regard.

“If the PML-N has any difference with the PPP, it could be resolved through dialogue,” Babar added. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Battle lines drawn as PML-N issues 48 hrs ultimatum to PPP to stop vilifying Sharif

September 1, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Lahore, Sep 1 (ANI): The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has issued a 48 hours ultimatum to the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) to halt a “malicious” campaign against party chief Nawaz Sharif or be prepared for a forceful response.

“The PML-N is restraining itself for the sake of democracy, or it could have exposed hundreds of corruption stories involving PPP leaders,” PML-N Information Secretary Ahsan Iqbal told reporters.

He said all information pointed towards the Presidency being responsible for the disinformation, the Daily Times reported.

He claimed the campaign was launched to divert the public’s attention from rental power projects, the Pakistan Steel Mills issue, the sugar scandal and former president Pervez Musharaf’s trial.

Iqbal said the PML-N would not allow anyone to distract it from its stated agenda on these issues.

He said a recent Gallup Polls survey had shown that 71 percent of Pakistanis wanted Musharraf tried for sedition and there was no need for a resolution.

Replying to a question on whether the renewed conflict between the PML-N and the PPP could jeopardise the system, Iqbal said his party would continue to fight for the constitution and democracy.

Meanwhile, in a tit-for-tat reply to PML-N’s warning that they would respond against the PPP leadership if it did not mend its ways within 48 hours, the PPP leaders said they were not afraid of any ultimatum.

The president’s spokesman, Farhatullah Babar, rejected and condemned the attempts to accuse the Presidency of being involved in what has been described as “character assassination” of some political leaders.

“There is no question of the Presidency being behind the resurrection of old accusations against some political leaders,” he said.

He said the accusation relating to the distribution of slush funds among politicians some two decades ago were not new and kept popping up every now and then. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

China has backed Pakistan’s ‘right’ to nuclear energy: Babar

August 26, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, Aug.26 (ANI): China has backed Pakistan’s right to nuclear energy to overcome the huge energy crisis facing the country currently, Presidential spokesperson Farhatullah Babar has said.

Babar said during his meeting President Asif Ali Zardari, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi highlighted that Pakistan needed nuclear energy to address its increasing energy needs.

“We would appeal to the world community to understand Pakistan’s requirements in this regard,” Babar quoted Jiechi as saying.

Babar said several memoranda of understanding (MoU) for cooperation in the fields of education, fisheries, agriculture, dams and investment have been signed between Pakistan and China during Zardari’s Beijing visit.

Babar said the highlight of Zardari’s visit was signing of an agreement regarding the construction of a hydro power plant at Bunji in the Northern Areas.

He said the project is based on ‘Built, Operate and Transfer’ (BOT) strategy, according to which all investment would be made by China.

Once completed, the project will generate 7,000 megawatts of electricity, The Daily Times reports. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Zardari claims that Taliban has been defeated in Swat

August 19, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, Aug.19 (ANI): Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has claimed that the Taliban has been defeated in the Swat Valley.

In an interview with the News ahead of his meeting with US Special Envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke, Zardari said Pakistan was a united nation and would always stand united against its enemy.

“We are one nation and would stay united at every crucial moment to defeat the enemy,” Zardari said.

When asked how he viewed the meetings of Holbrooke with JUI chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and JI Secretary General Liaquat Baloch, Zardari said: “Politics is the name of dialogue and issues could be sorted out only politically.”

When enquired how he would counter the opposition from some of parties like the JUI and the ANP on the issue of allowing political parties to work in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), he said all such issues would be sorted out with dialogues.

“People give up their positions, sometime, in view of national interest. So we will be able to manage this by moving from our standard positions on the subject,” Zardari said.

Later, Presidential spokesperson Farhatullah Babar told media persons that Zardari, during his meeting with Holbrooke, told the US ambassador that Pakistan’s industrial growth and export potential was severely hampered because of the war against the former Soviet Union as well as the rising militancy which was a result of the Cold War politics.

“If these factors had not hampered the country’s progress Pakistan would not have been faced with the type of economic problems it is facing today,” Babar quoted Zardari, as saying. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Zardari says focus of Government is to rehabilitate displaced persons

July 14, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, July 13 (ANI): Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday said the entire focus of the government will now shift to the rehabilitation of displaced persons and rebuilding of the damaged infrastructure in Malakand Division.

He was addressing a select gathering of international donors, NGOs and civil society who had contributed to the relief of the displaced person in and off camps and who were specially invited to the Presidency to honor them for their efforts and contributions.

Briefing newsmen about the meeting, Spokesperson former Senator Farhatullah Babar said that the President described it is an auspicious occasion as the formal return of the displaced persons back to their homes has started today.

The President said that the beginning of the return journey of the displaced person marked the beginning of the end of one phase; and the start of another.

Zardari said that the issue of rehabilitation of displaced persons was a huge challenge before the nation which should be met through the collective effort of the people, the government and the international community.

Farhatullah Babar quoted the President as saying, “Perhaps never before the world witnessed such large scale displacement in such a short span of time. The fallout was enormous. The challenge was huge.”

The President appreciated the huge sacrifices made by the internally displaced persons.

“They were forced to leave their homes, businesses and workplaces. They underwent great hardships but they courageously endured it. Without their patience and endurance it would have been most difficult for us to pursue the fight against the militants,” the President said.

“I salute their courage and the sacrifices they have made,” The News quoted Zardari, as saying. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

US warns Pak over multi-billion rupee Chinese locomotive procurement scam

July 11, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, July 11 (ANI): The United States has reprimanded Pakistan for the multi billion rupee Railway scam in which an US firm was denied a fair chance to secure a contract of a whopping 12.5 billion rupees.

According to The News, US Senator, Robert P Casey Jr has written a letter to President Asif Ali Zardari telling him about the massive irregularities committed by some of the Pakistan Railway Board’s top officials while purchasing 75 electric locomotives from China.

The two page letter, which was delivered to the Pakistan Embassy in Washington recently, warned Zardari that the ‘insufficient transparency and demonstrated irregularities’ could hamper country’s reputation in the international community and would seriously undermine the much needed confidence in its governing institutions.

Casey, in his strong-worded letter, has asked Zardari to stop the finalization of the deal between the Chinese firm and the Railways Ministry.

“I am concerned to hear that notwithstanding the clear pattern of irregularities in the bid process, Pakistan Railways is now moving towards finalising the purchase order. I feared that the finalisation of the tender after a process marked by insufficient transparency and demonstrated irregularities could negatively impact Pakistan’s reputation in the international community and undermine needed confidence in its governing institutions,” the letter stated.

“I look forward to hearing from you that how interests of my constituents are protected equitably,” it added.

Despite several shortcomings, the Pakistan Railways had awarded a tender to a Chinese firm to supply 75 locomotives, and deliberately ignored the American company’s bid.

However, Presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar has denied receiving any such letter.

“I have not heard about it,” said Babar.

Meanwhile, the top honchos of the Railways Ministry functionaries have confessed before the National Assembly’s Special Committee on Railways about the alleged irregularities. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Pak minister asks US not to attach strings with economic aid

July 8, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Washington, July 8 (ANI): Pakistan’s Parliamentary Affairs Minister Babar Awan has asked Washington not to attach conditions with the US aid to Pakistan, as the country requires string-less assistance to fight the global war on terror.

“This is not the time for attaching conditions to assistance. We are fighting not only for Pakistan, but for global peace,” the Daily Times quoted Awan, as saying.

Awan’s remarks come in the backdrop of recent proposals on Capitol Hill conditioning future US assistance for Pakistan.

Both the US House of Representatives and the Senate had passed their respective legislative measures to triple economic assistance for Pakistan to 1.5 billion dollars annually.

Lawmakers from the two chambers are expected to reconcile their versions in order to send a final version to President Barack Obama for endorsement.

Awan welcomed the desire to help Pakistan but argued the aid should be utilised by the democratic government – which includes all major political parties in the ruling coalition – and it should not be administered through non-governmental organisations.

He urged Pakistan’s critics to understand that the country was being run by an elected government, which was committed to utilise foreign aid transparently for the benefit of the people. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Pak seeks US assistance to raise anti-militant force

July 8, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Washington, July 8 (ANI): Pakistan’s Parliamentary Affairs Minister Babar Awan has urged Washington to provide weapons and other equipments to help Pakistan set up a 400,000-strong anti-militant force.

Awan said Pakistan needed helicopters, drones and night-vision goggles for combating the militants.

Addressing a news conference in Washington, Awan announced that Pakistan was planning to establish a force of 100,000 in each of the four provinces to combat the militants.

“It will provide security and safety to the people and will protect the displaced people when they return home,” The Dawn quoted Awan, as saying.

The proposed force, although recruited from retired military personnel, will be merged with the regular police force.

The minister said Pakistan had also informed the US administration that the aid meant for Pakistan should be distributed through government agencies and not NGOs.

“We do not understand this trust deficit. Previous assistance was given to the previous government and the new government should not be held responsible for what they did. We have a clean record,” Awan said in response to a question.

Awan said that those displaced during the military operations in Swat and Buner had already started returning home.

“These are no Afghan refugees. They will not linger on in the camps for years. They will be rehabilitated in months,” he said.

Earlier, Awan had said the international community paid a harsh price for abandoning Afghanistan and it should not do the same to Pakistan. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

UAE contributes 500,000 dollars to UN for Bhutto’s assassination probe

July 4, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, July 4 (ANI): The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will contribute 500,000 dollars to the United Nations (UN) Trust Fund, for a UN commission enquiry into the former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s assassination.

Presidential spokesperson, Farhatullah Babar said the UAE Embassy had already informed the Pakistan Foreign Office (FO) of the decision.

The three member UN commission would be headed by Chile’s U.N. Ambassador, Heraldo Munoz.

The other two members of the commission are the former Indonesian attorney general Marzuki Darusman, and Ireland’s former deputy police commissioner Peter Fitzgerald, The News reports.

The commission would only enquire after the facts and circumstances of Bhutto’s death. Further action against perpetrators would be taken by Pakistan, Babar said.

The commission is expected to arrive in Pakistan this month and complete its work within six months, he added.

Bhutto was killed on Decmber 27, 2007 in a gun-and-suicide bomb attack while leaving an election rally in Rawalpindi. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Good relations with India essential for people’s welfare: Zardari

July 1, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, July 1 (ANI): Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has said it is important for both India and Pakistan to share a cordial relationship so as to establish peace in the region and fight against extremism.

“Good neighbourly relations were essential for the welfare of the people of both countries and also for fighting militancy,” presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar quoted Zardari, as saying.

Babar said Pakistan’s High Commissioner to India, Shahid Malik called on President Zardari to discuss several issues regarding India.

Both the leaders also discussed about resumption of foreign secretary level talks and Mumbai attacks, The Dawn reports.

The foreign secreraties of both the countries are expected to meet later this month in Egypt on the sidelines of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) conference.

According to the sources, Pakistan is planning to send another dossier to India seeking more informations on the Samjahuta Express blast and November 2008 Mumbai carnage, as it believes that the two incidents are inter-related.

Sources added that the interior minister has already informed the Indian High Commissioner regarding it. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
« Older Posts