Table Kasab’s confessional statement: Pak SC to Lakhvi’s counsel

Islamabad, May 6 (ANI): A three-member Pakistan Supreme Court bench, consisting Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, has asked for the confessional statement of Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone surviving Mumbai terror attack gunman.

Hearing a petition filed by Lashkar-e-Taiba’s (LeT) operations commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, who has been named as one of the chief conspirator of the November 2008 Mumbai attacks, the apex court told Lakhvi’s lawyer, Sultan Khwaja to table Kasab’s confessional statement, which he made in a special anti-terror court in Mumbai.

Khwaja argued before the court that Lakhvi cannot be named a co-accused in the Mumbai attack case or be tried on the basis of Kasab’s statement.

“The statement was not given in a Pakistani court, so Lakhvi could not be named as a co-accused in the case or be tried,” Khwaja pleaded during the hearing over Lakhvi’s petition seeking quashing of criminal proceedings against him.

Following the argument, the court directed Khwaja to table Kasab’s statement in the court on the next hearing, and the hearing was adjourned till May 11, The Daily Times reports.

Talking to reporters after the hearing, Khwaja , who is defending the seven men being tried by an anti-terrorism court for abetting and planning the ghastly Mumbai attacks, said his clients would actually be benefited from the verdict of the special Mumbai court, which has convicted Kasab and acquitted the other two Indian’s accused of providing logistical support to the masterminds.

The special anti-terror court, which has been set up inside the Arthur road Jail in Mumbai, would announce the quantum of punishment for Kasab today (Thursday, May 6). (ANI)

Sindh High Court quashes petition challenging Zardari’s electoral eligibility

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)

Musharraf ‘shedding crocodile tears’, says ex- Pak SCBA chief

Islamabad, Sep.19 (ANI): Pakistan Supreme Court Bar Association’s former President Aitzaz Ahsan has said that former President General Pervez Musharraf is ‘shedding crocodile tears’ while admitting that removing Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry from office in 2007 was a mistake.

Referring to Musharraf’s speech at Trinity University in Saint Antonio, Texas, where the former general admitted that he had committed a mistake while sacking the then Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) from office, Ahsan said Musharraf had committed not only one but two mistakes by removing the higher judiciary and imposing an emergency in the country on November 3, 2007.

Talking to a private television channel, Ahsan said the government and the ‘independent’ judiciary should play their role in trying Musharraf under high treason charges.

He said it was not the right time for lawyers to take their struggle to roads, as they did previously while demanding restoration of the judiciary, The News reports.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) has denied that Musharraf had taken the cabinet into his confidence before promulgating the Provisional Constitutional Ordinance (PCO) and imposing the emergency rule in 2007.

Interacting with media persons during an Iftaar party hosted by PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, several party leaders rejected the notion regarding Musharraf consulting the cabinet before taking the illegal and extra-judicial actions. (ANI)

PML-N urges Supreme Court to hear petition against Musharraf afresh

Islamabad, Sep 10(ANI): The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) has asked the Supreme Court to hear afresh the petition against Gen Pervez Musharraf for violating the court’s order in sending party leader Nawaz Sharif to Saudi Arabia in 2007.

An SC bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry had overturned a ban on the Sharif brothers to contest elections and hold public offices, but Sharif was sent back to Saudi Arabia when he returned to Pakistan on September 10, 2007.

PML-N spokesman Ahsan Iqbal said in a statement that Musharraf had violated the Supreme Court’s verdict, the Constitution and fundamental rights by sending Mr Sharif back to Saudi Arabia, Dawn reports.

Iqbal also said that if PML-N were provided a fair opportunity to contest the elections, and had Sharif been allowed to stay in Pakistan, his party would have emerged as the single largest party in the 2008 general elections. (ANI)

Pak Punjab Govt has ‘confidential evidence’ against Saeed, withdraws case

Islamabad, July 14 (ANI): The government in Pakistan’s Punjab province has decided to disassociate itself from the Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed case and filed a plea for its withdrawal.

On Monday, the provincial government informed the Supreme Court that it has challenged the release of Saeed due to certain “confidential evidence” against him.

According to Punjab Advocate General Raza Farooq, Saeed was put under house arrest on the directive of the federal government, which failed to provide solid evidence to maintain his house arrest.

Therefore, Farooq said the Punjab Government has decided to disassociate itself from the case and a petition for withdrawal has been filed with the Supreme Court.

Farooq on Monday told the three-member bench hearing pleas against a Lahore High Court (LHC) decision to release Saeed and Colonel (retired) Nazir Ahmed that Saeed was detained under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance 1961.

However, Section 3 was not mentioned in the detention order. The three-member bench consisting of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Muhammad Sair Ali and Justice Jawwad S Khawaja, asked the Punjab AG to satisfy the apex court, the Daily Times reports.

The AG said there was sufficient evidence against Saeed, but it could not be made part of the case record because it was confidential.

Farooq also submitted that it was binding on the government to implement resolutions adopted by the UN.

He said the detention of Saeed had become necessary, as the UN had levelled allegations that Saeed was linked to Al Qaeda and was allegedly involved in some terror-related incidents at an international level.

The Pakistan and the Punjab Governments, through their petitions, requested the court to set aside the LHC decision of ending the detention of Saeed and Col (retired) Nazir Ahmed.

The petitions claimed the LHC had not considered the sensitivity of the case, especially in light of the prevailing security situation. (ANI)

Chaudhry not restored under any deal: Aitzaz Ahsan

Lahore, Apr.9 (ANI): Pakistan Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry was not restored as a result of any deal, former Supreme Court Bar Association president Aitzaz Ahsan said on Thursday.

Addressing the lawyers here, he said that Chaudhry would continue to provide justice to the masses through suo motu notices.

Last month, Chaudhry said that the real judiciary had been restored after a long time and now the dignity of the court and institution would have to be restored. He also said that the judiciary would have to be cleaned of corruption.

Speaking after resuming his duties as Chief Justice, Chaudhry said that irregularities would not be tolerated in dispensing justice.

He added that the stories of corruption from civil judge to Supreme Court were common, and urged upon the lawyers to co-operate with him in stamping out corruption.

Justice Chaudhry further said if there was any complaint of irregularity, then a petition could be filed in the Registrar Office.

He said he was thankful to the people on their struggle for restoration of judiciary. (ANI)

Pak Supreme Court rejects govt.’s request for in-camera trial in flogging case

Islamabad, Apr. 7 (ANI): Pakistan’s Supreme Court has rejected the government’s request for an in-camera trial of suspects involved in the teenaged girl’s flogging in Swat and ruled that the facts be brought before the public.

An eight-member bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry is hearing a suo motu case of the flogging incident.

The court has directed the federal interior secretary, the NWFP inspector general of police and the NWFP chief secretary to prepare a detailed report of the flogging case.

Attorney-General Sardar Latif Khosa described the flogging case as a sensitive issue that required an in-camera hearing.

Chief Justice Chaudhry turned down the request on the ground that as news of the flogging was revealed through the media, the facts should be brought before the public.

The flogged victim, Chand Bibi, didn’t appear before the Supreme Court, saying that it was against her traditional values.

Bibi’s statement before the magistrate was presented through Khosa.

Earlier, Malakand Commissioner Syed Mohammad Javed and a senior judge visited Kala village situated in the far-off area of Kabal Tehsil and recorded the statement of the girl’s statement.

The NWFP chief secretary also presented a confidential report.

The Supreme Court, however, refused to accept the report, saying it was not required. (ANI)

Pak SC rejects Musharraf trial petition

Lahore, Apr.7 (ANI): The Pakistan Supreme Court has returned the trial petition moved against former President General (retired) Pervez Musharraf with several objections.

Supreme Court Registrar Dr Faqir Hussain returned the petition with four major objections.

Dr. Hussain stated that the petitioner Zahid Malik has no locus standi to move the petition, the advocate-on-record did not specify whether the petition was the first of its kind, the petitioner did not avail a lower court first and that the petitioner has sought more than one relief in a single petition, The Daily Times reported.

Malik’s counsel, Dr Farooq Hassan argued that Musharraf had admitted to taking unconstitutional steps by removing Supreme Court Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry in November 2007.

The petition filed by Malik accused General Musharraf of disseminating subversion of the Constitution by appointing the PCO’s after dismissing superior judges including the Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.

The petition also asked for trial of the former President through Courts Martial under Pakistan Army Act for savagely violating the provisions relating to officers of the Army.

It also states that all the persons who assisted General Musharraf to carry out his illegal activities should also be punished according to the law of the country.

The apex court has been requested to bar General Musharraf from moving out of Pakistan.

Malik, in his petition had also tabled the order passed by a seven-member bench of the Supreme Court to suspend operation of the PCO on November 3, 2007, stating that those who acted against this order were liable for the contempt of the court.

The petition further stated that the matter is of high public importance as it involves violation of fundamental rights with respect to access to freedom and independent judiciary enshrined under Articles 9,10, 14, and 26. (ANI)

Swat girl denies flogging incident due to social pressure, militants’ fear

Peshawar, Apr 6 (ANI): The girl who was reportedly flogged in Swat has denied the incident, and termed the happening as baseless and not based on facts due to social pressure and Taliban militants’ fear.

A team of two high officials comprising Commissioner Malakand Syed Mohammad Javed and a senior judge reportedly visited Kala village situated in the far-off area of tehsil Kabal and recorded the statement of the girl.

The two officials recorded the statements of the girl and her husband, in which they completely denied the incident; The Nation quoted sources, as saying.

They maintained that the team reached the area in full security, met the girl and showed her a video in which she was being flogged publicly somewhere in Kabal.

The sources informed that the girl had told the officials that she was happily married and had never been flogged.

After recording the statement, the team reached the provincial capital, as the report is likely to be submitted to the Supreme Court on Monday.

Meanwhile, the NWFP Chief Secretary and the Inspector General of police (IGP) may not produce the girl, as the officials appear before the larger bench of the Supreme Court.

Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry had taken a suo moto notice of the public lashing of the teenaged girl in Swat after a footage of the incident appeared on private television channels.

Apart from the federal Interior Secretary, the NWFP Chief Secretary, IGP, Advocate General and president of the Peshawar High Court Bar Association (PHCBA) were directed to appear and produce the victim before the larger bench of the Supreme Court.

“We are yet to take the girl into our protection and that’s why we may not produce her before the court on Monday,” Malakand Division Commissioner Syed Muhammad Javed said. (ANI)

Pak CJ takes notice of Swat girl flogging

Islamabad, Apr. 4 (ANI): Pakistan’s Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has taken suo motu notice of the flogging of a girl in the Swat Valley.

Chaudhry has asked the federal interior secretary, the NWFP chief secretary and the NWFP inspector general of police to appear before the court on Monday.

The two-minute video shows a veiled girl, face down on the ground with two men holding her arms and feet. A third man whips her backside repeatedly for allegedly having ‘illicit relations with her father-in-law’ – causing her to scream: “Either stop it or kill me.”

Chaudhry ordered the fixation of the matter under Article 184(3) of the constitution before an eight-member larger bench of the Supreme Court, to be headed by him.

The CJP also directed the federal interior secretary to find the victim and produce her before the court.

Notices have also been issued to the attorney general of Pakistan, the NWFP advocate general and the president of the NWFP High Court Bar Association.

Earlier, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani had ordered a probe into the case.

Pakistan based human rights groups and civil society activists had lodged protest against the flogging case in Swat. (ANI)

Pak Supreme Court throws out sedition petition filed against Musharraf

Islamabad, Apr.1 (ANI): The Pakistan Supreme Court has thrown away a sedition petition filed against former President General Pervez Musharraf.

The petition filed by one Zahid Hussain Malik was returned back by the court saying that it was neither the proper forum for the case nor the petitioner was an affected party in it, The News reported.

Advocate on record’s affidavit was also not attached with the petition which particularly irked the court.

The petition filed Malik accused General Musharraf of disseminating subversion of the Constitution by appointing the PCO’s after dismissing superior judges including the Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.

The petition asked for trial of the former President through Courts Martial under Pakistan Army Act for savagely violating the provisions relating to officers of the Army, The Nations reports.

It also stated that all the persons who assisted General Musharraf to carry out his illegal activities should also be punished according to the law of the country. (ANI)

Shahbaz Sharif reinstated as Punjab Chief Minister

Islamabad, Mar.31 (ANI): Deposed Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has been reinstated on the post following a Supreme Court’s stay order against its earlier judgment which disqualified the Sharif brothers’ from contesting elections and holding office.

The apex court bench headed by Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jilani ordered Shahbaz Sharif’s government to be restored with immediate effect till the court announces a final verdict in the eligibility case.

“The supreme court has suspended the February 25 decision,” The News quoted a lawyer and leader in PML-N, Syed Zafar Ali Shah, as saying.

Shahbaz Sharif and Pakistan Muslim Laegue -Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif were disqualified from contesting election by the Supreme Court on February 25 following which a large scale public protest was carried out across the country, and an unprecedented political turmoil was witnessed.

Later, after the government reinstated the judiciary and Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, after which a review petition was filed in the Supreme Court on March 19.(ANI)

Stability of Pakistan depends upon Zardari relinquishing dictatorial powers: Sharif

London, Mar 28 (ANI): The political stability in Pakistan depends upon President Asif Ali Zardari giving up his dictatorial presidential powers like power to dismiss parliament, according to PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif. harif asked Zardari to honour a pledge to transfer key powers to his Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani.

“We have conveyed to the Prime Minister that future relations will be based on the understanding that those dictatorial powers be repealed,” The Telegraph quoted Sharif, as saying.

Zardari, who had previously failed to honour the pledge that was part of a pro-democracy agreement between his late wife Benazir Bhutto and Sharif, is expected to announce his intention to curb some of his own powers on Saturday in his parliamentary address.

“Zardari should accept that Pakistan has a parliamentary democratic system. It (the future) all depends on how democratically he conducts his role,” said Sharif.

The political situation in Pakistan has altered dramatically in Sharif’s favour since last week when he defied house arrest and led a victorious protest that forced the government to restore deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.

Sharif frowned at reports that he had wanted to name himself as amir-ul-momin, Commander-of-the-Faithful, as “absolutely a joke,” and described reports of his closeness to religious conservatives as propaganda started by his political adversaries.

Sharif’s critics say that he has been silent on the Taliban insurgency when leadership is desperately required to galvanise popular opinion.

“I condemn every bomb blast and suicide attack,” he said. “What more can I do?”

Sharif conceded that militants now control Swat Valley, but said he did not want to comment further for fear of embarrassing the provincial government. (ANI)

Petition filed in Pak SC for trial of Musharraf on charges of sedition

Lahore, Mar.25 (ANI): Following the reinstatement of deposed judiciary in the country, former Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf is headed for some trouble as a petition has been filed in the Supreme Court (SC) seeking his trial on the charges of sedition.

A petition filed by one Zahid Hussain Malik accuses General Musharraf of disseminating subversion of the Constitution by appointing the PCO’s after dismissing superior judges including the Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.

The petition asks for trial of the former President through Courts Martial under Pakistan Army Act for savagely violating the provisions relating to officers of the Army, The Nations reports.

It also states that all the persons who assisted General Musharraf to carry out his illegal activities should also be punished according to the law of the country.

The apex court has been requested to bar General Musharraf from moving out of Pakistan.

Malik, in his petition has also tabled the order passed by a seven-member bench of the Supreme Court to suspend operation of the PCO on November 3, 2007, stating that those who acted against this order were liable for the contempt of the court.

The petition further states that the matter is of high public importance as it involves violation of fundamental rights with respect to access to freedom and independent judiciary enshrined under Articles 9,10, 14, and 26.

Earlier, the Pakistan Ex-Servicemen Association (PESA) demanded that Musharraf be stripped-off from all the special privilege he is being receiving from the Pak Army.

The association, in a special meeting, also decided to constitute a special committee to make a proposal for the trial of former president Musharraf for violating the Constitution and committing various other crimes, and a general body meeting in this regard would be held on March 28 under the chairmanship of Admiral (retired) Fasih Bukhari.

It also had demanded General Musharraf be thrown out from the Army House. (ANI)

Foreign Policy magazine ranks Zardari fifth biggest loser in World

Washington, Mar.23 (ANI): The famous Foreign Policy magazine has ranked Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari as the fifth biggest loser in the world.

“Zardari was known to be a bad guy long before he became Pakistan’s president. Many of the closest friends of his late wife, Benazir Bhutto, could not stand him. Now, as it turns out, neither can most of the Pakistani people,” the magazine stated.

According to the magazine, Zardari’s giving in to the demands of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s of reinstating the judiciary and particularly former Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has made him weaker.

“He’s on the ropes, his opposition is gaining strength, and meanwhile fraught, dangerous, complex Pakistan is hardly being governed at all,” the magazine said.

Other biggest losers in the list are US Democratic Senator, Chris Dodd at number four, US swindler Bernie Madoff at number three, and the Roman Catholic Pope on the second spot for his ‘out of touch with the real world’ view.

The magazine has termed Pope’s papacy as a ‘disaster’, The News reports.

Austrian businessman, Josef Fritzl has been ranked the number one loser.

Fritzl, 73, is currently facing trial for putting his own daughter in a dungeon beneath his house and raping her for over 24 years continuously.

The list also has British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on number ten, and Israeli politician Benjamin Netahanyahu on the ninth spot. (ANI)

No foreign pressure on PPP Govt. to restore judges: Kaira

Islamabad, Mar 17 (ANI): Information Minister Qamar-uz-Zaman Kaira has said that Pakistan People’s Party led government had fulfilled promises made by its slain leader Benazir Bhutto, and rejected the impression that there was foreign pressure on the government for the reinstatement.

“The government was not forced by any quarter other than the lawyers and the political parties to announce the restoration of deposed judges”, he told reporters here.

“Deadlocks have never borne good results in the past and the PPP Government has broken the deadlock on judicial issue by showing political maturity and farsightedness,” he said.

Kaira also clarified that Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry did not need to take fresh oath of his office.

“Iftikhar Chaudhry does not need to take oath of his office as he has been restored with administrative process and will only take charge of his office on 21st March 2009,” The Nation quoted him, as saying.

Kaira rebutted the impression that the deposed judges had been restored with terms and a condition. “All stakeholders were consulted before announcing the decision and if Pakistan Army has also been consulted in this regard it is not strange”, he stated.

“The restoration of Chief Justice is the manifestation of the political insight of the PPP, which is a flag bearer of democratic values and the freedom of the press and judiciary,” he added.

Kaira said that the PPP had always remained in forefront in the struggle for rights of the masses, civil society and media.

The Information Minister appreciated the role played by the political parties and lawyers to take judges restoration movement to the logical end.

He further said that PPP had always fought for the independence of judiciary, adding, “PPP is the only party which has given more sacrifices than any other party in judicial struggle.” (ANI)

Pak steered out of turmoil for the moment

Islamabad, Mar 16 (ANI): Intense and hard negotiation backed by major foreign powers led to reconciliation, steering Pakistan out of the turmoil and changing the charged up political atmosphere ahead of the lawyers ‘Long March’.

Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani’s announcement regarding reinstatement of the deposed judges of the Supreme Court, doing away with February 25 actions and the road map to implement Charter of Democracy (CoD) defused the crises.

The move would go long way in Pakistan’s political history and definitely help promote stability in the country on one hand and strengthening of country’s justice system, democracy and the national economy on the other.

Though it is premature to give any objective assessment about the modalities of reinstatement of the deposed judges, particularly the Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and implementing CoD, ostensibly it looks certain that apart from the Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervez Kiyani some major foreign powers had played crucial role in securing the deal.

This is significant in relation to Pakistan’s future role in the war on terror in line with US strategy, The Nation reports However, it was still not clear about the fate of former President Pervez Musharraf’s pre-November 3, 2007 actions pertaining to second emergency he imposed under a constitutional cover.

Moreover, the political pundits are of the view that the PML-N would most likely rejoin the ruling coalition at the Centre and PPP-PML-N government in Punjab.

The PML-N had left the federal cabinet last year as mark of protest over the PPP failure to implement the Murree Accord signed by the two parties for reinstatement of deposed judges sacked by General (Retd) Pervez Musharraf.

The political pundits were of the view that the move would pave way for the appointment of non-controversial governor at the most populated Punjab province, the paper says They believed that lawyers Long March supported by the PML-N and other opposition parties might have resulted into a bloody showdown with the PPP-led coalition government had the reconciliation efforts failed. (ANI)

Chaudhry’s restoration, an extraordinary victory for Pak legal fraternity: Washington Post

Lahore, Mar.16 (ANI): The Pakistan Government’s announcement early Monday morning that it would restore former Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and a group of other deposed judges should be seen as an extraordinary victory for the country’s legal fraternity and as a major capitulation to opponents, the Washington Post says.

According to the paper, the restoration of sacked judges is a reflection on the weakening position of President Asif Ali Zardari, a key U.S. ally.

Zardari resisted for months, but faced with mounting pressure from a broad coalition of opponents who demanded the reinstatement of Pakistan’s independent judiciary and threatened to march on Islamabad, he had no other choice but to back down, says the paper.

The Pakistan legal community had been agitating peacefully for the judges’ reinstatement for the past two years, and for Zardari’s major political rival, Nawaz Sharif.

As word spread early Monday morning that Prime Minister Gilani would announce the judges’ restoration to office, Pakistani television stations showed jubilant crowds gathering around Chaudhry’s house in Islamabad.

Celebrations also erupted in the Sharif-led caravan, which was traveling through the night from Lahore. The prime minister made the official announcement at dawn Monday.

“This will restore stability to Pakistan,” Athar Minallah, a spokesman for Chaudhry, said.

A spokesman for Sharif’s party, the Pakistan Muslim League-N, had said that he expected an official pardon of Chaudhry and the other judges, in accordance with an agreement signed by Zardari and Sharif last year.

Pakistan’s former military ruler, Pervez Musharraf, fired Chaudhry and the other judges in 2007 because they refused to take an oath under his amended constitution.

Zardari had publicly insisted that the judges could not be restored until Pakistan’s Parliament had a chance to make broader changes in the Constitution. But many Pakistanis and foreign observers believed the president reneged on his pledge to restore them because he feared that the independent-minded Chaudhry would reopen old corruption cases against him and might also overturn many of his actions as president. (ANI)

US welcomes Pak move to restore deposed CJ

Washington, Mar.16 (ANI): The Obama administration here has welcomed the Pakistan Government’s decision to reinstate deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.Washington gave its reaction after uthorities in Islamabad informed it about its decision.

According to sources, Chaudhry will assume his responsibilities on March 22.

Meanwhile, a report requested by United States President Barack Obama on overhauling US policy in Afghanistan and Pakistan has warned that Pakistan needs urgent help to fight its challenges, saying it could be the launch pad for the next 9/11 otherwise.

The report published in the Telegraph said President Obama had entrusted the task to overhaul the US policy to former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Middle East expert Bruce Riedel.

Riedel’s working group has concluded that stabilizing Pakistan was now the higher priority, the paper quoted its source.

Riedel said in the report, prepared in conjunction with the National Security Council (NSC), that he believed that unless serious action was taken, Pakistan would become a ‘terrorist university’, representing a far greater threat to the security of the US and Europe than Afghanistan did before 9/11.

“Recent apocalyptic intelligence on the situation in Pakistan has shocked the Obama administration and convinced Riedel’s review team that radicals trained in Pakistan are the greatest threat to western security,” the paper said.

It quoted a source familiar with the White House Pak-Afghan policy review discussions as saying that Riedel said on the record that a failed state in Pakistan was America’s ‘worst nightmare’ in the 21st century.

“The Pakistani government seems unable to control its military or intelligence people. The Tribal Areas are already a failed state and a safe haven for terrorists. If that spreads, the whole country will become a terrorist university. The chances of a spectacular in the US or Britain is exponentially increased. And Pakistan has nuclear weapons,” Telegraph cited the review report, as saying.

It said the Riedel review had reportedly concluded that seven out of 10 Taliban and other militants in Afghanistan and Pakistan were “reconcilable”, who could be bribed, cajoled and persuaded to turn away from extremism.

“The review, likely to be published within days, will recommend that non-military aid to Pakistan is quadrupled. Payments to Afghan tribal chiefs will also increase. In return, the Pakistani government will be expected to agree to a wholesale overhaul of its military which will see US special forces retrain Pakistani soldiers in counter-insurgency warfare,” The Telegraph said.

Richard Holbrooke, the US special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, and a co-chairman of the Riedel Review, has warned that the international effort in Afghanistan could only succeed if Pakistan’s Tribal Areas were under control. (ANI)

Nawaz Sharif calls off ‘Long March’

Islamabad, Mar.16 (ANI): Former Pakistan Prime Minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif on Monday called off the ‘Long March’ of opposition politicians and lawyers after incumbent Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani announced that deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry would be reinstated on March 21 after present Chief Justice Dogar retires.

In an address to the nation, Gilani declared that President Zardari had agreed to most of Nawaz Sharif’s demands.

Gilani also ordered all political party activists and lawyers arrested over the past week to be released.

“The compromise formula has been worked out with Zardari,” Gilani said.

The announcement followed late night meeting between Gilani and President Zardari on crucial issues responsible for the current political crisis triggered by a confrontation between the ruling PPP and opposition PML-N. (ANI)