North Waziristan offensive Pak’s ‘sovereign’ decision: FO

May 21, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, May 21 (ANI): Pakistan has made it clear that it would not succumb to any pressure from the United States about when to launch an offensive in North Waziristan, and that any decision in this regard would be ‘sovereign’.

“Be it the Tribal Areas or any other part, Pakistan will proceed in accordance with its own priorities and plans.” Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Abdul Basit said while responding to a question whether Islamabad would launch a full-fledged military offensive in North Waziristan, the Taliban stronghold, for which the Obama administration has been piling up pressure on it.

“Be it the Tribal Areas or any other part, Pakistan will proceed in accordance with its own priorities and plans,” Basit said during a regular press briefing here.

It may be noted that President Obama’s top two security advisors National Security Adviser General James Jones and Central Investigation Agency (CIA) chief Leon Panetta were recently in Islamabad with a White House’ message that Pakistan, without wasting any more time, should initiate an operation against the extremists flourishing in the tribal regions along the Afghanistan border.

Responding to a question regarding the massive increase in number of US officials in Pakistan, he said except India there was no fixed quota for diplomatic presence of any other country.

“Pakistan and India have a mutual agreement about maximum number of personnel in their respective high commissions in Islamabad and New Delhi,” The Daily Times quoted Basit, as saying. (ANI)

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India media team is the largest at XVIth SAARC Summit

April 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Thimphu (Bhutan), Apr.27 (ANI): India will have the largest contingent of journalists at the XVIth South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Summit that is being held here this week.

According to a report in the web site of Bhutan”s main English daily – Kuensel, 43 Indian journalists are already listed to come to the country. Pakistan is fielding 31 journalists as of yesterday, it adds.

Bhutanese media coordinators in Thimphu are reportedly hard pressed in drawing up plans to accomodate over 300 journalists who are arriving in the country in the next few days to cover the summit.

There are only 106 seats in the media gallery at the Grand National Assembly, the venue of the summit.

“We can’t accommodate all of them in the gallery, but we’re drawing up plans so that everybody gets an opportunity,” the web site of Bhutan”s main English daily Kuensel quoted the director of civil aviation, Phala Dorji, as saying.

Dorji, who is also the chief media liaison officer for the event, further said: “We’ll distribute the 106 seats equally to all media so nobody is left out.”

He said the coordinators had been explaining to journalists about the logistical challenge before them and requested the media to send only one journalist from each media agency during the opening and closing of the summit.

Of the 106 seats, there is a plan to reserve about 20 seats for the south Asia Freedom of Media Association (SAFMA) journalists and another 20 to 25 for media coming on their own. Those coming as part of official delegations will also be allotted seats.

Photographers and cameramen will be allowed at the grand national assembly hall when their leader addresses the summit, according to officials.

The SAFMA journalist summit has also been shifted to Paro, 52 km from Thimphu, as there were not enough hotel rooms to accommodate about 100 journalists from the region attending the summit.

About 74 journalists, including photographers and cameramen, will be arriving with the SAARC delegates.

“The list could grow,” said Phala Dorji.

About 60 journalists from the observer countries will also be in the capital during the summit week.

Ministry officials said the media centre set up at the information and communication office would provide video footage and photos, while the national television, BBSC, would cover the event live.
BBSC will also provide clean feed of the summit, without commentary, free of cost. BBSC will also have an arrangement of uplinking facilities at the media centre, which would enable other broadcasters to uplink their news feed directly. What could come as a relief to coordinators is that a number of journalists are coming in to cover other things than the SAARC summit itself.

Most of the journalists from India and Pakistan are more interested in where their leaders will meet on the sidelines of the summit.

Recent media reports in both countries have been rife with speculations of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, meeting in Thimphu. (ANI)

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Pakistan war on power deficit

April 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, April 22 — Shopping centres and bazaars will be shut by 8 pm and wedding halls will have three hours to host events, according to a new set of regulations imposed by the Pakistan government, which is battling its worse power crisis ever. On Thursday, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani announced measures to cut electricity consumption by half so that power outages can also be reduced in the country.

Measures include turning off lights and air-conditioners in government offices – to reduce a daily shortfall of 4,500-5,000 megawatts (MW) and encourage energy conservation in the private sector. Government employees will also get one additional day off.

The main reason for the shortage is that past governments “failure” to anticipate growth in demand and delay in implementing power and dam projects that would have boosted output. “We inherited this problem,” Gilani told a news conference.

“I assure you that the government will not leave a single stone unturned to sort it out.” The government has been under consistent attack over the power outages.

Effigies of the President and PM have been burnt in different protests all over the country. Pakistan has the capacity to generate about 14,500 MW from the current resources.

But it is producing only about 10,000 MW of the required 16,000 MW. A lack of investment in existing plants, outdated grids and rampant electricity theft mean that some grid companies experience line losses of 30-40 per cent. Lengthy power outages can last upto 12 hours which have triggered what the Pakistani media terms “power riots” with people pouring out into the streets and venting their anger on cars, buildings and passers by.

The recommendations come out of a three-day energy summit and will take effect over the next few days. Moments after the plan was announced, the Karachi Traders Action Committee announced its opposition to some measures.

“We will not abide by the government’s decision to close markets by 8 pm and will work our regular shift of 11 am to 10 pm,” said Siddique Memon, the committee”s chairman. He said the group would challenge the measure in the courts.

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No international cricket in Pak for time being: ICC

April 21, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Dubai, Apr.21 (ANI): The International Cricket Council (ICC) has ruled out the return of international cricket in Pakistan in the near future, saying it would have to continue playing its ‘home’ series at neutral venues for the time being.

The ICC taskforce, which was formed to look into the possibility of holding international matches in Pakistan, has submitted its report in this regard, The News reports.

The report, which was tabled during the recent ICC executive board meeting in Dubai, stated that Pakistan would have to continue playing its matches at neutral venues, as the situation in the country is not conducive to host international tournaments.

ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat has already said that the apex cricket body is trying hard to ensure that Pakistan gets international exposure, especially after the refusal of foreign teams to tour the country due the precarious security conditions, but it will have to wait before situation normalises in the troubled country.

“ Pakistan should be patient in these testing times as there’s a lack of confidence in foreign teams. The ICC is very keen to ensure Pakistan play at neutral venues rather than not competing at the international level, which I think will be detrimental for Pakistan cricket,” Lorgat had said while unveiling the 2010 T20 World Cup trophy in Karachi last week. (ANI)

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US snubs Pak over India like nuclear deal, offers 125 mln dollars for power sector

March 25, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Washington, Mar.25 (ANI): Snubbing Pakistan over its demand for a India like civil nuclear deal, the United States has offered Islamabad 125 million dollars to develop its power sector in order to address the issue of severe electricity crisis in the country.

Pakistan’s wish of having a civil nuclear deal and unmanned Predator drones were ignored by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who described the strategic dialogue between both countries as a ‘new day’.

Addressing a joint press conference with Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi after the first ministerial-level strategic dialogue between the two countries, Clinton pointed out that there have been misunderstandings between both states in the past and that they were likely to continue in future also, but the latest talks should be seen as a positive beginning.

“The two nations have had … misunderstandings … and there are sure to be more disagreements in the future as there are between any friends or, frankly, any family members. But this is a new day,” The Daily Times quoted Clinton, as said.

Referring to Islamabad’s continuous demands for more military assistance, she stressed that cooperation must be more than just military hardware assistance and it should also include methods to improve the lives of the Pakistani people.

Commenting on Pakistan’s request to Washington to mediate in Indo-Pak talks, Clinton said the US supported dialogue between both neighbouring nations but clarified that her country would not play the role of an ‘interlocutor.’

“The issues that are part of that dialogue need to be addressed and resolution of them between the two countries would certainly be in everyone’s best interest,” Clinton said without mentioning Kashmir.

“We can’t dictate Pakistani foreign policy or Indian foreign policy. But we can encourage … in-depth discussion between both countries,” she added.

Speaking during the press conference, Qureshi said Pakistan is seeking “non-discriminatory” access to energy resources as well as a “constructive” role by the US on its dispute with India over Kashmir.

He said Islamabad remains committed to fighting extremism as “a strategic and moral imperative”.

Qureshi also highlighted that the mood in the US regarding Pakistan’s commitment to root out militancy from its soil has changed over the period of time and that the Obama Administration is no longer suspicious of Islamabad.

“There were no more question marks, there was no suspicion, there was no ‘do more’ … there was appreciation for what we had already done,” Qureshi said. (ANI)

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JI chief blames Malik, Blackwater for terror attacks in Pak

March 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Karachi, Mar.13 (ANI): Blaming the controversial private US security firm, Blackwater, for the recent bloodshed in the country, Pakistan Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Syed Munawar Hasan has said that the security firm is working under the ‘supervision’ of Interior Minister Rehman Malik.

Interacting with media persons during a press conference here, Hasan urged the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) led government to sack Malik to save the sanctity of the post.

“Karachi target killing and Lahore bombings were carried out by Blackwater. The Interior Minister was supervising all the activities of Blackwater across the country.
Such incidents would continue unless the interior minister is removed,” The News quoted Hasan, as saying.

Referring to the recent foreign secretary level talks between India and Pakistan, Hasan said any dialogue between both countries would not yield results unless the Kashmir dispute is resolved.

Commenting on the US’ presence in Afghanistan, he said the Afghan soil has been used for ‘proxy wars’ in the past, and now America is planning to use the troubled nation against Iran. (ANI)

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Pak-based terrorists exploiting Britain’s shoddy visa system

September 10, 2009 By Leave a Comment

London, Sep 10 (ANI): Pakistan-based terrorists are exploiting Britain’s shoddy visa system to come to the country.

Pakistan is considered by Britain as the No.1 base for Islamic extremists brainwashing potential terrorists.

More than 60,000 Pakistanis were given UK visas in the past nine months, but only 29 underwent face-to-face security interviews, The Sun reports.

The Home Office admitted the shocking record in Commons answers.

The new figures mean UK risk assessment officials in Pakistan could easily be dishing out visas to terror suspects.

Ministers have also admitted not a single visa applicant had a phone interview before getting entry clearance. And each application was dealt with in just 11 minutes; nothing like the time security experts say is needed.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Grayling said: “There are very real concerns that the system is being abused, and clear security issues too.” (ANI)

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Pak says reports of increase in nuke warheads ‘speculative’

September 4, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, Sep.4 (ANI): Pakistan has rejected reports that it has enhanced its nuclear capabilities and has considerably increased the number of its nuclear warheads from 60 to around 70-90.

Interacting with media persons after a meeting with Minister for Religious Affairs, Hamid Saeed Kazmi, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi termed the reports ‘speculative’.

Qureshi said Pakistan is against an arms race in the region and does not have any aggressive designs against any country.

“Pakistan is a peaceful country and wants to establish peace in the region but minimum credible deterrence is right of Pakistan and it will be maintained at all cost,” The Dawn quoted Qureshi, as saying.

According to a study in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, Pakistan is pushing ahead with a plutonium-based nuclear programme, superior to its previous uranium technology program.

The report concluded that Pakistan has an arsenal of 70 to 90 nuclear weapons and is ‘busily enhancing its capabilities across the board.’

“The US Defence Intelligence Agency in 1999 had estimated that Pakistan has 25 to 35 warheads and would have between 60 and 80 by 2020,” the report said

The report, carried by The Telegraph, also said that a new nuclear-capable ballistic missile is being readied for deployment and two nuclear-capable cruise missiles are under development. (ANI)

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Musharraf’s trial would result in unmitigated chaos in Pak: Report

September 3, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Washington, Sep.3 (ANI): While the ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) in Pakistan in under immense pressure to try former President General Pervez Musharraf under high treason charges for his ‘extrajudicial’ actions on November 3,2007, observers believe that the former general’s trial would create further problems in the troubled country.

Pakistan’s failure to act against Musharraf has cast doubts on Islamabad’s prospects for establishing an independent judiciary, however, charging him would cause major instability in the country, a Christian Science Monitor report said.

If the Supreme Court decides to pursue a high treason case against Musharraf, then it could have far reaching effect on Pakistan’s internal politics, it said.

Musharraf’s trial would certainly see demands from different quarters to prosecute several other high profile politicians and other prominent personalities of the country as well.

Many of those who are pushing for Musharraf to stand trial are themselves guilty of either committing unconstitutional acts or abetting them like former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, it added.

The report said that there are plenty of persons who can be tried if the October5, 2007, National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) was overturned.

The NRO immunizes all government officials who served between January 1, 1986, and October 12, 1999, when Musharraf led a coup to dethrone Nawaz Sharif and attain power.

The report said that in order to avoid massive trouble in the country, the parliament should declare that the past is the past, and proceed with a firm resolve to punish any subsequent government criminality.

Parliament should send a strong message of neutrality by avoiding the double standard of prosecuting one guilty party but not the others, the report added.

But the real test of Pakistan’s democratic capability will be whether it can set up a system of checks and balances to sustain that principle, it concluded. (ANI)

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Pak vows to enhance PAF’s combat capabilities at all costs

July 10, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, July 9 (ANI): Pakistan Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar has said all necessary steps would be initiated by the government to enhance the combat capabilities of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF).

Talking to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman, Mukhtar expressed hope that successful launch of the JF-17 Thunder aircraft manufacturing project would add to the PAF’s power in the coming days.

“The induction of JF-17 multi-role aircraft would enhance operational strength of the PAF,” The News quoted Mukhtar, as saying.

He said Pakistan would continue to modernise and equip its forces with the latest arms and weapons to counter the internal and external threat facing the country.

Pakistan had started production of the JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft from last month, the first of which is expected to fly by the end of this year. (ANI)

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‘Slack visa policies may help foreign Taliban operatives to sneak into Pak’

May 23, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Rawalpindi, May 23 (ANI): Slack visa policies and lack of watchfulness by the concerned Pakistan authorities may be utilized by the pro-Taliban elements to enter the country, Pakistan High Commissioner to Britain, Wajid Shamsul Hasan has warned.

According to the Dawn, Hasan has already informed the concerned authorities in Islamabad that the on-going military offensive in the Swat Valley may see the foreign based Taliban operatives sneak into Pakistan to offer help to their counterparts.

The High Commissioner said that Pakistan immigration and security agencies must ask persons seeking visa to enter the country to verify the information provided by them and their sponsors in Pakistan.

However, senior FIA officials claimed that a proper checking and verification system at different airports of the country was already on.

Meanwhile, a top US general stationed in eastern Afghanistan has said that he has witnessed “some very interesting movement” of insurgents across the border into Pakistan.

Major General Jeffrey Schloesser said that there is a possibility that some of the insurgents may have crossed over to Pakistan to join the Taliban fighting against the Pakistan military.

“I would suppose that some of that movement is fighters going back to help their insurgent groups that are involved in fighting, for example in Bajaur or the fighting that is occurring in Buner or in the Dir area or potentially even in Swat,” Major General Schloesser said. (ANI)

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Madrassas becoming substitute of schools for Pak girls

May 16, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Lahore, May 16 (ANI): With almost 1,900 registered madrassas for girls in the country, Pakistan is experiencing a boom in female madrassas due to the failures of the public education system.

The female madrassas are expanding at a dramatic rate, educating almost a quarter of a million girls in the nation. More than half of them take the graduate-level examinations.

The reason for the madrassas’ rise is also an increasing appetite in the lower middle class for traditional Islamic values.

An Oxford academic, Dr Masooda Bano, has received more than 400,000 pounds from the Economic and Social Research Council to study madrassas’ appeal in Pakistan.

“Parents who send their daughters to madrassas are lower middle class. The girls who enter are aged between 16 and 20. There is an emergence of a very conservative value system. Madrassas promote traditional roles for women and students feel confident about their position in society,” Bano said.

According to the latest statistics, nearly 236,000 girls are studying in the madrassas. The girls exceed males in academic achievement so they also have a higher pass rate.

While her reserch says that the madrassas have provided women with economic and social opportunities, she will explore the links between the growth of female madrassas and religious militancy.

Part of her work will focus on Jamia Hafsa, associated to the Red Mosque in Islamabad.

The number of unregistered madrassas could be much higher. (ANI)

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Pak has not shared info with US about its nukes

May 7, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, May 7 (ANI): The Pakistan Foreign Office on Thursday rubbished reports that Islamabad has shared information about its nukes with US authorities.

Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit told reporters here that information about Pakistan’s nukes is sacrosanct and could not be shared with any other country.

‘Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal is safe and secure and concerns about their security are invalid,’ said Basit.

Responding to a question, the spokesman described as untrue that India has been granted a transit trade route for Afghanistan.

Basit said it is a mere MOU under which Pakistan and Afghanistan would holds talks on the matter.

Commenting on the Swat peace deal, the spokesman said: “Peace and peace deal are interlinked, if there is no peace then there is no deal.”

The spokesman said if militants lay down their arms then the peace deal can be salvaged.

The spokesman rejected the assertions of the Afghan President that Pakistan is the hub of terrorism and said terrorism is faced by both countries. (ANI)

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Taliban threat to mankind, admits Pak High Commissioner to Britain

May 6, 2009 By Leave a Comment

London,May 6 (ANI): Admitting that the Taliban pose an existential threat to his country, Pakistan High Commissioner to Britain, Wajid Shamsul Hasan has said that the outlawed outfit is a threat to the mankind as well, and there was an immediate need to eliminate it.

Speaking in the House of Parliament, Hasan said the Taliban should not be compared with Islam.

“The Taliban do not deserve to call themselves Muslims as they are killing the members of their own religion,” he said.

Hasan also called for an UN inquiry to find out as to who was behind the funding of the Taliban, which has acquired an unending cache of sophisticated weapons and luxurious foreign vehicles.

He hailed the government’s decision to initiate military action against the extremists to restore its writ in the heavily disturbed areas of Swat, Buner and Lower Dir of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP). (ANI)

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Nukes safe as long as military exists in Pak: Zardari

May 6, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Washington, May 6 (ANI): Dispelling fears about the safety of the nuclear arsenal of the country, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has said that the country’s nuclear weapons are in safe custody.

In an interview with a US television channel, Zardari ruled out threats posed by the militants to the nuclear weapons, as long as the military exists in the country.

Zardari also denied that there is an existential threat to the Pakistan’s government.

“My life could possibly be under the threats of Taliban but the government of Pakistan is safe and sound,” The News quoted Zardari, as saying.

He claimed that the military operations in the Swat and Buner regions have been successful, as the extremists have been flushed out of the area.

“We have completely uprooted Taliban from Buner and Swat,” Zardari said.

Zardari also urged the United States to provide more financial help to curb the terror menace originating from its soil.

Pakistan Ambassador to the United States, Hussain Haqqani also ruled out any possibility of Pakistan’s nuclear assets falling into the hands of the extremists.

“We have very good safety precautions and arrangements. And the American government knows that there is no threat of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons falling into anybody’s hands. The safety arrangements that are in place are known to both countries,” Haqqani claimed.

Haqqani said Pakistan only acquired nuclear capability after it was achieved by India.

“We did not acquire the nuclear weapons to threaten the world. We acquired them because of the conventional superiority of our neighbour, India, with whom we have had disputes, which we are trying to resolve,” he added.(ANI)

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Is Radio Pakistan trying to influence Indian elections?

May 2, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Abohar, April 29 (ANI): A question that is being asked here is whether Radio Pakistan’s Punjabi Durbar programme will be questioned by the Indian Election Commission for conducting campaigns.

The Punjabi Durbar programmes have been making allegations critical of the United Progressive Alliance Government of India for ‘neglecting minorities’ in the country.

Everyone here is aware that India is known around the world for its multi-religious, secular and democratic set up.

People living in the border district have been witness to instances of clashes between Shias and Sunnis in Pakistan. They have also been watching the situation in Pakistan and are worried about the spread of terrorism in the neighbouring country.

“Pakistan is spreading rumours by broadcasting programmes to instigate the Muslims residing in India. People of all religions, Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs live together in India. Pakistan is trying to create misunderstanding among them.

“In Pakistan, people of same religion fight with each other. They should take care of their country first,” said Nagina Begum, Chairperson of Baba Hazirattan Muslim Welfare Committee of Bathinda.

“They (Pakistan) are trying to divert the minds of Pakistanis. Muslims in India have job opportunities, and are owners of business enterprises,” said (Retd.) Prof. Kaushal Sharma, an analyst.

Radio Pakistan should not forget the fact that India is home to over a hundred and fifty million Muslims, more than the population of Pakistan itself. Muslims in India feel safe in the country.

In India, every citizen of the country irrespective of his or her religious faith, caste or creed is equal before law. The fundamental rights like Right to Equality and freedom to practice one’s religious faith are enshrined in the Constitution of India.

Since gaining freedom from the British rule in 1947, various Muslim individuals have occupied senior most posts and made tremendous contribution to the progress of the country.

Dr. Zakir Husain, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed and Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, have been Presidents of India.

Even the present Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh is also from minority community.

Radio Pakistan will not help candidate of its choice in the Indian elections by distorting facts. It will only embarrass its ‘friends’. (ANI)

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US could invade FATA if Qaeda strikes again: UK expert

April 19, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Karachi, Apr.19 (ANI): The United States may have shunned plans to deploy troops on Pakistan soil for the time being, but any future terror attack on US or its interests anywhere in the world by Al-Qaeda would certainly see an invasion of Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) by the Obama administration, a British expert has warned.

Addressing a seminar ‘Changing Nature of War and War Studies’ here, Professor in the Department of War Studies at King’s College, London, Anatol Lieven said that if Al-Qaeda further targets America, the US would be then forced to send its security forces inside Pakistan’s geographical area which could ultimately result in the disintegration of the country.

Lieven said that apart from the US led drone strikes, any on-ground operation of the US Army could create serious problems for the Pakistan military.

He said a majority of the people in western countries and also in Pakistan consider militancy a major threat to the country’s existence .

“Extremism, however, can only damage the country. Pakistan’s fundamental problem, which has the potential to destroy it, is the scarcity of water, its wastage, incompetence (in water resources management) and too much population,” Lieven added.

Lieven said he does not agree with the western media’s portrayal of Pakistan as a ‘failed’ state.

“Pakistan is a ‘troubled state’, which has only failed in FATA and Swat as its law, political parties and institutions like the police do not work as they should do,” The News quoted Lieven, as saying.

Referring to the presence of allied forces in Afghanistan, he said it will help increase radicalisation in Pakistan, however, he added that the withdrawal of the forces can result in greater difficulties for both Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Commenting on the Pakistan Government’s decision to allow the Taliban to implement Islamic law in Swat Valley, Lieven emphasized that making a deal with the Taliban would result in giving them an upper hand as the insurgents would consider it as their appeasement.

“They will start regulating society, and they will start attacking Americans, which is unacceptable to the US,” he said.

Terming the ‘war on terror’ as an absurd and damaging phrase, Lieven said that a complete victory in the fight was never possible.

“Only a tactical victory could be achieved,” he said. (ANI)

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Zardari throws Taliban’s sharia law deal at Gilani, Sharif camp

April 13, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, Apr.13 (ANI): Deciding to play safe on the issue of signing a deal with the Taliban to impose a sharia law in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) of the country, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has sent the Nizam-e-Adl Regulation, 2009 to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to table it before Parliament.

Zardari’s move clearly suggests that he alone does not want to be held responsible for the controversial deal with the banned Taliban. If the deal backfires, it will be Parliament that would have to take responsibility for it.

Zardari’s move has surprised Gilani and other top political leaders of the country.

Political leaders are confused on what to do regarding the issue.

The Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) and Pakistan Muslim League (Quaid) are still undecided whether to support the act or oppose it.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Babar Awan was particularly against Zardari signing the deal, and it was he who advised him to table the regulation before Parliament approval or rejection.

According to The News, Awan wanted Nawaz Sharif to sign the deal so that in future neither he nor his party could criticize the Pakistan Peoples’ Party for the move.

Tabling the regulation before Parliament is a significant political step taken by the President, as his close aides believe that if the PML-N backs the deal in parliament, it would lose sympathy and support in Washington and London.

“Let’s see how the US now convince their new friend Nawaz Sharif not to sign the deal in parliament,” a Zardari’s aide argued. (ANI)

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Pak should spend on beating Taliban rather than on India hate monument: Editorial

April 5, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Lahore, Apr.4 (ANI): An editorial in a leading Pakistan daily has expressed its surprise that while immediate funds were needed to stop the Taliban from expanding its writ over new regions of the country, millions were being spent on a monument which marked hatred against India.

According to The Daily Times, a whopping 2.5 billion rupees have been spent so far on a national monument, Bab-e-Pakistan, and on the other hand the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) chief minister Ameer Haider Hoti is crying for funds to wage war against the Taliban which on any given day could establish its writ over the province just like it did in Swat.

Hoti admitted that governance in NWFP was becoming difficult with the Taliban inching dangerously close to Peshawar, and lack of funds to tackle the issue has only made the matter worse.

“The NWFP is at war, and governance of the province is becoming difficult. FATA-like conditions are slowly developing in other parts of the country. There is a need for the other three provinces, in collaboration with the federal government, to help us because ignoring these conditions today could cause severe problems tomorrow,” the editorial quoted Hoti, as saying.

Hoti expressed lament over inadequate funds for the people who have lost everything due to the increasing insurgency, but Zardari administration has no time to hear his plea.

With Tehreek-e-Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud threatening to strike at his will anywhere in the country, Pakistan government need to rethink its strategy of spending millions of rupees on a monument that will only infest hatred and anger in the heart of people against its neighbor, when it is urgently required to strengthen its security forces to thwart the rising threat of extremism which has raised questions over the very existence of the state. (ANI)

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Trusting Zardari was the biggest mistake of my life: Sharif

March 12, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, Mar.12 (ANI): After the assassination of Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari stood on a same platform and vowed to work together to establish democracy in Pakistan, but now it seems that Sharif is cursing himself for joining hands with Zardari.

According to The Dawn, during a telephonic interview Nawaz Sharif said: “My biggest political mistake was my decision to trust Asif Ali Zardari.”

Minutes before addressing a huge gathering at Abbottabad, Sharif , while referring to the massive clamp down on PML-Q leaders and other activists who had announced their support to the lawyers’ long march, said “If they (government) think they can deter us by such harsh measures, they are certainly mistaken. Our struggle is for the rule of law, and it will continue until victory.”

Sharif’s rhetoric is not new to Pakistan politics, as several leaders in the past have tried to use such language to create trouble for a sitting government.But the current volatile situation in Pakistan may have far reaching consequences as too many things are happening, creating utter chaos in Islamabad.

Sharif told a charged gathering that the time had come for the people to change their destiny. He asked the people to take part in the long march of lawyers, if they wanted to change their fate.e charged Zardari with again introducing the politics of horse-trading in the country.

He lauded the efforts of Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, Sardar Mehtab Khan and Pir Sabir Shah for the restoration of deposed judges and supremacy of constitution.

“Today is a defining moment in Pakistan”s history. We can change the destiny of this country. Pakistan stands at a crossroads today and it is your duty to save it. We want to change this outdated system because it poses a danger to our existence and they want to charge me for sedition,” he told a rally of thousands of supporters, who cheered and waved party banners.

On Wednesday, police launched a crackdown against lawyers and PML-N leaders in several Punjab districts including Lahore. Police was ordered to put Nawaz Sharif, Shahbaz Sharif, Qazi Hussain Ahmed and Imran Khan under house arrest.

Several raids were carried out on homes and offices of Jamat-e-Islami workers, PML-N’s members of the Punjab assembly, but all succeeded to flee and have gone in to hiding, sources said.

Sharif reportedly said the unity of Jamaat-e-Islami members and PML-N leaders would overpower all the barriers, and would successfully make their way to Islamabad for the long march and sit-in. (ANI)

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