Lahore High Court issues notice to Zardari over holding two offices

Lahore, May 18 (ANI): The Lahore High Court (LHC) has issued a notice to President Asif Ali Zardari over the legality of holding two offices of interest.

Hearing a petition filed by the Pakistan Lawyers Forum (PLF) challenging the right of Zardari to hold on to the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chief’s post, the high court directed Zardari’s Principal Secretary to explain the legality of President dual posts.

“Since the president could not appear because of security reasons, the court asked his principal secretary to appear in court on May 25,” The Daily Times quoted PLF president A.K. Dogar, as saying.

Dogar said that though there was no constitutional bar on the President holding office in a political party, the Supreme Court had barred a president from holding a party post.

“Our Supreme Court judges decided in 1993 that the president should be non-partisan. He should not involve himself in political battles. He should shun politics but here he is a party head, which is illegal,” he said.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has come out openly in favour of Zardari over the issue, saying there are no legal bar on holding two offices at a time.

President Zardari can keep two offices at a time and there is no constitutional or legal bar whatsoever, Gilani told media persons during a brief interaction here. (ANI)

Zardari’s ‘Eureka’ moment to see end of troublesome Swiss graft cases

Islamabad, May 13 (ANI): Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has directed his team of legal eagles to tell the Supreme Court that there were never any money laundering cases pending against him in Swiss courts, so the question of reopening them does not arise.

While Presidential spokesperson Farhatullah Babar refused to comment on the issue, insiders said Zardari has asked his legal team, consisting Attorney General Justice Maulvi Anwarul Haq, Additional Attorney General K K Agha, and acting law secretary Sultan Shah to counter demands of reopening the corruption cases by stressing that there were no such petitions pending against him.

“ The strategy has been prepared in the light of guidelines given by President Asif Ali Zardari. Its main element is to stress the theme that no cases could be revived against the president because these never existed and additionally Zardari enjoys immunity from criminal prosecution under Article 248 of the Constitution,” The News quoted officials, privy to the issue, as saying.

It may be noted that during the last hearing on a case concerning the implementation of the Dec 16, 2009 judgment of Supreme Court against the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO), a five-member apex court bench had expressed its dismay over Haq’s statement that the Swiss cases were a ‘closed chapter.’

A senior Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader, who spoke on conditions of anonymity, said Zardari has particularly told his legal team not to be provoked which could result in confrontation between the government and the superior judiciary.

“Some people want a collision between the executive and the judiciary,” the PPP leader said. (ANI)

PPP senator wants passengers of Benazir’s backup car to be questioned

Islamabad, May 12 (ANI): A senior Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) senator wants investigators to question Law Minister Babar Awan, Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar and Lt Gen (r) Tauqeer Zia about driving away in a backup car from the site of former premier Benazir Bhutto’s assassination

According to various accounts, no vehicle was available at the site to take Benazir to hospital after the assassin had targeted her, and she had to be driven to hospital in Sherry Rehman’s car with burst tyres.

Senator Yousuf Talpur made this demand during a debate in the National Assembly on the president’s address to a joint sitting of parliament.

A close associate of Benazir, Talpur urged Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani to order investigators to ask top party officials who took away the car Benazir was supposed to use in case of an emergency.

Babar Awan, Rehman Malik, Farhatullah Babar and Lt Gen (retired) Tauqeer Zia were in the backup vehicle that was supposed to remain at the site until the bulletproof vehicle Bhutto was travelling in had safely driven away from a public park in Rawalpindi.

Talpur said it was time for investigators to find out what made those in the vehicle drive away the backup car, The Daily Times reports.

He said people in Sindh were waiting for word on who killed their “beloved leader” and why her killers had not been punished. (ANI)

‘Worried’ Zardari looking at ‘scapegoats’ to stay ‘safe’ in BB murder probe?

Islamabad, May 5 (ANI): Confusion prevails over whether the fact finding committee formed by the Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to probe former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s assassination has submitted its report or not.

While Cabinet Secretary Rauf Chaudhry, who is heading the three-men committee, said the report has been submitted to Gilani, a statement issued by the Presidency said the committee is likely to question some more important personalities before finally submitting its report.

Earlier, some quarters of the media said the fact-finding committee has given a clean chit to former Military Intelligence (MI) chief Major General Nadeem Ijaz over hosing down the incident site where Bhutto was assassinated.

Observers said that the reported acquittal of Ijaz and other subordinates has irked Zardari and other senior Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leaders, and they are deliberately trying to delay the probe report.

The committee has been given an extension to submit its report, which many believe is a move to find scapegoats in the case.

Insiders said Zardari was critical about the findings of the committee, which eventually led to a change in its mandate. It has now been directed to complete its findings in the light of UN Commission’s report.

According to some political analysts, one of the primary reasons of Zardari’s annoyance over the findings of the committee was that all fingers would be pointed towards himself if lower rank officials continue to get clean chits in Bhutto’s murder case.

“Now when most of the suspects mentioned in the UN report have been interrogated by the fact finding committee and most of them had been cleared, the blame of assassination of Benazir Bhutto at the end of the day would directly come on the President,” The Nation quoted an observer, as saying.

“ Naturally, he should be the most worried person if the committee fails in finding some scapegoats,” he said.

It is pertinent to mention here that fact finding committee did not fix criminal responsibility on any of the senior police officials, including former city police officer (CPO) of Rawalpindi, Saud Aziz, who was held directly responsible for washing off the crime scene by the UN commission’s report.

The committee’s report contradicted the UN commission’s findings, saying that on the basis of given statements and evidences, the committee has reached the conclusion that the police washed the crime scene outside Liaquat Bagh in Rawalpindi without any pressure or any order from higher authorities. (ANI)

People named in Bhutto murder probe report would definitely be brought to justice: Kaira

Islamabad, Apr.28 (ANI): Pakistan Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira has said the report into the criminal investigation of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s assassination would be ready by the next month, and that those held responsible for the leader’s murder would definitely be brought to justice.

Talking to reporters here, Kaira said the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) is committed to prosecute the perpetrators of the crime.

“Whosoever is found involved in the assassination of Benazir would be punished under law. The PPP led coalition government does not believe in politics of victimisation, however, it would not spare the criminals who deprived Pakistan of a great leader,” The Daily Times quoted Kaira, as saying.

Kaira, however, clarified that former President General Pervez Musharraf, who has been indicted by the UN Commission’s report over Bhutto’s assassination, would not be arrested unless charges against him are proved.

He said Musharraf would be accorded proper security and protocol in the country.

“If he were to come to Pakistan, it would be the state’s responsibility to protect him and ensure his security,” Kaira said. (ANI)

New joint investigation team to probe indicted Pak officials role in Benazir assassination

Islamabad, Apr.24 (ANI): The Pakistan Government has decided to form a new joint investigation team to further probe the role of officials and others who have been indicted in the UN enquiry commission’s report on former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s assassination.

According to highly placed sources, the decision was taken during the recent core group meeting of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) with Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and President Asif Ali Zardari.

The new joint investigation team will comprise of senior police and intelligence officials, The Dawn reports.

The team would be tasked with interrogating recently suspended police officials and former military officials and would try to unmask the mastermind of the deadly assassination plot Bhutto.

Confirming the report, senior PPP leader Nazar Mohammad Gondal said the government is committed to bring the perpetrators to justice and find all punish all those who are found accountable for the crime. (ANI)

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

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)

Lashkar-e-Jhangvi claims responsibility for Quetta hospital suicide attack

Lahore, Apr.17 (ANI): The banned Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) has claimed the responsibility for Friday’s suicide attack in a Civil Hospital in Quetta in which 11 persons, including a senior police official and a television cameraman were killed and over 30 others injured.

An unnamed person, speaking on behalf of the terror outfit took the responsibility for the ghastly attack, The Daily Times reports.

A member of parliament from the Pakistan People”s Party (PPP), Nasir Ali Shah, was also among the scores injured in the attack outside the emergency ward of the hospital in the provincial capital.

Police said over 15 kilograms of explosives were used in the blast.

The blast was so powerful that it caused extensive damage to the emergency ward of the hospital and some nearby buildings.

Television reports said that gunshots were also heard after the blast. (ANI)

Lashkar-e-Jhangvi claims responsibility for Quetta hospital suicide attack

Lahore, Apr.17 (ANI): The banned Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) has claimed the responsibility for Friday’s suicide attack in a Civil Hospital in Quetta in which 11 persons, including a senior police official and a television cameraman were killed and over 30 others injured.

An unnamed person, speaking on behalf of the terror outfit took the responsibility for the ghastly attack, The Daily Times reports.

A member of parliament from the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Nasir Ali Shah, was also among the scores injured in the attack outside the emergency ward of the hospital in the provincial capital.olice said over 15 kilograms of explosives were used in the blast.

The blast was so powerful that it caused extensive damage to the emergency ward of the hospital and some nearby buildings.

Television reports said that gunshots were also heard after the blast. (ANI)

Quetta hospital suicide attack death toll rises to 11

Quetta, Apr.16 (ANI): The death toll in the Civil Hospital suicide blast here has increased to 11 with the death of a senior police official and a television cameraman.

A member of parliament from the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) was also among the scores injured in the attack outside the emergency ward of the hospital in the provincial capital.

“Eleven people, including two senior police officials, were killed in the attack and another 47 wounded,” The News quoted police and hospital sources, as saying.

A senior police official confirmed that the explosion was triggered by a suicide attacker.

Police said over 15 kilograms of explosives were used in the blast.

The blast was so powerful that it caused extensive damage to the emergency ward of the hospital and some nearby buildings.

Television reports said that gunshots were also heard after the blast. (ANI)

PPP-S chief urges Pak Govt. to use surgical strikes against Punjab terrorists

Peshawar, Mar. 22 (ANI): Pakistan People’s Party-Sherpao (PPP-S) chief Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao has said that surgical strikes should be conducted on the basis of credible intelligence against terrorists in the Punjab province.

“Denying the presence of terrorists and ignoring the local facilitators of the terrorists in the country would not help the elimination of terrorist organisations in any way,” the Daily Times quoted Sherpao, as saying.

Sherpao also urged the Pakistan Government to produce all suspects arrested under the Anti-Terrorism Act before the courts.

“Security personnel had arrested thousands of people including the top leadership of the Taliban under the Anti-Terrorist Act 2009, but had yet to be produced before courts of law,” he said. (ANI)

Pak Army’s offensive in tribal areas pushing country towards ‘civil war’: Imran Khan

London, Mar.19 (ANI): Criticising the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) led government for launching military operations in country’s tribal regions, cricketer turned politician Imran Khan has warned that the Pakistani army”s offensive is pushing the country to the brink of “civil war”.

“It”s civil war in the making,” Imran told London”s Evening Standard newspaper.

He also blasted the joint operation of Pakistani and the US forces in tribal areas bordering Afghanistan, saying the offensive were actually turning more people against the government and America.

“They were like a bull in a china shop, fighting one or two guerrillas with aerial bombing of villages.That turned people against the army and a new phenomenon was created: the Pakistan Taliban,” The Dawn quoted Imran, as saying.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) said instead of waging a war against its own people, the government should work for the development of the deprived strata of the society, which would help in preventing people from taking to militancy.

“You will have no problem with extremists in Pakistan if you have democracy with a welfare state,” Imran said. (ANI)

Rafique urges Zardari to avoid joint session until approval of reforms

Lahore, Mar 8(ANI): Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader MNA Khawaja Saad Rafique reckons that Pakistan President Asif Zardari should avoid addressing the joint session of the parliament until the approval of the constitutional reforms.

Rafique said the PML-N would not remain silent if Zardari addresses parliament before the approval of the reforms, The Daily Times reports.

He said Zardari must play his role to strengthen democracy as the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has signed the Charter of Democracy (CoD), and also asked the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid to sign it.

Rafique further said that the PML-N would be the beneficiary if mid-term elections were held in the country, but stressed that the party would not support any un-democratic step. (ANI)

Pakistan got 970-mn dollars and not 3-bn dollars from US

Islamabad, Sep 17 (ANI): The United States has provided 970 million dollars in aid to Pakistan since the PPP-led Government came to power and not three billion dollars as claimed by US Ambassador Anne Patterson, a Pakistani Finance Ministry official has said.

The statement of US Ambassador to Pakistan, Anne Patterson, about giving 3 billion dollars assistance to the Zardari Government even surprised the top economic managers of the country. They were completely clueless about the figure of 3 billion dollars floated by the US.

“Out of the total 970 million dollars funding, a major chunk of 550 to 600 million dollars was in shape of the Coalition Support Fund (CSF) as it was the money which was spent by Pakistan on military’s movement and it took several months for clearance from the US authorities,” The News quoted a a senior official of the Finance Ministry, as saying.

The US has provided less than one billion dollars to Pakistan since the PPP-led government came into power, he said.

The US provided 497 million dollars in shape of CSF in May 2009. Earlier, the US provided around 100 million dollars on the same head a couple of months back – at the end of last financial year.

Around 300 million dollars were provided through USAID during the last financial year. Recently, the US authorities provided over 100 million dollars for the internally displaced persons (IDPs) of the Malakand Division.

“The US ambassador should provide details of 3 billion dollars assistance given to Pakistan during the last one and a half years period,” the official said.

Official sources pointed out that Pakistan was bearing the borrowing cost owing to delays in payments from the US related to the CSF. (ANI)

Kaira says PPP not following Musharraf’s foreign policy

Islamabad, Sep. 11 (ANI): Pakistan’s Information and Broadcasting Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira has clarified that Asif Ali Zardari Government is perusing its own foreign policies and not those formulated by Pervez Musharraf.

Kaira pointed out that peace in South Asia was not possible without achieving stability in Afghanistan.

The political process should be continued in Afghanistan and removal of foreign forces from Afghanistan would not ensure stability, the Daily Times quoted him, as saying.

Kaira added that Pakistan is the victim of terrorism, and the government would continue to take action against all those who challenge its writ.

Denying any activity by US private security firm Blackwater in Pakistan, he said the PPP would never compromise on issues of national security.

On the question of by-election in Rawalpindi, Kaira said the provincial government had requested the federal government to postpone the election due to the poor law and order situation of the region. (ANI)

Musharraf’s trial seekers should act rather than rant: PML-Q

Karachi, Sep.12 (ANI): The Pakistan Muslim League -Quaid (PML-Q) has said that all those people who want former President General Pervez Musharraf to be tried for high treason should come forward and take steps regarding the trial instead of just issuing statements.

“People who want to put former President Pervez Musharraf on trial must come forward and do so because the time had come for taking practical steps rather than just debating on the thorny issue,”The Dawn quoted PML-Q Secretary General Mushahid Hussain, as saying.

“Every one will be silent on one phone call from Saudi Arabia,” Hussain added.

He came down on the current Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) led government saying the country was being “run by plunderers and looters of sugar, cement and flour.”

Hussain stressed that PML-Q is the real opposition party as it was founded by Muhammad Ali Jinnah. (ANI)

PML-N blames PPP for ‘not being interested’ in Musharraf’s trial

Islamabad, Sep. 9 (ANI): PML-N Information Secretary Ahsan Iqbal has said that the PPP backed out of its promise on trying former President Pervez Musharraf.

The Dawn quoted Iqbal as saying that the PPP had agreed to prosecute Musharraf in the past but now it seemed that the PPP is not interested bringing the former dictator to book.

Rejecting claims that the PML-N was taking a soft stance on the issue, Iqbal said PML-N Chief Nawaz Sharif on Monday renewed his demand for Musharraf’s trial under Article-6 of the Constitution.

Responding to a question on Saudi Arabia’s role in Musharraf’s prosecution, Iqbal said: “It is better not to involve Saudi Arabia in this issue.” (ANI)

We will oppose any action against Musharraf : PML-Q

London, Sep.8 (ANI): Lending its full support to former President General Pervez Musharraf, the Pakistan Muslim League (Quaid) PML-Q has decided to oppose any action against the former general under Article-Six of the Constitution.

According to The Dawn, the Chaudhry brothers have sent a message to Musharraf through their messenger that they will stand by him in all circumstances.

Sources said Ameer Muqaam and Khusro Bakhtiar, who are considered Musharraf’s close aides, met the former president in London recently and discussed various issues regarding Pakistan’s political scenario.

“Amir Muqaam gave a clear message to the former president that no action will be taken against him at any forum including Parliament,” Dawn quoted sources, as saying.

Sources said Musharraf is in constant touch with the leaders of PML-Q’s ‘like minded group’ and is holding meetings with them from time to time to get the first hand information regarding proceedings being initiated against him by different political quarters, particularly the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

Meanwhile, Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira has said that the Pakistan People’s Party’s (PPP) stance on Musharraf’s trial was clear.

Kaira said if the PML-N wants to table a resolution in the National Assembly for Musharraf’s high treason trial, then it is free do so as it was within its right.

He said the PML-N has a right to demand Musharraf’s trial.

He, however, said Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and the PPP has time and again expressed its views over the trial debate and they are firm on their stand.

“The PPP has to take along its allied parties. We have to take their viewpoints into account also,” Kaira said. (ANI)

KNP to hold Black Day on Oct.22

London, Sep.8 (ANI): The Supreme Council of the KNP held an important meeting in Luton on September 6, which was presided by the party Chairman Abbas Butt. The meeting discussed and analysed the current situation of the Kashmiri struggle and made important decisions.

The Supreme Council strongly condemned the government of Pakistan’s latest attempts to grab territory which is legal part of State of Jammu and Kashmir. The SC said Pakistani governments have never been sincere with the cause of Kashmir and always have formulated policies to snatch Kashmir; and have deliberately deprived people of their fundamental human rights.

The SC said people of Gilgit Baltistan deserve to have their basic human rights which have been denied since 1947; but no one should be allowed to implement their imperialist designs in name of giving rights to people of the region. The KNP leaders said, if Pakistani authorities were sincere they could have discussed the issue with the people of the region and given these rights without making the region a ‘province’ of Pakistan.

PPP government claims to advance rights of people and democracy, but their policies are designed to deprive people of basic rights and advance undemocratic and unconstitutional practises. They tried to make Pakistani Administered Kashmir a province after the Shimla Pact and they plan to make Gilgit Baltistan a province and pave way for division of Jammu and Kashmir.

KNP leaders said some people of Jammu and Kashmir hold Black Day on 27th October, as that is the day when Indian army landed in Kashmir. KNP leaders said in our opinion their wisdom is misdirected. We have to look at the root cause. Indian army came after the tribal invasion and subsequent ‘Provisional Accession’.

KNP Supreme Council said, ‘It was the Pakistani tribesmen supported by the Pakistani government of the time which violated the Standstill Agreement and invaded parts of the State territory. It was these tribesmen which contravened the State sovereignty and killed thousands of innocent Kashmiri men and women. It was because of this unprovoked and unjustified attack on our sovereignty which seriously threatened life, honour and property of people that the Maharaja was compelled to seek help from India.

KNP leaders said we have serious issues with India on their Kashmir policy, as we believe Kashmir is not their internal part; but as for the Black Day is concerned we should have Black Day on 22 October because this is the day when our troubles and miseries started.

KNP SC has decided to take a lead on this matter and hold a BLACK DAY on 22 October; and in this regard various responsibilities have been given to Dr Shabir Choudhry and Nawaz Majid who will liaise with other like minded people and parties. The meeting was addressed by ZubairAnsari, Nazam Bhatti, Nawaz Majid, Asim Mirza, Abbas Butt and Dr Shabir Choudhry.

Earlier KNP held an Iftar Party in which more than eighty people were present; among them were leaders and political activists of various Kashmiri parties who spoke against the new package for Gilgit and Baltistan and condemned designs of Pakistani government. In the meeting pro Pakistan and nationalist leaders were present, and they all strongly spoke against this new package and demanded that it must be taken back.

A unanimous resolution was passed which strongly criticised the new package and demanded from government of Pakistan to withdraw it as it will seriously damage our struggle for right of self determination. The resolution fully supported fundamental rights of people of Gilgit Baltistan; but added that the State of Jammu and Kashmir is one political entity and it must not be divided. (ANI)

Sharifs soften stance against Musharraf trial under Saudi pressure

Islamabad, Sep 7 (ANI): The Sharif brothers and top leadership of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) are believed to have softened their demand for the trial of former President Pervez Musharraf owing to international pressure by his guarantors, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Well-placed party sources said that the PML-N central leadership would take the party hierarchy into confidence about the pressure for softening their anti-Musharraf stance and to chalk out the party’s new plan of action to prepare it for next elections at party’s scheduled CEC meeting in Murree on Monday.

Sources attach great importance to Nawaz Sharif’s visit to Saudi Arabia in next few days where apart from performing Umrah he is expected to meet the Saudi high-ups in the backdrop of Musharraf’s recent visit to the Kingdom and his meeting with the King Abdullah.

The Nation quoted sources as saying that Saudi authorities have already conveyed to the Sharifs to take soft stance on Musharraf’s trial as the Kingdom regards him needy for help and cooperation as they were while out of power.

The meeting, sources further said, would discuss and evolve a comprehensive strategy to hold party’s elections but after pushing it through an intense process of restructuring and reorganization at grass root level in all parts of the country.

The CEC meeting would decide about the election timeframe either by the end of this year or early next year.

The meeting would also take host of political issues for consideration including PML-N, PPP relations, law and order situation in Balochistan, fate of Local Bodies and implementation of Charter of Democracy by the PPP-led coalition government, they added. (ANI)