Sania-Shoaib marriage will help improve Indo-Pak ties : PCB boss Butt

April 1, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Lahore, Apr.1 (ANI): Even though Indian tennis star Sania Mirza has clarified that she is not making any political statement by marrying cricketer Shoaib Malik, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Ijaz Butt has expressed hope that the wedding would help improve ties between India and Pakistan.

“While the decision by Shoaib and Sania is a personal one to get married, but I am sure it will have far-reaching effects and help improve relations between the two countries,” The News quoted Butt, as saying.

“I am sure the marriage will help regulate not only sporting relations but also help the people to come closer to each other and improve government to government level relations,” he added.

Several Pakistani sports personalities, including Imran Khan and Inzamam-ul-Haq, have wished the sports couple ‘good luck’ for a happy married life.

The two famous sports personalities would be getting married at a time when ties between India and Pakistan are not so cordial following the November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

Earlier, former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had also hailed the Sania- Shoaib decision to tie the knot , and said that political issues could also be resolved through a similar ‘positive approach’. (ANI)

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

Nawaz does a Salman, hunts protected deer in Sindh?

March 11, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Karachi, Mar.10 (ANI): Bollywood star Salman Khan may have former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in his company. No, not for any new silver screen project but as a partner in crime in hunting down a protected species of deer.

The story goes like this, the former premier and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz chief Nawaz Sharif recently spent a night in a private safari park in the Ghotki district during his visit to Sindh.

Sharif conducted several meetings with local political leaders and feudal lords in connection with the forthcoming local bodies’ election during his stay.

During his voyage, the PML-N chief stayed at a private safari park Taar Waro Shikargah, which is owned by one of the most influential families of the region. Sharif reportedly had the time of his life hunting down a ‘protected’ deer during his stay at the private park.

However, reports regarding him killing a ‘conserved’ species are yet to be confirmed.

The wildlife department has ordered an inquiry into the issue but nothing substantial has emerged.

Sindh Wildlife Minister Dr Dayaram Essrani said the final report was issued within a few days of the incident and, according to the report, it remained unproven that Sharif had killed the animal.

Essrani, however, admitted that some animals were shot in the same area, but Sharif was involved in it.

“Some local people with licences had hunted the birds and animals,” The Daily Times quoted Essrani, as saying.

It is worth mentioning here that Salman Khan was convicted by a local court in Rajasthan in April 2006 in connection with a poaching case. The court had also imposed a fine of 25,000 rupees on him after he was found guilty of poaching Chinkaras, a protected species, at Ujiyala Bhakhar near Ghoda Farm in 1998 while shooting for the film “Hum Saath Saath Hain”.

Bollywood actors Saif Ali Khan, Satish Shah, Sonali Bendre, Tabu and Neelam Kothari were acquitted in the case.

Salman Khan was also sentenced to a year”s imprisonment in another poaching case at Bhawad. (ANI)

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

Zardari being unnecessarily targeted for his overture to India: Editorial

September 17, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, Sep.17 (ANI): An editorial in one of the leading English dailies of Pakistan has highlighted that President Asif Ali Zardari is being unnecessarily targeted and criticized by certain quarters in the country even if he attempts to address the long pending issues with India in his bid to de-escalate tension between the two neighbour countries.

The Daily Times editorial said while Zardari is condemned for his overture to India, similar actions taken by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif goes unnoticed in the country.

“President Zardari is pilloried if he makes a friendly overture to India; a similar overture made by Mr Nawaz Sharif is either ignored or actually praised,” the editorial said.

It also brought to light how several retired army officials and bureaucrats have suddenly jumped out of their retirement to denounce Zardari’s every action.

“Retired generals and retired bureaucrats whose ‘stand-still’ strategy with India in the past has brought Pakistan to its present crisis point, have crept out of their retirement to express their shock at how President Zardari is harming Pakistan through his diplomacy with China, the United States and the European Union,” the editorial stated.

The editorial went on to add that Zardari is right in his part to woo the international community, especially China and the US.

“Pakistan needs a lot of placatory diplomacy, not hostile ‘action’, given its past failed strategies,” it concluded. (ANI)

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

Saudi Arabia’s ‘love’ for Nawaz Sharif lost?

September 12, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, Sep.12 (ANI): Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif did not receive the same ‘red carpet’ welcome and the protocol that he used to enjoy earlier, during his recent Saudi Arabia visit.

According to sources, Sharif’s refusal to tone down his demand for former President General Pervez Musharraf’s high treason trial is believed to the prime reason behind Riyadh’s luke warm response.

Insiders said Sharif did not receive the same protocol when he arrived at Riyadh for a religious visit earlier this week, however, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has rejected any reduction in Saudi’s love for Sharif.

“Whenever any Pakistani leader visits Saudi Arabia specifically for worship, routine protocol is not given. PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif regularly visits Saudi Arabia in the last ten days of the holy month of Ramadan and in the past on every such occasion, he was given the same protocol as he was given during the current visit,” PML-N spokesman Pervaiz Rasheed said.

Sources said Sharif is under tremendous pressure from Saudi Arabia to shun his demand for Musharraf’s trial under the Article Six of the Constitution. (ANI)

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

Nawaz Sharif may face trial for ex-army official’s murder

September 10, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, Sep.9 (ANI): Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif may be tried for murder charges, as the Supreme Court is set to hear a petition accusing the PML-N chief for murdering a former Army officer.

According to sources, the apex court would hear the accusations against the former premier and would then decide whether to pursue the case further or not.

The petition accuses Sharif of plotting an ex-military officer’s murder after a purported political kickback deal failed, The Nation reports.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N),however, has rejected the petition, saying the party chief is being wrongly framed in the case.

“This is a false and totally politically-motivated accusation,” PML-N spokesperson Ahsan Iqbal said.

Iqbal said the accusations are a part of the ‘smear campaign’ being initiated against Sharif by the Presidency.

“This is only the latest in a series of recent accusations against Sharif. The presidency and hidden hands are trying to pressurise him into backing down on his demand for prosecuting Musharraf,” Iqbal told BBC.

However, the main petitioner in the case, Shahid Orakzai, said the court ruling justified the long struggle against Sharif.

“It has taken 12 years for the truth to prevail,” said Orakzai.

Orakzai’s brother Major Shabbir Orakzai, was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Kohat in 1997. (ANI)

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

“Optimistic” Musharraf leaves for London in ‘high spirits’ after Saudi visit

September 3, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Riyadh, Sep.3 (ANI): Former Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf has returned to London after his three day visit to Saudi Arabia, and it seems his tour has yielded the desired results.

Musharraf, who had a long one to one talk with King Abdullah amid speculations of yet another Saudi-backed political arrangement in Pakistan, was in ‘high spirits’ after the meeting, sources said.

While the details of the meeting are still behind curtains, sources privy to the developments said Musharraf would disclose his future course of action only after returning to London, but as it transpires Musharraf has succeeded in his aim to ensure a safe return to Pakistan without any fears of being tried for high treason under Article Six of the Constitution.

“Musharraf was in ‘high spirits’. His body language was ‘positive’ and he sounded ‘very optimistic’,” The Dawn quoted sources close to the former general, as saying.

It is worth mentioning here that Musharraf had resigned from the Presidency last year, following an agreement in which Saudi Arabia was one of the guarantors.

The accord says that Musharraf would not be tried in any court. The US and Britain are believed to be the other two guarantors of the agreement, which has been kept secret.

While the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is pushing for Musharraf’s trial under high treason charges, observers believe that it would be naïve to think that PML-N chief and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is unaware about the agreement.

Sources also revealed Sharif may visit Riyadh next week where he is likely to meet King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz. He will also have meetings with some other Saudi leaders including Prince Mukrin, chief of the Saudi Intelligence Agency. (ANI)

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

Saudi King warns Pak to call off Musharraf ‘witch hunt’

September 2, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Lahore, Sep.2 (ANI): Expressing concern over the political brickbatting between the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) over the trial of former President General Pervez Musharraf, Saudi Arabia has asked the Pakistani leadership to abide by the agreement on Musharraf’s immunity from prosecution, and stop the infighting, saying it could further deteriorate the country’s situation.

Sources privy to the Saudi Royal family said Saudi King, Abdullah, told Interior Advisor Rehman Malik, that Musharraf’s trial and altercations between the PPP and the PML-N could further affect Pakistan’s political stability.

According to a private television, the Saudi King has assured Musharraf that no action would be taken against him by the Pakistani leadership.

The king had said if a political party or any individual demanded his (Musharraf) trial, then it could have serious implications on Pak-Saudi relations.

Sources said that former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif would be visiting Saudi Arabia next week to hold meetings with Saudi officials, who may force him to abide by the agreement.

Meanwhile, Musharraf, who is currently in Saudi Arabia, met the Saudi intelligence chief to discuss the issue relating to his high treason trial, The Daily Times reports.

It may be noted that the Saudi intelligence chief was the main facilitator of Nawaz Sharif’s return to Pakistan. (ANI)

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

Was Nawaz Sharif against conducting nuclear tests in 1998?

August 30, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Lahore, Aug.30 (ANI): Former Pakistan Foreign Minister Gohar Ayub Khan has said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was not in favour of conducting nuclear tests in 1998, but was ‘outlawed’ by his cabinet and forced to accept its decision regarding going ahead with the tests.

In an interview with a private television channel, Khan claimed that some ministers of Sharif’s cabinet also supported his views of not conducting the nuclear tests at that time.

He said that ministers like Mushahid Hussain, Nisar Ali Khan, Sartaj Aziz and Abida Hussain, during a cabinet meeting, had opposed the nuke tests which were held on May 28, 1998.

“Mushahid changed his mind and did not support the nuclear tests of May 28, 1998 during a cabinet meeting held to consider the issue,” The Daily Times quoted Khan, as saying.

Khan said the present opposition leader in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan would confirm his claims, as he is fully aware of the incident.

However, both Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) have rejected Khan’s claims.

PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain termed former Foreign Minister’s statements as a ‘joke, saying both he and Mushahid Hussain, as the Information Minister, had supported the nuclear tests.

PML-N Information Secretary Ahsan Iqbal also denied Khan’s claims that Nawaz Sharif was opposed to conducting nuclear tests.

“Gohar’s statement regarding the PML-N chief’s stance on nuclear tests was contrary to fact. The statement has no relevance, as every one knew that Nawaz, the Prime Minister at the time, had decided to conduct the nuclear tests in 1998,” Iqbal said.

Meanwhile, former Federal Minister Abida Hussain said she had suggested the government to not to conduct nuclear tests in a huff merely to give a response to India.

Hussain said it was the then Foreign Minister Gohar Ayub Khan who had pressurized Nawaz Sharif for conducting the tests immediately. (ANI)

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

Resolution of Kashmir only possible on equal terms: Sharif

August 29, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, Aug.28 (ANI): Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that resolution of Kashmir issue is imperative for peace in the region adding that all outstanding issues with India should be resolved on equal terms.

During a meeting with Pakistan held Kashmir President Raja Muhammad Zulqernain, Sharif said Islamabad wants to resolve all issues with India amicably, including Kashmir.

“The issue should be resolved on equal terms rather than one side dominating the other,” The Dawn quoted Sharif, as saying.

“It is need of hour to start process of dialogue with India as it is high time that tensions between the two countries must be solved for the sake of millions of Kashmiris living on both sides of the border,” he added.

Zulqernain told Sharif that people on both sides of the Line of the Control wanted a solution for the long pending issue according to their wishes and aspirations. (ANI)

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

Al-Qaeda gave millions to ISI to bribe politicians, claims former FIA chief

August 28, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Lahore, Aug.28 (ANI): In a startling revelation, a former Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) director Malik Mumtaz has disclosed that Al-Qaeda had given millions of rupees to the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to destabilise the Benazir Bhutto’s government in 1988.

Mumtaz claimed that ISI had hatched a massive conspiracy involving former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, former ISI chief General (retired) Asad Durrani, Brigadier (retired) Imtiaz and Major (retired) Amir to overthrow the Bhutto government.

He said Osama bin Laden was behind the conspiracy and had paid millions of dollars to the ISI, The Daily Times reports.

In an interview with a private television, Mumtaz said one of his close friends had told him that the ISI was in the look out for Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) legislators who would change side and join the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

When asked whether he was too a part of the conspiracy, Mumtaz said he instead informed the PPP leadership about the plot.

Meanwhile, the PML-N Information Secretary Ahsan Iqbal has rejected the allegations, saying the party never received any money from the intelligence agency.

Iqbal said that such claims were a part of maligning the PML-N leadership.

Former Director General of Intelligence Bureau (IB) Brigadier (retired) Imtiaz also rejected the allegations.

He said the charges were completely false and it was a handiwork of some ‘mysterious elements’ within the PPP who were trying to destabilize the country. (ANI)

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

Is a former ISI official behind maligning Sharif’s image to protect Musharraf?

August 26, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, Aug. 26 (ANI): While former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has come under fire from certain quarters for protecting former President General Pervez Musharraf from being tried under Article six of the Constitution, a report in a leading Pakistan daily suggests that Sharif is being targeted.

According to The News, while it is difficult to determine as to who is behind this campaign to prevent Sharif from initiating an all out legal war against Musharraf and press for his trial under the High Treason act, there are indications of involvement of some key government players in this blamegame.

The hand of some in military establishment can not be ruled out.

When asked about the issue, Brigadier (retired) Imtiaz, who recently blamed Sharif for protecting Musharraf, he said he is not involved in any secret game being played among some establishments to delay the former Army chief’s prosecution.

Brigadier Imtiaz denied playing into the hands of the government.

“Instead, I am a strong advocate of holding Musharraf accountable for his crimes against Pakistan,” the former ISI spy of the ‘Midnight Jackals’ said.

However, the PML-N is certain that Imtiaz is playing ‘someone’s dirty game’.

“Brigadier Imtiaz’s interviews and MQM Altaf Hussain’s statements are part of the strategy to malign Nawaz Sharif and prevent him from pursuing Musharraf’s trial,” said PML-N spokesperson Pervez Rashid.

ashid said there are many people who fear that if Musharraf is tried for his ‘extrajudicial’ and ‘unconstitutional’ orders, then they too would come under the scanner for playing a part in Musharraf’s November 3, 2007 misdeeds.

The report also revealed that there are certain people in the present PPP-led government who are in close contact with Musharraf and want to defeat the bid of his trial. (ANI)

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

Nawaz Sharif’s mantra to make traffic jams history!

August 22, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, Aug.22 (ANI): Things can be sorted out with amazing ease in Pakistan by just making a call to the higher authorities, but yes, for raising a storm in the country’s officialdom one needs to possess power. The more the power one has, the sooner his voice is heard in the country.

This was proved recently when former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his family were stuck in a traffic jam on bridge connecting Murree and Patriata in the Punjab province.

Angered by the inadequate ‘arrangements’ made for his movement, Sharif called the chief secretary of the province, who in turn sent his subordinates to clear the traffic jam. After that things moved with astonishing speed on that stretch of the road.

A day later nearly 30 traffic officials were suspended for dereliction of duty and failing to provide smooth passage to the former premier, who also happens to be chief minister’s elder brother.

According to a Dawn editorial, it is the kind of influence that the PML-N chief exerts in the world of politics and officialdom.

Without that influence, Sharif’s car would have been stuck indefinitely in the traffic mess, the editorial said.

The editorial warned that the ‘bloody revolution’ that Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif often warns of, may indeed be witnessed if the powerful continue to flaunt their influence and ordinary citizens continue seething inside with anger.

Shahbaz Sharif should see that this trend doesn’t continues for long and empower ordinary citizens so that their voice can be heard too, it concluded. (ANI)

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

No personal grudge against Musharraf but trial a ‘must’: Sharif

August 22, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, Aug. 22 (ANI): Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said his party, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), had no personal grudge against former President General Pervez Musharraf, but that it was a unanimous call of the country to try the former general under Article 6 for disregarding the Constitution.

Interacting with media persons at Punjab House here, Sharif said Musharraf’s trial is ‘must’ to ensure supremacy of law.

“It is a golden opportunity to block the path of military interventions and if the government does not move against the dictator, it would be a great disappointment for the nation,” Sharif said.

He said with the Supreme Court declaring Musharraf’s November 3, 2007 acts as ‘illegal’ and ‘extrajudicial’, the Government had no option but to try the former military ruler.

Sharif also threatened that the PML-N would come out of the Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Reforms if the PPP government fails to revoke the 17th Constitutional Amendment as soon as possible.

He also regretted the delay in implementation of the Charter of Democracy (CoD) in true letter and spirit.

Earlier, in a meeting with his close associates and party workers, Sharif expressed disappointment at Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani’s decision not to try Musharraf for high treason.

Referring to Gilani’s statement in the National Assembly where he asked the opposition to come up with a unanimous resolution for Musharraf’s trial, Sharif said he never expected this from Gilani.

“I was not expecting this kind of statement from Gilani. He broke my heart,” The News quoted Sharif, as saying.

He said Gilani’s statement suggests that he supports Musharraf’s illegal acts.

During the meeting, Sharif also clarified that he was never approached by any foreign diplomat asking him to ‘forgive’ Musharraf.

Responding to a question, Sharif said British diplomat Mark Lyall Grant had never discussed any deal with him before the resignation of Musharraf.

“Grant never asked anything more and informed him that he is going to the United Nations as the new British envoy,” he said. (ANI)

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

Indo-Pak talks must resume to strengthen ties : Sharif

August 20, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, Aug.20 (ANI): Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has urged the leaderships of both India and Pakistan to resume bilateral dialogue and enhance people to people contact to strengthen bilateral ties between both countries.

During his meeting with Indian High Commissioner Sharat Sabharwal, Sharif said both countries should adopt a positive attitude towards each other instead of just leveling allegations.

Sharif said issues like Kashmir, which has been lingering for years, should be resolved amicably to ensure peace and prosperity of the region.

He stressed that Indo-Pak trade links should be increased, The Daily Times reports.

Earlier, Sabharwal conveyed Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh’s best wishes to Sharif, saying the Indian Government and people wanted friendly ties with Pakistan.

He also praised Sharif for his efforts to promote sustainable peace in the region. (ANI)

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

Sharif pushes for Musharraf’s trial for years of ‘misdeeds’

July 4, 2009 By Leave a Comment

London, July 4 (ANI): The bitter feud between former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and former President General Pervez Musharraf continues abated, with Sharif now calling for a trial of the former military General.

Talking to media persons here, Sharif regretted that Musharraf has not been tried even after years of misdeeds.

Referring to the United Nations (UN) inquiry into Benazir Bhutto’s assassination case, Sharif said the UN team should also interrogate Musharraf, because he is the prime suspect in the case.

Sharif, who is living close to Musharraf’s mansion here, said the former Army General must be asked to come to Pakistan to cooperate with the UN inquiry team.

He held the autocratic ruler responsible for the current turbulent situation of Pakistan, and blamed him for pushing the country into pandemonium.

“If Pakistan was not de-tracked again and again by military adventures, we would today not be staring in the face of total gloom. I absolutely have no doubt that all the problems that we face today, including extremism and militancy, would not have raised their head were it not for the military coups,” The News quoted Sharif, as saying.

Sharif lamented that the incumbent PPP-led government in Pakistan was still continuing Musharraf’s legacy and challenging the writ of the constitution.

“Pakistan has been pushed to the brink by military dictators, who never respected the supremacy of the Constitution and trampled over it whenever they desired, without taking into account the possible implications for the progress of the nation,” he added.

Commenting on India’s refusal to resume the stalled peace talks until Pakistan takes substantial action against the perpetrators of the Mumbai carnage, Sharif accused India of being ‘stubborn’.

“India should understand that the Pakistani civilian and military establishments were not behind the attacks in Mumbai. The problem of terrorism is a global and regional issue and India should cooperate with Pakistan to root out this menace,” he said.(ANI)

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

Sharif’s “kept in dark” over Kargil claims “an absolute lie”: Musharraf

June 27, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Lahore, June 27 (ANI): Former Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf has rejected former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s claims that he was kept in the dark regarding the Kargil issue.

In an interview to a private television channel, Musharraf claimed that he had shared all details with Sharif regarding the Kargil conflict.

Terming Sharif’s statement as “an absolute lie”, Musharraf said he gave Sharif a detailed presentation on the Kargil situation just two days before the former left for the US.

He said that Sharif repeatedly enquired about whether the troops could be withdrawn from Kargil, to which he claimed to have replied that it had to be decided by the country’s leadership.

“I said I have informed you about the military situation but the withdrawal of forces is a political decision which has to be taken by the political leadership,” The Daily Times quoted Musharraf, as saying.

The former military general also claimed that he came near to resolving the Kashmir dispute with India during the infamous Agra summit in 2001.

Musharraf said that he and the then India Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee had even agreed to draft a joint declaration regarding the Kashmir issue, but blamed New Delhi for ditching Islamabad at the last moment.

“The Indian leadership changed their mind at the last minute and did not support the joint declaration, saying that the cabinet had not approved it,” said Musharraf.

Musharraf said he tried his best to resolve the issue which is pending for years, and in that context even held talks with all the stakeholders such as All-Parties Hurriyat Conference and various leaders of the Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK).

He, however, said the meetings did not yield substantial results, as the leaders ‘failed to guide him in the right direction’.

Musharraf also rejected the notion that the country’s Army did not want a resolution on the Kashmir issue.

He said all such reports were primarily aired to malign the image of the security forces, and a part of a “vicious propaganda” against the country. (ANI)

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

Musharraf says he got ever so close to resolving Kashmir during Agra summit

June 27, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Lahore, June 27 (ANI): Former Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf has claimed that he came near to resolving the Kashmir dispute during the infamous Agra summit in 2001.

In an interview to a private television channel, Musharraf said that he and the then India Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee had even agreed to draft a joint declaration regarding the Kashmir issue, but blamed New Delhi for ditching Islamabad at the last moment.

“The Indian leadership changed their mind at the last minute and did not support the joint declaration, saying that the cabinet had not approved it,” The Daily Times quoted Musharraf, as saying.

Musharraf said he tried his best to resolve the issue which is pending for years, and in that context even held talks with all the stakeholders such as All-Parties Hurriyat Conference and various leaders of the Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK).

He, however, said the meetings did not yield substantial results, as the leaders ‘failed to guide him in the right direction’.

Musharraf also rejected the notion that the country’s Army did not want a resolution on the Kashmir issue.

He said all such reports were primarily aired to malign the image of the security forces, and a part of a “vicious propaganda” against the country.

Musharraf also rebuffed former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s claims that he was kept in the dark regarding the Kargil issue.

Terming Sharif’s statement as “an absolute lie”, Musharraf said he gave Sharif a detailed presentation on the Kargil situation just two days before the former left for the US.

He said that Sharif repeatedly enquired about whether the troops could be withdrawn from Kargil, to which he claimed to have replied that it had to be decided by the country’s leadership.

“I said I have informed you about the military situation but the withdrawal of forces is a political decision which has to be taken by the political leadership,” said Musharraf. (ANI)

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

Sharif’s petition in choppy waters in “illegal” chopper case

June 27, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Rawalpindi, June 25 (ANI): Problems for the former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif are far from over, as the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has now requested the Lahore High Court (LHC) to dismiss Sharif’s petition against punishment in the helicopter case.

The NAB has sighted that Sharif had filed the petition much after the date set by the court.

Senior NAB Prosecutor Abdul Baseer Qureshi told a Division Bench that Sharif, after his conviction, had deliberately avoided approaching court for an appeal within the stipulated time, and preferred going abroad to file his plea.

“It is a clear evidence of Nawaz Sharif’s disinterest in challenging the verdict. Therefore, the court should dismiss his belated plea for the condoning of time limit for filing appeal in the case,” Qureshi said.

Qureshi also denied that the copies of the verdict had reached Sharif late due to which he couldn’t file his petition.

“All the record was supplied to former prime minister’s counsel on April 10,” The Daily Times quoted Qureshi, as saying.

Sharif has been accused of tax evasion and fraudulently purchasing a helicopter, which he used for election campaigning in the mid-1990s.

A special anti-terrorism court had adjudged him guilty of utilizing his post for his own benefit, and disqualified him from holding public office for 21 years. (ANI)

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

Pak has world class security measures in place for its nukes: Sharif

May 29, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Lahore, May 29 (ANI): Dismissing global fears about Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal falling into the Taliban’s hand’s, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said the nuclear command and control system is in safe custody.

Asserting that the country’s nukes are far more secure than that of any other country in the world,Sharif told participants at a Yaum-e-Takbeer function, that successive dictatorial regimes were to blame for the present chaos in the country.

“Dictatorial regimes have ruined the socio-economic progress of the country despite the fact that Pakistan was resource-rich and a nation of hard working people,” The Daily Times quoted Sharif, as saying.

Pakistan had witnessed unprecedented growth during civilian rule, and democracy is still in its infancy, he added.

He also criticized the PPP led government for aping the dictatorial policies of former President General Pervez Musharraf.

Demanding legal action Musharraf for his victimisation of judges, he said Musharraf had committed many illegal acts against the Constitution.

Commenting on the US drone strikes being carried out in the tribal regions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, Sharif said these were against the country’s sovereignty, and therefore, a consensus policy was needed to halt it. (ANI)

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

Pak Army responsible for country’s current turbulent situation: Report

May 7, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Washington, May 7 (ANI): The Pakistan Army might have initiated an offensive against the Taliban with a primary objective of flushing the extremists out of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP), but the Army itself is to be blamed for the current turbulent situation of not only Pakistan but also the whole region, a report in a leading US daily said

A report in the Wall Street Journal, while blaming the Pakistan Army for the present tumultuous situation of Pakistan and also the whole region, said that until the military has a proper counterinsurgency strategy in place, success can not be guaranteed in the operation

“The real power belonged to the military, whose ambivalence, duplicity and outright support for the militants over the past three decades have brought us to this pass,” the report said.

Even though Pakistan is facing a grim situation and also a probable threat to its existence internally, the country’s army still considers arch rival India its number one enemy, the report said.

“By waging a proper fight against the Taliban, Army chief General Ashfaq Kayani would also keep Pakistan more secure on the eastern front,” it added.

Furthermore, the newspaper said Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari was not the “most powerful man in Pakistan”.

Terming Zardari’s regime as “weak”, it said the President had spent too much time nurturing a political feud with former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif rather than chalking out plans to douse the internal fire.

However, the newspaper considered Zardari’s government a better friend of the United States than the ‘protean’ friendship of General Pervez Musharraf. (ANI)

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