Pakistan to build more N-plants: Gilani

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s nuclear capability was purely for peaceful purposes, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said while declaring that the country would build more power plants to meet its growing energy needs.

Addressing a seminar, Gilani said Pakistan would continue to comply with the requirements of International Atomic Energy Agency’s nuclear safeguard agreements.

“Building and operating nuclear power plants is vital to country’s interests because of its severe energy deficiency,” Gilani was quoted as saying by Associated Press of Pakistan Tuesday.

Gilani said the Atomic Energy Commission was poised to achieve the 8,800 MW nuclear power production by 2030 and he hoped the commission would look beyond 2030 to build more nuclear power plants.

Pak Intel agencies confirm authenticity of Hamid Mir’s conversation with Taliban

Lahore, May 20 (ANI): Reports of various intelligence agencies, including the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI), over the alleged audiotape featuring a conversation between Geo News Executive Editor Hamid Mir and a Taliban spokesman, have confirmed the authenticity of the tape.

According to a television channel, the intelligence agencies have submitted their report to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.

“The conversation between Hamid Mir and the Taliban militant is original and has been proved by the audiotape,” The Daily Times quoted a part of the report, as saying.

Meanwhile, Osama Khalid, son of killed former ISI officials Khalid Khwaja has said that he would take legal action against Mir and also lodge a First Information Report (FIR) against him for playing a role in his father’s murder.

“Hamid Mir instigated the militants to murder my father,” Osama said.

He also requested Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry to take suo motu notice of the incident and take action against Mir.

Osama also urged the media community to kick out the “black sheep” out of the profession. (ANI)

Gilani, Nawaz challenge Musharraf to appear in Supreme Court

Islamabad, May 19 (ANI): Joining hands against former Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf, both Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif have challenged the former general to appear before the Supreme Court and face trial in numerous cases pending against him.

Sharif, who returned from London after a long stay, had a telephonic conversation with Gilani and assured him that the PML-N would continue to work with the government to strengthen the democracy and institutions in the country.

Both the leaders also agreed to hold a meeting soon to discuss ways to work together to protect democracy, The Daily Times reports.

They also agreed that democracy would not be allowed to be derailed since it was the only way forward to ensure prosperity and welfare of the common man, sources said. (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)

Varanasi craftsmen make a flag symbolizing communal harmony

Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), May 5 (ANI): Keen to reduce the differences between Hindus and Muslims, craftsmen in Uttar Pradesh”s Varanasi have made a flag symbolizing communal harmony.

“The Hindu-Muslim differences should lessen down. The differences, which are created in our hearts by the politicians and Muslims, are always termed, as militants. So, all these misunderstandings, which are created by the politicians, should be finished,” said Mohammad Shamin Raza, one of the flag makers.

“Keeping all these aspects in mind, we made this flag,” he added.

The flag is made of three colours green, white and saffron.

This flag has been made with lot of enthusiasm, as the workers assert that it would be a strong message for Hindu-Muslim unity.

“The flag is made up of three colours. The green colour symbolizes our religion i.e., Islam, white colour symbolizes peace and saffron is the colour of Hindus. All the colours will send a healthy message,” said Azam Ali Bhutto, another flag maker.

“In our group also there are both Hindu and Muslim workers, but we work together and everybody cooperates among each other,” he added.

The flag costing Rs 1,50,000 would be given to the holy shrine of Varanasi on June 5. (ANI)

Pakistani, Indian prime ministers to meet in Bhutan

The prime ministers of nuclear-armed rivals Pakistan and India will meet in Bhutan on Thursday, Pakistan’s foreign ministry said.

Pakistani Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani and his Indian counterpart, Manmohan Singh, are in Bhutan for a summit of South Asian leaders.

(Reporting by Zeeshan Haider; Editing by Robert Birsel)

SAARC Summit: Peace imperative for regional development, says Gilani

Thimpu, Apr.28 (ANI): Stressing that peace is imperative for regional development, Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that stabilising the region and establishing peace were his countries top priorities.

Addressing the 16th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit here, Gilani called for both individual and collective efforts for poverty alleviation, establishment of peace, promotion of health and education in the region.

Gilani said terrorism has become an international phenomenon and it has affected South Asia the most, and pointed out that the SAARC countries will have to fight the menace of terrorism together.

He said that the region can become a global economy engine, but for that to happen a greater coordination for inter-regional trade among the countries is required.

Gilani also called to redouble efforts to conserve eco resources of the region, and said that area-wise mitigation of issue must be assessed in the summit.

Highlighting the need of water conservation, Gilani emphasizedon the role of regional cooperation over the issue. (ANI)

Pakistan struggles with ‘power plan’

Islamabad, April 25 — Confusion reigned supreme in Pakistan with some government departments remaining open while others staying closed on Saturday, following the prime minister’s decision that Pakistan’s public sector will have a 5-day week. The confusion comes as Pakistan struggles to bridge the gap between electricity production and consumption – and to try and reduce the number of blackouts the country faces each day.

On Saturday, schools were closed in some parts, while they were open in other areas. Banks remained open despite the Central Bank’s direction that they stay shut.

The measures have not gone down well with people. Muhammad Shah Abdali, a landlord in Sindh, says that on a “good day,” there is power for 6 hours.

“Otherwise we have blackouts for almost 22 hours”. Owing to protests, the government decided to curb consumption through a series of measures, which include closing markets by 8 pm and disallowing marriage halls to function for more than three hours in a day.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani unveiled his power conservation strategy earlier this week. The strategy also proposes a five-day week for the public sector, as against the normal six-day working week.

Private schools have rejected this proposal saying they “cannot be expected to change the classes to suit the whims of politicians.” In higher education institutions, a massive reshuffling of classes has, however, started.

The most vocal opponents to the power conservation measures are businessmen. “We would rather die than close my shop at 8 pm,” said Muhammad Firoz, a member of the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce, who claims that the government “is once again punishing the poor”.

The government says the move will save enough power to cut down power outages. So far, this has not happened.

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)

Newlyweds Shoaib-Sania arrive in Karachi

Karachi, April 22 (IANS) Carrying placards reading ‘Welcome to Pakistan’s daughter-in-law’, hundreds of fans gathered outside the Jinnah International Airport as newlyweds Shoaib Malik and Sania Mirza arrived here Thursday.

The couple were welcomed by Sindh Sports Minister Mohammad Ali Shah and other government officials.

‘It feels great to have arrived here in Pakistan,’ Online news agency quoted Sania as saying on her first visit to this southern port city.

Shoaib said the couple will stay in Pakistan for one week.

They will fly to Islamabad, where they would be treated as state guests, to arrange Sania’s visa for Sialkot, Shoaib’s hometown, where a reception is planned for April 25.

They are expected to meet top officials in Islamabad, including Indian High Commissioner Sharat Sabharwal.

Sania’s mother is accompanying the couple. It is expected that the Indian guests will start arriving in Pakistan in the next day or two to attend the Valima reception.

Another reception will be held in Lahore two days later, family sources said. Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani is also expected to hold a reception in the couple’s honour later this month.

Pak can play ‘pivotal’ role in war-torn Afghanistan: Gilani

Islamabad, Apr.20 (ANI): Pushing for playing a ‘greater’ role in Afghanistan, Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that Islamabad can play a pivotal role in stabilising the war torn neighbouring country.

In an interview with French daily Le Figaro, Gilani stressed that a stable and peaceful Afghanistan was in Pakistan’s own interest.

He said Pakistan cannot be sidelined while charting out a solution for the Afghan issue, and underlined that the leadership of both countries wanted a ‘homemade’ solution to the impending issues.

Gilani also clarified that Islamabad doesn’t want to interfere in Kabul’s internal issues, rather it wants to help its troubled neighbour.

“Pakistan did not interfere in President Karzai’s elections,” he said.

Responding to a question over the notion regarding the ‘good’ and ‘bad’ Taliban, Gilani made it clear that no such gradations can be made.

“The terrorists have no religion, they are enemies of the humanity and we are against them,” Gilani said.

He also denounced reports that said Pakistan was not doing enough to crush militants flourishing on its soil, and claimed that the military operations in Swat, Malakand and South Waziristan were a huge success.

When asked about Pakistan-US’ objectives in the war against terrorism,Gilani said: “We have common objectives, terrorism and extremism, and we want to work together with the US.”

Commenting on Pakistan’s long-standing demand of unmanned armed aircraft and concerns regarding drone strikes in country’s ungoverned tribal areas, he said Pakistan had conveyed its concerns to the US, and the latter was looking into the issue.

“Our discussion is still going on but at the moment we are just discussing it and there is nothing concrete,” Gilani said while responding to a question over Islamabad’s consistent demand of a civil nuclear deal with Washington. (ANI)

Zardari says he is not ‘powerless’, derives strength from ‘democracy’

Islamabad, Apr.20 (ANI): Presenting a brave face after signing the 18th Constitutional Amendment bill into law, which would subsequently clip his key powers, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has said democracy is his strength and that he is not ‘powerless.’

“I believe in democracy and seek my strength from democracy as I think democratically,” Zardari told media persons after the signing the bill.

“Despite enjoying all the powers, I never thought of using these powers as I am not fond of keeping powers,” he added.

Responding to a question, Zardari said ‘doors to dictatorship’ have been shut, but hinted that possibility of another military rule in the country remains.

“I am fully confident that no dictator would dare step in now, but then, who can rule out mishaps,” The Daily Times quoted Zardari, as saying.

Zardari stressed that he had never misused his powers, and added that he took all decisions in consultation with the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)

“I have never misused my authority in the capacity of the country’s head of state and would not do so in future,” he said.

Later, interacting with reporters, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said the enactment of the 18th Amendment has increased the responsibilities of both the federal and provincial governments.

When asked about cutting the size of the cabinet, Gilani replied: “Everything will be done in accordance with the Constitution.” (ANI)

Pak suspends officials blamed in UN’s Bhutto assassination report

Islamabad, Apr 19(ANI): The Pakistan Government has suspended eight officials, including former City Police Officer (CPO) Saud Aziz, who were responsible for on former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s security at her last rally in Rawalpindi.

Presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar confirmed the suspension, saying the orders had come from Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.

“The action on the UN report has been started on the directives of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani,” The Dawn quoted Babar, as saying.

The government has already initiated action against several serving and retired bureaucrats in connection with the Bhutto assassination case by placing their names on the Exit Control List (ECL).

The move follows after a UN report held officials directly or indirectly responsible for the assassination.

Pakistan People”s Party (PPP) insiders said the party has decided to take legal action against all government officials who failed to protect Bhutto.

The Interior Ministry has compiled a list of 13 senior government officers, which include former Director General of Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) Lt. Gen. (Retd) Hamid Gul, former Chief of Intelligence Bureau (IB) Brig. (Retd) Ijaz Shah, former federal Interior Secretary Kamal Shah and a senior bureaucrat of Punjab Government Ashfaq Anwar. (ANI)

Pak suspends officials blamed in UN’s Bhutto assassination report

Islamabad, Apr 19(ANI): The Pakistan Government has suspended eight officials, including former City Police Officer (CPO) Saud Aziz, who were responsible for on former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s security at her last rally in Rawalpindi.

Presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar confirmed the suspension, saying the orders had come from Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.

“The action on the UN report has been started on the directives of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani,” The Dawn quoted Babar, as saying.

The government has already initiated action against several serving and retired bureaucrats in connection with the Bhutto assassination case by placing their names on the Exit Control List (ECL).

The move follows after a UN report held officials directly or indirectly responsible for the assassination.

Pakistan People”s Party (PPP) insiders said the party has decided to take legal action against all government officials who failed to protect Bhutto.

The Interior Ministry has compiled a list of 13 senior government officers, which include former Director General of Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) Lt. Gen. (Retd) Hamid Gul, former Chief of Intelligence Bureau (IB) Brig. (Retd) Ijaz Shah, former federal Interior Secretary Kamal Shah and a senior bureaucrat of Punjab Government Ashfaq Anwar. (ANI)

Pak has pledged to bring Mumbai attackers to justice, cooperate with India: US

Washington, Apr.17 (ANI): The United States has said that Pakistan has pledged to ‘fully’ cooperate both with it and India to bring the perpetrators of extremist activities, including the Mumbai attackers, to justice.

Addressing a regular press briefing, Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs Philip Crowley said Islamabad has assured Washington that it is committed to establish peace and stability in South Asia.

“They (Pakistan) have pledged to continue to cooperate fully with the U.S. and also to cooperate fully with India, both in terms of ongoing investigations, making sure that those who have perpetrated past crimes are brought to justice, and that together that the countries in the region reduce and ultimately eliminate this threat that threatens all of them,” The Nation quoted Crowley, as saying.

Crowley reiterated that Pakistan and the US were fighting a common enemy, and it was important for both to work in tandem.

“This has been a part of our ongoing dialogue with Pakistan. It came up in the discussion that Secretary (of State Hillary) Clinton had earlier this week with Prime Minister (Yousuf Raza ) Gilani. I just simply would say that we emphasise again this is a shared struggle.”

Gilani had met both Clinton and US President Barack Obama on the sidelines of the just concluded nuclear security summit.

It may be noted that Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, who also attended the summit in Washington, made it clear that New Delhi would think over restarting the composite dialogue with Islamabad only after it takes substantial action against the 26/11 perpetrators. (ANI)

Pakistan assures Obama on nuclear security-W.House

WASHINGTON, April 11 (Reuters) – Pakistani Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani assured President Barack Obama on Sunday that his government takes nuclear security seriously and has “appropriate safeguards” in place, the White House said.

Obama, in talks with Gilani on the eve of a global nuclear summit in Washington, “reasserted the importance of nuclear security, a priority he has reiterated for all countries,” the White House said in a statement.

Nuclear non-proliferation experts say Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal and stockpile of weapons-grade nuclear material is heavily guarded but the threat from al Qaeda and the Taliban make the country one of the areas of greatest concern. (Reporting by Matt Spetalnick, editing by Philip Barbara)

‘Power’ is like game of ‘musical chairs’ Gilani tells Zardari

Islamabad, Apr.7 (ANI): In what seems to be an attempt by Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to ‘soothe’ President Asif Ali Zardari, he has described ‘power’ as a game of ‘musical chairs’.

Initiating a debate on the 18th Constitutional Amendment bill in Parliament, Gilani said he has had talks with Zardari over the bill, which would see some key powers of the President being clipped, and urged him to work together to strengthen the state’s institutions.

“When I met President Zardari, I said power is a game of musical chairs. One should not go after a thing that is not permanent. Therefore, we need to strengthen institutions and not persons,” The Daily Times quoted Gilani, as saying.

Gilani said the 18th Constitutional Amendment bill was a dividend of politics of reconciliation, and added that it would strengthen institutions and create a balance of power between the President and Parliament.

“It was the acumen of all political forces, including Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, who realised their past mistakes and signed the Charter of Democracy for the restoration of real democracy in the country,” Gilani said.

Gilani stressed that the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) government believed in national harmony, and that it would make ‘all-out efforts’ to resolve problems facing the country. (ANI)

How Gilani promoted his “jail buddy” to a plum Govt. post

Islamabad, Mar. 29 (ANI): Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has reportedly rewarded a junior jail official with a jumbo promotion in the federal government as the man used to provide laptop and movie CDs to Gilani when he was at the Adiala Jail.

Faisal Nisar Chaudhry, a junior officer in Prison Department was first called to work at the Prime Minister’s Secretariat on deputation as Liaison Officer, and now, he has been made Deputy Secretary, The Nation reports.

Interestingly, the association continues as Chaudhry despite having been designated Deputy Secretary continues to work as the Liaison Officer with Gilani, the report adds.

Sources claim that immediately after Gilani’s appointment as the Prime Minister of Pakistan, various attempts were made to induct Chaudhary directly into the Secretariat.

However, the then Principal Secretary and Establishment Secretary had expressed reservations to induct a junior non-concerned officer in Secretariat Group.

But now, sources say, the matter has been resolved as Gilani’s “jail buddy” has assumed charge as Deputy Secretary. (ANI)

Pak took up issue of India’s ‘intrusion’ in Afghanistan with US : Gilani

Islamabad, Mar.25 (ANI): Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that Islamabad has taken up the issue of India’s ‘intrusion’ in Afghanistan with both New Delhi and the United States.

Addressing the Senate, Gilani said he had a detailed meeting with US National Security Adviser General. James Jones over India’s expanding presence in Afghanistan.

Pakistan has been blaming India for using Afghan territory to launch terror activities in Pakistan, especially in Balochistan.

Pakistani agencies have also been accusing India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) of plotting terror attacks across the country using Indian consulates in Afghanistan.

Recently, Pakistani intelligence officials claimed that they had nabbed the mastermind of the Lahore serial blasts, in which over 50 persons were killed earlier this month, who revealed that the attacks were planned two months ago in an Indian consulate in Afghanistan.

Pakistani agencies also claimed that a top Indian official had visited Kabul in December and met Muzammal, who had fled to Afghanistan via Balochistan after the attack on the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi in 2009. (ANI)

Strategic dialogue between US-Pak should be all encompassing: Gilani

Islamabad, Mar.19 (ANI): Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that the forthcoming strategic dialogue between Pakistan and the United States should cover the full spectrum of bilateral relations between the two countries.

Speaking during a meeting, which was called to chart out a comprehensive, coherent and well-coordinated strategy for the March 24 talks, Gilani said the dialogue must include all issues concerning both the nations.

During the high-level meeting Gilani directed officials to mutually develop a review mechanism to monitor the decisions taken during the strategic dialogue, The Daily Times reports.

The United States has also been making ground for the upcoming talks with several high-ranking officials making trips to Pakistan in the recent past.

Commander of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, General Stanley McChrystal called on Pakistan Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani to brief him other officials on the ongoing operations in Afghanistan and the forthcoming strategic dialogue.

According to sources, the US State Department’s coordinator for counterterrorism, Daniel Benjamin, will soon be visiting Islamabad on a three-day visit to discuss matters concerning the ‘war on terror’ and the upcoming dialogue. (ANI)