The hoax caller who threatened Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari after the 26/11 attack pretending to be the Indian foreign minister was in fact a Pakistani, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said Friday. “It was a big mischief done by a Pakistani. That person made the call pretending to be me. It created a lot of [...]
Posts Tagged ‘asif ali zardari’
Threat call to Zardari post-26/11 was mischief of a Pakistani: Mukherjee
January 29th, 2011 |
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Rangers given go-ahead
January 22nd, 2011 |
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ISLAMABAD – PPPÂ’s senior leadership has opposed military operation in violence-hit Karachi and suggested full-fledged action by Rangers to normalise the situation in the city, it has been learnt reliably.
A meeting of the Core Committee of PPP was held Friday night at the Aiwan-e-Sadr took serious note of the situation in the city. The meeting was presided over by PPP Co-Chairman President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani.
According to sources, it was also noted in the meeting that there was a lack of liaison between Interior Minister Rehman and Sindh Home Minister Zulfiqar Mirza which is badly affecting performance of the government.
The government has decided to launch full-fledged operation against criminals in order to bring situation to normal in Karachi. In the meeting, sources said, some PPP leaders strongly criticised the 10-point agenda, which has been presented by PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif so as to improve countryÂ’s economic situation and said Prime Minister Gilani should not blindly accept everything presented by the Opposition.
According to sources, three federal ministers also blasted Punjab Governor Latif Khosa for visiting the grave of Mian Sharif and said the governor, instead of visiting graves, should apprise the masses of corruption and inefficiency of the Punjab government. The meeting noted that the PPP is pursuing policy of reconciliation while the PML-N was doing everything to thwart this policy of the government.
A PPP leader told the meeting that the MQM were mounting their pressure for holding local bodies polls in Sindh, and the ongoing bloodbath in Karachi would end if holding of elections was announced.
A senior PPP leader was of the view that the government should not adopt policy of confrontation and JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman should be contacted to rejoin the government.
According to Waqt News TV channel, the MQM would also be invited to rejoin the Federal Cabinet.
Abrar Saeed adds: Reiterating to push forward the policy of reconciliation, it was the unanimous view of the central leadership of PPP to take along all the political forces in steering the country out of the prevailing political and economic crises.
The Core Committee of the party took serious notice of the sacking of over 4,000 employees by Karachi Electricity Supply Company (KESC) and constituted a three-member committee comprising Federal Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Syed Khurshid Shah and Advisor to Prime Minister Senator Mian Raza Rabbani to take up the issue with the Government of Sindh.
The party reiterated its commitment to standby the working classes. It recalled the reinstatement of sacked employees in the recent past and said that it would not abandon the labour and the working classes.
The central leaders of the party came up with open debate on host of issues including the response to the 10-point formula given by the PML- N for sprucing up the governance and economic management, relations with the coalition partners, current spate of target killings and the ways and means to bring the port city of Karachi under the rule of law, and a number of matters of national importance.
It was also the consensus view of the party leadership that all the stakeholders should be taken into confidence while taking any crucial decision on Karachi unrest and it was further decided that all the options including deployment of Armed Forces in the port city would be placed before the All Parties Conference on Karachi peace due in Federal Capital on 26th of this month.
It was the unflinching stance of President Zardari that all the stakeholders including MQM and ANP would be taken on board while taking any policy decision regarding Karachi and he was optimistic that peace in the port city would be brought without taking any extreme administrative step.
Both the President and Prime Minister appreciated the 10-point demands put forth for steering the country out of prevailing economic mess and said that they had asked the other political parties in the Parliament to give their suggestions as well, so that a comprehensive national agenda for economic and administrative reformation could be evolved.
It was further decided in the meeting that the government should go about swiftly the revamping process of the state-owned corporations and also take other corrective measures for bringing overall improvement in the national economy.
It was further decided with voice vote that PPP would continue to stay part of the Government of Punjab in pursuance of its policy of reconciliation and would not let the Mian Shahbaz Sharif government destabilised.
The matters relating to the partyÂ’s reorganisation also came under discussion and in this connection party leaders were asked to reinvigorate the party set-up at grassroots level so that the party could show better results in the upcoming local bodies elections across the country.
At the outset of the meeting President Zardari, who is also Co-Chairman of Pakistan PeopleÂ’s Party, also briefed the members about his recent visit to UAE and America. He also shared the details of his meeting with President Obama with the participants of the meeting.
Besides President Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani, the Core Committee meeting of the party was attended by Syed Nayyar Hussain Bukhari, leader of the House in Senate, Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Minister for Commerce, Chaudhary Ahmad Mukhtar, Minister for Defence, Nazar Mohammed Gondal, Minister for Food & Agriculture, Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Rehman Malik, Interior Minister, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Syed Khurshid Ahmed Shah, Minister for Labour & Manpower, Syed Naveed Qamar, Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources, Dr Babar Awan, Minister for Law & Justice, Raja Pervaz Ashraf, Minister for Water & Power, Senator Mian Raza Rabbani, Advisor to PM, Senator Jahangir Badar, Senator Faisal Raza Abidi, Rukhsana Bangash, MNA, Fauzia Wahab, MNA, Fauzia Habib, MNA, and Spokesperson to the President Farhatullah Babar.
Staff Reporter from Karachi adds: Two activists of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) were gunned down in yet another incident of target killing in Joria Bazaar, Risala police said on Friday.
The incident took place near a shop situated in Joria Bazaar, when the victims, 50-year-old Haji Fareed, son of Abdul Hafeez; and Saeed, alias Gullo, were sitting there. Suddenly two armed men reached there on motorcycle and opened indiscriminate firing on them; resultantly both sustained to injuries.
Police shifted them to Civil Hospital Karachi (CHK) for medical treatment where they breathed their last. With the news of killings spread, scores of MQM workers, leaders and sympathisers gathered in CHK. Tension engulfed the surrounding areas and all shops and market were closed.
SHO Faryad Bhatti said it was the incident of target killing. Haji Fareed was the father of five children and also used to run a grocery shop in the same vicinity and was also a very prominent social worker of the area. Victim Abdul Hafeez was an employee of City District Government (CDGK) and he was unmarried. Both victims were the activists of MQM.
Later, their funeral prayers were offered in Denso Hall. No case was registered till the filing of this report. It is pertinent to mention here that two activists of MQM had been gunned down in the same area four days ago.
APC on burning Karachi on 26th
January 21st, 2011 |
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KARACHI – The Sindh government Thursday convened an ‘All Parties ConferenceÂ’ (APC) at the provincial level on January 26 at the Chief MinisterÂ’s House to ascertain and discuss the law and order situation in the province, with particular reference to volatile Karachi.
The decision was made at a meeting held between Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik and provincial Home Minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza at the CMÂ’s House.
Earlier, Mirza in a policy statement on the floor of Sindh Assembly in the morning categorically said that neither he as Sindh home minister nor Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, the IGP and the CCPO Karachi were taken into confidence about the operation by Rangers in city, especially in Orangi Town.
Just a few hours the harsh statement, the meeting lauded and appreciated the role of police, Rangers and Interior Ministry with respect to the efforts being made by Mirza and the Sindh Police for crushing the criminal activities of anti-social elements. They expressed satisfaction over measures adopted and results achieved so far, the official statement issued from the CMÂ’s House said.
Shah and Mirza lauded the assistance being extended by the federal govt, particularly the efforts of Malik, for combating the challenge and maintaining the law and order in all parts of the Karachi.
The also decided to ensure close coordination and liaison among them and hold regular meetings after every fortnight.
In response to the anger expressed by the Sindh government, Malik clarified that all the federal agencies and Rangers would coordinate the Sindh govt and the Home Department.
The three leaders vowed to resolve all issues to maintain at every cost and said the action against the criminal elements would continue without any discrimination.
They also appreciated the guidance of President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani for resolving the political and law and order issues.During the Sindh Assembly session, Mirza came hard against the federal government over RangersÂ’ operation in Karachi without taking the provincial government into confidence, as he threatened to withdraw the powers granted to the Rangers.
He was replying to PML-FÂ’s Marvi Rashdi who on a point of order drew MirzaÂ’s attention towards his statement in which he had showed unawareness about the operation in Karachi. The opposition member also pointed out that people were being killed in targeted shootings in Karachi, but it was strange that the minister concerned had no knowledge about the operation.
Replying to the point of order, Mirza affirmed that he stood by every word he had uttered.
“I still stand on my words. I was not taken into confidence on operation being initiated in the city through Rangers. Even, the Sindh chief minister, IG Police and CCPO were also not taken on board. I don’t know who gave the orders to Rangers to initiate operation. May be the federal government had given such orders.”
He said, “I had signed the summary, in which Rangers had given policing powers,” adding, “I can withdraw the powers.”
Mirza, “It is not a martial law; there is a civilian government. Therefore, the Rangers has to work under the civilian control.”
Agencies add: Rehman Malik told newsmen that he and Zulfiqar Mirza were unaware of the recent operation.
He said he did not interfere into the matter since it was administrative in nature.
Responding to MirzaÂ’s claim, Malik said the Rangers and police were subservient to the provincial home minister, adding that he would ensure sharing of intelligence gathered by the federal agencies with the provincial government.
He claimed that police did not raid former state minister Nabeel GabolÂ’s residence and the CCPO had informed him that he sent the police van to bring back the police security guards.
Malik said he came to Karachi on the directives of President Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani.
The federal minister said some religious groups were dividing the nation and supporting the terrorists who had been aiming at destabilising the country. He would not allow anyone to disturb peace in Karachi, he vowed.
He informed the journalists that the security forces foiled a terrorism bid at the Sindh Assembly.
Later, Rehman called on Sindh Governor Ishratul Ebad Khan where they promised to take indiscriminate action against those involved in criminal and terror activities without surrendering before any pressure.
Meanwhile, three people including a doctor were killed in various incidents of targeted killing in Karachi on Thursday.
The doctor was gunned down near Khaliq Jinnah Hall, Mahmood Shah Road in the limits of Eidgah Police Station. 30-year-old Dr Imran, son of Fasih, was on way to his home located in Gulshan-e-Iqbal from Lyari General Hospital in his car when armed men on a motorbike intercepted him at Mahmood Shah Road and managed to flee from the scene after shooting him.
The victim sustained bullet wounds and succumbed to his injuries on way to hospital. Police shifted his body to Civil Hospital for medico-legal formalities. SHO Amjad Kayani said that victim was ENT specialist in Lyari General Hospital. He added that the deceased was not affiliated with any political or religious party and had no personal enmity with any one.
In another incident, an ex-army man was shot dead in Frontier Colony in the limits of Pirabad police station. The victim 40-year-old Akbar Shah, son of Ameer Jan was a resident of Noorani Area Frontier Colony. He was standing at his shop when two armed men opened firing on him. Resultantly, he died on the spot. Police shifted his body to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital. Police said he hailed from Swat. Police registered FIR against unidentified men on the complaint of his brother Mahmood Shah.
Similarly, an Afghan national was shot dead and another injured in MPR Colony in the jurisdiction of Orangi Town police station. The incident took place at MPR Colony where two armed men targeted 39-year-old Fakhar Uddin, son of Mohammad Khan. Resultantly, he died on the spot while Shireen Khan sustained injures and was rushed to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for treatment. Police said the victim was father of two children and used to run a cloth shop in Paposh Nagar area. Police so far have been unable to ascertain the motive behind the incident.
Meanwhile, a Chinese engineer was injured in a robbery attempt here in the jurisdiction of Boat Bassan police limits.
Police said that the victim, namely Shoe Young, drew Rs 5 million from a local bank branch and drove away when armed men intercepted his car and tried to loot him. Culprits remained unable to rob him and shot him on offering resistance.
Culprits managed to flee while police shifted the victim to the private hospital where doctors termed his condition stable. DSP Qamer Ahmed said that bandits fled away when police party on routine patrolling reached close to the crime scene.
Obama honours Holbrooke as ‘hardheaded’ and ‘clear-eyed’
January 15th, 2011 |
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US President Barack Obama and other American dignitaries celebrated the life of late diplomat Richard Holbrooke Friday, honouring his endless determination to make the world a better place. Hundreds turned out at the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington to attend the memorial service for Holbrooke, who died suddenly in December [...]
US to find ways to boost Pak economy
January 15th, 2011 |
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WASHINGTON – US President Barack Obama Friday assured President Asif Ali Zardari President of United StatesÂ’ help in overcoming PakistanÂ’s difficulties and challenges when the two leaders met at the White House, according to the Pakistani envoy.
The US President offered to look at new ways to help PakistanÂ’s troubled economy as he showed support for President Asif Ali Zardari at a White House meeting, officials said.
President Zardari flew into Washington Thursday afternoon for a memorial service later in the day for the late US envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke who died last month at the age of 69.
“He (Obama) was very clear in asserting that the US wants to help Pakistan in overcoming its difficulties and challenges and also recognizes the successes that have been accomplished in fighting terrorism, building democracy and instituting economic reforms,” Pakistan’s Ambassador to the US Husain Haqqani said in a post-meeting Press briefing.
On his part, President Zardari said Pakistan wants to stand up on its feet economically and not remain a permanent recipient of aid.
Haqqani said Zardari expressed appreciation for assistance from the US, which in 2009 approved a five-year, 7.5-billion-dollar package for the key but complicated war partner.
Ambassador Haqqani said the top-level US-Pakistan meeting was held in a friendly atmosphere, countering media reports about a strain in the relationship between the two countries and that Zardari would come under pressure for starting military operations in North Waziristan.
“Nobody scolded anybody, nobody raised the question of Pakistan not doing enough, nobody said anything negative about the lack of support of either country for the other,” he said
“We continue to work positively in all areas of cooperation, political, economic, diplomatic, strategic, intelligence and military,” Haqqani said, underscoring the cooperative nature of ties.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, National Security Advisor Tom Donilon, Deputy National Security Adviser Douglas Lute and, White House counterterrorism advisor John Brennan assisted the US president while Ambassador Haqqani accompanied President Zardari for the meeting.
President Zardari, speaking about Pakistan’s priorities and requirements, told his US counterpart that “Pakistan does not want to be a permanent recipient of aid. We want to be able to stand up on own two feet. And for that we need economic reforms and we are cognizant of that, and working on that and that Pakistan and the US are partners” in this respect, according to Haqqani.
For their part, President Obama and Secretary Hillary said over the next few days, they would try to find new ways to strengthen Pakistan’s economic reform process “while taking into consideration social and political factors as well as the overwhelming reality of the floods, which disrupted the economic growth last year,” the Pakistani envoy said.
Obama expressed his condolences over the assassination of Governor Punjab Salman Taseer. He appreciated Islamabad’s resolve to build a “moderate democratic Pakistan which is the strongest guarantee against terrorist threat in our region,” Haqqani told reporters.
“He appreciated the stance of the government of Pakistan in wanting to pursue the perpetrators of this crime as well as to continue to work towards building a moderate, democratic Pakistan, which is the strongest guarantee against the success of terrorists in our region.”
President Obama “unequivocally” stressed US support for democracy in Pakistan, the envoy added.
“Both presidents acknowledged the services of the late ambassador (Richard) Holbrooke and the great energy and strength that he had brought to the US-Pakistan relationship and agreed there was need to continue with that momentum to build the strategic partnership.”
However, Ambassador Haqqani said, President Obama made it clear that the meeting could not be a substitute for formal talks between the two anti-terror partners during an official visit to Washington by President Zardari later this year and President ObamaÂ’s own visit to Islamabad.
According to a White House statement, Obama told Zardari Friday that he was “looking forward” to visiting Pakistan later this year.
It also said the two leaders’ “discussion focused on our shared efforts to fight terrorism and promote regional stability, specifically on the importance of cooperating towards a peaceful and stable outcome in Afghanistan” and that Obama “underscored the importance of the US-Pakistan relationship and our continued support for Pakistan.”
The US President emphasized the importance of cooperating to promote stability in Afghanistan, the White House said.
Husain Haqqani, the Pakistani ambassador in Washington, told reporters that the two leaders voiced concern about rising extremism worldwide that he said was behind the recent assassination of Punjab Governor Salman Taseer and this monthÂ’s shooting rampage in the US state of Arizona that killed six people and critically wounded a member of Congress, Gabrielle Giffords.
US gets ‘no’ on NWA action
January 13th, 2011 |
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ISLAMABAD – Pakistan on Wednesday made it clear to the US that it would not become a part of any new American great game in relation to its forcesÂ’ announced withdrawal from Afghanistan starting from July this year.
Officials requesting anonymity told The Nation that Islamabad had also conveyed to the visiting US Vice-President Joe Biden that neither politically nor strategically it suited Pakistan to open up any new war front in North Waziristan Agency.
Biden, who held separate meetings with President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and COAS Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, assured the Pakistani leadership that the US fully respected sovereignty of Pakistan.
He assured Pakistan that there would be “no boots on the ground”. He also dismissed Pakistan’s apprehensions about US-sponsored foreign intervention thorough Afghanistan.
Acknowledging Pakistan’s legitimate apprehensions, the visiting dignitary made it clear that the US wanted Pakistan’s key role in bringing peace in Afghanistan. He rather acknowledged Pakistan’s apprehensions about foreign intervention through Afghanistan as “legitimate”.
Terming these meetings as extremely useful high-level consultation, the sources said that both the sides discussed how to proceed forward on matters related to Afghanistan.
They opined that the US was interested in finding out “Pakistan’s bottom line and its intentions” regarding Afghanistan.
They said both sides also discussed possibilities of Afghan TalibanÂ’s future political role and agreed that if they disassociated themselves from al Qaeda and would be acceptable, at all
The US Vice-President arrived in Islamabad after two days in Kabul, where he said Pakistan needed to do more to help the US in its battle against Taliban and other militants in Afghanistan as it prepares to withdraw its troops from there.
Earlier, addressing a joint Press conference with Premier Gilani following their one on one meeting at the Prime MinisterÂ’s House, Biden rejected misperceptions that the US planned to impose any war on Pakistan as part of its counter-terrorism fight against al Qaeda. He reassured that the US wanted to forge long-term strategic partnership with Pakistan.
“A stable, prosperous and democratic Pakistan was in the interests of the US,” the US Vice-President said.
Calling the Pak-US relationship “absolutely vital”, he said that was what he had experienced in his capacity as member of Foreign Relations Committee during his 30-year long interaction with Pakistani leadership.
He said it was an opportunity for him to do away with some misperceptions about US-Pakistan relations.
He said his country’s aspirations for Pakistan was to see it a developed and a prosperous country. “I want the grandchildren of Pakistan and US not to find in future the articles on terrorism. I want the Pakistani scientists to accomplish Nobel peace prizes,” he said.
The US Vice-President said due to USÂ’ interest to forge deeper relations with Pakistan, it had set up a large educational system for Pakistanis and demonstrated this by actions during the last seven years by initiating numerous projects.
He said the US was working in partnership with Pakistani Government and had increased security cooperation.
Biden pointed out that during the last summer’s devastating floods in Pakistan, the US made extensive support for relief and rehabilitation. “This is what the partners do for partners,” he added.
About misconception regarding USÂ’ disrespect towards Islam, the US Vice-President said the situation was in fact quite the opposite as the Muslim Americans freely practised their religion in the US.
He attempted to dispel what he called common anti-American misperceptions in Pakistan while urging the government to fight growing religious extremism.
He said Islam was the fastest growing religion in the US and mentioned President Barack Obama’s statement in a Muslim-populated area that “Islam is a part of America”.
“I would challenge to name any other country in the world which provides greater freedom of worship. We are not the enemies of Islam and we embrace those who practice this great religion,” he said.
He said a large number of people were converting to Islam in America.
Biden called Amna Taseer, the widow of the slain governor, to express his condolences on behalf of the president and the American people.
Biden said militancy in Pakistan was a threat to both countries, adding that IslamabadÂ’s efforts against militants were not enough.
Militant groups have exploited grievances, exacerbated by US drone attacks in the west of the country, to build support.
He said President Barrack Obama, he and his countrymen were saddened over the assassination of Punjab Governor Salman Taseer, adding that there was no justification for such senseless act against a person who raised voice for tolerance.
While offering condolences over TaseerÂ’s killing on behalf of President Obama, he said that societies needed tolerance to grow.
“The governor was killed simply because he was a voice of tolerance and understanding,” he said.
“As you know all too well … societies that tolerate such actions end up being consumed by those actions,” he said, urging Pakistan for NWA operation
Biden said militancy in Pakistan was a threat to both countries, adding that IslamabadÂ’s efforts against militants were not enough.
In his opening remarks, Prime Minister Gilani thanked the US administration for its extra-ordinary contribution to the relief and rehabilitation efforts for the people and areas affected by the recent unprecedented floods in the country.
PM says ‘yes’ to Nawaz agenda
January 10th, 2011 |
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ISLAMABAD – Accepting the 10-point demands a day ahead of the ‘so-called ultimatumÂ’ given by Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz), Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said that in his telephonic contact with Mian Nawaz Sharif he had assured him that government would not lose the opportunity of steering the country out of crises on implementing his agenda.
He was addressing the press conference at Prime MinisterÂ’s House soon after talking to Nawaz Sharif assuring him that government was ready to implement his agenda for bringing improvement in governance.
Before his chat with Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister Gilani secured approval of the same from President Asif Ali Zardari and also took into confidence the parliamentary leaders including PML-Q President Ch Shujaat Hussain, MQM chief Altaf Hussain, PPP-S President Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao, Functional League head Pir Pagara, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, ANP President Asfandyar Wali Khan and FATA MPs leader Munir Orakazi. All these national leaders have endorsed the decision of Pakistan PeopleÂ’s Party and hence it has acquired the shape of national agenda, Premier added.
To a question Prime Minister said that he did talk about the ultimatum given to his government by Nawaz Sharif but he said that he was quoted out of context and he had not given any ultimatum. Premier further said that after expressing the governmentÂ’s affirmative response on 10-point demands of Nawaz Sharif he once again put the question about the next deadline of 45 days but Main Nanas Shari said that as the government seemed sincere in implementing the 10-point demands put forth by him for sprucing up the governance so there was no more deadline.
Nawaz Sharif further said that as the government wanted to implement his agenda for putting the house in order so there is no question of showing the door to Pakistan PeopleÂ’s Party in Punjab, Prime Minister quoted Nawaz Sharif.
Prime Minister Gilani further informed that on his suggestion Nawaz Sharif had agreed to form a Parliamentary Committee under the head of Senator Ishaq Dar to take up the issues concerning PML-N with government in furthering 10-point agenda given by Mian Nawaz Sharif which he termed ‘national agenda.’
Prime Minister said that PPP would definitely take PML-N on board while appointing new Governor Punjab when asked whether PPP would take into confidence while appointing this important administrative slot in Punjab.
To a question Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raze Gilani said that his government was already working on the same lines to bring improvement in governance and to control leakage of funds from various corporations and state owned enterprises.
He said that the restructuring of Pakistan Railways, PIA, Pepco and Steel Mills was already on the agenda and in next cabinet meeting they would be going to discuss the ways and means to bring improvement in these state entities running into losses.
Prime Minister Gilani said that his government was pursuing the policy of reconciliation and referred to the unanimous passage of 18th Amendment, 19th Amendment, 7th NFC Award, political status granted to Gilgit-Baltistan and reforms package for Balochistan and termed it a result of the policy of reconciliation adopted by Pakistan PeopleÂ’s Party and expressed his partyÂ’s resolve to pursue the same in future as well.
To a question Premier Gilani said that in achieving these goals would only be possible through the active support of all the stakeholders in the Parliament and it was singular honour of the incumbent Parliament that it had done most of the legislation with consensus and hoped that they would be able to steer the country out of prevailing economic mess in same spirit of politics of reconciliation.
To another question about the following of Supreme Court verdicts Prime Minister said that PPP was having the singular honour of complete adherence to the each and every verdict of the apex court.
When his attention was drawn toward the governmentÂ’s non-implementation of NRO verdict of SC he replied that it was sheer bias when people talk about only one case out of 8,034 cases withdrawn under NRO and added that still the case on NRO is subjudice in the apex court and let the court take decision on the review petition of the government.
To another question about the fresh spate of target killing in Karachi he said that PPP in support of MQM and ANP would definitely bring normalcy to the port city which is the economic hub of the country and disturbance over their would have negative impact on the whole economy.
To a question about the allegations of corruption coming on his family members including his son in Haj scam Premier Gilani termed them as mere allegations and quickly added that the case of Haj scam was in the court and if someone have substantial proof he could submit the same in the court.
To a question about some of his wrong decisions Prime Minister said that out of over 10,000 decisions he had taken if some four or five decisions were wrong and said that it could be taken as error judgment. As the matter relating to some appointments were in the court of law and whatever would be the decision of the court it would be implemented in totality.
Responding to another question Prime Minister Gilani said that actually the persons who are hurling corruption allegations on him were targeting President Asif Ali Zardari and as he was defending him so they had also turned against him.
He further said that as President was the part of Parliament so it was his duty to defend him and this thing annoyed certain quarters, which had launched dirty campaign against him.
To another question he said that incumbent political dispensation was not going anywhere as for the first time in the history of the country the establishment was supportive of the political set-up and it was also for the first time that PPP and establishment were on one-page.
To another question he once again reiterated his governmentÂ’s stance that they would not bring any change in the blasphemy laws and added that during his chat with him Maulana Fazlur Rehman had also asked him about it and his reply was the same that government would not bring any change in the law.
Govt set to ‘adjust’ MQM
December 30th, 2010 |
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KARACHI – As the PPP-led government is trying its best to woo back the renegade allies, President Asif Ali Zardari assured MQM chief Altaf Hussain late on Wednesday night that they would not let anyone to make the allied parties annoyed.
He promised to address all the reservations of the MQM and said necessary actions would be taken to accommodate them.
Zardari was talking to Altaf during a telephonic conversation, as the MQM chief pressed the president to listen their grievances. The top leaders of the two parties contacted in the presence of Sindh Governor Ishrat-ul-Ibad called on him twice at the Bilawal House in Karachi. Federal ministers Rehman Malik and Syed Khursheed Shah were also present on the occasion.
The hectic talks continued as the MQMÂ’s coordination committee held a meeting simultaneous in the metropolis and London.
Talking to media persons outside Bilawal House, Malik said Zardari had decided to stay in Karachi for next 10 days during which he would address all the reservations expressed the MQM once for all.
The two sides would list out all the differences and hold discussions in detail for finalising the matters, he said.
Rehman said those who were waiting for a clash between the two parties would remain unsuccessful as the allied parties would strengthen the mutual relations even further.
Replying to a question, he said any change in the Sindh cabinet was discretion of Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah and he was not in a position to say any thing over the matter.
Earlier, President Zardari on Wednesday directed the Government of Sindh to continue reconciliation policy with its allies in the province.
However, after having a meeting with the president, the PPP ministers hinted at withdrawing plan regarding revival of old commissionerate system, which caused annoyance for MQM, sources said.
Zardari, during the meeting held at Bilawal House, was briefed by provincial ministers about the development works, performance of the ministers and law and order situation in the province. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, provincial ministers and PPP MPAs attended the meeting.
However, Advisor to CM on Information Ms. Sharmila Faruqui during her briefing to the media persons outside Bilawal House claimed that meeting did not discuss MQMÂ’s grievances and revival of Commissionerate System.
President Zardari directed the Government of Sindh that reconciliation process, which was initiated by Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, would be continued with all the coalition partners including MQM, she added.
Meanwhile, sources privy to the meeting informed The Nation that President Zardari had directed the Sindh Chief Minister and Provincial Law Minister not to table bill for revival of Commissionerate System in the province unilaterally in the next session of the Assembly.
Earlier during a meeting with Sindh Governor Dr Eshratul Ebad at Bilawal House on Tuesday night, the President had also assured him of not tabling bill to abolish existing local government system and revive Commissionerate System in the province, sources said.
Meanwhile, Advisor to CM on Information Sharmila in her media briefing said that provincial ministers briefed President Zardari on the development works continued in the province.
Home Minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza briefed the President about the overall law and order situation in the province. He shared the data of crime rate in province and there has been a significant decline in the crime ratio during the three-year period of the PPP government, she added.
She said that Advisor to CM on Planning and Development Kaisar Bengali and Provincial Minister for Rehabilitation of Flood Affectees, Haji Muzaffar Shujrah, briefed the President about the rehabilitation work in flood-affected areas. President Zardari asked the provincial legislators to regularly visit their constituencies to keep a close contact with their voters, she said.
The sources privy to the meeting further said that a PPP MPA Naeem Ahmad Kharal from Khairpur complained that no development works were being carried out in his constituency.
Sindh Home Minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza while talking to media persons after the meeting said that his leaders had sacrificed their lives for democracy and he was also ready to sacrifice his ministry for the sake of democracy.
MQM may quit Sindh govt: Altaf
December 29th, 2010 |
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KARACHI – Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Quaid Altaf Hussain on Tuesday ratified the decision of MQM Rabita Committee regarding quitting the Federal Cabinet.
Speaking to a large gathering of MQM workers at Nine Zero, Altaf Hussain said that the future decisions would hinge upon the attitude of the Government. “If the Government did not change its attitude for better then we would sit on the opposition benches. The PPP leaders who are always saying that they do not need MQM in Sindh should adopt a resolution in this regard and we would come out of the Sindh Government immediately. We still want the PPP government to complete five years and that the democratic process continues. If the Government changes its course of action and works for the welfare of the people then MQM will continue to support it. MQM cannot be browbeaten into accepting government actions.”
He said MQM could no longer continue backing the Government on anti-public decisions, declaring that it is no use holding such ministries which incessantly fail to serve any good to masses.
He advised President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to work for the development and prosperity of the people. “Had Pakistan People’s Party acted upon my advice given time after time, the PPP and people would not have to face the present circumstances,” he regretted.
He said, “MQM is a democratic party and believes in democratic norms as well as following the principles of democracy with honesty and integrity.”
He said that MQM announced unconditional support by forgetting every other thing when the Co-Chairman of PPP Asif Ali Zardari came to Nine-Zero with his colleagues.
Altaf said that in the past three years whenever there was a difficult time, MQM lent its support to the Government and extended every possible cooperation to President Zardari. “Despite being a coalition partner our ministers were never consulted before taking important decisions and all the decisions were taken by the Federal Cabinet unilaterally,” he further said. “If the Government considers MQM as its coalition partner then it must realise that the coalition partners are not treated like enemy and strangers,” he further said.
He also came down hard on Pakistan Muslim League-N chief Nawaz Sharif for criticising MQM in the latter’s public meeting in Muzaffarabad, and called Nawaz ‘a by-product of dictatorship’.
Meanwhile, Altaf Hussain contacted JUI-F Chief Fazlur Rehman. Both the leaders discussed the current political situation.
Online adds: MQM chief Altaf Hussain has given a final warning to the Pakistan PeopleÂ’s Party-led government to mend its ways; otherwise, his party would be forced to part ways with the Sindh coalition too and move from government to the opposition benches.
He said the MQM could no longer continue backing the government on anti-public decisions, saying, “It is no use holding ministries which incessantly fail to serve any good to masses,” Altaf said, adding that the PPP had failed in controlling corruption and inflation.
He advised President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to work for the development and prosperity of the people. “Time has still not run out and now the ball is in PPP’s court,” he said, adding, “The MQM is not interested in continuing to be part of the government rather it wants to work for serving the masses facing severe hardship because of relentless price hike and corruption.
Talking about Nawaz Sharif, he said the PML-N chief was trained by the dictators and generals like Ziaul Haq and Durrani, adding that during the government of Nawaz, the Supreme Court of Pakistan was attacked and dishonoured. Nawaz had indirectly blamed the MQM during his speech in Muzaffarabad the other day for violence and killings in Karachi.
Meanwhile, the federal ministers of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Tuesday dispatched their resignations to President Asif Ali Zardari.
According to a statement issued from Nine-Zero, Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis, Farooq Sattar, and Federal Minister of Ports and Shipping, Babar Ghauri, have faxed their resignations to President Zardari. The statement said the partyÂ’s reservations still existed.
Sources said that MQM would quit the provincial cabinet in the second phase in January if the negotiations of party with the ruling PPP failed.
However, the President House spokesman has said that the Presidency was nothing to do with the resignations as the matter was related to the Prime Minister House.
Meanwhile, to allay the concerns of Muttahida Qaumi Movement, the Pakistan PeopleÂ’s Party stalwarts have jumped into the fray and both President and Prime Minister have talked to the central leaders of MQM and Governor Sindh Ishratul Ibaad.
Sources in the Pakistan PeopleÂ’s Party informed The Nation that in a damage control bid President Asif Ali Zardari has asked Interior Minister Rehman Malik to have meeting with MQM leaders and look into their grievances with the government so that the same could be redressed forthwith.
Sources further informed that both President and Prime Minister also had a detailed telephonic conversation on the issue and various options were discussed to bring MQM round, as the withdrawal of support by MQM would plunge the coalition government in deep trouble.
Talking to The Nation Central Information Secretary of the party Ms Fouzia Wahab sounded optimistic about a PPP-MQM patch-up, as government was ready to address all their (MQM) genuine concerns and hoped that things would be normal soon.
She further said that President Asif Ali Zardari had already barred the party leaders to stop giving statements about the coalition partners while he had also talked to the top hierarchy of MQM on their concerns and government was already in the process of addressing the same.
She further said, “Democracy is in the interest of all the political players and MQM is no exception, so I hope MQM will not take any step detrimental to the incumbent political dispensation.”
She once again reiterated her partyÂ’s stance to continue pursuing politics of reconciliation and hoped that the other major political players in the arena would also display the same spirit of supporting and strengthening the political set-up at centre and provinces.
She further said that PPP would take up the concerns of the MQM in the upcoming CEC meeting of the party and would talk out the issues with MQM in friendly fashion.
Meanwhile, the two-member committee comprising Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah met at CM House on Tuesday and discussed the grievances of Muttahida Qaumi Movement, main coalition partner of ruling PPP in Sindh and federal government.
After announcement of MQM to quit federal cabinet, the President formed a special committee of Interior Minister and Sindh Chief Minister, directing them to engage in dialogue with MQM on their grievances.
According to CM House, the committee discussed the grievances raised by MQM about Reform General Sales Tax, Sindh Home Minister Dr Zulfiqar MirzaÂ’s harsh attitude towards them and other issues.
The MQM has main grievances over the proposed revival of Commissionrate system of old local government system in the province, which was already agreed by all the coalition partners and opposition benches in Sindh Assembly, except MQM.
Sources said that MQM made it clear that it will not accept shelving of existing local government system, introduced by former military dictator retired Gen Pervez Musharraf. Even, MQM wants more powers for the existing local government system comprising Nazims, but PPP in its draft bill of local government wants abolishment of this system, suggesting revival of Commissionrate system of old local government system to replace Nazims.
However, presently two ruling coalition partners, MQM and PPP, are sticking on their position on the subject.
Sources said that PPP believed that after devolution of provincial departments to three tiers — District, Tehsil/Town and Union Councils of local government, the provincial government of Sindh will have no check and balance on local government, leaving deterioration of system and increase in corruption.
Sources told The Nation that two-member committee also approached the Sindh Governor Dr Ishrat ul Ebad and decided to continue dialogue process on grievances of MQM.
After discussing the issues with MQM, the committee will submit initial report/recommendation and outcome of dialogue to President Asif Ali Zardari.
Meanwhile, a statement of CM House said that after discussion and consultation with the coalition partners, the committee would revisit the President and Prime Minister to submit the outcome of negotiation.
APP adds: JWP Chief Talal Bugti has appreciated the stance of MQM Chief Altaf Hussain on arrest of Shahzain Bugti. Bugti said this during a telephonic talk with MQM Rabita Committee member yousuf Shahwani, said a statement issued by MQM here on Tuesday. Talking to Bugti, Shahwani said Altaf has taken a bold and principled stand on situation of Balochistan, the MQM statement maintained.
Another setback for Pakistan government as MQM parts ways
December 28th, 2010 |
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The ruling coalition in Pakistan led by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has suffered a major setback as another of its key ally, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), decided to part ways with the government. “The reservations of the party have not been addressed and we are forced to make a decision to go our [...]
Zardari sends over flowers, get well message to critically ill Holbrooke
December 13th, 2010 |
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Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari is reported to have telephoned Mrs. Richard Holbrooke on Sunday night and inquired about the health of her husband, who is US President Barack Obama’s Special Envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan. According to the Daily Times, Zardari is said to have sent a flower bouquet and a get-well message through [...]
Sharif ready to mend fences with Zardari, accepts banquet invite for Chinese premier
December 13th, 2010 |
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Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari seems to have achieved some success in breaking the ice with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz chief Nawaz Sharif, with the latter accepting the former’s invitation to attend a banquet to be held in honour of visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in Islamabad this week. The meeting is being termed a significant [...]
Zardari, Manmohan may meet on sidelines on Turkmenistan summit this weekend
December 9th, 2010 |
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Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari may meet Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh this weekend on the sidelines of a summit in Turkmenistan, which both leaders will be attending on December 11. According to sources, Zardari will attend the summit in which the heads of the governments of Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and India will also participate to [...]
Zardari told US “we are here because of you†after winning elections
December 8th, 2010 |
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Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari had thanked the United States government for its support of credible parliamentary elections, which brought his Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) to power in September 2008, according to some classified US diplomatic cables released by whistleblower website Wikileaks. In a cable about a meeting of US Representatives, Adam Schiff and Allyson [...]
Zardari lacks public leadership acumen, Gilani has “strong leadership skillsâ€: WikiLeaks
December 6th, 2010 |
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Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari lacks public leadership acumen, while Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has shown strong leadership skills in building parliamentary coalitions in times of national crisis, a diplomatic cable unveiled by the whistle-blower website WikiLeaks has revealed. “Prime Minister Gilani has shown strong leadership skills in building Parliamentary coalitions at times of [...]
COAS respects political leaders
December 5th, 2010 |
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ISLAMABAD (Agencies) – Pakistan Army stressed its loyalty to civilian politics after diplomatic correspondence leaked by whistleblowers WikiLeaks said the military had considered deposing the country’s president.
Cables from the US embassy in Islamabad obtained by WikiLeaks and reported in The New York Times and The Guardian newspapers this week also said President Asif Ali Zardari had made preparations for a coup.
One cable cited by both newspapers quoted US Vice-President Joe Biden recounting to BritainÂ’s then prime minister Gordon Brown a conversation with Zardari last year, in which Zardari told Biden he feared assassination.
Zardari, the cable said, had told the US vice-president that Pakistan’s army chief, General Ashfaq Kayani, and the Inter-Services Intelligence agency “will take me out.”
In the military’s first response to the allegations, spokesman Major General Athar Abbas said Saturday “the army has a demonstrated policy of supporting the political process within the confines of constitution of Pakistan.”
Abbas also said that Kayani “holds all national leaders in esteem,” including the main opposition leader Nawaz Sharif.
According to a cable quoted by The New York Times, Kayani told the US ambassador during a March 2009 meeting that he “might, however reluctantly,” pressure Zardari to resign.
Kayani was quoted as saying that he might support Asfandyar Wali Khan, leader of the opposition Awami National League Party, as the new president – but not Nawaz Sharif.
Kayani aired the idea during a round of meetings with Patterson in March 2009 as opposition leader Nawaz Sharif rallied thousands of supporters in a street movement that threatened to topple the government.
The general said that while he disliked Zardari, he distrusted Sharif even more, and appeared to be angling for a solution that would prevent the opposition leader from coming to power.
The cable illustrates the strong behind-the-scenes hand of PakistanÂ’s military in civilian politics only six months after military ruler General Pervez Musharraf resigned.
The crisis was sparked by ZardariÂ’s attempt to bar Sharif from running for parliament and his refusal to reinstate the deposed chief justice, Iftikhar Chaudhry. As a powerful protest movement of opposition supporters and lawyers grew in Lahore, western diplomats scrambled to defuse the situation with KayaniÂ’s help.
Kayani is a low-profile military man said to be well regarded by his US counterparts.
Govt makes somersault on NAO
December 3rd, 2010 |
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ISLAMABAD – Attorney General Maulvi Anwar-ul-Haq on Thursday informed the Supreme Court that the govt had decided to withdraw National Accountability (Amendment) Ordinance, 2010 promulgated by President Asif Ali Zardari two-and-a-half-months ago.
A three-member bench comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, Justice Ghulam Rabbani and Justice Khalil-ur-Rehman Ramday was hearing identical petitions, of Shahid Orakzai, a freelance journalist, and PML-N leader Zafar Ali Shah, challenging the NAB Amendment Ordinance.
The imposition of the ordinance by the president, involved the transfer of power from the NAB chief to Law Minister Babar Awan, was under scrutiny as lawmakers questioned its discretion.
Attorney General Maulvi Anwar-ul-Haq, who on Wednesday had submitted documents on behalf of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, President Asif Ali Zardari and Secretary Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, said, “The competent authority has decided to withdraw the NAB Amendment Ordinance.” He pleaded before the court that all applications against the ordinance had become ineffective with its withdrawal.
Orakzai said the federation had violated Article 47 of the Constitution, as the president had promulgated the ordinance without the advice of the prime minister, therefore, his petition had not become fractious. Senator Zafar Ali Shah, another petitioner, termed the ordinance “illegal and unconstitutional” saying as the Prime Minister was not even aware of the amendment, it must be challenged. His stance was that when the ordinance was not promulgated validly then in what capacity it would be withdrawn. The counsel said he was contending the manner in which the ordinance was promulgated, saying the withdrawal would not affect the case. According to him, the NAB law amendment aimed to take away NAB chairman’s powers. They questioned as to whether the president could promulgate an ordinance under Article 89 without the advice of the Cabinet or the Prime Minister. The court has directed the AGP to submit its notification and file the reply of the points raised by the petitioners in the next date of hearing and adjourned the case till December 7, 2010.
The AGP in its written reply had denied that the ordinance was promulgated without the advice of the Prime Minister. It stated that the ordinance was published in the gazette on September 16, 2010 and was sent to Prime Minister by the Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Division through a summary dated September 06, 2010, while the PM advised the president, to approve and sign the National Accountability (Amendment) Ordinance 2010 for promulgation on 07-09-2010. The president had accepted the advice and signed the ordinance for promulgation on September 8, 2010.
Agencies add – The bench in its order also noted Shahid OrakzaiÂ’s contention that stated that prima facie Article 47 of the Constitution was violated; therefore, withdrawal of the ordinance did not make his petition infructuous.
After the proceedings, the AG told that as there was no need for the ordinance, the competent authority had decided to withdraw it. “The ordinance was not made effective and after the establishment of Islamabad High Court, there was no need to transfer cases by the federal government,” he said.
The petitioners (Zafar Ali Shah and Shahid Orakzai) had prayed to the apex court to declare that the promulgation of any ordinance by the president without positive advice of the prime minister violated the constitution and invoked Article 47.
‘Brinkley, Miliband pressed Zardari to send ISI chief to India following 26/11’: Cable
December 2nd, 2010 |
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Following the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, the then British Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, and Ambassador Robert Brinkley pressed Pakistan to send ISI MG Ahmed Shuja Pasha to India, a US embassy cable posted by WikiLeaks has revealed. During a conversation with Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari, Miliband described Pasha as a welcome “new broom†and [...]
Shabbaz Sharif tipped off JUD prior to asset freeze order by govt: Zardari to Patterson
December 1st, 2010 |
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Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari discussed with the then US envoy to Pakistan, Anne Patterson, his increasing frustration with former premier Nawaz Sharif”s government in Punjab, whom he believed, had tipped off Jamaat ul-Dawa (JUD) about the assets freeze ordered by the federal government, according to whistle-blower website WikiLeaks. During a meeting on January 2, [...]
Pak-Iran gas deal is pipedream
November 30th, 2010 |
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NEW YORK – US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has described the group of four countries – India, Brazil, Germany and Japan – as a ‘self-appointed frontrunnersÂ’ for a permanent seat in an expanded UN Security Council, according to classified documents released by WikiLeaks.
ClintonÂ’s cable, which was posted by The New York Times, gave directions to US diplomats to collect information on key issues, including the UN Security Council reform, which is stalled because of rivalries between countries and regions as well as difficult UN procedures.
Earlier this month, President Barrack Obama announced support for IndiaÂ’s bid for a permanent seat on the Security Council, which, at present, has five permanent veto-wielding members – Britain, China, France, Russia and the United Nations – and 10 non-permanent members elected for a two-year term. But most analysts said the process could take years.
The cable asked US diplomats to ascertain deliberations regarding the UNSC expansion among key groups of countries like ‘self-appointed frontrunnersÂ’ for permanent UNSC seats (Group of Four or G-4); Uniting for Consensus group – especially Mexico, Italy and Pakistan – that opposes additional permanent UNSC seats; African Group; and European Union, as well as key UN officials within the Secretariat and the UN General Assembly (UNGA) Presidency.
Meanwhile, Turkey kept India out of a meeting on Afghanistan that Ankara sponsored earlier this year to address Pakistan’s ‘sensitivities’, according to US secret documents released by WikiLeaks.
At a meeting with the US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, William Burns; Rauf Engin Soysal who then was the TurkeyÂ’s Deputy Under-Secretary for Bilateral Political Affairs responsible for the Middle East, South Asia and Africa; said Turkey had not invited India to the Afghan neighbours summit in deference to PakistanÂ’s sensitivities.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Afghan President Hamid Karzai met in Istanbul for a Turkish-sponsored talks to discuss cooperation against extremists in Afghanistan earlier this year.
“He (Soysal) said Turkey had not invited India to the neighbours summit in deference to Pakistani sensitivities; however, he said, Pakistan understands attempting to exclude India from the nascent South Asian regional structures would be a mistake,” says the confidential State Department cable dated February 25, 2010.
Soysal, a former Turkish Ambassador to the Pakistan from 2007 to 2009, and his countryÂ’s Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan in September was appointment by the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, as the Special Envoy for Assistance to Pakistan.
“He (Soysal) reported Indian Prime Minister (Manmohan) Singh had requested (Turkish) President (Abdullah) Gul’s assistance with Pakistan during the latter’s visit to New Delhi the previous week.
Acting on that request, President Gul had phoned Pakistani President Zardari, who was sceptical of Indian intentions.
“Gul is planning to visit Pakistan later this year,” the cable said.
“Soysal said Iran is proposing a quadrilateral summit, which would include Turkey, Afghanistan and Pakistan, but that proposal had yet to generate enthusiasm,” it said.
Meanwhile, top Israeli and American officials discussed the impact of the possible downfall of then President Pervez Musharraf in August 2007 in a meeting on US efforts to reduce tensions between India and Pakistan, according to a State Department cable leaked by WikiLeaks.
The cable contained record of the meeting between Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns and Meir Dagan, then chief of Israeli spy agency Mossad on a wide range of issues, including the situation in South Asia.
The leaked cable shows Burns detailed US efforts to reduce tensions between India and Pakistan after the Mossad chief alerted the US about MusharrafÂ’s possible downfall.
“Dagan said that President Musharraf is losing control, and that some of his coalition partners could threaten him in the future. The key question, Dagan said, is whether Musharraf retains his commander-in-chief role in addition to his role as president,” the cable reported.
“If not, he will have problems. Dagan observed that there has been an increase in the number of attempts on Musharraf’s life, and wondered whether he will survive the next few years,” it said.
“Under Secretary Burns replied that South Asia has assumed vital importance in American foreign policy since September 11.”
“The US is committed to denying Afghanistan as a safe-haven for Taliban and Al Qaeda activity. The US (government) will continue to support Pakistani President Musharraf, and is seeking to boost his military defensive capabilities.”
Agencies add: According to the revelations made by the WikiLeaks, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi described President Asif Ali Zardari as ‘dirty but not dangerous’ and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif as ‘dangerous but not dirty’.
The revelation is part of a massive dump of more than 250,000 diplomatic cables by the Website WikiLeaks.
The cables provide candid and at times critical views of foreign leaders as well as sensitive information on terrorism and nuclear proliferation filed by US diplomats.
In July 2009, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and de facto defence chief, said Zardari was ‘dirty but not dangerousÂ’. Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif was ‘dangerous but not dirty – this is PakistanÂ’. He said Nawaz Sharif, who heads the main opposition party to Zardari, could not be trusted to honour his promises.
According to leaks, a rail link between Iran and Pakistan would be delayed for the foreseeable future because of unrest from Baloch nationalists in both countries.
Likewise, a natural gas pipeline agreement between Iran and Pakistan, signed with great fanfare earlier this year, is unlikely to bear fruit anytime soon because ‘the Pakistanis don’t have the money to pay for either the pipeline, or the gas’.
Meanwhile, US intelligence believes Iran has obtained advanced missiles from North Korea that could strike Europe. The documents also show frustration among US diplomats who have been pressing for China to block shipments of missile parts from North Korea to Iran, BritainÂ’s Guardian newspaper reported.
US diplomatic cables include remarks from a source in 2009 saying that Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has terminal cancer. The source, a non-Iranian businessman based in Central Asia and travelling often to Tehran, “has learned from one of his contacts that (former president Ali Akbar) Rafsanjani told him Khamenei has terminal stage leukemia and could die in a few months”, according to an August 2009 cable. The document says that Rafsanjani, a critic of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad who has expressed sympathies with Iran’s reformist movement, decided on learning of Khamenei’s illness to start preparing himself to be a successor.
Leaked documents also revealed how US officials were ordered its officials to spy on the UN leadership. Britain’s Guardian newspaper said a State Department directive sent in July sought intelligence on UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s ‘management and decision-making style’.
The government also asked for credit card numbers, email addresses, phone, fax and pager numbers and even frequent-flyer account numbers for UN officials, the daily added.
Israel discussed its planned war on Gaza with the Palestinian leadership and Egypt ahead of time, offering to hand them control of the strip if it defeated Hamas, US documents released by WikiLeaks showed.
The attempt to coordinate its devastating offensive against GazaÂ’s Islamist rulers was revealed by Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak whose remarks were included in a telegram sent in June 2009 by then deputy US ambassador Luis Moreno.
“He explained that the GOI (government of Israel) had consulted with Egypt and Fatah prior to Operation Cast Lead, asking if they were willing to assume control of Gaza once Israel defeated Hamas,” he said, referring to the Fatah party of Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas.