It was the responsibility of Rehman Malik, who was then in charge of Benazir Bhutto’s security and now is the country’s interior minister, to prevent the former prime minister from looking out of her vehicle, said a senior police official who has been arrested for her 2007 assassination. Former Rawalpindi city police chief Saud Aziz, [...]
Posts Tagged ‘benazir bhutto’
Malik should’ve told Benazir not to look out, says top cop
December 30th, 2010 |
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Pak govt wonâ€t seek Musharraf’s extradition through Interpol: PPP
November 25th, 2010 |
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The Pakistan government may include former military ruler Pervez Musharraf in the investigation of former premier Benazir Bhutto’s assassination case, but will not go to the extent of seeking his deportation through Interpol, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has said. “He is former president of Pakistan, and it will not be appropriate to bring him [...]
Benazir Bhutto’s aide’s clarion call to PPP government to arrest her assassins
November 11th, 2010 |
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Former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s political secretary, Nahid Khan, has demanded that the ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) government must arrest the people behind her assassination. “Wake up and rescue PPP. It is high time to press rulers for arresting the assassins of Bhutto otherwise her sacrifice for the country would go to waste. [...]
Pakistan to abide by US sanctions on Iran
June 21st, 2010 |
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GARHI KHUDA BUX – Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Monday said the Pakistan’s struggle against militancy was for its own survival and sovereignty and not the US war.
“Pakistan as a member of the international community follows the international rules but we will not act on anyone’s dictations.”
He was talking to newsmen after paying his homage at the mausoleum of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto in Garhi Khuda Bux in connection with 57th birth anniversary of the great leader.
“We are fighting the war of people for the country’s integrity,” he said.
Responding to a question whether there was any pressure on Pakistan regarding the multi-billion-dollar Iran-Pak gas pipeline project, Gilani said in case the US imposed any restriction on Iran, the matter would be reviewed in the light of international laws.
“If the US imposes sanctions, they will have international implications and Pakistan as a member of the international community will follow them,” he remarked.
He said Pakistan under the international obligations would adhere to any restrictions imposed against any country.
The prime minister said the killers of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto would not be spared and brought to justice, as the government was moving forward in investigating the matter in light of the UN report.
Replying to a question on Kalabagh Dam, Gilani said the project had remained contentious since 1985, adding that he was not personally opposed to the disputed dam but the issue should resolved with a complete consensus among the provinces.
He said during the recent debate in the National Assembly, some members of the former ruling party were playing to the gallery as they could have constructed the dam while they were in power.
Gilani said law and order was a provincial subject, which could be resolved through negotiations with allies.
The prime minister said, “We are pursuing the reconciliation policy and taking all the institutions on board under the vision of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, who believed in consensus and wanted to resolve all such matters through reconciliation.”
Paying homage to Shaheed BB, he said she had a vision to strengthen democracy, Constitution and media and gave a call for long march for restoration of judges, adding that she was a symbol of the federation, binding the four provinces together.
“She was not a leader of Sindh or Pakistan only but a great leader of the whole world,” he said.
Talking about govtÂ’s achievements, he said apart from ending the dictatorship, the 1973 Constitution had been restored while 18th Amendment was passed by the Parliament unanimously.
To another question, Gilani said during the talks with his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh, they had agreed that war was not a solution to any issue. The peoples of both the countries faced a number of problems including poverty, inflation, unemployment and terrorism; therefore, they should pursue dialogue, as the only best solution for resolving all the issues, he added.
“Pakistan wants to have good neighbourly relations with India,” he stated.
On the NFC Award, he said it was a consensus award, which would go a long way in empowering the provinces.
Earlier, Gilani placed a floral wreath at Shaheed Benazir BhuttoÂ’s grave and offered fateha.
Speaker National Assembly Dr Fehmida Mirza, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, federal ministers Qamar Zaman Kaira, Syed Naveed Qamar and Raja Pervez Ashraf besides provincial ministers, PakistanÂ’s Ambassador to UAE Khurshid Ahmed Junejo and leaders of Pakistan PeopleÂ’s Party were also present on the occasion.
Earlier, the 57th birthday anniversary of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto was celebrated across the country while the Pakistan PeopleÂ’s Party (PPP) leaders and workers gathered at Garhi Khuda Bux to and Naudero on Monday to pay homage to the great leader.
President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah and federal and provincial ministers were among those who attended the celebrations.
President Asif Ali Zardari and his two daughters Bakhtawar and Assefa offered fateha and laid floral wreath at her grave.
The President also donated blood at a camp in the Presidential Camp Office. It is pertinent to note that Pakistan PeopleÂ’s Party (PPP) had set up blood donation camps across the country in connection with the BBÂ’s birth anniversary.
A large number of party leaders visited the BhuttosÂ’ mausoleum and laid floral wreath at the graves of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Mir Murtaza Bhutto and Shahnawaz Bhutto.
The day started with Quran Khawani while the students presented national anthem at the mausoleum.
Functions and seminars were also organised by the different wings of the PPP in various towns and cities of the country during which the speakers highlighted the salient aspects of her life and achievements, who hold the honour of being the first ever woman prime minister of the Muslim world.
The party also organised blood camps at district and tehsil levels including Larkana, Ratodero, Naudero, Garhi Khuda Bux, Qamber, Sijawal,
Shahdadkot, Mirokhan, Dokri and others. A mushaira was also held at the Presidential Camp Office Naudero.
Strict security arrangements were in place across the district as countryÂ’s top civilian leadership had arrived here to participate in various ceremonies.
Agencies add: BBÂ’s birth anniversary was also celebrated in Lahore, Karachi, Quetta, Peshawar, Gujranwala, Multan, Nowshera and other parts of the country.
Special blood camps, the main feature of the day, were the most noticeable event of the day as the PPP workers and common citizens donated their blood to commemorate BBÂ’s sacrifice for the people, democracy and country. People vowed to replicate her actions and follow her vision to make Pakistan a democratic, progressive and modern state.
Censor Board Against Bhutto Speech Sequence
June 2nd, 2010 |
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The Central Board of Film Certification is again in the news for unreasonably demanding a censor on filmmaker Ashok Pundit’s documentary, Village Of Widows. Pundit deems this demand unjustified and unreasonable and is enraged by the committee’s decision. According to him, the sequences that are being asked to be deleted have a stance and are [...]
PM for accountability of NRO architect
May 16th, 2010 |
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LAHORE – Without naming, but in an obvious reference to former President Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Sunday said the architect of the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) should also be called and held accountable for it.
“It would have been better if the architect of the NRO had also been called for his version,” the PM said while talking to a delegation of Lahore Press Club office-bearers here on Sunday.
Gilani informed the delegation that international forces were behind enactment of the NRO, which wanted to bring back the democratic forces to lead the country. He said PPP was not the architect of NRO. Gilani disclosed that NRO had been extensively debated in the cabinet of former PM Shaukat Aziz and the Chaudharys of Gujrat had opposed it. At this, they were given the option of either endorsing this law or to accept lifting of ban on third term of the prime minister. They chose the reconciliation ordinance as they thought that other option would benefit Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, he further added.
Gilani said that federal law minister would present governmentÂ’s viewpoint before the Supreme Court when he appeared in the court. He said the government had always respected the judiciary and would continue the policy in larger interest of the country. He believed that governmentÂ’s policy of reconciliation and tolerance would help improve the situation.
The Prime Minister desired that all state institutions should work in harmony to ensure stability and prosperity of the country. He said the system laid down by the Constitution clearly demarcated their responsibilities. There was complete unanimity of views between political and military leaders, who met frequently to discuss national issues.
He said consultation is also made with the Chief Justice of Pakistan, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.
Appreciating mediaÂ’s role in creating awareness among the people, he said media also had the responsibility to help establish peace and harmony in society. The media, he added, had to be balanced and objective while discharging its responsibilities to inform and guide people on national issues.
To a question on the performance of the government, the prime minister elaborated the decision-making process at federal level, and in this context, he specially mentioned regular cabinet meetings since its inception, meetings of the Economic Coordination Committee and his regular attendance at both the Houses of the Parliament. These forums not only help in the decision-making, but also ensure the accountability of governmentÂ’s initiatives on various fronts, he maintained.
To another query, Gilani said the present government had implemented a majority of commitments through the party manifesto. The PPP, he added, had made great sacrifices for the restoration of democracy and would continue with the same spirit for strengthening the democratic system.
Congratulating the partyÂ’s winning candidates in by-polls, Jamshaid Dasti (NA-178) Muzaffargarh and Asghar Ali Jatt (NA-167) Vehari, the prime minister said he would ask Federal Minister for Defence and Defence Production Abdul Qayyum Jatoi to reconsider his decision to resign.
“Qayyum Jatoi’s performance is good and the party values his worth and has full confidence in him as well as it recognises his services,” he maintained.
The Prime Minister assured the LPC office-bearers that he would ask federal ministers and request the Chairman of National Implementation Commission for frequent interaction with the media and utilise platforms like the Lahore Press Club.
Gilani also directed authorities concerned to ensure mass publication of a book on the two-year performance of the government to facilitate the media, diplomats and other segments of the society.
The LPC delegation appreciated the reconciliatory approach of the prime minister, which had helped resolve various crises. They said the 18th Amendment, NFC Award, Aghaz-e-Haqooq Balochistan Package, internal autonomy to Gilgit-Baltistan and settlement of IDPs, were undoubtedly great achievements of the present government.
The LPC office-bearers also acknowledged that the Prime MinisterÂ’s visit to the United States to attend the Nuclear Summit and to Bhutan for the SAARC Summit had improved PakistanÂ’s image at international level.
LPC President Sarmad Bashir headed the delegation comprising Vice-President Amir Waqas Chaudhry, General Secretary Ziaullah Khan Niazi, Treasurer Ansaar Zahid and members of the executive body.
Backdoor diplomacy on to resolve issues with India: PM
April 26th, 2010 |
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ON BOARD PM’s AIRCRAFT (APP) – Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani Monday has said that the present government has full support of all the political parties and is committed to resolve the problems of people.
Talking to newsmen on board his special aircraft before reaching Kathmandu on his way to Bhutan to attend the 16th SAARC Summit, he said for the first time in its history, the PPP government enjoyed the support of the establishment that was clear from the progress of the government in war against terror and at the international level. He said, “For the first time, we are on the same page and moving in one direction.”
He said all the leadership in the country is unanimous on all issues and determined to resolve them jointly to provide relief to the public.
Prime Minister said for the first time the present PPP government was pro-establishment.
He said PPP came into power in 2008 after its leadership that remained in exile returned and gave sacrifices with the commitment to solve problems of the people.
He said: “I am certain that the international community would extend full help and cooperation to Pakistan keeping in view commitment of the government in the war against terror.”
Gilani said a high-level committee had been constituted by him to probe the hosing down of the assassination site of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto.
He said the committee was all-powerful and would determine the causes of removal of evidence from the crime scene and then the government would take appropriate action in the light of its recommendations.
Replying to a question regarding talks with India, Prime Minister said efforts were being made through normal diplomatic and backdoor channels to resolve all the issues.
Answering a question about demand for civil nuclear technology from the United States, Gilani said during his recent visit to the US, he raised the issue at the nuclear summit as it was PakistanÂ’s genuine need and requirement due to gap in supply and demand of electricity.
Regarding the 18th Amendment, Prime Minister said a committee was being constituted to implement the amendment in letter and spirit.
He said all the provinces and stakeholders were being taken on board and he was consulting the political leaders. He said he had already discussed the issue with Nawaz Sharif.
“The elements who were making efforts to turn the public opinion against the present government have failed after the passage of 18th Amendment from both houses of the Parliament,” he added.
Gilani said after resolving the basic issue of constitution, now the government was focusing its attention on tackling issues like unemployment, loadshedding and provision of essential needs of life.
Regarding power shortage, Prime Minister said a number of projects including Rental Power Projects were under way to increase electricity generation.
Meanwhile, on his arrival at Kathmandu Airport, Prime Minister was accorded a warm welcome by Deputy Prime Minister of Nepal Vijay Kumar Gachadar and other officials.
On the other hand, Pakistan and Nepal have agreed to enhance bilateral relations and decided to further promote trade, economic, people-to-people, defence and cultural relations.
These views were expressed during the meeting between Premier Gilani and his Nepalese counterpart Madev Kumar Nepal at the Prime Minister House. It was the second meeting between the two premiers, as previously they met in Sharm-el-Sheikh in July last.
Gilani emphasised the need to translate the cordial relations into strong bonds of friendship between the two countries.
Gilani said, “We need to focus on the promotion of bilateral cooperation in the areas identified in the roadmap to ensure our continued partnership in achieving peace and security in our region and at the international level.”
The prime minister informed Madev Kumar that Pakistan had finalised projects worth Rs 13.17 million for development in different sectors of Nepal under Special Assistance Programme for South Asia (SAPSA) in fiscal year 2009-10.
Referring to bilateral trade, Gilani said, “We need to find ways and means to strengthen our economic and commercial ties.”
Besides highlighting the importance for Free Trade Agreement between the two countries, he emphasised the need to expedite the process proposal for initiating negotiations on bilateral investment treaty, which is presently under consideration of Nepalese government.
He said efforts should be made to finalise Preferential Trade Agreement between the two countries to increase trade volume.
He said the Joint Economic Commission set up in 1983, had so far met only for five times and its last meeting was held in March 2005. “We should reactivate this forum for identifying the new areas of possible cooperation and monitoring the progress in our trade and commercial ties.”
The prime minister stressed the need for early decision to conclude a Bilateral Extradition Treaty, which is pending with the Nepalese government since 2006.
Regarding defence cooperation, Premier Gilani offered more assistance to Nepal, saying Pakistan would continue accommodating officers of Nepalese armed forces in its defence and defence production training institutions.
The prime minister offered to provide small arms and ammunition, as Nepal has already purchased small arms worth 2.23 million dollars in 2007.
Nepalese Prime Minister Madev Kumar appreciated the reconciliatory approach of Gilani and said Nepal was also going though constitutional reforms, and would get benefit from his the experience in this regard.
He pointed to the ongoing cooperation in banking sector and stressed the need of similar support setting up cement factories, construction sector, infrastructure, tourism and agriculture sector.
Both the leaders also discussed their contribution in the United Nations Peace, keeping in view the fact that the two countries are the largest contributors.
Prime Minister Gilani invited Kumar to visit Pakistan, which he accepted.
During his stay, he also called on Nepalese President Ram Barn Yadev at the President House. During the meeting, Prime Minister Gilani offered condolences on the sad demise of former Nepalese premier GP Koirala. President Yadev belongs to late KoiralaÂ’s Nepali Congress.
Giving details of his meeting with his Nepalese counterpart, Gilani said, despite its economic constraints, Pakistan would continue supporting the development of socio-economic sectors of Nepal through technical cooperation.
He said both the countries could work together under Saarc to promote regional cooperation.
President Yadev appreciated the role of Pakistan in the war against terror and in ensuring peace and security in the region.
While extending invitation to Premier Gilani for an official visit, he said, the present short visit was not sufficient to exchange views and express the true relationship.
Fact-finding body to probe hosing down BB crime scene
April 24th, 2010 |
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ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Saturday constituted a three-member fact-finding committee headed by Cabinet Secretary Abdul Rauf Chaudhry to determine whether or not the then DG Military Intelligence gave an order to police official(s) for washing the crime scene of the murder of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.
The Committee will submit its report to the Prime Minister within seven working days. The other members of the Committee are Vice Chief of General Staff, Maj Gen Sajjad Ghani, and Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Peshawar, Fayyaz Tooru.
The decision comes in the wake of a report by the United Nations Commission to inquire into the causes leading to the assassination of the former chairperson of Pakistan Peoples Party. The three-member Commission, which began its work in July 2009, announced its findings in a report released on April 15, 2010.
Eight Pakistani officials suspended over Benazir killing
April 19th, 2010 |
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The Pakistan government Monday suspended eight of its officials, who were responsible for security of Benazir Bhutto’s last public meeting venue, following a UN panel’s report on the former prime minister’s assassination.
The suspended officials include Rawalpindi’s former City Police Officer Saud Aziz, former Inspector General Chaudhry Abdul Majeed and six others who were handling Bhutto’s [...]
Names of ex-chiefs of ISI, IB, 11 babus placed on ECL
April 18th, 2010 |
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ISLAMABAD – The Federal Government in a dramatic move on Sunday initiated action against several serving as well as retired bureaucrats in connection with the assassination of former PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto by placing their names on the Exit Control List (ECL).
The sources in the Interior Ministry informed that the Federal Interior Secretary had placed the names of several senior bureaucrats belonging to District Management Group (DMG), Police Service of Pakistan (PSP) and other groups on the directions of Interior Minister Rehman Malik. In addition to that, the names of two retired high ranking military officers have also been included in the list, the sources further informed.
The serving bureaucrats whose names have been placed on the ECL also faced the wrath of the Federal Government as all of them have been made Officers on Special Duty (OSD).
The sources in the Ministry disclosed that Interior Ministry had compiled a list of 13 senior government officers whose names had been included in the list, however out of them nine names were confirmed to TheNation by the sources till filing of this report.
These names include former DG 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, a senior bureaucrat of Punjab Government Ashfaq Anwar, former DCO Rawalpindi Irfan Elahi, Additional Inspector General of Police Chaudhry Abdul Majeed, Deputy Inspector General of Police Saud Aziz, DIG Yaseen Farooq and Superintendent of Police Khurram Shahzad.
In addition to that, the Federal Government had suspended the contract agreement of former spokesman of Interior Ministry, Brig (Retd) Javed Iqbal Cheema who was working as DG Civil Defence.
The sources in the Interior Ministry informed that the names of these serving and retired officers had been placed on the ECL in the light of UN CommissionÂ’s report on the assassination of Benazir Bhutto that had held these officials directly or indirectly responsible for the incident.
It might be possible that FIA would investigate those officers who were already conducting the investigations of Ms BhuttoÂ’s assassination. However, a high official of FIA on condition of anonymity told that the investigation team of FIA had already recorded the statements of most of these officials.
It is pertinent to mention here that PPP in its important meeting on Saturday last decided to take action against those persons who were named in the UN CommissionÂ’s report. President Asif Ali Zardari after chairing the meeting directed the Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to take action against those who were held responsible by the UN Commission.
Constitutional reforms bill tabled in Parliament
April 2nd, 2010 |
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ISLAMABAD – Striking out all the distortions introduced in the 1973 Constitution during the dictatorial regimes in the past, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Reform, Mian Raza Rabbani on Friday presented the proposed 18th Amendment draft containing 102 amendments and 11 recommendations to the Government, in Senate and National Assembly simultaneously.
Amid the thumping of the desks Mian Raza Rabbani unfolded the report on the draft of 18th Amendment in the National Assembly and said that it took nine months to restore the Constitution in its real shape and finally the Committee succeeded to do away with the notorious 58-2B, LFO, 17th Amendment, 6th and 7th schedule and Concurrent List.
“It is an historic day and I am lucky to present this historic report in the Parliament but at the same moment I am unlucky as my political leader with whom I had started my political journey is not with me. I dedicate this day to Shaheed Benazir Bhutto”, Mian Raza Rabbani said in an emotional tone.
Giving crux of the recommendations, Raza Rabbani said, “The LFO 2002, LFO (Amendment) 2002 and LFO (Second Amendment), 2002 were declared to have been made without lawful authority and of no legal effect and, therefore, shall stand repealed; and the Constitution (Seventeenth Amendment) Act, 2003 is hereby repealed.”
It proposes in Article 6 of the Constitution that a person who abrogates or subverts or suspends or holds in abeyance, or attempts or conspires to abrogate or subvert or suspend or hold in abeyance, the Constitution by use of force or show of force or by any other unconstitutional means shall be guilty of high treasons.
He said after Article 10 of the Constitution, the Committee proposed insertion of Article 10(A), which says, “For the determination of his civil rights and obligations or in any criminal charge against him a person shall be entitled to a fair trial and due process.”
He said amendment in the Article 25 says that the state shall provide free and compulsory education to all children of the age of five to 16 years in such a manner as may be determined by the law.
In article 27, it is proposed that under-representation of any class or area in the service of Pakistan may be redressed in such manner as may determined by an act of Parliament.
He said the Committee proposes substitution of Article 51 of the Constitution under which there shall be 342 seats for members in National Assembly including seats reserved for women and non-Muslims.
He told that the Committee had recommended that Article 59 of the Constitution would be substituted and the Senate would consist of one-hundred and four members, of whom four non-Muslims, one from each province, would be elected by the members of each Provincial Assembly. “This shall be effective from the next Senate elections after the commencement of the Constitution (Eighteenth Amendment) Act,2010.”
He said that the Committee had also recommended amendments in Article 92 of the Constitution according to that the total strength of the Cabinet, including ministers of state, would not exceed eleven percent of the total membership Parliament. The amendment shall be effective from the next general elections held after the commencement of the Constitution (Eighteenth Amendment) Act, 2010.
Mian Raza Rabbani informed the House that according to suggestions from CRCP, the Governor should be a registered voter and resident of the province concerned while substituting Article 104 of the Constitution, Speaker provincial assembly shall perform functions of governor in his absence and in the absence of speaker too any other person as the President may nominate shall perform the functions of governor until the governor returns to Pakistan or, as the case may be, resumes his function.
Chairman CRCP said that the recommendation for amendment of Article 128 of the Constitution says that the provincial assembly may by a resolution extend the Ordinance for a further period of 90 days and it shall stand repealed at the expiration of the extended period, or if before the expiration of that period a resolution disapproving it is passed by the Assembly, upon the passing of that resolution: provided further that extension for a further period may be made only once.
“The amendment is also recommended in Article 154 of the Constitution. It is amended that the Council of Common Interest shall be constituted with in thirty days of the Prime Minister taking oath of the office and the Council shall have a permanent secretariat and shall meet at least once in ninety days: provided that the Prime Minister may convene a meeting of an urgent matter”, Rabbani told the Lower House.
Chairman CRCP further told that the amendment in Article 157 was also suggested and according to this amendment: The Federal Government shall, prior to taking a decision to construct or cause to be constructed, hydro-electric power stations in any province, shall consult the provincial government concerned while in case of any dispute between the Federal and provincial government in respect of any matter under this Article, any of the said government may move the Council of Common Interest for resolution of the dispute.
After the clause 3 of the Article 160,2 new clauses shall be inserted. According to Clause 3A, the share of the provinces in each award of the National Finance Commission shall not be less than the share given to the provinces in the previous award while 3-B says that the Federal Finance Minister and provincial Finance Minister shall monitor the implementation of the award biannually and lay their report before both Houses of Parliament and the Provincial Assemblies.
Raza Rabbani told that according to amendment of Article 167 of the Constitution clause 4 shall be inserted which says that a province may raise domestic or international loan, or give guarantee on the security of the Provincial Consolidated Fund within such limits and subject to such conditions as may be specified by the National Economic Council.
He said that the recommended amendment of Article 161 says that the net proceedings of the federal duty of excise on natural gas levied at well-head and collected by the Federal Government and of the royalty collected by the Federal Government, shall not form part of the Federal Consolidated Fund and shall be paid to the provinces in which the well-head of natural gas is situated; the net proceedings of the federal duty of excise on oil levied at well-head and collected by the Federal Government shall not form part of the Federal Consolidated Fund and shall be paid to the province in which the well-head of oil is situated.
He informed that the recommended substitution of Article 243 says that the President shall, on the advice of the Prime Minister, appoint the Chairman, Joint Chief of Staff; the Chief of the Army Staff; the Chief of the Naval Staff; and the Chief of the Air Staff and shall also determine their salaries and allowances.
It was proposed that a commission comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan as Chairman, two most senior judges of the Supreme Court, a former chief justice or a former judge of the Supreme Court to be nominated by the CJ in consultation with the two member judges for a period of two years, Federal Minister for Law and Justice, Attorney General for Pakistan and senior advocate of the Supreme Court nominated by the Pakistan Bar Council as members, will appoint judges of Supreme Court and High Courts.
Amendment of Article 232 suggests that for imposition of emergency due to the internal disturbances beyond the powers of a provincial government to control, a resolution from the provincial assembly of that province shall be required: Provided further that if the President acts on his own, the proclamation of emergency shall be placed before both the Houses of Parliament for approval by each House within ten days.
Earlier, Chairman Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Reforms Raza Rabbani congratulated all the political leaders sitting in and out side of the Parliament and said that it became possible due to the cooperation of all political parties, which wholeheartedly participated in the meetings of the Committee.
He told that the Committee received more than 800 recommendations from civil society, communities living in Pakistan and other segments, however, it was difficult to adjust all of these but some of these were included in the recommendations of the Committee.
Senior Vice President of PML-N Javaid Hashmi, on the point of order, congratulated the Committee, Prime Minister, President and other leadership of the country and said the world was thinking that Pakistan would not on the world map in 2012 but this Committee had flushed away all such concerns.
Riaz Hussain Pirzada of PML-Q also congratulated the Committee and other MPs and said that the political parties would have to make the Parliament strong to prevent the external powers from derailing the democratic system.
Troubles for Zardari set to rise as NAB asks Swiss govt. to re-open corruption cases
March 31st, 2010 |
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In what might increase troubles for Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has written letters to the Swiss Government for the reopening of corruption cases pending against him in the country.
During a hearing, NAB’s counsel Abid Zuberi told the Supreme Court that the bureau, in its letter, has asked [...]
Institutions’ clash wishful thinking: PM
January 24th, 2010 |
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MULTAN – Asking the confrontationmongers to come out of their illusions, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani reiterated on Sunday that government would not let occur any collision ‘among the institutions’ as it respected the judiciary.
“Those, who think that the clash will happen and we’ll call the army to take control of situation, are in illusions. We’ll respect the judiciary while the executive and parliament will play their constitutional role,” he added while addressing a public meeting here at district sports ground after inaugurating the construction work of different development projects launched under Prime Minister Development Package.
Holding the masses as a supreme power, he said they wanted democracy to flourish in the country and not any clash. “Therefore, no clash will take place,” he added.
He maintained that the Constitution had set the limits for all institutions and, God willing, no collision would occur and all institutions would continue to work within their set limits. He lauded the role of the army, police, public and parliamentarians, saying they all rendered tremendous sacrifices in the war against terrorism.
He resolved to respect all institutions and strengthen them in the context of 1973 Constitution. “I want to tell those who’re planning to weaken the democracy that we’ll not let the fruit of Mohtarma’s sacrifice go waste. We’ve no more chance. We’ll hold democracy firmly as we’ve paid heavily for it,” he stressed.
Declaring last general polls as historic, he said: “It was general Musharraf who claimed he would not let Benazir and Nawaz Sharif return to the country. Now see! who is in and who is out?” he posed a question. He said the people responded to Musharraf’s challenge as a result of which today he was out of country while both Mohtarma and Nawaz Sharif returned. He said Benazir Bhutto sacrificed her life for the accomplishment of pledges she made with the public about changing the system. “She embarked on a mission to revive 1973 Constitution, protect the system and safeguard public’s rights. She gave her life for this mission,” he added. According to him, the PPP is the symbol of the federation and a guarantee to the national security.
Referring to the problems being faced by the public, he said his government owned all the problems. “We’ll never put the blame on previous governments. Today we’re in while they’re out because they failed to solve public problems. We assure you that we’ll settle all issues in five years,” he promised.
He said the enemies of democracy launched attack on Benazir Bhutto on her arrival while the country was under emergency rule and the judges were either removed or put under house arrest at that time.
“It was Mohtarma (Benazir Bhutto) who challenged the dictator and announced to restore the Chief Justice and hoist flag on his house,” the PM recalled, adding that Ms Bhutto convinced the entire world and forced the dictator to shed his uniform. “He ruled the country as president and army chief for eight years but he could not survive for just six months as president in democracy,” he told the audience, adding that the democratic vision of Benazir Bhutto forced the dictator to hold elections.
He credited Benazir Bhutto and President Asif Ali Zardari for the restoration of democracy in the country.
“It was Mohtarma who convinced Mian Nawaz Sharif to contest polls and when he visited Garhi Khuda Bukhsh to condole the martyrdom of Mohtarma, it was Asif Zardari who prevented Sharifs from boycotting the elections,” he maintained. He claimed that there would not have been free media, independent judiciary or democracy had the PML (N) boycotted the 2008 polls.
He said the PML (N) and PPP were running coalition government in Punjab while the latter formed government in the Centre while the person who could not find even a little space within the country was Gen Musharraf.
According to him, Multan is a historical place as many movements started from here. “Great leader Zulfikar Ali Bhutto launched his drive to change the system from Multan. He wanted to empower the common man, poor labourer and tenant, and proved that the change was possible through ballot.” He declared to revive the historic importance of Multan, saying it would be turned into Bhutto’s fortress.
Gilani announced to give jobs to the people, saying he was jailed for this crime and he would continue to commit it again and again. He said the government would launch such projects aimed at generating job opportunities. He said the previous government employed 100,000 persons and his government confirmed their services. He said he would talk to the Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif for release of big city allowance for Multan.
The public meeting was also addressed by the Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Hamid Saed Kazmi, Senator Malik Salah Udden Dogar, MPAs Abdul Qadir Gilani, Nazim Shah, Malik Ahmad Hassan Dehar and Amir Dogar, PPP Multan district coordinator Khalid Hanif Lodhi and city president Khurshid Khan.
Earlier talking to a delegation of Multan Press Club at Circuit House, PM said he was not opposed to the Saraiki province but the prevailing conditions did not permit the launching of this move. He reiterated that the government strongly believed in provincial autonomy. He said the performance of the government could be gauged from its achievements like declaration of NFC award. “We’ve ensured just distribution of national resources through NFC,” he added. He said the Karachi-Peshawar Motorway would be constructed soon.
Later on, the PM also met with the delegations of Multan Bar and hawkers. He announced Rs20 million fund for the construction of new chambers at the district courts. Similarly, responding to a demand from newspaper sellers, he directed the commissioner Multan division to select an appropriate site for the construction of a newspaper market.
Thousands mourn Pakistan’s Bhutto, two years on
December 27th, 2009 |
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Pakistan government officials on Sunday led thousands of loyalists in mourning the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, two years after her killing. Several thousand faithful gathered outside the mausoleum in southern Garhi Khuda Bakhsh village but complained that security
LB polls on party basis
December 13th, 2009 |
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MULTAN – Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani declared on Sunday that upcoming local government polls would be held on party basis.
Addressing a news conference here at Multan Airport after his arrival from Islamabad, he said that the provincial governments would take over the local bodies on December 31. He told the journalists that the chief ministers of all the four provinces had endorsed government’s policy on local governments. “They (CMs) have informed the government in writing that they’ll follow the unanimous strategy on local governments introduced by the centre,” he added.
He said slain PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto also wanted local government polls to be held on party basis as it would generate leadership at grassroots level. “We’ll promote this vision,” he resolved.
To a query on Indian hand in Pakistan, the premier reiterated that the evidences of Indian involvement in terrorism in Pakistan would be furnished at appropriate forum at a suitable time.
He said the evidences against India were available but issuing multiple statements on this issue and discussing it before media could make it complex. “The situation can deteriorate if we discuss sensitive issues on media,” he added. According to him, Pakistan wants to resolve issues like Kashmir, water and terrorism through dialogue otherwise the terrorists would benefit from the situation.
He said the government had formed a new authority to tackle terrorism issue. “This authority will be supported by the military and civil agencies and all institutions will work together,” he added. He stressed that journalists, educationists, police officers and officials from departments concerned would be included in this body to tackle the terrorism issue.
“It will be a think tank which would run a research centre to impart training to the children and citizens,” he added. Responding to a question, he termed the approval of NFC Award as the beauty and triumph of democracy, saying democratic powers were striving hard to settle all issues amicably.
According to him, the Americans caught from Sargodha are being quizzed and their fate would be decided after the completion of interrogation. He said the operation was going on successfully in Waziristan against those, who challenged governmentÂ’s writ. He claimed that the government took all political parties into confidence in the parliament prior to launching the operation.
Holding the US as strategic partner of Pakistan in war on terror, he described terrorism as an international menace, stressing that the chances of success in war against terrorism could go further up, provided Pakistan and US worked together under a joint strategy. He claimed that the US took Pakistan into confidence prior to launching new Afghan policy. “Soon American leaders are coming to Pakistan to talk to our political and army leadership,” he said.
Mr Gilani maintained that the work on drafting constitutional amendments was at final stages and soon the constitution would be restored in its real form. “I pay tributes to all political parties for supporting government on this issue,” he added.
To a query, he said the government was not opposed to the accountability. “But we want accountability and not vendetta,” he added. He said he had offered Nawaz Sharif to go through the draft of the proposed accountability bill and form a three-member committee of his party to review it so that it could be presented before the parliament. He said there was a huge difference between accountability and vendetta. “If I receive any verdict against me, I’ll accept it. We’ll do only those things that enjoy public support,” he asserted. Answering another question, he said Gilgit-Baltistan was a part of Kashmir and Pakistan was struggling for the liberation of Kashmir.
Strongly dispelling the impression that governmentÂ’s recent steps on Gilgit-Baltistan were part of a strategy to make it a part of Pakistan, he said the government did not allocate any seat to Gilgit-Baltistan in the parliament or senate – rather, this region was given autonomy. “We have empowered them to resolve their problems locally,” he added.
Replying to a question, he said no party enjoyed two-thirds majority in the parliament and therefore Saraiki province could not be established through an executive order. He said he never opposed Sariaki province, but currently the country was facing some other serious problem. “If we talk of the Saraiki province at this time, it will bring more troubles for the country,” he added. He emphasised that no agreement was made by the government for changing the name of NWFP.
Deploring Qasim Bela blast incident, he announced Rs .5 million compensation for each deceased, Rs 10, 0000 for each injured and Rs 15 million for reconstruction of damaged houses. He said the anti-Pakistan elements hatched a conspiracy to ruin peaceful atmosphere in Multan. To a query on land erosion by Indus river, he said the federal government would support provincial government vis-a-vis launching a joint project to combat land erosion if the latter brought this issue to the notice of centre.
Musharraf fears Sharif would make his life ‘miserable’ if he replaces Zardari
November 7th, 2009 |
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Pakistan’s current turbulent political scenario seems to have the former President General Pervez Musharraf worried.
Musharraf wants President Asif Ali Zardari to continue on the post as he fears that if Nawaz Sharif manages to climb the ladder to power, then the PML-N chief would make his life ‘miserable’ and leave no stone unturned to target [...]
Pakistan, & the Myth of Islamic Terrorism
August 19th, 2009 |
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resident Musharraf has supposedly been fighting Islamic terrorism since he took control of Pakistan in a coup eight years ago. Benazir Bhutto repeatedly justified her role in a future Pakistan by claiming to be a champion of democracy; Nawaz Sharif is also citing to his highly dubious democratic credentials at every opportunity on the campaign [...]
Pakistani Taliban leader ‘killed’
August 7th, 2009 |
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US and Pakistani officials have said they are checking reports that the leader of the Taliban in Pakistan, Baitullah Mehsud, has been killed.
He is said to have died in a missile attack on the home of a relative.
A US official said there was "reason to believe reports of his death may be true, but it cannot be confirmed".
Family members have already confirmed that one of Mehsud’s wives was killed when a US drone attacked her father’s home in South Waziristan on Wednesday.
The area is a stronghold of Mehsud, who has been blamed by Pakistan for a series of suicide bomb attacks in the country.
About 2,000 people have died in such attacks across the country since July 2007, when government forces besieged and captured a radical mosque in Islamabad from Mehsud’s loyalists.
Since then the Taliban in Pakistan have claimed responsibility for some of the worst attacks, but have always denied any role in the murder of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in Rawalpindi in December 2007.
This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
Is he dead?
August 7th, 2009 |
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The leader of the Taliban in Pakistan is said to have been killed
HOW significant would the death of Baitullah Mehsud, the supreme leader of the Pakistani Taliban, be to the fortunes of Pakistan? According to American and Pakistani officials, Mr Mehsud was probably killed in South Waziristan tribal area on Wednesday August 5th by an American missile fired from an unmanned aircraft. It is thought that he died in the attack along with his wife and bodyguards. Pakistan’s foreign minister, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, suggests that “to be 100% sure, we are going for ground verification”. However, even with the use of DNA sampling, it may be impossible to be confirm that he has been killed.
Mr Mehsud, who in 2007 declared himself to be the leader of the Pakistan Taliban, a group of around 13 factions in the northwest, was a formidable opponent and a serious threat. He was chiefly responsible for the suicide-blasts that have ripped through the country’s main cities in recent years, terrorising Pakistanis and banishing foreign investors. The Americans placed a $5m dollar bounty on him, but his position appeared relatively secure, as he was backed by a bellicose tribe in remote terrain. The CIA and Pakistan’s former military ruler, Pervez Musharraf, accused him of being behind the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, in December 2007, but he denied it. …
Gilani approves Balochistan panel’s proposals
July 28th, 2009 |
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Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that the proposals of committee on Balochistan have been approved.
Talking to mediapersons at the Prime Minister’’s Secretariat here on Tuesday, Gilani said consultations will be make with all stake holders on the proposals submitted by parliamentary committee on Balochistan and a jirga or an all party conference [...]