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Cabinet to be ‘rightsized’

January 23rd, 2011 | No Comments


ISLAMABAD – Some ministers in the federal cabinet are being removed in what is being described as ‘rightsizingÂ’ of some 100-strong council of ministers, apparently to meet an important demand of the PML-N to reduce expenditure.
Federal Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Babar Awan confirmed that the step was being taken to ‘rightsize’ the cabinet. PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif had given a 10-point charter of demands to the government on January 4 with a clear message that the needful should be done in 45 days. Otherwise, he had said, the PML-N would be left with no option but to call for fresh elections.
A committee comprising representatives of both PPP and PML-N is already working on modalities to implement the agenda. It is not clear how many ministers will be shown the door. However, it is expected that many ministers will lose their jobs, as only then will the government be able to show some cut in the expenditure.
It may be recalled that two federal ministers have already been sacked – although for a different reason. They are: Hamid Saeed Kazmi and Azam Khan Swati. Swati had alleged that Kazmi was involved in corruption in Haj operation. He also took the matter to the Supreme Court.
The prime minister removed both of them, saying they had violated discipline. Talking to journalists on the premises of the Supreme Court after the Judicial Commission meeting, Federal Law Minister Babar Awan disclosed that President Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani had decided rightsizing of the Federal Cabinet.
He said it had been decided to reduce the number of ministers in the new cabinet with a view to cutting down government expenditures. The decision has been taken in the light of PML-NÂ’s suggestions for economic reforms and more than one dozen institutions would be restructured.
Babar said the government was discussing the issue with all political parties with an open mind, adding that all political parties and the government wanted to strengthen the system.
Brushing aside possibility of the Federal CabinetÂ’s dissolution, PPP central leaders said no such plan was under consideration and only a few portfolios of some of the cabinet members would be changed and that too owing to the devolution of over 12 ministries to the provinces under the 18th Constitutional Amendment.
Both the Presidential and Prime MinisterÂ’s spokesmen confirmed to The Nation that no proposal of dissolution of the Federal Cabinet came under discussion in the PPP Core CommitteeÂ’s meeting held at the Presidency on Friday night. The matter did not figure in the recent meetings of the President and Prime Minister either, confirmed these spokesmen.
The sources in PPP on condition of anonymity informed that the reshuffle in the portfolios of some of the federal and state ministers came under discussion in the Core Committee meeting of the party as over 12 full-fledged federal ministries would be devolved to provinces after the abolition of Concurrent List under the 18th Constitutional Amendment.
The sources further informed that at the same time, a few federal ministries also fell vacant after the two coalition partners – JUI-F and MQM – stepped out from the Federal Cabinet.
The sources revealed that in the Core Committee meeting, President Zardari had stressed the need for bringing the estranged coalition partners back in the Federal Cabinet and it was decided that the portfolios vacated by these coalition partners would not be reallocated and the current arrangement of keeping these portfolios as additional charge with some ministers would be kept intact.
The sources further said the devolution process of over 12 full-fledged federal ministries and its allied departments to provinces would be completed by June 30 and the process of rightsizing of the Federal Cabinet would also be completed by that time.
Some senior PPP leaders informed The Nation that a few state ministers could lose their berths in the Federal Cabinet owing to their poor performance and they would be replaced with active and vibrant party leaders. However, this condition would not apply on the ministries doled out to coalition partners, these leaders further informed and added that the share of ministries given to the coalition partners would not be affected by this rightsizing.
The sources in the party further informed that the PPP leadership had also constituted a special committee to examine the possibility of merger of some of the divisions and ministries, which in the past were carved out to accommodate maximum party leaders and coalition partners.
It is pertinent to mention here that the 18th Constitutional Amendment had restricted the size of the federal government to 11 per cent of the total strength of the Parliament which would remain below 50 but this clause would be applicable to the government formed after the next general elections due in 2013.
The condition of small size cabinet under the 18th Amendment would be made applicable after 2013 general elections owing to the problem of incumbent government, which had to accommodate a number of coalition partners in the Federal Cabinet.

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PM says ‘yes’ to Nawaz agenda

January 10th, 2011 | No Comments


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.

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Unanimous 19th Amend lands in NA

December 22nd, 2010 | No Comments


ISLAMABAD – Terming the day a historic one, Chairman Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Reforms, Mian Raza Rabbani Tuesday presented a report with regard to the proposed 19th amendment in the Constitution in the National Assembly.
“This is a unique moment in the political history of the country as two very important unanimously adopted constitutional bills are being presented before the House,” he said while laying the report. Rabbani said that when some of the articles of the 18th Amendment were challenged in the Supreme Court of Pakistan, some people were waiting for a clash among the institutions but the Supreme Court sent it back to the Parliament for a review. No political party has given a dissenting note on the 19th amendment, he added.
He congratulated and thanked the President, the Prime Minister, all political partiesÂ’ heads and the National Assembly Speaker for giving a free hand0 to the Committee, which made it possible for him to present a unanimously adopted report on 19th amendment in the House.
He said that all the constitutional institutions were functioning within their constitutional ambits and the political system in the country was strengthening day-by-day. He also paid tributes to the members of the Committee and said without their active cooperation, it was not possible for him to develop consensus with regard to the unanimous amendments.
Later, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani congratulated the House on the presentation of the report with regard to the report on 19th amendment and a successful test of a ballistic missile Hatf-5.
He was of the view that the incumbent Parliament was the most independent than the previous ones and its seriousness and devotion to resolve the issues had shut the mouth of those who had been terming it a rubberstamp parliament.
Premier Gilani said that he had been a member of the parliament since 1982 to 2002 and he never saw such an independent parliament. “The last Parliament did nothing but only chanted slogans of ‘Go Musharraf Go,” the Prime Minister commented.
Congratulating the Chairman and members of the Committee and heads of the political parties, he said that the Parliament, politicians, media and judiciary were passing through an evolution and were turning more mature and strong.
“I compliment the role of Supreme Court for referring the matter to the Parliament for a review. The Judiciary has given highest respect to the Parliament and the Parliament has
reciprocated in the same manner,” he said.
PML-Q leader Riaz Pirzada said the ParliamentÂ’s maturity strengthened political institutions and the unanimous resolution had cemented the democratic system. Aftab Shaikh of PML-N said it was a historic day when the Committee had drafted a unanimous amendment, which would help restore the 1973 Constitution in its true form.
However, Kashmala Tariq of PML-Q (Likeminded) and Bahadur Khan Sehar of PML-Q and Nawab Yousuf of PPP said that the procedure of making new provinces in the country should be relaxed in the 19th amendment.
Meanwhile, Chairman Standing Committee on Religious Affairs Maulana Muhammad Qasim presented a report of the committee on ‘The Registration of Haj Bill, 2008’. The Bill provides for regulating, controlling and facilitating the business of Haj operators.
Earlier, responding to a calling attention notice, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs said that Sikhs were not refused of visa to visit pilgrims on the occasion of their founderÂ’s day in Pakistan.
He said that he had checked the matter from Interior Ministry and there was no report of the refusal of visas to 300 Sikh pilgrims. The calling attention notice was moved by MNAs Shakeela Khanam, Rubina Saadat Qaim Khani, and others.
According to the draft of the report, it has been recommended that Judicial Commission would nominate judges and send its nominations to the parliamentary committee, that would have the authority to reject the same and send it back to the Commission for review. The Commission would again nominate other judges for appointment and would send it back to the parliamentary committee, that would send the nomination to the prime minister for appointment.
The channel said 26 amendments have been made in six articles of the Constitution. Two in article 81, one each in article 175 and 182, 12 in article 175A, two in article 213 and eight amendments made to article 246.
The areas surrounding Lakki Marwat and Tank will be considered Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) areas in this amendment.
Meanwhile, Minister for Law Justice and Preliminary Affairs Dr Babar Awan said on Tuesday that the government will table 19th Amendment in the National Assembly on Wednesday (today).
Talking to media outside the Parliament, he said the Ministry has prepared the 19th Amendment, the Federal Cabinet will approve it and it would be tabled in the National Assembly on Wednesday and will be approved during the ongoing session.
The draft of the amendment bill is likely tabled before the National Assembly tomorrow (Thursday) after its formal approval from the Federal Cabinet today (Wednesday).
The Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Reforms (PCCR) Senator Mian Raza Rabbani had tabled the report of the Committee before the National Assembly on Tuesday.
Sources in the Parliament informed The Nation that the draft of 19th Constitutional Amendment would be presented before the Federal Cabinet on Wednesday (today) for approval and once it was okayed by the Cabinet it would be tabled before the National Assembly on Thursday and is likely be passed by the Parliament the same day.
Agencies add: According a TV channel said 26 amendments have been made in six articles of the Constitution. Two in article 81, one each in article 175 and 182, 12 in article 175A, two in Article 213 and eight amendments made to article 246.
The areas surrounding Lakki Marwat and Tank will be considered Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) areas in this amendment.
Meanwhile, Minister for Law Justice and Preliminary Affairs Dr Babar Awan said on Tuesday that the government will table 19th Amendment in the National Assembly on Wednesday (today).
Talking to media outside the Parliament, he said the Ministry has prepared the 19th Amendment, the Federal Cabinet will approve it and it would be tabled in the National Assembly on Wednesday and will be approved during the ongoing session.

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Political manoeuvring heats up

December 16th, 2010 | No Comments


ISLAMABAD – The political front remained extremely hot in the Federal Capital on Wednesday as the ruling PPP manoeuvred to get support of JUI-F, PML-Q and PML-Q (Likeminded), besides MQM, to save its government from a possible collapse.
The GovernmentÂ’s efforts to bring JUI-F back in coalition bore no fruit, as Maulana Fazlur Rahman remained stuck to his stance of staying out of the Government leaving the ruling camp in disarray.
Syed Khurshid Shah, the chief whip of the ruling Pakistan PeopleÂ’s Party along with PresidentÂ’s close aide Qayyum Soomro went to meet Fazl but talks remained inconclusive as the JUI-F did not change its stance. Khursheed invited Fazl for another meeting on December 18.
“We welcome political dialogues as it is part of the democratic system but we will not change our decision,” said JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rahman while talking to media person after the meeting. He said that his party was sticking to its decision to part ways with Government and would not take it back.
Sneaking away from the question whether his party had given three-time divorce to the Government, he only shared smile with the media men and said that they had clearly conveyed their decision and it could not be changed.
To another question about dismissal of Azam Swati from his office on violation of discipline, he remarked that it was also violation of discipline when the leadership of coalition partner JUI-F was not taken into confidence about the decision of dismissal.
“We were not taken into confidence before the removal of our party minister,” he said adding that PM should have consulted the party’s leadership before taking the decision. He said Azam Swati had followed instructions given by the PM, saying he did not raise the issue before media but took it up with the Supreme Court.
Fazl said that all the political forces were united for the democratic process and his party would not welcome any unconstitutional move in the country.
Later talking to media, Minister for Labour and Manpower Syed Khurshid Shah said Swati was instructed by the Prime Minister to take up the issue inside the Cabinet but he violated the directives.
When asked about PPPÂ’s contacts with other political parties including PML-Q, he said that the dialogue process was part of democracy and it would continue.
He said that they held talks with Maulana to convince him to rejoin the coalition. He said that Maulana had accepted to attend the presidential dinner to be given by President Zardari at the Presidency in honour of the Chinese Prime Minister.
“I have also met with Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and discussed the recent political situation,” he said, adding that he himself had met Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain thrice.
When asked about dismissal of the two ministers, he commented that the two ministers were sacked as the media wanted to the Government do so, saying the media should also praise the GovernmentÂ’s positive steps.
Later, JUI (F) MNA Laiq Mohammad Khan said that removal of Azam Swati from his office was due to the fact that he had taken a stance to expose corruption in Haj operations.
Addressing a press conference, he said that Azam Swati had brought into the notice of Prime Minister the irregularities in the Haj operations. Azam Swati informed the President and the PM about the corruption by writing letters but no action was taken on it, he said. He said that the Government was also annoyed as Azam Swati had pledged to provide evidence of corruption in the apex court, he added.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has invited Pakistan Muslim League (Likeminded) President Senator Saleem Saifullah Khan for meeting, ostensibly to further the agenda of reconciliatory policy of Pakistan PeopleÂ’s Party.
After getting a strong ‘no’ from Maulana Fazlur Rehman the need to look for new allies needed even more and the call was made in this backdrop, sources in the government informed The Nation.
The information was later confirmed by Saleem Saifullah Khan after the groupÂ’s informal meeting where he announced the formal meeting of the group in Lahore on Thursday to take a decision on the GovernmentÂ’s initiative to woo them into the ruling coalition.
Sources in Pakistan Muslim League (Likeminded) informed that Saleem Saifullah Khan appreciated the decision of the PM to show door to two federal ministers and assured him that his group would not become part of any move to destabilise the incumbent political dispensation.
The sources further informed that under new arrangements the Pakistan Muslim League (Quaid) and PML (Likeminded), the splinter group of the Q-League, could be taken on board in case JUI-F did not come back in the government.
Meanwhile talking to media Central Information Secretary PPP Fouzia Wahab said that they were making efforts to strengthen the democratic institutions and the country could not afford any disturbance at this critical juncture.
To a question she said that they were having good relations with PML-Q as they had supported them in getting Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani elected as unopposed Prime Minister.
She further said that countryÂ’s stability and future of democracy were interlinked and all the democracy loving elements in the Parliament should extend support to the incumbent political dispensation for the better future of democratic institutions in the country.
She once again reiterated her partyÂ’s stance to continue with its policy of reconciliation and taking all stakeholders on board while making policy decisions.
Meanwhile, the departure of JUI-F from the ruling coalition has pushed the PPP leadership to rope in the PML-Q by offering it six ministerial slots in the Federal Cabinet.
Well-placed sources privy to these developments told The Nation on Wednesday that PPP wheeler-dealers were actively busy in talks with the PML-Q leadership in order to finalise the deal. The sources, however, made it clear that the proposed deal would not have any adverse implication for the PPP-PML-N coalition in the Punjab province.
“The move is part of PPP’s national reconciliation policy to take all the major political players on board in order to steer the country out of the given situation,” the sources said, adding PPP-PML-Q might enter into a formal political alliance during the next general elections.
However, sources within the PML-Q were quite cautious about the PPPÂ’s offered deal, saying the move had to be seen into a broader context after Prime Minister GilaniÂ’s overture to the PML-Q Likeminded Group headed by Senator Salim Saifullah. They viewed the move with scepticism and said that it could be a PPPÂ’s ploy to woo one of the factions to its side by offering the PML-Q six ministerial slots in the Federal Cabinet.
The sources said that the PPPÂ’s offer could be used as a double-edged sword and one did not know which faction of the PML-Q to benefit at the end of the day.
Both the PML-Q factions, one headed by the Senator Ch Shujaat Hussain and other by Senator Salim Saifullah, held series of consultations within their respective parties to deliberate the pros and con of the PPPÂ’s offered deal.
Some sources were of the view that PPP could woo both the factions by offering them these ministerial slots as per their numerical strength in the Parliament.
Interestingly, the PML-N seems least threatened over these developments. “We are not worried over these developments as long as PPP remains committed to honour our principled position,” PML-N sources said. They were optimistic that PPP leadership would not create problem for the PML-N as main ruling coalition partner in Punjab.
Meanwhile, Fazl held separate meetings with former chief of Jamaat-e-Islami Qazi Hussain Ahmed and PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain. The interactions were made on the sidelines of ‘Tahafuz-e-Namoos-e-Risalat Conference.’
“We have closed our doors for the government,” Shujaat quoted Fazl as saying during a brief chat with media. The JUI-F chief and Qazi Hussain discussed the possibility of reactivating the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal.
On the other hand, a private TV channel while quoting sources reported that Fazlur Rehman has set a two-day deadline for the government to review the decision of removing Azam Swati from the cabinet.
According to sources, the development is a result of flexibility shown by the JUI-FÂ’s chief, as he has asked the government to restore Swati to his lost and issue an apology.

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JUI-F quits coalition

December 15th, 2010 | No Comments


ISLAMABAD/LAHORE – The PPP-led government suffered another setback as it plunged to another crisis Tuesday when JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman announced Tuesday that his party had decided to quit the coalition government.
The latest twist in the countryÂ’s politics came after Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani earlier in the day sacked Minister for Religious Affairs Hamid Saeed Kazmi and Minister for Science and Technology Azam Swati from their offices. It is worth mentioning that Swati was one of the three JUI-FÂ’s ministers who were inducted in the cabinet.
As soon a high-level meeting of JUI-F made the decision, the remaining two ministers also sent their resignations to the prime minister.
They include Federal Minister Housing and Works Minister Rehmat Ullah Kakar and Federal Minister for Tourism Atta-ur-Rehman.
After the announcement, President Zardari and Premier Gilani telephoned Fazlur Rehman but he refused to talk. When asked about the contact by the Presidency, Fazl while talking to media said, “Please avoid such critical questions.”
He said the governmentÂ’s one-sided decision compelled them to quit the coalition government, adding that they were not taken into confidence over issue.
The JUI-F chief said he had responded positively to the reconciliation policy of the PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari, adding that he asked the president to implement the agreement reached with the JUI-F which had joined the government on the basis of the deal.
He said the party had written many letters to Prime Minister Gilani to take action against the people involved in the Haj scandal but the government did not take any action. Instead, it dismissed their minister Azam Swati who stood firm against the huge corruption in Haj operations, he added.
When asked about the blasphemy law, he ridiculed Punjab Governor Salmaan TaseerÂ’s statements about amending the law and expressed his anger over the private bill moved by PPP MNA Sherry Rehman for this purpose.
In response to a question, he asked the PPP government to revoke the notification of SwatiÂ’s removal and issue a formal apology.
About the future plan of action and RGST Bill which would soon be tabled in the Lower House of the Parliament, Fazl said the JUI-F would oppose the bill and would not bail out the govt from the possible embarrassment during the voting.
Later, as a reconciliatory move, President ZardariÂ’s spokesman Dr Qayyum Soomro reached FazlÂ’s residence for convincing him to withdraw his decision.
Meanwhile, talking to media after a religious ceremony at Kala Shah Kaku near Lahore, Kazmi said a particular group was conspiring against him after his appointment as the federal minister for Religious Affairs. They wanted to grab the ministry, he added.
Talking about his removal, Kazmi said the decision had been taken although there was no solid proof against him but he had no complaint over the move.
“I am simple man and not involved in any corruption,” he said.
He said fabricated stories were being spread just for targeting him.
When asked why he did not resign despite constant pressure, Kazmi replied he wanted to stand up against the conspirators and there was no reason to do so in the absence of concrete evidence.
He reminded the reporters that no accused could be termed criminal till the charges were proved in the court.
On the reports of freezing his bank accounts, Kazmi he had no wealth; therefore, the decision, if taken, would not affect him.
In an exclusive telephonic conversation with Nawa-i-Waqt from Zurich, Azam Swati described his removal as an honour, saying he was the lone minister in Pakistan who had ever been sacked over pointing out corruption.
He said he was grateful to Maulana Fazlur Rehman and other party elders for deciding to quit the govt after his expulsion from the cabinet. He also thanked the people and media for, what he called naming, him as the ‘honest minister’.
“This day will always be remembered as an important milestone in the country’s history,” he remarked, adding that it had inculcated a new feeling in the nation.
It was a JUI-F minister who exposed corruption prevailing in the government, he said.
Swati said the incumbent govt never paid attention to science and technology, as the budget of Higher Education Commission (HEC) was slashed while that of BISP, which he termed as bogus, was increased from Rs30 billion to Rs90 billion. He had walked out of the cabinet meeting when it was approved, Swati added.
The JUI-F senator said he would stay in Zurich at his daughterÂ’s house and also land in Dubai for some days.
It is pertinent to recall that Swati runs a departmental store chain and oil companies in the US where he had stayed till late 1990s but later opted to return to Pakistan.
Talking to media, Federal Minister for Information Qamar Zaman Kaira said obviously there were some differences between the two allies but the matter would soon be resolved amicably.
Though the PMÂ’s House statement about the sacking of the two ministers did not mention any reasons but they have been fired over the controversy about the corruption in the Haj operations. Kazmi is facing serious allegations of corruption in Haj levelled against him by Swati and others. It resulted in media war as both the ministers did not follow the premierÂ’s advice to avoid issuing statements, thus aggravating the differences between the two cabinet fellows.
Prime Minister Gilani has given the additional charge of Religious Affairs to Syed Khursheed Shah, Minister of Labour and Manpower Minister of Education Sardar Assef Ahmed will look after the Ministry of Science and Technology.
The premier has also appointed Makhdoom Shahbuddin as Minister for Defence Production, who will continue to hold his portfolio of the Health Ministry. The slot was vacant after the resignation by former minister Abdul Qayyum Jatoi.
Meanwhile, Secretary Ministry of Religious Affairs Agha Sarwar Raza
Qazalbash has been directed to report to the Establishment Division, while Secretary Overseas Pakistanis Division Saeed Khan has replaced Qazalbash.

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PM moves to calm fraying tempers

November 23rd, 2010 | No Comments


ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani directed the Minister for Religious Affairs and Minister for Science and Technology to stop giving statements against each other, as an inquiry had already been initiated to fix the responsibility of malpractices in the Haj arrangements.
Following Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Azam Khan SwatiÂ’s statement holding Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Hamid Saeed Kazmi, responsible for all the mismanagement and corruption during the current Haj and a tit-for-tat by the latter by filing damages sue against the former, Prime Minister Gilani intervened in the matter and directed both the ministers to stop washing each othersÂ’ dirty linen in public to the disadvantage of the already corruption-tainted Government.
Sources aware of the development informed TheNation that Premier Gilani during his telephonic contact with Hamid Saeed Kazmi further directed him to keep his hands off in the blame game and let the matter be settled with Saudi Government at government-to-government level.
In his chat with Azam Khan Swati, the PM asked him to avoid giving any further statement against the person of Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and let the inquiry report come on the overall mismanagement and malpractices in the Haj arrangements.
The sources further said that Hamid Saeed Kazmi briefed the Prime Minister about some of the issues relating to Haj mismanagement and the problems faced by the Pakistani pilgrims but Premier Gilani directed him to present a detailed report to him covering all the issues relating to the subject.
It is pertinent to mention here that Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Hamid Saeed Kazmi, had served Federal Minister of Science and Technology, Azam Swati, with Rs100 million defamation notice for levelling allegations against him regarding the Haj scandal.
According to media reports, Hamid Saeed Kazmi said that if Azam Swati had any proof he should make it public and charged that following the passage of 18th Amendment a number of ministries would be abolished and that was the reason a few of the ministers were eying on his Ministry and wanted his ouster.
Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Azam Khan Sawati, a JUI-F leader, was the first to hold Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Hamid Saeed Kazmi, for lousily handling the Haj affairs.
Agencies add: On Sunday, while addressing a ceremony in Mansehra, Swati demanded removal of Federal Minister Saeed Kazmi for poor arrangements and corruption scam during Haj.
“He (Kazmi) is responsible for robbing the pilgrims and mismanagement, and he should be removed,” he remarked while adding that no official could even imagine to do anything wrong without the consent of the minister concerned.
Premier Gilani asked Kazmi to refrain from issuing statements to media, saying, “It is a critical issue and we don’t want any kind of confrontation,” adding, “These statements are contrary to the country’s integrity.”
The prime minister said shifting of responsibility and the ongoing blame game were unacceptable, adding that the Foreign Ministry would in future coordinate all the arrangements for the Haj as had been decided by the cabinet.
He expressed profound appreciation for the excellent arrangements that the government of the Saudi Arabia has always made for the pilgrims. But promised to deal the corrupt elements with an iron hand.

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2.5 million perform Haj today

November 15th, 2010 | No Comments


MAKKAH (AFP/Reuters) – The worldÂ’s largest annual pilgrimage, the Haj, began on Sunday with hundreds of thousands of Muslims pouring into the camp of Mina from Makkah to prepare for solemn rituals.
The pilgrims are estimated to total up to 2.5 million this year, a major concern for the Saudi authorities who have yet to report any major incidents since the faithful descended on the holy city.
Many took buses but some had already set off on foot overnight as they headed to the vast plain of Mina, a small village about five kilometres east of Makkah that comes to life for just five days a year.
Authorities say permits have been granted to 1.7 million foreign pilgrims, with a further 200,000 or so issued to pilgrims from within Saudi Arabia and from neighbouring Gulf states.
This year has seen a crackdown on pilgrims who do not have the requisite papers as authorities attempt to prevent numbers getting out of hand.
A driver caught transporting unauthorised pilgrims faces a fine of 10,000 riyals for each individual. Vehicles with a capacity below 25 passengers have also been banned from entering Haj sites to streamline the flow of buses transporting pilgrims.
The passage to Mina marks the official launch of the Haj on the eighth day of the Muslim calendar month of Zilhaj.
The day is known as Tarwiah (Watering) as pilgrims in the past stopped at Mina to water their animals and stock up for the following dayÂ’s trip to Mount Arafat.
At Mount Arafat, some 10 kilometres southeast of Mina, the pilgrims spend the day in prayer and reflection.
After sunset, they move on to Muzdalifah, halfway between Mount Arafat and Mina, where they spend the night.
On Tuesday, the first day of Eidul Azha or the Feast of the Sacrifice, the pilgrims head back to Mina after dawn prayers.
They then perform the first stage of the symbolic stoning of the devil and make the ritual sacrifice of an animal, usually a lamb.
During the remaining three days of the Haj, the pilgrims continue the ritual stoning before performing the circumambulation of the Holy Kaaba in Makkah and heading home.
No major incidents have been reported this year since the pilgrims began gathering in Makkah. The cityÂ’s Grand Mosque has been flooded with the faithful, with an estimated 1.7 million taking part in the main weekly prayers on Friday.
The movement of pilgrims between the holy sites is a major worry for Saudi authorities who have had to deal with deadly stampedes in the past.
In recent years, the kingdom has used its huge oil revenues for massive spending on new infrastructure to ease the flow of people.
This year, the first phase of the new Mashair Railway – or Makkah metro – will transport pilgrims between Mina and Mount Arafat through Muzdalifah.
The Jamarat Bridge, where pilgrims perform the ritual stoning, has also been expanded to five levels with movement channelled in one direction.
Security remains a concern. Saudi Interior Minister Prince Nayef said on Wednesday the kingdom could not rule out an attack by Al-QaedaÂ’s regional wing, although the kingdomÂ’s forces were ready to combat any such operations.
Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula on Sunday denied it had any intentions of targeting Muslim pilgrims at Haj.

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US troop surge to destabilise Balochistan: PM

November 26th, 2009 | No Comments


ISLAMABAD (Agencies) – Pakistan stepped up warnings Thursday that an expected US decision to send tens of thousands more soldiers to Afghanistan could destabilise its Balochistan province.
“Our only concern is that when US sends more troops to Afghanistan’s Helmand area, if there will be influx of militants they will be moving to Balochistan,” Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani told a Press conference.
“This is the concern that we already discussed with the US administration, that influx of militants towards Balochistan should be taken care of otherwise that can destabilise Balochistan,” said Gilani, speaking in English.
“A stable Afghanistan is in PakistanÂ’s interest – but at the same time we also do not want our country to be destabilised,” said Gilani. “We have asked US administration to consult us in case of any paradigm shift in the policy… so that we can formulate our strategy accordingly,” said the prime minister.
Responding to a question, Gilani said the government was ready to negotiate with Baloch nationalist leaders on any terms within the ambit of the Constitution.
Gilani said he was already in contact with Baloch leadership, however, did not want to reveal details prematurely.
About the Baloch nationalists in self-exile, Gilani said, “Our government will make every effort to bring them back to country and include them into national mainstream.”
He said the leadership abroad had been invited for a ‘meaningful dialogue’ besides encouraging them to play role in uplift of their province.
The prime minister said all Baloch leaders, including Brahamdagh Bugti and Talal Bugti, had been invited for negotiations, and mentioned his regards for Bugti family, as his father and Nawab Akbar Bugti were cabinet colleagues.
When asked if negotiations meant holding talks with those charged with criminal acts, Gilani said politics was a day-to-day affair and recalled that he was also labelled with such allegations while not in the government.
He suggested setting up a parliamentary committee to work on negotiations with Baloch leaders and to invite them to play their role in national politics.
Gilani said it was for the first time in the countryÂ’s history that a tradition had been set up to take all political parties on board about all issues of national importance.
He said Nawab Lashkari Raisani could attend the committee meeting today, as was Saudi Arabia for Haj.
The prime minister termed ‘Aghaz-e-Huqooq-e-Balochistan’ not just a package but a step forward for which the Baloch people had been waiting for the last 63 years. “Balochistan is a vital part of the country and deserves the same rights as other provinces.”
Pointing to the fact that the package was presented before a joint sitting of the Parliament being the highest forum in the country, he said the govt wanted to take smaller provinces into confidence on an important development.
Refuting the impression that a section of political leadership had rejected the Balochistan package, Gilani it was presented before the Parliament for ‘fine tuning’ besides media acting as a witness, adding that it was the time to end sense of deprivation prevailing among the Baloch masses to give them their due rights. “We have to give them their rights in any case,” the prime minister asserted.
He also dispelled the impressions that the package was just a bundle of recommendations. Insisting that it was in a ready form to be implemented on a short-term basis.

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Former Gitmo detainee vows to drag Musharraf to court for illegal imprisonment

November 7th, 2009 | No Comments

A former prisoner, who was kept behind bars at the US detention facility at Guantanamo Bay for six years, has vowed to lodge a criminal case against former Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf for arresting him illegally.
Sami El-Haj, who is a journalist by profession and works for leading Arab television channel Al-Jazeera, said he is [...]

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Ranchi, Mangalore added as embarkation points for Haj

October 20th, 2009 | No Comments

Pilgrims undertaking Haj this year will have two more embarkation points, up from 17 last time, and will have to pay Rs 16,000 instead of Rs 12,000 lastyear.
These decisions in relation to the month-long Haj pilgrimage beginning from Tuesday were taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at New Delhi [...]

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Haj to cost more this year Pilgrims going for the month- long Haj this year will have to shell out Rs.4,000 more for air fare from the existing Rs.12,000. Altogether 1,60,491,people will undertake the Haj this year. Of this, 1.15 lakh pilgrims will go under the aegis of the Haj Committee and get the benefit of government subsidy while the remaining will be through private tour operators. Under the government scheme, each pilgrim will have to pay Rs 16,000 for air fare and rest of the ticket cost will be borneHaj to cost more this year ina.

October 20th, 2009 | No Comments

Pilgrims going for the month- long Haj this year will have to shell out Rs.4,000 more for air fare from the existing Rs.12,000.
Altogether 1,60,491,people will undertake the Haj this year. Of this, 1.15 lakh pilgrims will go under the aegis of the Haj Committee and get the benefit of government subsidy while the remaining [...]

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Government to contemplate capital infusion for cash strapped Air India: Patel

July 14th, 2009 | No Comments

Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel on Tuesday said the government is contemplating capital infusion by way of equity and soft loans for the cash-strapped Air India, which has deferred future aircraft delivery owing to losses of Rs 7,200 crore.
Replying to a calling attention motion on Air India, moved by BJP MP Prakash Javadekar [...]

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