Pakistan has again decided to ask India for access to the witnesses of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack to record their statements. A formal request is going to be filed soon, officials said. This would be the second time that Pakistan would be making such a request, interior ministry officials told The Express Tribune Friday. [...]
Posts Tagged ‘Minister Rehman’
Rangers given go-ahead
January 22nd, 2011 |
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ISLAMABAD – PPPÂ’s senior leadership has opposed military operation in violence-hit Karachi and suggested full-fledged action by Rangers to normalise the situation in the city, it has been learnt reliably.
A meeting of the Core Committee of PPP was held Friday night at the Aiwan-e-Sadr took serious note of the situation in the city. The meeting was presided over by PPP Co-Chairman President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani.
According to sources, it was also noted in the meeting that there was a lack of liaison between Interior Minister Rehman and Sindh Home Minister Zulfiqar Mirza which is badly affecting performance of the government.
The government has decided to launch full-fledged operation against criminals in order to bring situation to normal in Karachi. In the meeting, sources said, some PPP leaders strongly criticised the 10-point agenda, which has been presented by PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif so as to improve countryÂ’s economic situation and said Prime Minister Gilani should not blindly accept everything presented by the Opposition.
According to sources, three federal ministers also blasted Punjab Governor Latif Khosa for visiting the grave of Mian Sharif and said the governor, instead of visiting graves, should apprise the masses of corruption and inefficiency of the Punjab government. The meeting noted that the PPP is pursuing policy of reconciliation while the PML-N was doing everything to thwart this policy of the government.
A PPP leader told the meeting that the MQM were mounting their pressure for holding local bodies polls in Sindh, and the ongoing bloodbath in Karachi would end if holding of elections was announced.
A senior PPP leader was of the view that the government should not adopt policy of confrontation and JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman should be contacted to rejoin the government.
According to Waqt News TV channel, the MQM would also be invited to rejoin the Federal Cabinet.
Abrar Saeed adds: Reiterating to push forward the policy of reconciliation, it was the unanimous view of the central leadership of PPP to take along all the political forces in steering the country out of the prevailing political and economic crises.
The Core Committee of the party took serious notice of the sacking of over 4,000 employees by Karachi Electricity Supply Company (KESC) and constituted a three-member committee comprising Federal Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Syed Khurshid Shah and Advisor to Prime Minister Senator Mian Raza Rabbani to take up the issue with the Government of Sindh.
The party reiterated its commitment to standby the working classes. It recalled the reinstatement of sacked employees in the recent past and said that it would not abandon the labour and the working classes.
The central leaders of the party came up with open debate on host of issues including the response to the 10-point formula given by the PML- N for sprucing up the governance and economic management, relations with the coalition partners, current spate of target killings and the ways and means to bring the port city of Karachi under the rule of law, and a number of matters of national importance.
It was also the consensus view of the party leadership that all the stakeholders should be taken into confidence while taking any crucial decision on Karachi unrest and it was further decided that all the options including deployment of Armed Forces in the port city would be placed before the All Parties Conference on Karachi peace due in Federal Capital on 26th of this month.
It was the unflinching stance of President Zardari that all the stakeholders including MQM and ANP would be taken on board while taking any policy decision regarding Karachi and he was optimistic that peace in the port city would be brought without taking any extreme administrative step.
Both the President and Prime Minister appreciated the 10-point demands put forth for steering the country out of prevailing economic mess and said that they had asked the other political parties in the Parliament to give their suggestions as well, so that a comprehensive national agenda for economic and administrative reformation could be evolved.
It was further decided in the meeting that the government should go about swiftly the revamping process of the state-owned corporations and also take other corrective measures for bringing overall improvement in the national economy.
It was further decided with voice vote that PPP would continue to stay part of the Government of Punjab in pursuance of its policy of reconciliation and would not let the Mian Shahbaz Sharif government destabilised.
The matters relating to the partyÂ’s reorganisation also came under discussion and in this connection party leaders were asked to reinvigorate the party set-up at grassroots level so that the party could show better results in the upcoming local bodies elections across the country.
At the outset of the meeting President Zardari, who is also Co-Chairman of Pakistan PeopleÂ’s Party, also briefed the members about his recent visit to UAE and America. He also shared the details of his meeting with President Obama with the participants of the meeting.
Besides President Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani, the Core Committee meeting of the party was attended by Syed Nayyar Hussain Bukhari, leader of the House in Senate, Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Minister for Commerce, Chaudhary Ahmad Mukhtar, Minister for Defence, Nazar Mohammed Gondal, Minister for Food & Agriculture, Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Rehman Malik, Interior Minister, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Syed Khurshid Ahmed Shah, Minister for Labour & Manpower, Syed Naveed Qamar, Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources, Dr Babar Awan, Minister for Law & Justice, Raja Pervaz Ashraf, Minister for Water & Power, Senator Mian Raza Rabbani, Advisor to PM, Senator Jahangir Badar, Senator Faisal Raza Abidi, Rukhsana Bangash, MNA, Fauzia Wahab, MNA, Fauzia Habib, MNA, and Spokesperson to the President Farhatullah Babar.
Staff Reporter from Karachi adds: Two activists of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) were gunned down in yet another incident of target killing in Joria Bazaar, Risala police said on Friday.
The incident took place near a shop situated in Joria Bazaar, when the victims, 50-year-old Haji Fareed, son of Abdul Hafeez; and Saeed, alias Gullo, were sitting there. Suddenly two armed men reached there on motorcycle and opened indiscriminate firing on them; resultantly both sustained to injuries.
Police shifted them to Civil Hospital Karachi (CHK) for medical treatment where they breathed their last. With the news of killings spread, scores of MQM workers, leaders and sympathisers gathered in CHK. Tension engulfed the surrounding areas and all shops and market were closed.
SHO Faryad Bhatti said it was the incident of target killing. Haji Fareed was the father of five children and also used to run a grocery shop in the same vicinity and was also a very prominent social worker of the area. Victim Abdul Hafeez was an employee of City District Government (CDGK) and he was unmarried. Both victims were the activists of MQM.
Later, their funeral prayers were offered in Denso Hall. No case was registered till the filing of this report. It is pertinent to mention here that two activists of MQM had been gunned down in the same area four days ago.
Justice JavedÂ’s parents killed
January 12th, 2011 |
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LAHORE – Malik Abdul Hameed, former DIG Police and father of Supreme Court judge Justice Javed Iqbal, along with his spouse was found strangled to death at their Cavalry Ground residence in Cantonment police area late on Tuesday night.
Police sources claimed that the possibility of target killing could not be ruled out.
Sources further said the couple, in their early 80s, was tortured and strangled to death in their house located in the posh and fortified locality. The policemen deployed outside their residence 164-Cavalary Ground were absent from the duty. The motives behind the murder are yet to be ascertained, but nothing from the luggage was missing, raising suspicions, a top police source said. Both Malik Abdul Hameed, 85, and his wife Amna Hameed, 80, were lying dead on the floor in the courtyard of the lower portion when the police reached there.
A woman residing on the upper portion of their house on rent found the couple dead and informed the police about the gruesome murder incident.
“Two female neighbourers phoned the police, which reached the spot and detained the both for preliminary investigation,” insiders said. They further said as the women were the first eyewitnesses of the incident, they would be interrogated regarding the incident.
Investigators were on the scene, collecting evidences to determine how the killers brutally murdered Malik and his wife.
Apparently, the killers suffocated former DIG Special Branch Quetta Abdul Hameed and his wife to death by putting pillows on their faces. “We are trying to find out motives behind the killings. Nothing is clear at this moment,” the source said.
Justice Javed Iqbal, a close associate of Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry who had refused to take oath under PCO, was in Islamabad while his parents were staying alone at their Lahore residence. The Punjab Bar Council announced strike for Wednesday (today) and lawyers will not appear in the courts to protest the killings.
Sources said Criminal Investigation Agency (CIA) SP Umar Virk had got a tip-off that a gang would break into the locality some days back on which the CIA, in collaboration with the Lahore Police teams, had started surveillance of the area and deployed personnel at several locations.
Days after the newly-appointed IG Punjab Javed Iqbal assumed charge of his new office and spelt out his priorities to bring down the alarming crime rate, dacoits have killed the parents of a senior Supreme Court judge Justice Javed Iqbal.
The police have arrested the street guard and are investigating.
The news got many grave ramifications for the judges and their families after this incident took place.
It is worth mentioning here that the horrible incident has come at such a critical situation when the SC judges are being considered the only ray of hope and the only working institution for the deprived people across the country.
The dacoity-cum-murder incidents have swelled to an alarming level in Lahore as the dacoits killed 55 people on offering resistance last year.
Chief Minister Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif took strong notice of the incident and directed IGP Javed Iqbal to nab the killers.
The Chief Minister of Punjab, the Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court, the Inspector-General of Police, the Commissioner, the DCO Lahore and provincial law minister were also on the crime scene till the filing of this report.
The police denied the media access to the crime scene and cordoned off the entire locality.
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Rehman Malik constituted a Joint Investigation Team comprising ISI, FIA, IB and Punjab Police to probe into the ghastly murder incident.
President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, PML-N Chief Nawaz Sharif, PML-Q President Ch Shujaat Hussain, PTI Chairman Imran Khan and JamaÂ’at-i-Islami Ameer Syed Munawar Hassan and former Ameer JI Qazi Hussain Ahmed strongly condemned the killing of the parents of Justice Javed Iqbal.
Premier Gilani directed the Joint Investigation Team to investigate the sad incident and submit a report at the earliest. The Prime Minister conveyed his heartiest condolences and sincere sympathies to the members of the bereaved family.
President Zardari also strongly condemned the tragic happening and ordered immediate inquiry into the incident. He expressed his deep sense of shock and grief over the tragic deaths and prayed to Allah Almighty to rest the departed souls in eternal peace and grant courage to the bereaved family.
Pakistani governor killed in shooting
January 5th, 2011 |
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The governor of Pakistan’s Punjab Province has been assassinated, allegedly by one of his security guards in Islamabad, VOA reports. Pakistani Interior Minister Rehman Malik says the slain governor, Salman Taseer, was returning to his car after visiting a shopping center in the Pakistani capital when one of his armed guards sprayed him with bullets.
MQM may quit Sindh govt: Altaf
December 29th, 2010 |
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KARACHI – Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Quaid Altaf Hussain on Tuesday ratified the decision of MQM Rabita Committee regarding quitting the Federal Cabinet.
Speaking to a large gathering of MQM workers at Nine Zero, Altaf Hussain said that the future decisions would hinge upon the attitude of the Government. “If the Government did not change its attitude for better then we would sit on the opposition benches. The PPP leaders who are always saying that they do not need MQM in Sindh should adopt a resolution in this regard and we would come out of the Sindh Government immediately. We still want the PPP government to complete five years and that the democratic process continues. If the Government changes its course of action and works for the welfare of the people then MQM will continue to support it. MQM cannot be browbeaten into accepting government actions.”
He said MQM could no longer continue backing the Government on anti-public decisions, declaring that it is no use holding such ministries which incessantly fail to serve any good to masses.
He advised President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to work for the development and prosperity of the people. “Had Pakistan People’s Party acted upon my advice given time after time, the PPP and people would not have to face the present circumstances,” he regretted.
He said, “MQM is a democratic party and believes in democratic norms as well as following the principles of democracy with honesty and integrity.”
He said that MQM announced unconditional support by forgetting every other thing when the Co-Chairman of PPP Asif Ali Zardari came to Nine-Zero with his colleagues.
Altaf said that in the past three years whenever there was a difficult time, MQM lent its support to the Government and extended every possible cooperation to President Zardari. “Despite being a coalition partner our ministers were never consulted before taking important decisions and all the decisions were taken by the Federal Cabinet unilaterally,” he further said. “If the Government considers MQM as its coalition partner then it must realise that the coalition partners are not treated like enemy and strangers,” he further said.
He also came down hard on Pakistan Muslim League-N chief Nawaz Sharif for criticising MQM in the latter’s public meeting in Muzaffarabad, and called Nawaz ‘a by-product of dictatorship’.
Meanwhile, Altaf Hussain contacted JUI-F Chief Fazlur Rehman. Both the leaders discussed the current political situation.
Online adds: MQM chief Altaf Hussain has given a final warning to the Pakistan PeopleÂ’s Party-led government to mend its ways; otherwise, his party would be forced to part ways with the Sindh coalition too and move from government to the opposition benches.
He said the MQM could no longer continue backing the government on anti-public decisions, saying, “It is no use holding ministries which incessantly fail to serve any good to masses,” Altaf said, adding that the PPP had failed in controlling corruption and inflation.
He advised President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to work for the development and prosperity of the people. “Time has still not run out and now the ball is in PPP’s court,” he said, adding, “The MQM is not interested in continuing to be part of the government rather it wants to work for serving the masses facing severe hardship because of relentless price hike and corruption.
Talking about Nawaz Sharif, he said the PML-N chief was trained by the dictators and generals like Ziaul Haq and Durrani, adding that during the government of Nawaz, the Supreme Court of Pakistan was attacked and dishonoured. Nawaz had indirectly blamed the MQM during his speech in Muzaffarabad the other day for violence and killings in Karachi.
Meanwhile, the federal ministers of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Tuesday dispatched their resignations to President Asif Ali Zardari.
According to a statement issued from Nine-Zero, Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis, Farooq Sattar, and Federal Minister of Ports and Shipping, Babar Ghauri, have faxed their resignations to President Zardari. The statement said the partyÂ’s reservations still existed.
Sources said that MQM would quit the provincial cabinet in the second phase in January if the negotiations of party with the ruling PPP failed.
However, the President House spokesman has said that the Presidency was nothing to do with the resignations as the matter was related to the Prime Minister House.
Meanwhile, to allay the concerns of Muttahida Qaumi Movement, the Pakistan PeopleÂ’s Party stalwarts have jumped into the fray and both President and Prime Minister have talked to the central leaders of MQM and Governor Sindh Ishratul Ibaad.
Sources in the Pakistan PeopleÂ’s Party informed The Nation that in a damage control bid President Asif Ali Zardari has asked Interior Minister Rehman Malik to have meeting with MQM leaders and look into their grievances with the government so that the same could be redressed forthwith.
Sources further informed that both President and Prime Minister also had a detailed telephonic conversation on the issue and various options were discussed to bring MQM round, as the withdrawal of support by MQM would plunge the coalition government in deep trouble.
Talking to The Nation Central Information Secretary of the party Ms Fouzia Wahab sounded optimistic about a PPP-MQM patch-up, as government was ready to address all their (MQM) genuine concerns and hoped that things would be normal soon.
She further said that President Asif Ali Zardari had already barred the party leaders to stop giving statements about the coalition partners while he had also talked to the top hierarchy of MQM on their concerns and government was already in the process of addressing the same.
She further said, “Democracy is in the interest of all the political players and MQM is no exception, so I hope MQM will not take any step detrimental to the incumbent political dispensation.”
She once again reiterated her partyÂ’s stance to continue pursuing politics of reconciliation and hoped that the other major political players in the arena would also display the same spirit of supporting and strengthening the political set-up at centre and provinces.
She further said that PPP would take up the concerns of the MQM in the upcoming CEC meeting of the party and would talk out the issues with MQM in friendly fashion.
Meanwhile, the two-member committee comprising Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah met at CM House on Tuesday and discussed the grievances of Muttahida Qaumi Movement, main coalition partner of ruling PPP in Sindh and federal government.
After announcement of MQM to quit federal cabinet, the President formed a special committee of Interior Minister and Sindh Chief Minister, directing them to engage in dialogue with MQM on their grievances.
According to CM House, the committee discussed the grievances raised by MQM about Reform General Sales Tax, Sindh Home Minister Dr Zulfiqar MirzaÂ’s harsh attitude towards them and other issues.
The MQM has main grievances over the proposed revival of Commissionrate system of old local government system in the province, which was already agreed by all the coalition partners and opposition benches in Sindh Assembly, except MQM.
Sources said that MQM made it clear that it will not accept shelving of existing local government system, introduced by former military dictator retired Gen Pervez Musharraf. Even, MQM wants more powers for the existing local government system comprising Nazims, but PPP in its draft bill of local government wants abolishment of this system, suggesting revival of Commissionrate system of old local government system to replace Nazims.
However, presently two ruling coalition partners, MQM and PPP, are sticking on their position on the subject.
Sources said that PPP believed that after devolution of provincial departments to three tiers — District, Tehsil/Town and Union Councils of local government, the provincial government of Sindh will have no check and balance on local government, leaving deterioration of system and increase in corruption.
Sources told The Nation that two-member committee also approached the Sindh Governor Dr Ishrat ul Ebad and decided to continue dialogue process on grievances of MQM.
After discussing the issues with MQM, the committee will submit initial report/recommendation and outcome of dialogue to President Asif Ali Zardari.
Meanwhile, a statement of CM House said that after discussion and consultation with the coalition partners, the committee would revisit the President and Prime Minister to submit the outcome of negotiation.
APP adds: JWP Chief Talal Bugti has appreciated the stance of MQM Chief Altaf Hussain on arrest of Shahzain Bugti. Bugti said this during a telephonic talk with MQM Rabita Committee member yousuf Shahwani, said a statement issued by MQM here on Tuesday. Talking to Bugti, Shahwani said Altaf has taken a bold and principled stand on situation of Balochistan, the MQM statement maintained.
Another setback for Pakistan government as MQM parts ways
December 28th, 2010 |
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The ruling coalition in Pakistan led by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has suffered a major setback as another of its key ally, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), decided to part ways with the government. “The reservations of the party have not been addressed and we are forced to make a decision to go our [...]
MQM quits cabinet, not govt
December 28th, 2010 |
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KARACHI – The Rabita (Coordination) Committee of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Monday decided to quit the federal cabinet. However, the party will not sit on the opposition benches in the National Assembly.
The decision was made in a joint meeting of the committee held in London and Karachi simultaneously. According to the decision, Federal Minster for Overseas Pakistanis Dr Farooq Sattar and Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping Babar Ghauri will tender their resignations in the first phase. It was also decided in the meeting that the MQM would soon make a about leaving the Sindh government. The MQM is of the view that the PPP government did not consider the proposals presented for the welfare of the masses. “The decision is a result of the government’s ignorance towards its coalition partner,” the MQM said.
Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Information Qamar Zaman Kaira said the MQM was an allied party and every effort would be made to address their grievances, as done earlier. Expressing the hope that the PPP will be able to woo back the coalition partner, he said they learnt about the decision through media, as the top leadership was busy in the ceremonies held in the connection with Benazir Bhutto’s death anniversary. He said, “We will discuss the matter in a meeting after returning to Islamabad and ascertain how much capacity we have.”
Kaira reiterated that the govt believed in the policy of reconciliation and wanted to move forward not only along with the allied but also the opposition parties.
On the other hand, President Asif Ali Zardari assigned Interior Minister Rehman Malik the task to persuade the MQM to withdraw the decision.
Agencies add: The meeting was called after the end of 10-day deadline fixed by the MQM leadership in the hope of an action over the controversial statement of Sindh Home Minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza.
Both Farooq Sattar Babar Ghauri, both are currently abroad and they will submit their resignations today (Tuesday) after returning back to the country.
MQM leader Faisal Sabazwari while talking to a TV channel said his party was only resigning from the federal cabinet but it would continue to sit on the ruling benches in the National Assembly, adding that the MQM had not decided about the ministries in Sindh cabinet.
Expressing similar views, Haider Abbas Rizvi said, “We’ll not sit on the opposition benches,” adding that they would continue strengthening democracy in the country. He maintained that the MQM did not intend to mount the pressure on the government.
Commenting over the move, Faisal Raza Abidi, a prominent leader of PPP, described the MQM as an integral part of the government and said it would remain a part of the ruling alliance. He said, “This kind of minor issues do happen in any democratic set up and they will be addressed accordingly as the PPP committed to remove the MQM‘s reservations. “We hope that during next 24 hours all differences between the PPP and the MQM will be resolved and everything will be fine,” claimed the PPP leader.
ISI chief wonÂ’t face US court
December 24th, 2010 |
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ISLAMABAD – Terming the issuance of summons to the ISI chief by a US court sensitive matter, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Thursday said that the decision pertaining to it would be taken after mutual consultation.
Responding to remarks of Opposition Leader in the National Assembly, Ch Nisar Ali Khan, Premier Gilani said, “I will not give any statement on this issue today. It’s a sensitive matter. No one can send the ISI official to the US court if ISI itself is not willing to go.” The Government is as sensitive to the issue as the other political leadership of the country are, he added.
Talking about the law and order situation in Balochistan and the handling of Shah Zain Bugti by the security agencies, the Prime Minister said that the security agencies should not go beyond their limits and he assured the House that he would talk to Interior Minister Rehman Malik who would take the House into confidence on the issue. However, he added that the matter was a provincial subject.
The Prime Minister said the foreign elements were interfering in Balochistan and the Parliament would have to collectively draw a strategy to handle it. He also assured the House that the Government would take the House into confidence on the summons issued to ISI and Balochistan issues.
The Premier also responded to JUI chief Maulana Fazlur RehamÂ’s remarks, who earlier on the floor of the House alleged that the Government was working on USÂ’ dictations and opposed the military operation in the North Waziristan.
Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani brushed aside the allegations and said that the decision to launch operation would be taken after the consultations with the political leadership of the country. “The economy of any country is based on law and order. Our agenda is to improve economy and law and order. There is no international pressure on the Government. It’s our own problem,” Gilani said.
Talking about the operation in North Waziristan, he said that nobody could dictate the Government. People of Pakistan would decide that where and when the operation should be launched, he added.
Opposition Leader Nisar Ali Khan on the floor of the House said that the Foreign Ministry should strictly respond to the news item regarding summons issued to the ISI official. “We will not let any Pakistani institution to become a slave of any international institution. It’s a political decision of US court to pressurise Pakistan”, the Opposition Leader said. He added that the way security agencies arrested and handled Shah Zain Bugti was condemnable and they should work within their limits.
He also came hard on the Government on the presence of CIA chief in Pakistan. Nisar said that Pakistan was not a Banana Republic and no spy of any country was allowed to carry out activities in any other country. He asked the Government to tell the nation whether or not there was an agreement allowing the US to carry out such activities, adding that if there is such agreement then ISI should also be allowed to carry out operations in the US. He said that the US Government should itself oppose the decision of its court.
Earlier, JUI chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman flayed the Prime Minister on the removal of Azam Swati from the Cabinet and said that the Premier should first consult him before taking any step against Swati.
“Swati was not a member of PPP. If it is a constitutional right of the Prime Minister that he can remove somebody on the ground of poor discipline then it was also a part of discipline that he should have first consulted me. We can be friends of the Prime Minster but we cannot be the peasants of Premier Gilani,” Fazal said.
He added that when Muhammad Khan Junejo removed Yousuf Raza Gilani from his Cabinet, he on the very next day called Benazir Bhutto and joined PPP.
He said, “We had cautioned the Government that if it did not go for Islamic legislations, JUI-F would quit the Government but at that time the Government assured us that the agreement would be implemented but it did nothing in this regard. Swati’s removal became an cause for leaving the treasury benches,” the JUI-F chief revealed.
Elaborating the situation in Pakistan, he said that the US was pressurising Pakistan for launching operations in North Waziristan and IMF was also putting pressure to bring so-called economic reforms. He added that the Government was working on the US’ dictations while the Parliament was carrying out legislating under the international pressure. He also came hard on Iranian President Ahmadinejad and said that he was an “inspector” of the region as he called President Zardari to hand “his terrorists” over to him. He also warned the US that if it tried to attack North Waziristan it would have to face more bitter consequences than it faced in Afghanistan.
Talking about the military operation in Swat and Malakand Division, he said that the Army was still handling the affairs of these areas and the Government had failed to hand over administration of these areas back to the civil authorities, adding that the provincial Government could not even transfer a policeman.
“Obtaining the rights through gun is not right but what the people will do when the democratic institutions would not provide justice to them in accordance with Sharia. We are also criminal that we cannot give them justice in accordance with Islam. I am not a threat to democracy but you are a thereat to Islam,” he added.
Highlighting the achievements of Kashmir Committee of the National Assembly, he said that the Government had fully changed the Kashmir policy but it was the Kashmir Committee, which restored the old policy and it was the efforts of the Committee that after a long time the Foreign Minister could discuss Kashmir issue in United Nations.
“We were informed just a month before Obama’s visit to India and his announcement to support India for the permanent membership of UN Security Council. We immediately started meetings with diplomats to make them understood that India never respected the decisions of the Security Council and it could not become its permanent member. Finally, Obama had to announce that he wished India to become UNSC permanent member rather than announcing his support to India,” Maulana Fazlur Rehman told the House.
ISI chief Pasha was conspiring against Zardari: Malik to Patterson
December 4th, 2010 |
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Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik had told former US envoy Anne Patterson that it was not Army Chief General Ashfaq Kayani but ISI chief General Ahmed Shuja Pasha who was hatching conspiracies against President Asif Ali Zardari, a diplomatic cable unveiled by whistle-blower website WikiLeaks has revealed. According to the leaked cable, Malik sought an [...]
Rehman Malik denies flood aid corruption
November 25th, 2010 |
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Pakistan”s Interior Minister Rehman Malik has defended the way his country’s government has distributed millions of dollars of flood relief. Rubbishing allegations of corruption from flood-affected people, Malik told the BBC that the government has launched a huge compensation scheme under which people can withdraw cash aid from local banks using special electronic cards. Malik [...]
Malik denies presence of Taliban leadership in Quetta despite US rage
November 23rd, 2010 |
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There is no top leadership of Taliban in Quetta, and the Pakistan government will take immediate action if any evidence of its presence is provided, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said on Monday. Malik made these comments while talking to media persons after visiting the CID building, The Nation reported. Meanwhile, the United States has renewed [...]
â€No orders to bring Musharraf back to Pak through Interpol so far â€: Malik
November 9th, 2010 |
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Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik has said that he has received no orders so far to bring former military ruler Pervez Musharraf back through the Interpol, however if the court issues such orders, the government would comply with them. “We have no objection to bringing former President Pervez Musharraf back but we have not yet [...]
Malik’s one-week deadline to fight corruption like terrorism in Pak
November 1st, 2010 |
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Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik has given heads of various departments under his ministry a one week deadline to end corruption. “We have to uproot this menace of corruption and I give one week to all heads of departments to take necessary actions in this regard,†the Nation quoted Malik, as saying. “The government has [...]
Gilani ready to relinquish power
September 14th, 2010 |
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LAHORE – Though Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani does not see any immediate threat to his government by any means – constitutional or unconstitutional – yet he is mentally prepared to relinquish power, as he thinks he will be better off without it.
“I want to live politically rather than die politically,” the Premier remarked in his interaction with senior journalists from Lahore at his DHA residence on Tuesday.
He said though he did not foresee any move to dislodge present political set-up, yet the talk of change of government through unconstitutional means was uncalled for, especially at a time when country needed the present political dispensation the most in the wake of devastating floods. He said it was unfortunate to talk of such things.
“The country needs unity at this time. What benefit the country would have if any unconstitutional step is taken to dislodge the government,” the Prime Minister observed.
He said his family had been in politics and in power since independence, and it would make no difference if he were out of power.
“Neither I am chair-taker nor care-taker,” he further observed, adding that Parliament was his real strength.
“The people now talking of change in present set-up had given me three months time to run the show. Then I got extension for another three months from them followed by more extensions. Now they say you are surviving on bonus. Now the new date is in December,” the PM commented further on the issue.
“What options are available to get rid of us,” he asked, and then himself answered the question, saying that all available options to roll back the present system were undemocratic and unconstitutional. “Country’s future lies in democracy. Without it we will be taking a step in the backward direction,” he maintained.
Replying to a question regarding alleged murder plan of Lahore High Court Chief Justice Khawaja Muhammad Sharif, he said he had directed Interior Minister Rehman Malik to take the judiciary into confidence and order judicial inquiry to probe the allegations against the persons allegedly mentioned in the CID report. He said the government would also seek information from the ISI, IB and other intelligence agencies in this regard.
Talking about rehabilitation phase in the flood-hit areas, the Premier said that oversight council for rehabilitation of affectees would be notified soon as he had got names from the provinces. The federal government, he added, would also include its nominees in this body.
He said the assessment of losses would be undertaken by the experts from the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank in order to keep the process transparent for correct assessment.
He said federal government would have no direct involvement in distribution of the foreign aid, so there would be no question of any corruption by anybody.
He said all details about foreign aid would be put on the website, and it would be distributed by the provincial governments.
Talking about the row between the Punjab government and Interior Minister Rehman Malik over distribution of Rs20,000 per family in the affected areas, Gilani said Malik wanted to take credit for Tameer-e-Watan cards and wanted to distribute them himself, “but I intervened on request of the Punjab Chief Minister and he was asked to hand them over to the Punjab government”.
He said distribution of Rs20, 000 among affected families each was the collective vision of all the chief ministers who supported the idea in a meeting of Council of Common Interests
“We have a success story of rehabilitation of 2.5 million IDPs of Swat and Malakand as everything was done in a transparent manner,” he said.
He said government had decided to give Rs100,000 to each affected family (inclusive of Rs20,000) for construction of their damaged houses through NADRA cards and ATM machines. “The government is not an insurance company to make amends for the entire loss,” he said.
He said it was an uphill task to issue 20 million cards to the affectees for the purpose.
He said philanthropists, NGOs and other institutions involved in providing relief to the flood victims should perform this task in coordination with each other and with the government agencies so that relief items could reach where they were really needed.
He said people wanted cash instead of food which was available in abundance.
To a question about getting drone technology from the US, Gilani said: “We would develop our own drone technology, and may be we have developed it.” He said drones did not differentiate between the militants and the innocent.
He said local government system should be put in place, but it was a provincial subject after passage of the 18th Amendment.
Replying to a question about Pak-India relations, he said wars were no solution to the disputes. He hoped that dialogue process between the two countries would resume sooner or later.
He said Pakistan was very important country for the world nations because of its involvement in the war on terror. “We are fighting for world peace, and world needs us,” he said, adding that this was the reason that UN and other forums at the international level were raising funds for the flood affectees of Pakistan. He said some countries had pledged to build bridges, schools and hospitals.
He said he would go to Brussels in the near future to sign trade agreement with European Union which would provide Pakistan an access to European markets with regard to countryÂ’s products. He said Pakistan needed trade and not aid from the Western nations.
He said government may exempt flood affectees from paying electricity bills, and currently it was making an assessment of the financial implications of the decision.
To a question, he called former president Pervez Musharraf an old friend and said that he could fulfil his desire by taking part in politics. “But the question arises what did he do during his eleven-year rule,” Gilani said.
Responding to a question about Mian Nawaz Sharif’s criticism of the government, the PM said: “Mian Sahib does so out of love for us but you people (media) take it seriously.”
“Unless our friends (Sharifs) join the government it could not be called a national government,” the PM remarked when a journalist said that a national government was already in place as demanded by certain political parties.
To another question, the PM said: “What is the criterion to determine whether people are with us or not.” According to him, elections were the only criterion to judge popularity of a political government. He reiterated that days of two-thirds majority government were over now.
No Swat-like mly op, only targeted action planned
September 8th, 2010 |
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QUETTA – Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Wednesday ruled out a Swat-like military operation in Balochistan, saying only targeted action will be taken against the miscreants.
Malik announced that the federal and provincial governments had agreed to launch an intelligence-guided law-enforcement agenciesÂ’ action against extremist groups involved in suicide attacks and targeted killing of innocent people in Balochistan.
The minister said the federal government was ready for talks with disgruntled Baloch leaders on all issues, except on ‘freedom’, to solve the Balochistan problem. “The proposed operation in Balochistan will not be similar to that of in Swat and Malakand,” he clarified while addressing a news conference after attending a meeting with Chief Minister Aslam Raisani and other members of the provincial cabinet.
He said very few among the Baloch people wanted separation and an overwhelming majority wanted to remain a part of Pakistan. “We are ready to negotiate with all annoyed Balochs to settle the disputes, except ‘freedom’, Malik remarked.
He also made it clear that no talks would be held with those elements aiming at disintegrating the country rather they would be dealt with an iron hand.
Expressing sympathies with the families of victims of the FridayÂ’s suicide bombing, the minister said he was visiting Balochistan on the directives of President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to evolve a comprehensive strategy to wipe out religious extremism and the menace of target killings in the province.
He said he had a detailed discussion on the latest situation prevailing in Balochistan with Governor Zulfiqar Magsi and Chief Minister Raisani who had agreed to root out terrorism from the province.
“The federal govt would address the grievances of Baloch people related to insecurity and to tackle the terrorist activities,” he said, adding that the government had assigned police powers to the Frontier Corps (FC) for three months to ensure a swift action against miscreants.
Malik informed reporters that the authority of deploying and withdrawing the FC personnel anywhere in the province had been given to the Chief Minister.
To a query, he said the FC was working under FC Act while the powers of police were rested with the Interior Ministry.
Malik ruled out the possibility of full-scale military operation in Balochistan on the lines of Swat and Malakand; however, he said a targeted action would be taken to annihilate anti-social elements.
He promised to take the provincial govt into confidence before launching any action and extending the federal govtÂ’s full support to the province.
He said five militant organisations, including Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), had been banned and an operation would soon be launched against them besides sealing their offices and freezing accounts.
“A decisive action will be taken against all those who do not accept Pakistan as their own country,” he warned, adding that no organisation would be allowed to use the words of lashkar, army and liberation.
Responding to the missing personsÂ’ issue, he said the incumbent govt had inherited the issue and was making concrete efforts for finding a solution, as the incidents of forced disappearances had reduced to a great extent. He, however, said the claims putting the number of missing persons in thousands were misleading as he had challenged them to prove but they could not do so.
He went on to say that a large number of people were getting training in neighbouring country but their names had been included in the list of missing persons.
Malik said 5,000 Baloch youth had been given job under Aghaz-e-Haqooq Balochistan while 2,500 posts were vacant in the FC. “Baloch youth should quit resistance and play their role in the development of the country,” he said.
Pakistan aid “will not fall to extremists”
August 18th, 2010 |
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Pakistan has sought to reassure international donors that funds to help victims of its devastating flooding will not fall into extremists’ hands. Interior Minister Rehman Malik told the BBC the Taliban would not be allowed to take advantage of the crisis to increase its support.
Strategy needed to control target killings
July 24th, 2010 |
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LAHORE (Agencies) – Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said that a comprehensive strategy is needed to control target killings in Karachi, adding that the government has been taking every step that could benefit the country.
Gilani said that a three-member committee comprising foreign, commerce and finance ministers has been constituted to take Parliament into confidence on Afghan transit trade.
Talking to the mediamen here on Saturday, he said all decisions would be taken in line with greater interests of the nation and the country.
Responding to a question about rumour of sanctions on the media, he said there was no restrictions on the media as the PPP had itself struggled for the freedom of the Press.
He said he himself belonged to the media as he had done his master’s in mass communication, adding the PPP had protested against media curbs imposed by Pervez Musharraf. “How my government can impose restrictions on the media?” he asked.
To another question on an extension to the Chief Of Army Staff, he said it was just an administration matter so he would not comment on it.
To a query about his meeting with officials of the education department, he said it had no connection with the issue of fake degrees, adding he was not in favour of fake degrees. He said the issue of bogus degrees had been referred to the Election Commission and it would decide about it according to the law.
Gilani said the government was not fulfilling the desires of any friend, adding just interests of the country were watched.
Regarding target killings in Karachi, he said it was directed to all departments to join their hands and form a common strategy against terrorism.
To a question about the statement of Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif regarding sharing information on terrorism, the PM said it was not true that law-enforcement agencies were not cooperating with the Punjab government on the directions of Interior Minister Rehman Malik, adding all departments were not under the Interior Minster.
He said Karachi was a very big city and its foolproof security was not an easy matter.
He said the government was specially focusing on the development of Balochistan but a lot of work was yet to be done there.
The PM said it was directed to departments concerned to ensure the availability of sugar in the markets before the holy month of Ramazan and added the government would not spare any department for negligence.
US policies in region being monitored: ISI
July 8th, 2010 |
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ISLAMABAD – Chairman of the Parliament’s Special Committee on National Security Senator Mian Raza Rabbani, Thursday, made it clear that Pakistan being a sovereign country would not pay heed to the US demand for military operation in North Waziristan.
“Pakistan would itself decide when and where the military operation was imperative”, he told the media persons shortly after chairing a meeting of the committee, which also had detailed input on the issues relating to the national security from DG ISI Lt Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha at the parliament House.
Other members of the committee who participated in the meeting were Amir of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Maulana Fazlur Rehman, MNAs Haider Abbas Rizvi, Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao, Senators Ishaq Dar, Abdur Rahim Mandokhel, Leader of Opposition in the Senate Wasim Sajjad and Secretary Defence Lt Gen (R) Syed Athar Ali.
Interior Minister Rehman Malik also briefed the committee about the prevailing law and order situation in the country. “It was a detailed briefing that covered all the important national issues,” Mian Raza rabbani said, advising the political leaders to refrain from criticism in order to maintain the `national consensus’ as it was imperative to keep the national interests supreme.
“The issue of missing persons is a serious matter and the government will ensure their recovery,” he said. He said that the committee had decided to seek reports from ministries of Interior, Defence and Foreign Affairs about implementation status on the recommendations of the parliamentary body.
Rabbani said the committee would hold regular meetings after August 2 to prepare new recommendations in the light of earlier suggestions. He said the body would take briefing from ministries of Interior, Defence and Foreign Affairs on August 2, 3 and 4 respectively.
Well-placed sources privy to the meeting informed TheNation that the DG ISI Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha told the committee that Pakistani security forces were vigilant against the threats to the national security.
They further said that DG ISI informed the committee that some foreign powers were trying to destabilize the country by sponsoring terrorist actions. However, he said that PakistanÂ’s intelligence agencies were alert to foil the nefarious attempts to destabilize Pakistan.
The DG ISI, according to the informed sources also told the committee that Pakistani security agencies were monitoring the rapidly changing US policy towards the issue of terrorism therefore, he emphasised the need for Pakistan to catch up with the changing situation by altering its policies in line with the national interest.
He was of the view that the US and its western allies were trying to resolve the conflict by pursuing the political process of reconciliation in Afghanistan; it was imperative for Pakistan to adjust its policies in view of the emerging situation. He made it clear that the countryÂ’s security forces were committed to curbing terrorism in all its forms and manifestations in the country and were vigilantly monitoring the situation to forestall any major eventually that could have destabilizing impact on the national security.
New law against banned outfits on the cards
July 4th, 2010 |
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ISLAMABAD (Agencies) – Ulema from across the country who met Interior Minister Rehman Malik here on Sunday adopted a resolution against terrorism.
Talking to media after the meeting, Rehman Malik said new legislation is being introduced against banned outfits and that the federal government is working in close coordination with all the provinces including Punjab to tackle the scourge of terrorism, reported a private TV channel.
As many as 27 ulema representing all schools of thought met the Interior Minister.
Malik termed the deadly attacks on Data Darbar an assault on Islam. “The third force is attempting to trigger sectarian violence and execute acts of terrorism,” he added.
He warned the ‘enemies’ that the nation has consensus on putting an end to terrorism and that the ulema have already issued a ‘joint fatwa’ against the suicide attacks. “The entire nation is closely united against the attempts to fan sectarian violence and hatred,” he added.
The Interior Minister said the President, the Prime Minister as well as Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif all are on same page for elimination of terrorism. “They (President and PM) are ready to meet wherever Shahbaz Sharif wants on the issue of terrorism,” he added.
Ulema on the occasion read out the joint resolution which condemned the Data Darbar carnage and also called upon the government to take effective measures for rooting out terrorism. They also called for action against terrorists and extremist outfits. “All religious schools of thought are united against the terrorism,” they added. The meeting also decided to hold a peace walk and that the ulema will put forth recommendations for promotion of religious harmony in the country.
Country mourns Data Darbar tragedy
July 3rd, 2010 |
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LAHORE/KARACHI – A complete strike was observed in Lahore and several other cities of the country on Saturday to mourn Data Darbar tragedy. Various political and religious parties also staged angry protests across the country to condemn the Thursday’s suicide attacks.
Rallies were held in Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi and several other cities, with demonstrators shouting slogans against terrorism and extremism. Shops and business centres remained shut in Lahore for the strike called by a religious alliance.
The police also detained several protesters during clashes, which erupted in Lahore following protestersÂ’ attempt to set commercial centres on fire. About a dozen protesters and policemen sustained injuries during the clashes.
The police also fired warning shots and tear gas shells to disperse protesters as angry mob wielding batons attacked commercial markets and smashed windowpanes of several shops and vehicles.
One the other hand, the investigators are grilling several key terror suspects detained day after the terrorist strike to reach the mastermind behind the suicide attacks, which left 46 people dead and over 170 others injured.
The investigations took a new twist after the police declared the man earlier identified through CCTV footage as ‘innocent devotee’ and not a ‘suicide bomber’.
After the blasts, the police investigators identified one of the bombers as Usman Yasin alias Rafique Baba, resident of Hadiara village, located in the outskirts of Lahore. The police also picked up his two brothers and four friends and after brief interrogation, all were declared innocent.
The police released the detainees and handed over the body of Usman alias Rafique Baba to the victimÂ’s family. Later, he was buried in his native village. According to the locals, Usman used to visit Data Darbar every Thursday. He also fell victim to the blasts and died on the spot there but the police mistakenly declared him a suicide bomber.
Sources close to the Joint Investigation Team said that the detectives are working on different important leads to expose those behind the cowardly act of terrorism.
‘Investigators have got some very important clues and investigations are underway. At this stage everything is confidential,’ a high-placed source said but did not mention any further details due to the sensitivity of the issue.
The City was presented a deserted look on Saturday, as there was no public transport on the roads due to the wheel-jam strike.
Hundreds of people belonging to religious parties took out rallies from different parts of the City and marched towards Mall Road. They were carrying placards and banners inscribed with slogans against suicide bombing and terrorism. The protesters also chanted slogans against the government.
The Sunni Ittehad Council, an alliance group of several religious parties, had given the strike call.
The protesters also staged sit-in outside the Lahore Press Club to condemn the innocent killings.
Protesters ransacked restaurants and shops at The Mall, and damaged three vehicles, eyewitnesses said. The police reached the spot but failed to stop them as protesters started pelting stones on them.
The policemen used batons and also fired warning shots to disperse the angry protesters. They arrested more than a dozen protesters but later they were released, police sources said.
Meanwhile, various religious organisations staged protests at different places of the City including Ghari Shahu, Ghaziabad and Millat Road against the terror attacks.
All the leading markets and business centers in the City including Hall Road, Mall Road, Liberty Market, Neela Gunbad, Anarkali, Akbari Mandi, Auto Market Badami Bagh and other shopping malls remained closed.
Rangers took control of Data Darbar to ensure foolproof security during the visit of VVIPs including Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Interior Minister Rehman Malik and other leading political leaders.
The VVIPs visited the shrine to pay homage to the patron saint of the Sub-Continent Ali Bin Usman Hajvery (RA).
Karachi also mourned the massacre at Data Darbar. The City wore a deserted look and all private, official and commercial activities were suspended and there was no public and private transport present on the streets.
MQM, JUI, Anjuman-e-Talba-e-Islam, Sunni Tehrik, Sunni Council and Jamaat Ahle Sunnat also gave the call to observe Saturday as day of mourning and requested the people to shut their business as a mark of respect to those who were martyred at the shrine in Lahore.
MQM hoisted black flags and banners at the important places of the City and their offices. They also organised Quran Khawani and observed Black Day.
All the major markets including North Nazimabad, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, North Karachi, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, PIB Colony, Liaquatabad, New MA Jinnah Road, Bolton Market and Sadr were closed. Public transport was thin, while majority of the petrol and CNG stations were also closed causing difficulties to public.
University of Karachi also cancelled the schedule of Masters exam.
Certain rural outskirts and spatial settlement in the city including Pathan Colony, Qasba Morr, Machar Colony, Baldia Town, Orangi Town, Tin Hatti, Gujjar Nullah, Paposh Nagar, Shahnawaz Bhutto Colony, Akhtar Colony, Keamari were also affected due to non-availability of public transport.
Different Sunni organisations also staged protest demonstration at MA Jinnah Road and demanded immediate action against the culprits who were behind the incident at Data Darbar.
There were some unconfirmed reports that Mubina Town police had also detained three activists of different political and religious outfits when they were trying to forcibly close the shops near Met Department.
According to a police source, some areas of the City were affected due to law and order situation, intermittent aerial firing was also reported in Lyari, Docks, Machar Colony, Lines area and New Karachi. The source further informed that unidentified miscreants also torched a vehicle (ANJ-930) at Lines area.
Agencies add: A protest demonstration was organised in Rawalpindi which passed through Benazir Shaheed Road.
Hyderabad witnessed complete strike where markets remained closed and black flags were hoisted on roads on the call given by the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) against the suicide blasts at Data Darbar.
Partial strike was observed in Larkana with black flags waving at some places of the city. Protests were also held in Nawabshah on the call of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) with black flags raised at various places.
The Sunni Tehreek (ST) also staged a sit-in in front of the Press Club in Dadu. Protest rallies were taken out in Noshehro Feroz against Data Darbar tragedy.
Complete strike was observed in Mirpurkhas, Sanghar and Tando Adam.
Partial strike was observed in Faisalabad on the appeal by various political and religious parties. In Gojra, strike was organised by various organisations of Ahle Sunnat and trade groups. Gujranwala also witnessed protest demonstrations to express solidarity with the deceased in the Data Darbar suicide blasts. Partial strike was observed in Multan.
Stick-wielding youth forced the closure of shops opened in the morning in Kalay Mandi. The lawyers of Bahawalpur District boycotted the courts in protest against the tragedy. A rally was taken out from Noorul Masajid under aegis of Jamaat Ahle Sunnat in Cheechawatni. A protest demonstration was organised in Rahim Yar Khan from Lakkar Mandi to Railway Chowk under auspices of Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan. Later on, a rally was also taken out. Partial strike was observed in Hub against the tragedy on the call by Jamaat Ahle Sunnat.