The US welcomes India’s greater involvement in East Asia and is committed to working with New Delhi as it increases ties with US allies in Southeast Asia and Japan, a senior US official has said. “Ultimately, we think that India’s role in the Asian-Pacific region stands to be one of the most important new developments [...]
Posts Tagged ‘Pakistan’
US welcomes emerging India’s role in Asia Pacific
February 3rd, 2011 |
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Afghanistan president to visit India
February 2nd, 2011 |
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Afghanistan’s President Hamid Karzai is leaving for a two-day visit to India where he is to meet with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other senior officials, his spokesman said Wednesday. “President Karzai’s visit is aimed to discuss regional economic capacity development with the Indian authorities,” Seyamak Herawi said. “He will also meet with the [...]
Egypt situation being monitored: Pakistan
January 31st, 2011 |
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Islamabad is “watching what is happening” in Egypt and will evacuate its citizens if the situation worsens, authorities said. Express Tribune reported Monday that the Foreign Office did not make it clear as to when it plans to bring back around 150 Pakistani families. Anti-government protests in Egypt Monday entered the seventh day as demonstrators [...]
Threat call to Zardari post-26/11 was mischief of a Pakistani: Mukherjee
January 29th, 2011 |
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The hoax caller who threatened Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari after the 26/11 attack pretending to be the Indian foreign minister was in fact a Pakistani, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said Friday. “It was a big mischief done by a Pakistani. That person made the call pretending to be me. It created a lot of [...]
Pakistan to again seek access to 26/11 witnesses
January 28th, 2011 |
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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. [...]
India to Pakistan: Ready to discuss all issues, step-by-step
January 27th, 2011 |
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Ahead of talks in Thimphu next month, India Wednesday allayed Pakistan’s apprehensions saying it was ready to discuss all issues with Islamabad, but advocated a “step-by-step” approach to bridge the trust deficit to carry forward the engagement process. “There might be some apprehensions in Pakistan that India is not willing to discuss all outstanding issues, [...]
Pak Haj mission accounts frozen
January 25th, 2011 |
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JEDDAH/LAHORE (Agencies) – The Saudi government has frozen the bank account of Pakistani Haj Mission after it failed to implement an earlier warning.
According to sources, the Saudi officials had warned the Haj Mission and the PakistanÂ’s Consulate on 1st of Muharram that a bank account in Jeddah had 50 million Riyals, under the head of disbursement to the companies providing facilities to Pakistani pilgrims, which should be withdrawn till Muharram 30; otherwise they would freeze the account.
Sources further said the Pakistani Consulate and Haj Mission did not take the warning seriously because of ongoing investigation into the Haj corruption while the Saudi side took the delay in withdrawal of money as disinterest on part of the Pakistani authorities The Haj Mission was to disburse more than 40 million Riyals to 210 companies. The affected parties have decided to move the Supreme Court against non-disbursement of the payments.
Meanwhile, the Federal Investigative Agency (FIA) Monday sealed three foreign currency accounts of former federal minister for Religious Affairs Hamid Saeed Kazmi in Multan. The accounts are suspected to be holding money that was embezzled in the Haj corruption scam.
Talking to a private TV channel, Kazmi said his account was opened even before he became a minister and the FIA had not contacted him on the issue. He said the account did not contain millions or billions of rupees. “If the FIA wants to investigate let them to do so,” he remarked.
The former minister said he would make important disclosures at a press conference to be held today (Tuesday).
Earlier, he had denied the presence of any account. The FIA forensic experts in collaboration with the State Bank of Pakistan investigated into the matter and have frozen them.
It is pertinent to note that Kazmi was sacked for his alleged involvement in Haj corruption worth Rs1 billion. The FIA is probing the matter after the Supreme Court took notice of the matter. Last week, the Supreme Court rejected the FIAÂ’s report into the irregularities in Haj arrangements, saying it was not transparent and that the influential people were involved in the scandal.
According to the report, which gave a clearance chit to Kazmi, there was no evidence that Rao Shakil and Ahmad Faiz transferred any amount in the Muslim Commercial Bank and Faisal Bank accounts of Kazmi, adding that at the moment, the probe was being conducted into the present amount in the account.
Pak Haj mission accounts frozen
January 24th, 2011 |
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JEDDAH/LAHORE (Agencies) – The Saudi government has frozen the bank account of Pakistani Haj Mission after it failed to implement an earlier warning.
According to sources, the Saudi officials had warned the Haj Mission and the PakistanÂ’s Consulate on 1st of Muharram that a bank account in Jeddah had 50 million Riyals, under the head of disbursement to the companies providing facilities to Pakistani pilgrims, which should be withdrawn till Muharram 30; otherwise they would freeze the account.
Sources further said the Pakistani Consulate and Haj Mission did not take the warning seriously because of ongoing investigation into the Haj corruption while the Saudi side took the delay in withdrawal of money as disinterest on part of the Pakistani authorities The Haj Mission was to disburse more than 40 million Riyals to 210 companies. The affected parties have decided to move the Supreme Court against non-disbursement of the payments.
Meanwhile, the Federal Investigative Agency (FIA) Monday sealed three foreign currency accounts of former federal minister for Religious Affairs Hamid Saeed Kazmi in Multan. The accounts are suspected to be holding money that was embezzled in the Haj corruption scam.
Talking to a private TV channel, Kazmi said his account was opened even before he became a minister and the FIA had not contacted him on the issue. He said the account did not contain millions or billions of rupees. “If the FIA wants to investigate let them to do so,” he remarked.
The former minister said he would make important disclosures at a press conference to be held today (Tuesday).
Earlier, he had denied the presence of any account. The FIA forensic experts in collaboration with the State Bank of Pakistan investigated into the matter and have frozen them.
It is pertinent to note that Kazmi was sacked for his alleged involvement in Haj corruption worth Rs1 billion. The FIA is probing the matter after the Supreme Court took notice of the matter. Last week, the Supreme Court rejected the FIAÂ’s report into the irregularities in Haj arrangements, saying it was not transparent and that the influential people were involved in the scandal.
According to the report, which gave a clearance chit to Kazmi, there was no evidence that Rao Shakil and Ahmad Faiz transferred any amount in the Muslim Commercial Bank and Faisal Bank accounts of Kazmi, adding that at the moment, the probe was being conducted into the present amount in the account.
Captors kill Colonel Imam in North Waziristan
January 24th, 2011 |
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PESHAWAR – Former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) officer Colonel Imam has been killed by the abductors in North Waziristan Agency, TheNation learnt reliably on Sunday.
Sultan Aamir Tarar, commonly known as Colonel Imam, along with two other colleagues including Khalid Khawaja, a former intelligence agency officer, and Asad Qureshi, a journalist, was kidnapped by a militant group almost 10 months back in March 2010 on the charges of spying, when they were travelling from Bannu to Waziristan.
Colonel Imam, who was also known as mentor of Taliban, had been picked up by the militant group, Asian Tigers, when he was on his way to Waziristan to meet Taliban leadership and make a documentary film in this regard.
Sometime back a video footage of Colonel Imam was released by the abductors in which, he was shown as saying that his life was in danger and he urged the government to fulfil his kidnappersÂ’ demand of freeing a number of prisoners held for terror activities.
Though the government authorities are yet to confirm the killing of Colonel Imam, the sources said that he was killed Sunday in North Waziristan Agency at an undisclosed location. It may be mentioned here that out of the other captured colleagues of Colonel Imam, Asad Qureshi, was released a few months back while Khalid Khawaja was also killed by the said organisation on April 30, 2010 and his body was thrown in the suburbs of Mir Ali, North Waziristan Agency.
The abductors are still keeping ImamÂ’s dead body. According to the sources, Imam was murdered for failing to pay the ransom money demanded by his kidnappers.
Staff Reporter from Islamabad adds: Family of Sultan Amir Tarar commonly known as Col Imam was not accepting condolences for not being confirmed of his death after reports that his captors killed him, said General (Retd) Hameed Gul.
Former ISI chief Gul told this scribe, “I went to his home for condolence but they were not accepting as yet.”
He was unable to either deny or confirm the reports of Imam’s death. “I have checked the root source of all the reports and that is only one. These sort of reports need to be confirmed by more than one source,” he said.
Talking about the reports that he might have passed away due to a heart attack, he said, “He had a heart problem but not that sever. We were told that he had run out of his medicines and that too were dispatched to him,” he added.
“Why I doubt his captors had killed him because he was a sort of insurance policy with them,” he said.
Recalling the story of his kidnapping, he said, initially so-called Asian Tigers group of some Usman Punjabi had taken him and his other companions into custody through a trap. Later on another group of Sabir Mansoor killed Usman Punjabi and others and took Imam in its custody. Eventually, Col Imam had gone to Hakimullah MahsudÂ’s custody after they had killed Mansoor and his group.
Of late, Gul said, Afghan Taliban, Mujahideen, and Haqanni group of North Waziristan were asking Mehsud to release Col Imam. According to former ISI chief, there were also reports that Mehsud had demanded release of his men arrested in connection with suicide attacks on GHQ and Parade Lane Mosque in Rawalpindi. There were also reports that they had demanded ransom money of Rs50 million.
Gul feared that in case the captors had killed him, they would face music as most of the Taliban both in Pakistan and Afghanistan consider Imam, as their mentor, and would not spare Mehsud. That is why he said there were also reports that Mehsud group was asking for guarantees that they would not be attacked if they release Imam.
The biggest question at present, he said, is why they are not releasing the dead body of Col Imam if they have killed him or he expired due to some heart attack.
“He was a great soldier, good Muslim, and basic character in development and training of Taliban in Afghanistan,” Gul remembered Imam. “Though he served as my subordinate but he was more like a friend to me,” he added. “He never missed collective prayer to my knowledge,” he recalled the days with Col Imam.
A retired Pakistan Army officer and special warfare operation specialist, Imam was a former member of the Special Service Group (SSG). Western media considered him “inactive” ISI intelligence officer who had served as former Pakistani Consul General at Herat, Afghanistan.
A veteran of Soviet war in Afghanistan, he is widely believed to have played a key role in the formation of the Taliban, after having helped train the Afghan Mujahidin on behalf of the United States in the 1980s.
According to Wikipedia, Colonel Imam, who was a commando-guerrilla warfare specialist, had trained Mullah Omar and other Taliban factions. Colonel Imam remained active in AfghanistanÂ’s civil war until 2001 US-led war on terrorism, and supported the Taliban publicly through media.
Imam was educated and a graduate of Pakistan Military Academy (PMA), Kakul; and Fort Bragg, North Carolina, USA. After his graduation from PMA, he joined the Pakistan ArmyÂ’s 15th Frontier Force Regiment as a 2nd Lieutenant. His unit was sent to United States in 1974, and was trained shoulder-to-shoulder among with United States Army Special Forces. Upon his graduation from the Special Forces School, he was awarded American Green Beret by his training commander. Following his return to Pakistan, Imam joined the Special Service Group (SSG). In 1980s, he had participated in Soviet war in Afghanistan, notably the Battle for Hill 3234. Colonel Imam increasingly involved in AfghanistanÂ’s politics even after the Soviet left the Afghanistan. After the Soviet-Afghan war, Colonel Imam had supported and trained Taliban fighters independently.
After the Soviet defeat and the collapse of communism, Colonel Imam was invited to the White House by the then president George Bush (senior), and was given a piece of the Berlin Wall with a brass plaque inscribed: “To the one who dealt the first blow.” Today, western intelligence agencies believe Imam is among a group of renegade officers from Pakistan’s ISI who continued to help the Taliban after Pakistan turned against them following the attacks of September 11, 2001.
During his career in Pakistan Army he had won three prestigious awards namely Sitara-e-Jurat, Tamgha-e-Basalat, and Sitara-i-Imtiaz(Military).
Drone attacks kill six in Pakistan
January 23rd, 2011 |
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Pakistani intelligence officials have been quoted as saying two separate attacks today by U.S. drones have killed at least six suspected militants.
The AFP and Associated Press news agencies quoted officials as saying the first strike hit a vehicle killing four militants.
No dialogue till Pakistan stops terrorism: Gadkari
January 22nd, 2011 |
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Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Nitin Gadkari Saturday said his party favoured resumption of the India-Pakistan dialogue, but only after Islamabad dismantled all terrorist training camps in its territory and stopped cross-border terrorism from its soil. Speaking to Indian journalists in Beijing, Gadkari said Pakistan has failed to take action against the perpetrators of the [...]
Pakistan not to call itself `frontline state’ in terror war
January 21st, 2011 |
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Islamabad has decided to drop the phrase “frontline state in war against terrorism”, frequently used by officials to highlight Pakistan’s role against terror, as it was not serving the country’s interest, an official said. “Descriptions like frontline state in war against terrorism overcast country’s positivities. Therefore, we are doing away with this phrase,” Dawn quoted [...]
Rs37b lost in ISAF containers pilferage
January 20th, 2011 |
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ISLAMABAD – Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhary on Wednesday hearing the embezzlement of billions of rupees in International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) containers case observed that revelations made in the Federal Tax Ombudsman report is just the tip of the iceberg, as further investigations could divulge much more.
The Federal Tax Ombudsman submitted a comprehensive report regarding fraud in the garb of Afghan Transit Trade, which testified that large number of containers carrying Afghan trade goods have been pilfered inside the country.
The report has made a startling disclosure that more than 50,000 transit containers have been pilfered within Pakistan that have caused a huge loss of approximately Rs19 to Rs37 billing to the countryÂ’s economy during the last four years. A three-member bench of apex court comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhary, Justice Ghulam Rabbani and Justice Khalil-ur-Rehman Ramday, while hearing the ISAF containers case ordered the authorities concerned to take a strict action against those involved in the case and issued them notices.
The Court on September 30, 2010 had directed the Federal Tax Ombudsman to file a comprehensive report over the permission of contraband items under the garb of food supplies to the ISAF in Afghanistan under the Afghan Transit Trade Agreement (ATTA). The court also sought a comprehensive report over 10,000 to 11,000 containers of ISAF which went missing from Karachi, as Customs has no record of these containers.
The Chief Justice said, “We have gone through the report, which is not only comprehensive to the point with the reference mentioned in the complaint of smuggling of foreign goods in the name of Afghan Transit Trade.”The report prima facie concluded that action is required to be taken against all the concerned officials of Customs. The court stated that for the sake of justice it would be appropriate to provide them an opportunity of hearing so they may also forward their comments in view of the report prepared by Federal Tax Ombudsman.
The court directed Chairman Federal Board of Revenue Salman Siddique to assist the court and provide a list of all officials, including former chairperson of CBR/FBR, who was holding the position from January 1, 2007 to December 24, 2010, the Members of Customs (Customs Collectors Karachi Port and Port of Qasim, Collectors of Quetta and Peshawar, Secretaries Commerce and Finance, Director General Customs Intelligence and Investigation and the relevant officers of NLC who were hold the charge during that period. The court said that the Chairman CBR might also identify any other officer, prima facie involved in the alleged corruption, so he may be summoned.
The court directed the FBR counsel to furnish the list by January 20, 2011 along with copies of the report prepared by the FTO, which shall be obtained from the office of the FTO as we have been given only six copies. On receipt of the names as mentioned above the office shall issue notices through the FBR for affecting service upon them. However, notice would be served on the DG NLC by the office itself.
The officers/officials to whom notices are issued are directed to file their comments, particularly in respect of the period during which they were holding the charge of the above posts.
The Chief Justice observed that right from top to the bottom officials are involved in the case. The Chief Justice asked the FBR chairman to proceed against the officials allegedly involved in the case, get them handcuffed and present their report in the court. The chairman FBR replied, “We have to take some measures and finalise the nitty-gritty of the plans.”
Justice Ramday said, “If someone is in this illusion that by deputing a person of his choice could influence the investigation is wrong, because the court would itself control the investigation.” He asked whom they could depend? If the economy will be bad then how would the country be run? Justice Ramday said, “Like Haris Steel Mills’ case the court could control the investigation of this case as well.
The Chief Justice asked Salman that if you have time then travel from Quetta to Chaman by road. The CJP said in the presence of Customs officials and the Levies goods are being smuggled in and out of the country, but no one is there to question them. He said because of smuggling the national exchequer faces a loss of $2 billion every year.
The Chief Justice further said that even the Islamabad markets are flooded with the smuggled goods. Justice Ramday said that the domestic barrowing have reached Rs4008 billion since 2008 to 2010. The court wondered that besides the smuggling of alcohol and arms, what else is being smuggled on the pretext of Afghan trade.
The case is adjourned till 27th January.
Rangers comb Orangi Town
January 19th, 2011 |
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KARACHI (Agencies) – In an extensive house-to-house search operation in Karachi, Rangers personnel on Tuesday detained over 500 people for questioning in the wake of a surge in target-killings which claimed nearly 40 lives during the last few days. Large quantity of arms and ammunition was also seized.
Rangers launched the search operation in Orangi Town in the morning and detained over 500 people for questioning. However, local residents claimed that about 600 people had been detained during the operation.
Despite operation, three more persons were killed. A 23-year-old youth Umair was gunned down in Nazimabad. The four bike riders killed a person in Gulshan Iqbal Town Block-4. Unknown people gunned down a security guard in Gulberg Town. The body has been shifted to Abbasi Shaheed hospital.
Contingents of troops kept guard during the search operation and people were asked to stay indoors. All markets, hotels and petrol pumps in the area were closed. Local residents said that children could not go to schools as the entire area was sealed.
Troops cordoned off the area and vehicles were banned from entering Orangi Town during the operation. Motorcycle riders faced identity checks.
Officials said that more search operations were expected to be conducted in other sensitive areas of Karachi.
According to another channel, after the initial investigation, 300 out of 500 arrested were found innocent and released.
Meanwhile, Sindh Home Department on Tuesday issued the notification to further extend the powers of Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) under Section 5 of Anti-Terrorism Action of 1997 for another three months.
According to a statement issued here by a spokesman of Home Department, Sindh Home Minister Dr Zulfiqar Ali Mirza ordered the extension to the powers of the Rangers to help the Police Department and provide security to the peaceful citizens of the metropolis. He also ordered the Police Department to ensure presence of women police in search operations to uphold the sanctity of ‘Chaadar and Char Divari’. Moreover, he also ordered the police authorities to keep close coordination with the area elders in this regard. “It is our endeavour to ensure indiscriminate operation against anti-social elements,” he said.
Sources in Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) told APP here on Tuesday that the search operation was conducted in collaboration with the police and on the directives of the Home Department to check lawlessness, target killings and other general crimes.
The sources said that the Rangers also seized over 250 motorcycles during snap checkings in that area to check the violation of the ban on pillion riding in the evening hours. “All the suspects and two-wheelers have been seized and handed over to the police in their respective jurisdiction as per directives of the Home Department,” the source added.
Our staff reporter from Karachi adds: Residents had mixed reactions to TuesdayÂ’s operation. Some welcomed the move and others said the operation was causing problems for the general public.
Meanwhile, women came on the streets in protest against police and RangersÂ’ operation in Orangi Town. The operation lasted for six hours with over 500 arrests. Police and Rangers were stopped on the way by several local women when they were returning after concluding the operation. The women blamed security personnel for arresting innocent people and demanded their instant release.
Some people were of the view that security agencies detained passerby, bystanders and commuters on the way to their workplaces.
A random search operation of suspected houses was conducted by rangers in different areas of Orangi Town including Fakir Colony, Omer Baloch Mohalla, Pareshan Chowk, Hazara Colony and Farid Colony at around 3:00 a.m. and while door-to-door search was started at 05:30 a.m.
Residents of the area while talking to The Nation told that violence, target killings and unrest had already disturbed their routine life and now such sort of operations would further make the life of common man miserable.
The sources said that some criminal elements were also picked up by rangers. They said rangersÂ’ personnel misbehaved with families and even with journalists who reached there to cover the operation.
Meanwhile, SP Orangi Town, Khurram Waris, said that Rangers launched operation and police had only assisted them.
Meanwhile, an elderly man was shot dead in Jummah Goth Malir within the limits of Al Falah police station. The victim Gull Hassan Magsi, 63, son of Sabbab Ali Magsi, resident of Rafi Bungalows Malir, was gunned down by unidentified armed men in Jummah Goth, Malir.
The police added that the victim had reached Karachi from Dubai a week ago and hailed from Hub, Balochistan.
In another incident, a young man was shot dead while two others got injures in target killing near Disco Bakery in the limits of Mobina Town police station.
The incident took place in Block 4, Gulshan Iqbal where a 23-year-old Hewand, son of Ahmed Shah, was sitting along with his friends in his street. Suddenly two armed men riding a bike arrived there and opened indiscriminate fire at them. Hewand died on the spot while his friends Ahsan and Talha sustained injuries. They were later shifted to JPMC. The police said the victim was the resident of Bhayani Heights, Gulshan Iqbal, and hailed from Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, a security guard was also gunned down in Ancholi FB Area in the jurisdiction of Gulberg police station. The victim 24-year-old Noor Mohammad Jakhrani was performing his duty near Omar Mosque Block 18, FB Area, where two armed men opened firing on him killing on the spot.
The area police shifted his body to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital (ASH) for medico legal formalities. The police said the victim was the employee of a private security company.
Similarly, in another incident a labourer was found dead on Tuesday in Korangi ‘K’ area of Awami Colony. The victim was identified as Shabbir, son of Haji Abdul Qadir. The area police said that they also found two empty shells from the crime scene, which suggested that the culprits shot the victim and escaped. The deceased was the resident of Qazzafi Town. The case was registered against unidentified persons.
SAARC to get first woman secretary general
January 18th, 2011 |
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The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is set to get its first woman secretary general – a 36-year-old Maldivian lawyer. The SAARC Secretariat in Kathmandu has confirmed that former lawmaker of the Maldives, Fathimath Dhiyana Saeed, will be appointed SAARC secretary general March 1, The Daily Star said, quoting diplomatic sources. Bangladesh foreign [...]
15 killed in Pakistan bus blast
January 17th, 2011 |
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Fifteen people were killed and 11 injured Monday in a huge explosion in a passenger bus in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. A police official said the blast was caused as the CNG fuel tank burst after an accident. The blast took place in Kohat town in the bus that was coming from Hangu. The injured [...]
‘None opposes PML unification’
January 16th, 2011 |
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LAHORE – Punjab Chief Minister Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has maintained that none objects to the unification of various factions of the Pakistan Muslim League, but those who have been loyalists of a military dictator and have looted billions of rupees, must return the money and beg pardon from the masses.
He was addressing the 106th Founding Day ceremony of the Pakistan Muslim League held under the auspices of the Nazaria-e-Pakistan Trust in collaboration with the Tehreek-e-Pakistan WorkersÂ’ Trust here on Saturday.
Chairman NPT and Editor-in-Chief The Nation Majid Nizami presided over the ceremony, while Senior Vice-Chairman NPT Begum Majeeda Wyne, Vice-Chairman NPT Dr Rafique Ahmad, former Foreign Minister Sartaj Aziz, Mian Farooq Altaf, Waleed Iqbal Advocate, Mian Khalil Ahmed Sharaqpuri, MPA Rana Muhammad Arshad, Parliamentarians and a large number of PML workers attended the function.
Shahbaz, while tracing the history of PakistanÂ’s creation, said that the Muslims of the Sub-continent launched a movement for creating a separate homeland under the leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and flag of the PML, and rendered sacrifices.
He lamented that after 63 years, Pakistanis had failed to establish Pakistan in accordance with the ideals of its founders.
‘Democratic dispensations were put in place, but the military dictators staged coups by hoodwinking people, and did nothing practically for them’, he observed, while asserting that someone perpetuated dictatorship in the name of Islam and others derailed democracy for plundering the resources sans running the country as per the teachings of the Quaid and Allama Iqbal.
‘Sacrifices were rendered for the establishment of Pakistan to live according to law and Constitution where equal opportunities be ensured for all with supremacy of law, equal rights for everyone sans any discrimination of caste, colour, creed and religion, and be called Pakistanis. But today, the elite have all facilities whereas poor are deprived of basic amenities’, he maintained.
Shahbaz Sharif mentioned that medical facilities were for the rich, while the poor were struggling to get medicines even.
‘Children of the elite get education from prestigious institutions, whereas admissions are declined to the poor in these institutions. This is not the Pakistan as dreamt by the Quaid and Allama Iqbal’, he said, while mentioning that Pakistan was rich in mineral resources, fertile land, water, mountains and talented people but despite this, goals were not materialised.
‘We will have to make a critical review of this fact. The world history is replete with examples of defeated nations making progress through hard work, and we can do the same and change our history through hard work, honesty and sincerity’, he stressed.
The CM also lamented that Pakistan was still forced to depend on foreign aids and compromise its freedom and sovereignty for very little money though the country was a nuclear power.
‘We are forced to actualise even those foreign dictations, which have no concern the teachings and philosophy of the Quran and Sunnah, Quaid-e-Azam and Allama Iqbal, and the sacrifices of martyrs of Pakistan movement’, he maintained.
About foreign debts, he was of the considered opinion that loans worth billions of rupees had not changed PakistanÂ’s destiny during 63 years.
‘On domestic front, huge loans were got written off on political grounds, and those are still the owners of factories and bungalows, while the poor are deprived of even basic necessities’, he said, while asserting that in Quaid’s Pakistan, there were news about its President taking commission in Agosta submarine purchase, and earlier the Hajis were looted.
‘New worlds are created through new trends, fresh approach, hard work and honesty and we will regain lost glory of Pakistan by acting upon these golden principles and will make it an Islamic welfare state in true sense in accordance with the ideals of the Quaid and Allama Iqbal’, he added.
He agreed to the proposals of Majid Nizami regarding unification of various PML factions. He strongly advocated the idea of saving every penny for equipping the new generation with latest knowledge, which would root out extremism and terrorism from the country.
‘Even from today if we start making earnest efforts for eliminating ignorance and illiteracy, then the failures of the last 63 years can be overcome’, he said, while mentioning the success story of the Daanish Schools in remote and backward areas.
He was of the view that these schools would be an important step towards realising dreams of the Quaid and Allama Iqbal.
‘In the past, had a dacoity of Rs 50 billion not been committed in the Bank of Punjab, and resources were not looted ruthlessly in the name of the Lahore-Kasur Road, Ring Road and other development projects, then all these resources could have been spent for the establishment of Daanish Schools and welfare of the people’, observed emotionally-charged CM, who also asserted that the loot and plunder would have to be eliminated for regaining the lost glory of Pakistan and making it a true Islamic welfare state in accordance with the ideals of founders. ‘Judicious distribution of resources will have to be ensured and we will have to march forward for making hard work, honesty and sincerity our motto’, he suggested.
Majid Nizami in his address said that the PML was the founder party of the country and it would also make the country strong and stable.
‘India is our sworn enemy and we should always be beware of it. It is unfortunate for Pakistan and the PML that a runaway retired General (Pervez Musharraf) has also set up a separate Muslim League and he is trying to come back again in the country, and God forbid that such time comes’, he said, adding, that the Muslim League had established Pakistan and this party would protect the country as well. He asked the CM to play his role for unification of Muslim Leagues. “If you (Shahbaz Sharif) can make your elder brother (Nawaz Sharif) agree to the PML unification, then no one in the world can stop the latter from becoming the Quaid of the unified Muslim League,” he said.
Majid Nizami lamented the fact that the PML was created at Dhaka, and unfortunately it was no more part of Pakistan.
‘It is now the capital of Bangladesh because of our failings’, he observed, while tracing the history of the Quaid-Allama liaison for the creation of Pakistan.
He rejected the assertion that Pakistan was a secular state, and mentioned that its founders wanted to make it an Islamic state.
He asked the CM to take care of the poor, who were dying of cold and hunger. He also objected to the view that a few Daanish Schools could make the country literate because ‘revolutionary steps can turn Pakistan into an educated country’
‘I have seen a woman with sword in one protest. God forbid that day should not dawn when the whole nation is brandishing swords, and see another French Revolution’, he warned.
Earlier, in his welcome address, Dr Rafique Ahmad paid rich tributes to Shahbaz Sharif on setting up of Daanish Schools for providing quality educational facilities to poor students whose parents could not afford heavy fees. He also lauded the CM for creating awareness regarding the ideology of Pakistan.
Majid Nizami also presented NPT-published book titled ‘Tareekh Al-India Muslim League 1906-1947’ to Shahbaz Sharif.
Obama honours Holbrooke as ‘hardheaded’ and ‘clear-eyed’
January 15th, 2011 |
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US President Barack Obama and other American dignitaries celebrated the life of late diplomat Richard Holbrooke Friday, honouring his endless determination to make the world a better place. Hundreds turned out at the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington to attend the memorial service for Holbrooke, who died suddenly in December [...]
US to find ways to boost Pak economy
January 15th, 2011 |
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WASHINGTON – US President Barack Obama Friday assured President Asif Ali Zardari President of United StatesÂ’ help in overcoming PakistanÂ’s difficulties and challenges when the two leaders met at the White House, according to the Pakistani envoy.
The US President offered to look at new ways to help PakistanÂ’s troubled economy as he showed support for President Asif Ali Zardari at a White House meeting, officials said.
President Zardari flew into Washington Thursday afternoon for a memorial service later in the day for the late US envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke who died last month at the age of 69.
“He (Obama) was very clear in asserting that the US wants to help Pakistan in overcoming its difficulties and challenges and also recognizes the successes that have been accomplished in fighting terrorism, building democracy and instituting economic reforms,” Pakistan’s Ambassador to the US Husain Haqqani said in a post-meeting Press briefing.
On his part, President Zardari said Pakistan wants to stand up on its feet economically and not remain a permanent recipient of aid.
Haqqani said Zardari expressed appreciation for assistance from the US, which in 2009 approved a five-year, 7.5-billion-dollar package for the key but complicated war partner.
Ambassador Haqqani said the top-level US-Pakistan meeting was held in a friendly atmosphere, countering media reports about a strain in the relationship between the two countries and that Zardari would come under pressure for starting military operations in North Waziristan.
“Nobody scolded anybody, nobody raised the question of Pakistan not doing enough, nobody said anything negative about the lack of support of either country for the other,” he said
“We continue to work positively in all areas of cooperation, political, economic, diplomatic, strategic, intelligence and military,” Haqqani said, underscoring the cooperative nature of ties.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, National Security Advisor Tom Donilon, Deputy National Security Adviser Douglas Lute and, White House counterterrorism advisor John Brennan assisted the US president while Ambassador Haqqani accompanied President Zardari for the meeting.
President Zardari, speaking about Pakistan’s priorities and requirements, told his US counterpart that “Pakistan does not want to be a permanent recipient of aid. We want to be able to stand up on own two feet. And for that we need economic reforms and we are cognizant of that, and working on that and that Pakistan and the US are partners” in this respect, according to Haqqani.
For their part, President Obama and Secretary Hillary said over the next few days, they would try to find new ways to strengthen Pakistan’s economic reform process “while taking into consideration social and political factors as well as the overwhelming reality of the floods, which disrupted the economic growth last year,” the Pakistani envoy said.
Obama expressed his condolences over the assassination of Governor Punjab Salman Taseer. He appreciated Islamabad’s resolve to build a “moderate democratic Pakistan which is the strongest guarantee against terrorist threat in our region,” Haqqani told reporters.
“He appreciated the stance of the government of Pakistan in wanting to pursue the perpetrators of this crime as well as to continue to work towards building a moderate, democratic Pakistan, which is the strongest guarantee against the success of terrorists in our region.”
President Obama “unequivocally” stressed US support for democracy in Pakistan, the envoy added.
“Both presidents acknowledged the services of the late ambassador (Richard) Holbrooke and the great energy and strength that he had brought to the US-Pakistan relationship and agreed there was need to continue with that momentum to build the strategic partnership.”
However, Ambassador Haqqani said, President Obama made it clear that the meeting could not be a substitute for formal talks between the two anti-terror partners during an official visit to Washington by President Zardari later this year and President ObamaÂ’s own visit to Islamabad.
According to a White House statement, Obama told Zardari Friday that he was “looking forward” to visiting Pakistan later this year.
It also said the two leaders’ “discussion focused on our shared efforts to fight terrorism and promote regional stability, specifically on the importance of cooperating towards a peaceful and stable outcome in Afghanistan” and that Obama “underscored the importance of the US-Pakistan relationship and our continued support for Pakistan.”
The US President emphasized the importance of cooperating to promote stability in Afghanistan, the White House said.
Husain Haqqani, the Pakistani ambassador in Washington, told reporters that the two leaders voiced concern about rising extremism worldwide that he said was behind the recent assassination of Punjab Governor Salman Taseer and this monthÂ’s shooting rampage in the US state of Arizona that killed six people and critically wounded a member of Congress, Gabrielle Giffords.
Samjhauta blasts probe moving at snail’s pace: Pakistan
January 14th, 2011 |
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Pakistan has accused India of moving at “snail’s pace” in probing the 2007 Samjhauta Express train bombing, and said it hoped New Delhi will share details of the investigaton with Islamabad “at the earliest”. “We hope India will share details of their investigations with Pakistan at the earliest, as was conveyed to them formally two [...]