Salman Taseer | ICT magazine

Posts Tagged ‘Salman Taseer’

US to find ways to boost Pak economy

January 15th, 2011 | No Comments

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.
Â“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,Â” PakistanÂ’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.
Â“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,Â” he said
Â“We continue to work positively in all areas of cooperation, political, economic, diplomatic, strategic, intelligence and military,Â” 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 PakistanÂ’s priorities and requirements, told his US counterpart that Â“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 partnersÂ” 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 PakistanÂ’s economic reform process Â“while taking into consideration social and political factors as well as the overwhelming reality of the floods, which disrupted the economic growth last year,Â” the Pakistani envoy said.
Obama expressed his condolences over the assassination of Governor Punjab Salman Taseer. He appreciated IslamabadÂ’s resolve to build a Â“moderate democratic Pakistan which is the strongest guarantee against terrorist threat in our region,Â” Haqqani told reporters.
Â“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.Â”
President Obama Â“unequivocallyÂ” stressed US support for democracy in Pakistan, the envoy added.
Â“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.Â”
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 Â“looking forwardÂ” to visiting Pakistan later this year.
It also said the two leadersÂ’ Â“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 AfghanistanÂ” and that Obama Â“underscored the importance of the US-Pakistan relationship and our continued support for Pakistan.Â”
The US President emphasized the importance of cooperating to promote stability in Afghanistan, the White House said.
Husain Haqqani, the Pakistani ambassador in Washington, told reporters that the two leaders voiced concern about rising extremism worldwide that he said was behind the recent assassination of Punjab Governor Salman Taseer and this monthÂ’s shooting rampage in the US state of Arizona that killed six people and critically wounded a member of Congress, Gabrielle Giffords.

US gets Â‘noÂ’ on NWA action

January 13th, 2011 | No Comments

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan on Wednesday made it clear to the US that it would not become a part of any new American great game in relation to its forcesÂ’ announced withdrawal from Afghanistan starting from July this year.
Officials requesting anonymity told The Nation that Islamabad had also conveyed to the visiting US Vice-President Joe Biden that neither politically nor strategically it suited Pakistan to open up any new war front in North Waziristan Agency.
Biden, who held separate meetings with President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and COAS Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, assured the Pakistani leadership that the US fully respected sovereignty of Pakistan.
He assured Pakistan that there would be Â“no boots on the groundÂ”. He also dismissed PakistanÂ’s apprehensions about US-sponsored foreign intervention thorough Afghanistan.
Acknowledging PakistanÂ’s legitimate apprehensions, the visiting dignitary made it clear that the US wanted PakistanÂ’s key role in bringing peace in Afghanistan. He rather acknowledged PakistanÂ’s apprehensions about foreign intervention through Afghanistan as Â“legitimateÂ”.
Terming these meetings as extremely useful high-level consultation, the sources said that both the sides discussed how to proceed forward on matters related to Afghanistan.
They opined that the US was interested in finding out Â“PakistanÂ’s bottom line and its intentionsÂ” regarding Afghanistan.
They said both sides also discussed possibilities of Afghan TalibanÂ’s future political role and agreed that if they disassociated themselves from al Qaeda and would be acceptable, at all
The US Vice-President arrived in Islamabad after two days in Kabul, where he said Pakistan needed to do more to help the US in its battle against Taliban and other militants in Afghanistan as it prepares to withdraw its troops from there.
Earlier, addressing a joint Press conference with Premier Gilani following their one on one meeting at the Prime MinisterÂ’s House, Biden rejected misperceptions that the US planned to impose any war on Pakistan as part of its counter-terrorism fight against al Qaeda. He reassured that the US wanted to forge long-term strategic partnership with Pakistan.
Â“A stable, prosperous and democratic Pakistan was in the interests of the US,Â” the US Vice-President said.
Calling the Pak-US relationship Â“absolutely vitalÂ”, he said that was what he had experienced in his capacity as member of Foreign Relations Committee during his 30-year long interaction with Pakistani leadership.
He said it was an opportunity for him to do away with some misperceptions about US-Pakistan relations.
He said his countryÂ’s aspirations for Pakistan was to see it a developed and a prosperous country. Â“I want the grandchildren of Pakistan and US not to find in future the articles on terrorism. I want the Pakistani scientists to accomplish Nobel peace prizes,Â” he said.
The US Vice-President said due to USÂ’ interest to forge deeper relations with Pakistan, it had set up a large educational system for Pakistanis and demonstrated this by actions during the last seven years by initiating numerous projects.
He said the US was working in partnership with Pakistani Government and had increased security cooperation.
Biden pointed out that during the last summerÂ’s devastating floods in Pakistan, the US made extensive support for relief and rehabilitation. Â“This is what the partners do for partners,Â” he added.
About misconception regarding USÂ’ disrespect towards Islam, the US Vice-President said the situation was in fact quite the opposite as the Muslim Americans freely practised their religion in the US.
He attempted to dispel what he called common anti-American misperceptions in Pakistan while urging the government to fight growing religious extremism.
He said Islam was the fastest growing religion in the US and mentioned President Barack ObamaÂ’s statement in a Muslim-populated area that Â“Islam is a part of AmericaÂ”.
Â“I would challenge to name any other country in the world which provides greater freedom of worship. We are not the enemies of Islam and we embrace those who practice this great religion,Â” he said.
He said a large number of people were converting to Islam in America.
Biden called Amna Taseer, the widow of the slain governor, to express his condolences on behalf of the president and the American people.
Biden said militancy in Pakistan was a threat to both countries, adding that IslamabadÂ’s efforts against militants were not enough.
Militant groups have exploited grievances, exacerbated by US drone attacks in the west of the country, to build support.
He said President Barrack Obama, he and his countrymen were saddened over the assassination of Punjab Governor Salman Taseer, adding that there was no justification for such senseless act against a person who raised voice for tolerance.
While offering condolences over TaseerÂ’s killing on behalf of President Obama, he said that societies needed tolerance to grow.
Â“The governor was killed simply because he was a voice of tolerance and understanding,Â” he said.
Â“As you know all too well … societies that tolerate such actions end up being consumed by those actions,Â” he said, urging Pakistan for NWA operation
Biden said militancy in Pakistan was a threat to both countries, adding that IslamabadÂ’s efforts against militants were not enough.
In his opening remarks, Prime Minister Gilani thanked the US administration for its extra-ordinary contribution to the relief and rehabilitation efforts for the people and areas affected by the recent unprecedented floods in the country.

PPP smells a rat

January 6th, 2011 | No Comments

LAHORE/KARACHI – The PPP on Wednesday termed Salmaan TaseerÂ’s assassination a Â‘political murderÂ’ with political motives, as Federal Law Minister Babar Awan in his media talk raised many questions regarding the incident and also pointed finger at the Punjab government for what he called a Â‘criminal security lapseÂ’. Â‘Why Salmaan Taseer was not provided the security cover of a Constitutional head of the province which is equal to that of the Chief Executive of the province, and which is given to Constitutional heads in other provinces tooÂ’, the Minister asked while talking to reporters at the residence of PPP leader Munawar Anjum where he had gone to condole the death of latterÂ’s mother.
Awan questioned why a person who had earlier been declared security risk and terminated from service was included in GovernorÂ’s security staff.
He said that security of Governor Taseer was handed over to the murderers, while describing the incident as a failure of security.
Terming TaseerÂ’s assassination a target killing and a political murder, he said Salmaan Taseer had one identity only; that of a political man, and his murder could not be without political motives
Is it the fate of PPP only to lift the bodies of its leaders? he asked.
Awan said it needed to be investigated whether it was a criminal security lapse or a conspiracy against the country and the present system. He feared that certain forces wanted to weaken the country through such acts.
He said it was vital to uncover what he called Â‘real conspiracyÂ’ behind the murder.
Â‘ItÂ’s not our job to reach at the real culprits, but it is highly important to investigate the matterÂ’, he added, saying his party would not let any one to hush up the whole affair.
He said GovernorÂ’s assassination had raised many questions which must be answered. He further said his party did not want to indulge in any blame game, but it was necessary to conduct thorough investigation.
He said it would be an uphill task for only two civil servants to investigate such a big tragedy. Babar said he was not blaming any body for the murder and all his utterances were within the confines of the Constitution and law.
Babar also seemed dissatisfied over the security cover being provided to him as Federal Minister. Â‘I have to arrange it myself, some times also seeking help from RangersÂ’, he told reporters, adding, that the security vehicles provided to him by Punjab government were without headlights and had weak tyres.
Meanwhile, addressing Punjab Assembly session on Wednesday, Senior Punjab Minister Raja Riaz and Finance Minister Tanvir Ashraf Kaira were also convinced that political motivation led to Salmaan TaseerÂ’s murder.
Meanwhile, the PPP parliamentary party in Punjab condemned the TaseerÂ’s assassination as a Â‘political murderÂ’, and demanded tracing the real culprits and awarding exemplary punishment to them.
The emergency parliamentary party meeting was held here at the Punjab Assembly cafeteria with Senior Minister Raja Riaz in the chair.
Senator Babar Awan, Federal Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs and Rana Farooq Saeed also attended the meeting on the special invitation of PPP legislators.
The PPP Ministers Dr Tanvir-ul-Islam, Farooq Yusuf Ghurki, Ashraf Sohna, Neelam Jabbar and Haji Muhammad Ishaq besides a large number of legislators attended the meeting.
Addressing the participants, Babar Awan said that assassination of Salmaan Taseer was a test of patience for the PPP and its workers.
He said that the party has already faced a number of political murders.
He said that assassination of the Constitutional head of a province by a security guard was a big question mark.
He said that some miscreants were hatching conspiracies to weaken the Federation. He said that the PPP and the Federation were two sides of the same coin.
Neelam Jabbar, Sajida Mir, Azma Bokhari, Tariq Amin Hotiana, Irshad Ahmed Sial and Saleem Najmi also addressed the meeting.
The participants paid glowing tributes to Governor Punjab Salmaan Taseer for his brave stance against terrorism. The participants passed a resolution expressing the resolve to continue the mission of party founder Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto besides continuing the policy of national reconciliation of President Asif Zardari.
The resolution passed by the PPP MPAs also demanded probe into the killing of Salmaan Taseer and voiced for the tracing of real hands behind the gory incident.
In Karachi, PPP Central Information Secretary Fauzia Wahab termed that the assassination of Governor Punjab Salmaan Taseer a political murder, saying that his murder was not an act of extremism.
The PPP government has announced three-day mourning for Salman Taseer and the PPP also announced two-week mourning.
Talking to the media person after the condolence meeting at the PeopleÂ’s Secretariat, Fauzia Wahab said that killing of Salman Taseer was a part of pre-planned conspiracy and said Â“now we should remain alert to avert from this kind of terrorism.Â”
Commenting over the issue about who was the responsible for the security of Governor Punjab, she said that the controversy about the security responsibility of the Salman Taseer proved that the murder was political. She said that PPP MNA Sherry Rehman has privately submitted the bill to amend the blasphemy law in the National Assembly.
PPP Karachi organised the condolence meeting at the PeopleÂ’s Secretariat to express the condolence on the assassination of Governor Punjab Salman Taseer.
Meanwhile, Sindh Senior Minister Pir Mazhar-ul-Haq said that the religious political parties had defamed the face of Islam across the world. He said that these elements were hatching conspiracy to break the country.
Pir Mazhar vowed that PPP would continue its struggle against these extremist elements and striving to make enlightened and develop Pakistan. He said that extremists in the country were the remnants of former dictator Zia-ul-Haq and underlined the need to uproot the remnants of Zia-ul-Haq from the country.

Pakistani governor killed in shooting

January 5th, 2011 | No Comments

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.

Taseer gunned down

January 5th, 2011 | No Comments

ISLAMABAD – Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer was gunned down by one of his bodyguards – a constable of Punjab Elite Force – here at Kohsar Market on Tuesday.
Salmaan Taseer, 56, was walking towards his house after having a lunch with his friend Waqas when one of his bodyguards, Mumtaz Hussain Qadri, rushed towards him and opened indiscriminate fire at him with the help of his SMG gun. Taseer received 27 bullets on various parts of his body and died on the spot. His body was first shifted to Polyclinic Hospital and later to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) for autopsy. The post-mortem reports confirmed that 27 bullets penetrated his body. After the post-mortem, the body was handed over to TaseerÂ’s heirs.
The assassin Mumtaz Qadri confessed that he killed the Governor because the latter had called the blasphemy law a black law. He added that he was proud to have killed a blasphemer.
An intelligence official interrogating Mumtaz informed The Nation that two vehicles with eight elite force personnel, including two officials of special branch, were provided to Taseer for security by Rawalpindi Police on Monday morning.
The other members of TaseerÂ’s security team are in the custody of joint investigating team comprising officials of CID, CIA, Special Branch, Intelligence Bureau (IB). The joint investigation team is headed by Deputy Inspector General, Islamabad Police, Banni Ameen.
All the bodyguards of the Governor were also detained after the assassination.
It would be relevant to mention here that Taseer was one of the most moderate political figures in the ruling PPP. He wanted to bring amendments in the blasphemy law and that was the thing that caused his murder. His funeral prayer would be offered at the GovernorÂ’s House, Lahore, today (Wednesday) at 01:00 pm.
There was a stampede-like situation in the Federal Government Services Hospital (FGSH) of the capital as many activists of PPP, media persons and important government functionaries hurriedly gathered there soon after the spread of Punjab Governor Salman TaseerÂ’s murder news.
Scores in PPP workers started gathering inside and outside the Emergency Ward of the hospital and some of them were so emotional to have a glance of the body of Salmaan Taseer that they broke the back door of the emergency ward to enter into it.
Many important functionaries including the federal ministers of PPP, MNAs, politicians, human rights activists and many others frequently visited the hospital where the external post-mortem of the dead body of Salman Taseer was being conducted. Later, the dead body was shifted to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) for internal post-mortem.
Federal Law Minister Dr Babar Awan and MNA Farahnaz Isphani were the first among PPP leadership who reached the hospital. Ahmed Mukhtar, Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, Khurshid Shah, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Raja Pervez Ashraf, Syed Naveed Qamar, Tasneem Ahmed Qureshi, Sardar Nabeel Gabol, Najam-ud-Din Khan, Mian Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo, Rana Farooq Ahmed and Makhdoom Shahab were among the federal ministers who reached policlinic.
When Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif reached the hospital, workers of the PPP became emotional and they started raising slogans against the PML-N-led Punjab government as well as leaders of the party. However, the ICT administration arranged complete security including personnel of capital police, Rangers and FC to avoid any untoward situation. Deputy Commissioner Islamabad, Amer Ahmed Ali and Assistant Commissioner (Sadar) Capt. Farid Uddin remained present there to control the whole situation.
While talking to the media on the occasion, Shahbaz Bhatti, Federal Minister for Minorities, urged the government to include those into the probe of murder of Salman Taseer who had given decrees against him on the issue of blasphemy laws.
Staff Reporters add: Following the sudden assassination of Salmaan Taseer, hundreds of outraged armed PPP and PSF activists took to streets and forced closure of shops, markets and shopping centres in several cities of Punjab on Tuesday. The protests erupted in Lahore, Sialkot, Rawalpindi, Bahawalpur and other cities.
In Sialkot, the charged mob staged big protest at Allama Iqbal Chowk where they burnt tyres and blocked traffic to vent their spleen against the incident.
The activists, reportedly, beaten up several shopkeepers and small traders upon their refusal to close their shops.

99pc in favour of Kalabagh Dam

September 10th, 2010 | No Comments

LAHORE Â– Ninety-nine per cent people who took part in a referendum, organised by the Nawa-i-Waqt Group, have supported the construction of Kalabagh Dam.
A total of 67,279 people expressed their opinion, 24,860 of them via mail, 41,905 through SMS and 510 email.
The referendum was started on Aug 17 with a view to facilitating the rulers to take a final decision on undertaking the project in case there is a consensus about it. As people showed extraordinary interest, and readers also advised the same, the last date for eliciting views was extended to Eidul Fitr.
Nawa-i-Waqt Editor-in-Chief Majid Nizami thanked the people who took part in the referendum. He said the record of the referendum was available with the paper and would be sent to the prime minister after Eid holidays.
He said Governor Salman Taseer has already supported the project. He hoped that now the premier and the governor would try to convince the president and chief ministers about the utility of the project, hence to undertake its construction.
Mr Nizami said it wouldnÂ’t make any difference if the project was named Pakistan Dam, but the President and the Prime Minister should make their place in history by laying its foundation stone.
The project would save the country from destruction like the one caused by floods this year, solve the countryÂ’s food problem for a long time to come and rid the common man of price-hike.

Sania Mirza and Shoaib Malik had to rush from mismanaged â€˜walimaâ€™ ceremony

April 29th, 2010 | No Comments

Well organized marriage ceremonies of Sania Mirza and Shoaib Malik ended with a mismanaged ‘walima’ reception in Lahore.
The recently married couple had to leave the ceremony in between due overcrowding at hall and mismanagement.
Many big names like Prime Minister Yosuf Raza Gilani’s son Abdul Qadir Gilani, Punjab Governor Salman Taseer and federal population welfare [...]

NFC Award victory of democracy: President

March 16th, 2010 | No Comments

ISLAMABAD Â– Terming the finalisation of 7th National Finance Commission Award as victory of the democracy, President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday inked the historic document in presence of the provincial chief ministers and governors.
Addressing the ceremony, he said that it was a big step forward towards strengthening of the Federation, as the agreement was Â‘a historic achievementÂ’ of the present political Government.
Â“It is a victory for democracy, political parties and all provinces, and also success of the policy of reconciliation,Â” he said
The NFC award was agreed upon by the four provinces at a ceremony at Gwadar on Dec 30 after a gap of 19 years and would come into effect from the next financial year.
Besides Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, federal ministers, Governor Punjab Salman Taseer, Governor Sindh Ishratul Ebad, Governor Balochistan Nawab Zulfiqar Magsi, Chief Minister Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif, Chief Minister Sindh Qaim Ali Shah, Chief Minister NWFP Amir Haider Khan Hoti and Chief Minister Balochistan Nawabzada Aslam Raeesani and the Parliamentarians attended the ceremony at the Presidency.
Â“I feel democracy has taken a leap. We are trying to make a new Pakistan by adhering to the spirit and vision of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto,Â” he said and added that the nation would soon hear good news regarding the Constitutional reforms by the end of this month.
Â“Democracy that returned to the country some time back, has demonstrated its strength. Lets give it time to grow, give people of Pakistan a chance to grow and they will prove a productive part of the global society,Â” he said addressing what he termed as detractors.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Gilani while addressing the ceremony said the NFC award would reduce the trust deficit between the Federation and provinces and also amongst the provinces.
He termed the NFC as real dividend of democracy, where the political leadership has shown utmost consideration and maturity in arriving at this award.
According to the Prime Minister, the Federation displayed its large-heartedness in assigning 56-57.5 percent of divisible pool to the provinces, and has given an unprecedented autonomy to the provinces for their economic development, he added.
He assured that the legislation required for implementation of the re-commendatory provisions of the Award for improving the governance capacity of both the Federal and the provincial governments.
He urged the Federal and provincial authorities to initiate necessary legal and administrative steps to ensure implementation from July 1, 2010.
The 7th NFC award adopted a multifactor criterion where in population will get 82 percent, poverty 10.3 percent, revenue collection 5 percent (2.5 percent revenue generation, 2.5 percent revenue collection) while the area will get 2.7 percent weight.
Under the award issues like; payment of Net Hydel Profit to NWFP, distribution of gas development surcharge (GDS) and imposition of GST on services, have been resolved.

No confrontation with anyone: Zardari

January 18th, 2010 | No Comments

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari Monday reiterated that he was not in confrontation with any institution of the state and urged all stakeholders to work together for the good of the country.
Zardari expressed these views while talking to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani at the Governor House here. Punjab Governor Salman Taseer was also present [...]

No democracy without institutions: Zardari

January 14th, 2010 | No Comments

LAHORE Â– President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday said it seems Sharif brothers have no trust in him. However, if the Sharifs have trust in Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, the credit must go to the Premier. The President vowed to revive the 1973 Constitution. He said the PPP would never let democracy go off the track.
Zardari expressed these views while addressing a gathering at GovernorÂ’s House here on Thursday. Earlier, he talked to senior journalists, anchorpersons, chief editors and owners of news channels and newspapers.
He said that water problem was really a critical one. Â“Fight for Kashmir is not for the sake of land only; the root-cause is water,Â” he maintained.
He vowed to carry on the mission of Shaheed Benazir and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto regarding the strengthening of democracy and service of the poor. Â“PPP is serving the poor people every where and we shall keep on with the politics of reconciliation,Â” the President said.
Agencies add: Zardari said that our survival is linked to the survival of democracy, which depends on smooth functioning of state institutions.
Addressing the gathering of supporters, Zardari said he would deliver the speech in Punjabi as he was presented a Punjabi turban by the Governor. Â“I learnt Punjabi in jail,Â” he added.
Zardari maintained the PPP-led government wants state institutionsÂ’ respect and strengthened democracy for PakistanÂ’s survival. He said the PPP did not want any clash among institutions, which could be detrimental not only for the government but also democracy.
He said that ZAB and BB Shaheed had laid down their lives for Pakistan and restoration of democracy while PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and he believed that Â‘democracy is the best revengeÂ’.
Zardari said that BB Shaheed had always advocated for gender equality and women empowerment, adding that BISP cards largely facilitating poor women, had now reached every part of the country.
The President said five mega projects, which he had inaugurated before his address, were the dream of ZAB and BB Shaheed and Â“today, I have materialised their dreams.Â”
He observed Pakistan was facing numerous problems, which could be resolved only through hard work, clean heart and patriotism. Â“These problems have been haunting the country for long and could not be resolved overnight,Â” he added.
The President said he was listening to the voice of the poor, labourer, tenant and common man and aware of their problems, including unemployment, power and gas loadshedding. Â“But I am visiting China, Australia and the US just for poor people of my country,Â” he said, citing that he had managed to get $700 million foreign loans to be spent on the construction of 32 dams, as envisioned by BB Shaheed.
He said water is the main reason behind Kashmir dispute that is why dams are being built across the country.
Â“The PPP led-government is initiating water projects to secure future generation. The PPP government also ensured the provision of 12.5 per cent shares of the public sector industries to the poor and the downtrodden,Â” he added.
Zardari said party workers from Kashmir, Hamaliya, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Karachi and other parts of the country want to Â‘save PakistanÂ’ and end militancy in South Waziristan and tribal areas.
He announced a weeklong visit to Punjab every month to listen to the problems of workers and the common man.
Earlier, Punjab Governor Salman Taseer performed the dastar-bandi (turban-tying) of the President.
The UAE Ambassador, Federal Ministers Mir Hazar Khan Bijrani, Farooq Saeed, Nazar Muhammad Gondal, PPP Central General Secretary and Senator Jahangir Badr, provincial ministers, MNAs and MPAs, PPP Punjab President Rana Aftab Ahmed Khan, Punjab General Secretary Sami Ullah Khan and local party office-bearers and a large number of workers were present.
Talking to editors, anchorpersons, chief editors, Zardari said the government believes in freedom of expression and any type of curb on media would not be tolerated.
He said the ruling PPP has adopted reconciliation strategy since the very first day after coming into power. Â“We are making decisions by taking our allies on board,Â” he said. Â“We have laid the foundation stone of reconciliation in the country. We are committed to honour our commitments which we had made with the nation,Â” he said, adding that we have also faced enormous confrontation of opposition and political parties in this regard. Â“If there is any delay in fulfilment of our commitments then it should not be seen in negative sense,Â” he said.
Zardari urged the media to assist government in its efforts to strengthen democracy and democratic institutions in the country. Lauding the role of Army, he also briefed the media persons about Swat operation. He said the role being played by the Army in war against terror cannot be neglected.
Meanwhile, Zardari inaugurated a series of development projects for Punjab to ensure uplift in agriculture, education and industries sectors.
The projects include inauguration of Benazir Bhutto Idara-e-Kissan project in Pattoki, the Gujranwala Tools, Dies and Moulds Centre, Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Medical College in Lahore, Neeli Bar Agricultural Research and Training Station, Burewala and the groundbreaking of Bio-remediation Institute, Lahore Green City.
Later, addressing a meeting of the business community at Governor House on Thursday evening, Zardari said the government has a clear vision to extricate the country out of difficult economic situation and a central pillar of this vision was to restore law and order and end militancy in the country to make the environment conducive for investment and growth.
Spokesperson to the President former Senator Farhatullah Babar said that the President described security and law and order as Â‘the foremost issues that needed to be addressed for economic revivalÂ’.
The President said that a clear-cut policy had been adopted to improve the security situation. This policy is evident from the way the militants had been driven out of Swat and Malakand and contained in South Waziristan Agency by our valiant armed forces backed by the people, he maintained.
Babar quoted the President as saying that the armed forces and civilian law-enforcing agencies had made huge sacrifices and the nation was proud of what had been achieved thus far in this unconventional war which was being fought with the full support and backing of the people.
Zardari said that it was a lesson of history that wars are won by peoples and nations when they stand solidly with their armed forces. This, the President said, was evident by the honours showered on our Shaheed and their families both by the nation and armed forces.
It is also evident from the way the civil and military leaders have harmonised their perspectives on issues of national security in the Parliamentary Committee on National Security, he added.
Identifying the other elements of economic policy framework adopted by the government, he said these included adoption of new fuel policy based on bio-diesel, optimising utilisation of scarce water resources and reliance on public private partnership as engines of economic and industrial growth.
The President said that the Chinese investors had shown great interest in investing in Pakistan within the framework of private public partnership and our private entrepreneurs should explore ways and means of attracting the Chinese entrepreneurs to Pakistan.
The President said that the government relied on trade and not on aid for overcoming its economic problems.

PM flip-flops on SWA operation

December 12th, 2009 | No Comments

LAHORE – Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said on Saturday that the Army has finished its operation against Taliban in South Waziristan, but may soon pursue militants in Orakzai Agency. However, speaking in Karachi later, the Prime Minister said the operation against the militants in South Waziristan would continue.
Talking to newsmen after the 8th annual convocation at Government College University in Lahore on Saturday, the Prime Minister said Â“The operation in South Waziristan is over. Now there are talks about Orakzai.Â” He did not give a timeframe or any other details.
Gilani said the Army had driven the Taliban out of South Waziristan. Â“We are indeed alive in the most testing times. The retrogressive forces are adamant to stall the process of development,Â” Gilani said.
Â“Our government is committed to block their path and preserve a culture of peace and harmony in the country,Â” Gilani said, referring to extremists. Â“We gave no deadline for Operation Rah-e-Rast in Swat, Buner and Dir but we ensured earliest return of internally-displaced people,Â” he said.
Â“We were able to ensure return of two million internally-displaced people of Malakand within 10 weeks,Â” he said, adding Â“Many people used to criticise Operation Rah-e-Rast but we have witnessed the change after that.Â”
Responding to a question, Gilani said he had never talked about involvement of New Delhi in all acts of terrorism in Pakistan, however, he blamed India for its interference in Balochistan only.
He further said the provincial governments were also carrying out investigation over the possible involvement of foreign agencies and final stance would be adopted after investigation was over in the terrorism-related incidents.
Talking about the Balochistan Package, he said: Â“The Baloch are our brothers and we are considering their case with due sympathy wherein they asked us for rapping up cases of 89 people belonging to Balochistan.Â”
He said the government was in constant contact with them in this regard.
Replying to another question, Gilani said Imran Khan was his friend and he would discuss with him several national and tribal issues.
To combat terrorism, he said a new force had been created and the government was also doubling the capability of its law-enforcing agencies.
To another question, he said the government would restore 1973 Constitution in its original form and in future such a strategy would be evolved wherein institutions would be strengthened and not individuals. He further said nobody would be allowed to abrogate the Constitution.
Â“PPP is sincere in repealing 17th Amendment and he personally had assured PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif on implementation of Charter of Democracy.Â”
About the US nationalsÂ’ activities and their free movement in Pakistan with weapons, he said nobody was above law in the country.
He refused to comment when he was asked if Chief JusticeÂ’s car accident was a conspiracy.
Earlier, the Prime Minister announced a special grant of Rs110 million for the GC University Lahore which included Rs 100 million for the development projects of the University including the restoration and renovation of the 132-year-old GCU building and 118-year-old Iqbal Hostel and Rs10 million for the GCU Endowment Fund.
The Prime Minister gave away medals and rolls of honour to 45 GCU students.
On this occasion, Punjab Governor Salman Taseer who is also the Chancellor of GCU, conferred degrees on 33 PhDs through a collective oath-taking ceremony. He also conferred degrees on 430 students of Masters and MPhil collectively through a declaration.
Earlier, in his opening speech, GCU Vice Chancellor Dr Khalid Aftab requested the Prime Minister to help the University in building a new campus by liberal development grants.
APP adds: Prime Minister Gilani said that military operation against the militants in South Waziristan would continue. Â“This operation has continued with great success and the strongholds of militants have been captured and a large quantity of weapons and ammunition has been recovered,Â” he said while responding to the questions of media at the launching of MNA Khushbakht ShujaatÂ’s book Â‘Farozan ChehryÂ’ (Glowing Faces) at the Governor House in Karachi on Saturday night.
Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan, Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah were also present at the ceremony. He said that if somebody gathered an impression that the military operation would be concluded, it could have been in a different context.
Gilani said that the government will chase militants if they take refuge in some other places like Orakzai Agency or other areas. Â“We will take military action wherever we get information about the presence of militantsÂ”, he noted. Â“I cannot give the time frame when we will conclude military operation in South Waziristan, but I can at least provide this information that success rate is very high in this areaÂ”, he said. Replying to a question regarding the probe of UN investigation, he said that UN team (in Shaheed Benazir case) would be arriving soon to resume their investigations.
The Prime Minister said that when Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto came to Karachi after exile, she had also hinted at calling for an investigation by the United Nations if anything happened to her.
He said that the government preferred the UN probe only to establish the authenticity of the case so that no one could raise a finger. He said that the government will lay the foundation stone for the monument of Benazir Bhutto at Liaquat Bagh on her second death anniversary so that she is remembered for laying her life for the cause of democracy and for the people. Replying to a question about reshuffle in the portfolio of ministers, he said that it was a routine matter. PM Gilani said the government has set up an anti-terrorism authority to pool all the information from different intelligence agencies. The information will be provided to provincial governments as advance information to counter terrorism. It would be a better organisation to deal with terrorism as has been done in other parts of the world, by improving the strategy against terrorism.
Responding to a question about National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, the Prime Minister said that it became possible due to a better strategy and positive approach of the provincial and federal finance ministers. Â“I congratulate the entire nation on this Award, only a political government with a democratic approach can do this. This is not possible during the reign of dictators,Â” PM Gilani said. He noted that unanimous election of speakers in Gilgit-Baltistan and announcement of the Balochistan package are also positive developments in the political government. Talking of political support in the country, PM Gilani said that PML (N) leadership was also extending full cooperation on all issues of national interest.
Â“The entire political leadership is united to strengthen the country, institutions, supremacy of the Constitution and ParliamentÂ’s sovereignty,Â” he observed. To a question about corruption cases, the Prime Minister said that the PPP has faced the courts in every regime and underwent imprisonments for the rights of the people and not for becoming the prime minister.
He said that courts are the proper forum to prove innocence against (corruption) charges and we are ready to face the courts for this purpose.
Â“This is the reason why all the four provinces and the federal government announced Â“notÂ” to defend National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) and we will go to the courts,Â” he added.

Nation marks Independence Day today

August 13th, 2009 | No Comments

LAHORE – The 62nd Independence Day is being celebrated today (Friday) across the country with great fervour, enthusiasm and renewed pledge by the masses to work for a progressive and prosperous Pakistan.
The day will dawn in provincial metropolis offering special prayers after Fajr prayers for the development, stability, prosperity and progress of the motherland in various mosques.
Minorities will also offer special prayers for the betterment of the country here.
One of the important ceremonies of changing of guards at the Mazar of Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal will be held paying special tributes to the great poet followed by Quran Khawani early in the morning.
All the moving traffic (road, rail and sea) will be stopped for one minute throughout the country on Friday at 8:58 am with the sounding of sirens to herald the flag hoisting ceremony at 9 am.
Other impressive flag hoisting ceremonies of the day will also be organised in various offices of the officials throughout the metropolitan.
Chief Minister Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif will attend a flag hoisting ceremony at Hazoori Bagh near Shahi Qila while the Governor Punjab Salman Taseer will also attend a flag-hoisting ceremony at GovernorÂ’s House.
The members of provincial Cabinet and Assembly will also attend the different ceremonies being organised in the City by various groups of civil society.
Armed forces will join the nation in the celebrations of 62nd Independence Day while the Capital Police, Rescue 1122 service and City Traffic Police will also organise Independence Day celebrations throughout Punjab.
A huge ceremony will also be organised at Wahga Border where a handmade map of entire Pakistan representing the four Capitals, mud made statues of Mazar-e-Quaid, Mazar-e-Iqbal, Badshahi Mosque will also add enthusiasm to the fervour of enthusiastic Pakistanis.
All the educational institutions including PU, GC University, UET, Government College Lahore, Lahore College for Women, Diyal Singh College, MAO College and other institutions although will remain closed as public holiday but their managements will hold Independence Day functions and Jashn-e-Azadi Shows in which students will participate in large numbers.
The number of organisations will also conduct different seminars, speeches, conferences, declamation contests, symposium and quiz contests in all parts of the country to highlight the Pakistan Movement.
Sports events by different organisations, schools and colleges will be organised in the City.
The different houses of officials including the CM house, Governor House, civil servants buildings, Punjab Assembly, various shrines including Data Darbar, the shrine of Waris Shah, Badshahi Mosque, Lahore Fort, Minar-e-Pakistan, Alhamra Arts Council, Aiwan-i-Iqbal, Aiwan-e-Karkunan, WAPDA House, Punjab Complex, Gaddaffi Stadium have beautifully illuminated to highlight the importance of the day.
The museums of the Metropolitan, galleries and other exhibition centers have been decorated with national flags. Reportedly, the people living in other cities, towns and villages have also decorated their houses with national flags and colourful buntings and photographs of national heroes.
The roads and streets have been decorated with national streamers in commemoration of Independence Day. The Lahorites living abroad will also celebrate 62nd birthday of Pakistan with traditional fervour and festivity.
DCO Lahore Sajjad Bhutta said that numerous rehearsals were held to make the Independence ceremonies perfect. He said that national flag would be raised at each house of the City on this great day.
Talking about the security arrangements, an official said silencer-less motorcyclists would be tackled with iron hand, adding, the safety measures were taken to keep the sanctity of the day. It is pertinent to mention here that almost all the media channels including all the stations of Radio Pakistan, Pakistan Television, Waqt News and other will broadcast a series of patriotic songs including national anthem.
Special programmes will also be presented to commemorate the Independence Day.

Zardari, Nawaz agree to democratise Constitution

July 17th, 2009 | No Comments

LAHORE – President Asif Ali Zardari and PML-N Quaid Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif met at latterÂ’s Raiwind residence here on Friday, and reiterated their resolve to purge the Constitution of all undemocratic clauses, including the most controversial 17th Amendment, but fell short of giving a time frame to undo the unconstitutional changes done by the former govt.
In their four-hour long meeting, which took place after a gap of eight months, the two leaders agreed to work together to steer the country out of the current crisis.
The meeting was in pursuance of the telephonic talk between the two leaders on Monday.
In his meeting with PML-N chief, President Asif Ali Zardari was assisted by Raja Pervez Ashraf, Mian Raza Rabbani, Jehangir Badar, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Babar Awan, Nazar Muhammad Gondal, Syed Khurshid Shah and Farhatullah Babar.
The other side comprised of PML-N Quaid Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif, Raja Zafarul Haq, Syed Ghous Ali Shah, Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khan Khosa, Senator Pervez Rasheed, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Khawaja Saad Rafique, Sardar Mehtab Abbasi and Sardar Yaqoob Nasir.
In the 11-point joint declaration issued at the end of meeting, the two parties reiterated that dialogue and discussions was the essence of the democratic process and that the doors to meaningful and result-oriented talks should always remain open.
They reiterated that after the February 2008 elections, installation of democratic govt and getting hold of Presidency by democratic forces, it was necessary to remove the controversial clauses from the Constitution that had been inserted into it by successive dictatorships without the consent of the masses.
The two parties reiterated commitment to the principles laid down in the Charter of Democracy (CoD) to democratise the Constitution and rid it of all undemocratic clauses including 17th Amendment.
They expressed the hope that the Parliamentary Committee set up to review the Constitution would complete its task in the shortest possible time and propose suitable amendments in it.
The two parties expressed the view that the situation in Balochistan needed to be addressed urgently and seriously.
Political dialogue and development of the province should be pressed into service to remove the sense of alienation of the people of the province.
They expressed the view that the Parliament should play a more pro-active role in meeting the aspirations of the people of Balochistan.
Both sides agreed that the problems faced by the country were too stupendous to be resolved by any one political party or State institution and required the collective efforts of all political forces and parties.
The two parties also agreed that militancy posed the most serious threat to national security and that holistic approach was needed to address the issue. They agreed that the terrorists should not be allowed to impose their agenda on the people through guns and bullets.
They agreed that more of such contacts and meetings would help push forward the process of democratisation of the Constitution in the light of CoD and to find solutions to the problems faced by the country particularly national security, economic and energy crisis, price-hike and unemployment compounded by the military dictatorship.
According to insiders, the two leaders discussed several issues in frank and candid manner as overall mood of the meeting was cordial from very start to culmination, though they did express reservations they had about each other on various issues.
Nawaz reportedly told Zardari that his party wanted to go alongwith PPP, but they were prevented from doing so, first by getting them ineligible from contesting elections and then by imposition of GovernorÂ’s Rule.
President Zardari, in turn, assured Nawaz that his party would not create any problem for PML-N in future.
Nawaz assured Zardari that his party would not destabilise PPP govt and allow it to complete its full term.
Earlier, President Asif Ali Zardari was accorded a warm welcome at Lahore Airport and was received by Punjab Governor Salman Taseer, CM Punjab Shahbaz Sharif, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Senior minister Raja Riaz and other big wigs of the govt.
Accompanied by CM Punjab Shahbaz Sharif, Federal Ministers Khurshid Shah, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Nazar Muhammad Gondal, PPP Secretary General Jahangir Badr, President Zardari set off for Raiwind in a helicopter.
Nawaz Sharif alongwith central party leaders, Khawaja Asif, Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khosa, Chief Secretary Javed Mehmood and others welcomed him at Jatti Umra helipad.
President Asif Ali Zardari greeted Nawaz Sharif on his acquittal from plane hijacking case. He termed the Supreme Court decision to acquit Nawaz from plane hijacking case as a welcome development, saying it would help strengthening democracy in the country.
From the helipad, President Asif Ali Zardari, PML-N chief Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif used one car to reach SharifsÂ’ residence in Raiwind, as President Zardari invited Sharif brothers to accompany him in his own car.
Meanwhile, before his meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari,Nawaz Sharif held an important meeting with party senior leaders and took them into confidence on different issues. He also sought suggestions from them to be discussed with President Zardari.
During the meeting, all the party stalwarts endorsed his decisions and announced to extend all out support to him.
Raja Zafarul Haq, Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khosa, Javed Hashmi, Khawaja Asif, Khawaja Saad Rafiq, Pervaiz Rashid, Sardar Yaqoob and other senior leaders attended the meeting. Opposition leader in National Assembly Ch. Nisar Ali Khan and Iqbal Zafar Jhagra joined the meeting through telephone.
Nawaz Sharif also hosted a luncheon reception in the honour of President Asif Ali Zardari and his delegation. Both wearing shalwar kameez and waistcoat talked in a friendly manner and avoided peeping into bitter past. After the lunch they held 4-hour meeting in a happy mood.
The organiser of the meeting announced to make Press briefing to inform the media about the upshot of the meeting but later Press briefing was cancelled without mentioning any reason.