Our goal is not to counter China, Obama says

President Barack Obama said a 10-year agreement signed on Monday to give the U.S military greater access to Philippine bases will help promote peace and stability in the region and that he hopes China’s dominant power will allow its neighbours to prosper on their own terms.

The Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement will give American forces temporary access to selected military camps and allow them to preposition fighter jets and ships.

“Our goal is not to counter China. Our goal is not to contain China. Our goal is to make sure international rules and norms are respected and that includes in the area of international disputes,” Mr. Obama said at a news conference with Philippine President Benigno Aquino III at the Malacanang Palace.

“We don’t go around sending ships and threatening folks,” Mr. Obama said.

Mr. Aquino said the new agreement “takes our security cooperation to a higher level of engagement, reaffirms our countries’ commitment to mutual defence and security, and promotes regional peace and stability.”

Still, the increased U.S. military role drew consternation from some Filipino activists, who said the agreement reverses democratic gains achieved when huge American military bases were shut down in the early 1990s, ending a nearly century-long military presence in the former U.S. colony.

Some 800 of those activists burned mock U.S. flags and chanted “no-bama, no bases, no war” on the road leading to the gates of the palace where Mr. Obama met with Mr. Aquino.

Our goal is not to counter China, Obama says

President Barack Obama said a 10-year agreement signed on Monday to give the U.S military greater access to Philippine bases will help promote peace and stability in the region and that he hopes China’s dominant power will allow its neighbours to prosper on their own terms.

The Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement will give American forces temporary access to selected military camps and allow them to preposition fighter jets and ships.

“Our goal is not to counter China. Our goal is not to contain China. Our goal is to make sure international rules and norms are respected and that includes in the area of international disputes,” Mr. Obama said at a news conference with Philippine President Benigno Aquino III at the Malacanang Palace.

“We don’t go around sending ships and threatening folks,” Mr. Obama said.

Mr. Aquino said the new agreement “takes our security cooperation to a higher level of engagement, reaffirms our countries’ commitment to mutual defence and security, and promotes regional peace and stability.”

Still, the increased U.S. military role drew consternation from some Filipino activists, who said the agreement reverses democratic gains achieved when huge American military bases were shut down in the early 1990s, ending a nearly century-long military presence in the former U.S. colony.

Some 800 of those activists burned mock U.S. flags and chanted “no-bama, no bases, no war” on the road leading to the gates of the palace where Mr. Obama met with Mr. Aquino.

Nawaz, Zardari vow to counter illegal steps

 

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and former president Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday expressed their commitment to fight tooth and nail against all unconstitutional steps and support each other to strengthen democracy.
Both the leaders vowed to respect and strengthen all the institutions in order to address the multifarious challenges facing Pakistan for the better future of the nation.They joined hands and showed unity to combat any aggression against the democratic dispensation.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif accorded a warm welcome to former president Asif Ali Zardari at the Prime Minister House and the two leaders jointly reviewed the overall situation in the country and expressed satisfaction over the progress of political institutions.

Prior to the one-on-one meeting, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and former president Asif Ali Zardari held delegation-level talks. Minister for Finance Senator Ishaq Dar, Minister for Science and Technology Zahid Hamid and PPP leaders — opposition leader in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Shah, PPP parliamentary leader in the Senate Mian Raza Rabbani and Sindh minister Murad Ali Shah — were also present in the meeting.

During the meeting, both the leaders showed a strong resolve to work for the prosperity and economic development of Pakistan.The decision to respect the mandate of the people in different provinces was appreciated and continued cooperation between federation and the provinces was also lauded.

The prime minister apprised the ex-president and his team about his development vision and the strategy with reference to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and assured them that the projects in the province of Sindh had been given high priority.

A number of projects in the energy and infrastructure sectors in Sindh had been included for execution on a priority basis during the first three years.The prime minister urged that the implementation mechanism in Sindh should be upgraded. Issues regarding various legislations, including the Protection of Pakistan Ordinance, amendments in the Anti-Terrorism Act and the future legislative agenda, were also discussed.

It was agreed that all the political forces should develop a consensus on legislation for their effective implementation and Zahid Hamid was asked by the prime minister to carry out another consultative process with all political parties to address their reservations, if any.

They decided that the people of Pakistan had huge expectations from their elected representatives and it was now imperative that the elected representatives lived up to their expectations with priority giving to the needs of the common man which included employment, health, education and shelter.

The prime minister expressed his desire to work with all political forces for achieving these objectives.The present law and order situation in the country, with particular reference to ongoing Karachi operation, was also discussed.

According to reports, the two leaders said they were committed to follow the Charter of Democracy (CoD) according to its true spirit and the sacrifices of Benazir Bhutto for democracy in the country would not be allowed to go to waste.

For his part, Mr Zardari assured that the PPP would extend full support to the PML-N government in the interest of the country.Sources said during the talks, which were held in a very cordial atmosphere, former President Zardari asked Nawaz Sharif to take a principled stand on issues, a reference to the trial of Pervez Musharraf, saying it was an opportune time for the democratic institutions to assert their supremacy. He assured that the PPP would support the government within and out of parliament.

They said that former president Musharraf’s case was in the court and whatever its verdict it would be accepted by them.The sources added that Sindh Minister Murad Ali Shah referred to financial difficulties being faced by the provincial government at which the finance minister assured that the dues of the provincial government would be cleared as soon as possible.

Zardari thanked the prime minister for his assistance to the Thar drought affected people.Both sides agreed to continue the operation in Karachi to cleanse the megacity of all sorts of crimes.

Later, the prime minister hosted a sumptuous lunch for former president Zardari and his team members. Zardari also extended an invitation to Nawaz Sharif for a dinner at Bilawal House, Karachi.

Earlier, the former president arrived at the Noor Khan Airbase via a special aircraft and then flew to the Prime Minister House on a helicopter where Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif accorded him a very warm welcome.

Talking to newsmen outside the Prime Minister House after the meeting, Parliamentary leader of the PPP Parliamentarians Senator Raza Rabbani said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had assured a review of the Pakistan Protection Ordinance (PPO) and directed Zahid Hamid to consult the opposition. “The reservations of the PPP and other opposition parties were conveyed to Prime Minister Nazwaz Sharif,” he said.

He said all the democratic forces would have to move forward together. “If a bad time arises, they will support the democratic forces,” he said.

When asked by a reporter if the meeting discussed a ‘Billa,’ Rabbani replied that all matters, including Musharraf, were discussed and the prime minister said the tension with the Pakistan Army was not that serious an issue.

Rabbani further told the reporters that talks with the Taliban, the problems of Sindh, provincial sovereignty, the NFC award and the Karachi operation were also discussed.To a question about government-Taliban talks, Senator Raza Rabbani said the PPP had no difference of opinion but being an opposition party they would continue to identify loopholes.

President stresses national harmony to counter challenges

QUETTA: President Mamnoon Hussain on Wednesday stressed the need for promoting national harmony and close association among the provinces to foil nefarious designs against the country.

‘We Pakistanis, living in all federating units are brothers of each other and have to play our due role to make our country most respectable and developed among other countries of the world,’ he said while talking to journalists at the Governor’s House here. President Mamnoon said the country is facing the challenges of terrorism and economy, and the government would steer it out of all crises.

‘The major need of the hour is to curb terrorism and restore peace in the country, as no foreign and local investment could be attracted to any region, without restoration of peace and maintenance of law and order,’ he said, adding that peace dialogues with Taliban were underway and these would bear fruits in the shape of restoration of peace.

He said there was need to take steps to bring improvement in national economy and added a better economy puts the country on track of development. ‘Presently, economy has got domination on politics globally. Thriving trade and industrialization not only provide a large number of people with employment, but they also earn good name and respect for a country among all nations of the world,’ he said.

Mamnoon said that Governor Balochistan Muhammad Khan Achakzai, Chief Minister Balochistan, Dr Abdul Malik Baloch and other stakeholders had been given task to conduct peace talks with disgruntled Baloch nationalists to bring them into the mainstream.

Referring to Pak-China trade agreements, President Mamnoon said execution of the project of 4,000km long road from Tashkent to Gwadar and then to Karachi, and laying of railway track along it would boost the national economy.

The ongoing power generation projects in collaboration with China would generate 22,000MW electricity in the country, he said. It would not only help in ending load-shedding, but would also enable the country to export electricity, he added.

RSIL seminar examines counter-terrorism legal regime

ISLAMABAD: The Research Society of International Law Pakistan (RSIL) on Monday organised a seminar on ‘Counter-Terrorism Legislation and the Way Forward’ here at Serena Hotel Islamabad to analyze the current counter-terrorism legal regime applicable in Pakistan, says a press release.

The objective of the seminar was to provide legal input to the relevant stakeholders on how the National Internal Security Policy could be operationalized through a futuristic legal framework that responded to the urgent situation on the ground while also ensuring the protection of fundamental rights.

In this regard, a detailed analysis of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997 (ATA) and the Protection of Pakistan Ordinance, 2013 (PPO) was conducted with a view to providing amendments to both these pieces of legislation.

Saadur Rehman Khan, Coordinator RSIL, moderated the seminar. Jamal Aziz, Research Fellow at RSIL, presented the existing legislature including its objectives and purpose. He noted the numerous hurdles to the implementation of the PPO and discussed areas that the PPO was silent on. He mentioned that serious revision of the Ordinance was required to make it effective and the ATA would have to be significantly modified to sit comfortably with the new legislation. He stated that the concept of ‘combatant enemy’ should be preferably deleted as it confuses the jurisprudence and unnecessarily confers additional rights to attack the State.

Muhammad Oves Anwar, Research Fellow at RSIL, presented solutions aimed at upgrading and modernizing the existing counter-terrorism legal regime. Detailed recommendations were provided which outlined a comprehensive legal framework for counter-terrorism operations, preventive detention mechanisms and special courts with the ultimate objective being the need to generate credibility and transparency in the criminal justice process.

The keynote speech was delivered by Ahmer Bilal Soofi, President RSIL and former caretaker Law Minister. Soofi stated that the government needed to coordinate the provisions of ATA and PPO so that the overlap is limited. He further stated that the concepts in the PPO should be viewed as a list of items that the government wants to work on although the language needed to be improved to bring it consonance with international law and constitutional standards.

He further stated that the state feels the stress of fighting terrorism in accordance with obligations under UN resolutions while at the same time adhering to human rights framework that are also binding on Pakistan. He stated that the Parliament and the PML-N government while finalizing the draft of the PPO needs to take into account this delicate balance.

Soofi further highlighted that numerous management and administrative steps could be taken without legislative changes. He further proposed that a detailed programme for de-radicalization be undertaken on the lines of the Sri Lanka model. Soofi also said that a detailed and authoritative view of the Supreme Court was awaited on the Laws of War and Peace as applicable to the conflict in Pakistan. There is also a need for the Supreme Court to elaborate on the limits of indemnity of military personnel and civil servants and also on the responsibility of journalists.

Soofi also stated that given the overlap of topics between the PPO and the ATA, the government may consider making the PPO an exhaustive law in its own right and consider repealing the ATA altogether. This, he noted, however, was an issue for Parliament to debate further.

Khawaja Zaheer, advisor to PM, was the chief guest. He welcomed the initiative by RSIL and said it will be useful for the government. He also pointed out that assistance to the Supreme Court should be improved on the above-referred matters so that the court is better equipped to give authoritative pronouncements on aspects of conflict in Pakistan.

The Seminar concluded with a positive exchange of views by various participants including Ejaz Haider, AVM (R) Shehzad Choudhary, Secretary Defence Asif Yasin Malik, and Prof. Sikander Ahmed Shah. Other participants included members of the Islamabad and Punjab police, Federal Investigation Agency, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Law, Ministry of Defence and various other stakeholders.

Lawmakers urge multi-dimensional measures to counter terrorism

ISLAMABAD: Members of the National Assembly on Wednesday called for incorporating multi-pronged measures in the National Security Policy to fight terrorism and put forth recommendations for further fine-tuning the under discussion document.
The lawmakers touched upon a number of areas and recommended to focus the issues like deterrence and safety of the population, dissemination of information and deal with other issues inter-linked with terrorism like syllabi of the seminaries and funding.
Speaking on the motion in the House, Dr Shireen Mazari proposed to undertake three major steps based on disengaging, isolating and exterminating the extremists. "Let us first focus on those, who can be disengaged from extremists; then isolate those, who desire to wage a war; and then exterminate such miscreants."
She advocated to disengage from the US-led war on terrorism and also abandon the terminology "war on terrorism". "Even the United States does not use this terminology these days and let us not declare every act of violence as terrorism."
The member proposed to deal with potential supporters of extremists, secure the population and convince the "fence sitters" to join the state. "We need to convince them and win over to weaken the extremists."
Shireen Mazari also recommended to effectively disseminate information to media to nullify the impact of the "propaganda of the militants," and review the syllabi of the seminaries.
She recommended to the government to act cautiously in taking punitive measures because such steps sometimes become counter-productive.
Maj (retd) Tahir Iqbal recommended to engage the youth so they were not misguided by militants through "propaganda of Islamization and enforcement of their own type of Shariah."
He recommended the measures like "deterrence" to safeguard the population and "isolate the hardliners", who did not want to hold dialogue with the government and refused to obey the Constitution.
He said militants were engaged in psychological and strategic warfare with the government, therefore, it was needed to evolve a "counter subversion system" to deal with their moves. "We also need to educate our youth to stop them from following their ideology."
He said the role of media was very important to educate those innocent people, who were easily persuaded by militants in the name of religion.
Salman Baloch of Mutahidda Quomi Movement (MQM) criticized Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) for conducting subversive activities in the country.
He said stern action should be taken against Taliban for saving the country. He urged politicians to do away with petty politics and work for the betterment of the country.
The National Internal Security Policy must be implemented forthwith as Taliban continue their killing spree across the country.
Daniyal Aziz of Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) criticized country's police system and urged drastic reforms in Police system.
He criticized Islamabad Capital Administration (ICT) for their failure to check gory incident in district courts last day.
Sahibzada Tariqullah of Jamat-e-Islami lauded draft National Internal Security Policy saying it is a comprehensive policy.
He wondered that over 600,000 officials are working in country's more than 26 intelligence agencies but no place in the country is safe from terrorists.
He demanded local body elections in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and a development package for the areas to ensure their uplift.
Mehmood Khan Achakzai of Pakhtoonkhaw Milli Awami Party said Pakistan was at cross roads and it must be put on right track with collective wisdom.
He demanded joint sitting of the Parliament for discussing National Internal Security Policy. A resolution should be passed in the joint sitting that the constitution of the country is supreme and all parties must adhere to the resolution. The country must be put on right track with collective wisdom.
Supremacy of Constitution, Parliament must be ensured for ensuring peace and putting the country on right track.
He lamented protocol being given to the violator rather the abrogator of the constitution former President General (R) Pervez Musharraf.
He said people only demand an effective justice system in the country.
He lauded equity based non interference policy of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. An elected governor should be deployed in Fata. Without taking Afghanistan on board the operation against militants could not succeed. As militancy is bound to end after non provision of sanctuary.
He said military operation should be the last resort as it brings devastation.
Taking part in the discussion, former minister Haji Ghulam Ahmed Bilour opposed military operation in South Waziristan Agency. Democracy must flourish in the country, he added.
Bilour, who is a senior leader of Awami National Party (ANP), said the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) had given a bad name to Islam, which was a religion of peace and there was no place for terror in its teachings.
Abdul Sattar Bachani of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) urged the government to take effective steps for achieving peace in the country.
He criticised former dictators Gen Zia-ul-Haq and Pervez Musharraf for damaging the national institutions.
Chaudhry Khadim Hussain Wattoo of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz lauded the National Internal Security Policy. He appreciated opposition's positive behaviour for achieving lasting peace in the country.
Aiyasha Syed also hailed the draft National Internal Security Policy and urged the government to incorporate Islamic principals and laws into the policy. The menace of terrorism surfaced in 2002. The students of seminaries were not terrorists, she added.
She said the issue of sectarianism should also be resolved once for all.
She said foreign policy should also be linked with the internal security policy.
She urged training of police force and devising a merit-based appointment system for them. Merit should be ensured and corruption be eliminated from all institutions, she added.

Lawmakers urge multi-dimensional measures to counter terrorism

ISLAMABAD: Members of the National Assembly on Wednesday called for incorporating multi-pronged measures in the National Security Policy to fight terrorism and put forth recommendations for further fine-tuning the under discussion document.
The lawmakers touched upon a number of areas and recommended to focus the issues like deterrence and safety of the population, dissemination of information and deal with other issues inter-linked with terrorism like syllabi of the seminaries and funding.
Speaking on the motion in the House, Dr Shireen Mazari proposed to undertake three major steps based on disengaging, isolating and exterminating the extremists. "Let us first focus on those, who can be disengaged from extremists; then isolate those, who desire to wage a war; and then exterminate such miscreants."
She advocated to disengage from the US-led war on terrorism and also abandon the terminology "war on terrorism". "Even the United States does not use this terminology these days and let us not declare every act of violence as terrorism."
The member proposed to deal with potential supporters of extremists, secure the population and convince the "fence sitters" to join the state. "We need to convince them and win over to weaken the extremists."
Shireen Mazari also recommended to effectively disseminate information to media to nullify the impact of the "propaganda of the militants," and review the syllabi of the seminaries.
She recommended to the government to act cautiously in taking punitive measures because such steps sometimes become counter-productive.
Maj (retd) Tahir Iqbal recommended to engage the youth so they were not misguided by militants through "propaganda of Islamization and enforcement of their own type of Shariah."
He recommended the measures like "deterrence" to safeguard the population and "isolate the hardliners", who did not want to hold dialogue with the government and refused to obey the Constitution.
He said militants were engaged in psychological and strategic warfare with the government, therefore, it was needed to evolve a "counter subversion system" to deal with their moves. "We also need to educate our youth to stop them from following their ideology."
He said the role of media was very important to educate those innocent people, who were easily persuaded by militants in the name of religion.
Salman Baloch of Mutahidda Quomi Movement (MQM) criticized Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) for conducting subversive activities in the country.
He said stern action should be taken against Taliban for saving the country. He urged politicians to do away with petty politics and work for the betterment of the country.
The National Internal Security Policy must be implemented forthwith as Taliban continue their killing spree across the country.
Daniyal Aziz of Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) criticized country's police system and urged drastic reforms in Police system.
He criticized Islamabad Capital Administration (ICT) for their failure to check gory incident in district courts last day.
Sahibzada Tariqullah of Jamat-e-Islami lauded draft National Internal Security Policy saying it is a comprehensive policy.
He wondered that over 600,000 officials are working in country's more than 26 intelligence agencies but no place in the country is safe from terrorists.
He demanded local body elections in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and a development package for the areas to ensure their uplift.
Mehmood Khan Achakzai of Pakhtoonkhaw Milli Awami Party said Pakistan was at cross roads and it must be put on right track with collective wisdom.
He demanded joint sitting of the Parliament for discussing National Internal Security Policy. A resolution should be passed in the joint sitting that the constitution of the country is supreme and all parties must adhere to the resolution. The country must be put on right track with collective wisdom.
Supremacy of Constitution, Parliament must be ensured for ensuring peace and putting the country on right track.
He lamented protocol being given to the violator rather the abrogator of the constitution former President General (R) Pervez Musharraf.
He said people only demand an effective justice system in the country.
He lauded equity based non interference policy of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. An elected governor should be deployed in Fata. Without taking Afghanistan on board the operation against militants could not succeed. As militancy is bound to end after non provision of sanctuary.
He said military operation should be the last resort as it brings devastation.
Taking part in the discussion, former minister Haji Ghulam Ahmed Bilour opposed military operation in South Waziristan Agency. Democracy must flourish in the country, he added.
Bilour, who is a senior leader of Awami National Party (ANP), said the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) had given a bad name to Islam, which was a religion of peace and there was no place for terror in its teachings.
Abdul Sattar Bachani of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) urged the government to take effective steps for achieving peace in the country.
He criticised former dictators Gen Zia-ul-Haq and Pervez Musharraf for damaging the national institutions.
Chaudhry Khadim Hussain Wattoo of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz lauded the National Internal Security Policy. He appreciated opposition's positive behaviour for achieving lasting peace in the country.
Aiyasha Syed also hailed the draft National Internal Security Policy and urged the government to incorporate Islamic principals and laws into the policy. The menace of terrorism surfaced in 2002. The students of seminaries were not terrorists, she added.
She said the issue of sectarianism should also be resolved once for all.
She said foreign policy should also be linked with the internal security policy.
She urged training of police force and devising a merit-based appointment system for them. Merit should be ensured and corruption be eliminated from all institutions, she added.