Why does Qadri want to land in the capital, asks Nisar

 

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Sunday questioned the intentions of the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri for landing in Islamabad while he had planned to proceed to Lahore.
“There should be no doubt that no one will be allowed to conduct any march on Islamabad in the guise of a rally or sit-in,” Chaudhry Nisar said in a statement from his office after a high-level meeting called to discuss security matters relating to Dr Tahirul Qadri.

The minister said due to severe security threats, it was the responsibility of the government to safely guide Dr Qadri and his companions to Lahore.The minister said everyone was allowed to take part in political gatherings but lawful action would be taken against those intending to destablise the government through unconstitutional means.

Nisar said that currently the attention of all the security institutions was towards the war against terror, and it was beyond understanding why Tahirul Qadri wanted to create a disturbance at this critical moment.

It is understood that once Dr Qadri lands in Islamabad, he will be immediately dispatched to Lahore by air. He will have to face some questioning about allegations of money laundering at the airport by the officials concerned before proceeding, the sources said.

The government has decided to keep the federal capital an ‘out of bounds area’ for processions and any huge rally that could be termed a ‘long march’. The government in close and extensive consultations at the high-level has reached the conclusion that Islamabad being the seat of power of the federal government must be protected against any agitation since such activities become a symbol of the erosion of the authority of the administration.

APP adds from Lahore: A spokesman for the Home Department Punjab said Dr Qadri was facing a security threat.He said after the military operation in North Waziristan, terrorists had announced attacks on important political and religious leaders and added that there was also a threat of terrorism at the Benazir Bhutto International Airport Islamabad and other airports.

The spokesman said terrorists could also target the slow moving convoy of the PAT on the GT Road. He said that leaders of the Tehrik-e-Minhajul Quran had been informed about the security threats.

Some people want to end democracy in country: Siraj

LAHORE: Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) Ameer Maulana Sirajul Haq has said that some people wanted to bring democracy to an end in the country as the issues being faced by the country could not be discussed while sitting in London.

He rejected the plan to form an opposition alliance in London and demanded of the leaders gathered there to come back to the country and try to correct things here.Talking to the media after chairing a party meeting at Mansoora on Sunday, Sirajul Haq said a clash among the institutions would harm democracy. JI Secretary General Liaquat Baloch, other leaders and workers were also present.

The JI Ameer said instead of destabilising the government, the opposition should give the rulers time to deliver and find out solutions to people’s problems.He said the PTI Chairman Imran Khan had the right to protest against the ‘rigging’ in elections as “the Election Commission had failed to conduct impartial, free and fair elections”.

The JI Ameer asked the government to announce a special package of Rs100 billion each for Karachi and the tribal areas for rehabilitation of the people affected by terrorism there. He urged the PM to expose those who wanted to sabotage the peace talks with the Taliban.

The JI leader alleged that the PM’s evasion of Kashmir and water issues during his visit to India and avoiding a meeting with the Hurriyat Conference leadership sent a negative message to the people of Kashmir. He said the people of Pakistan were standing with their Kashmiri brothers in their struggle for freedom.

He advised the government to go through its election manifesto once again and implement it instead of complaining against the people’s wrath.Sirajul Haq said the tribal people were patriotic and had equal rights to the country’s resources. The government should launch education and health schemes in the tribal areas and create jobs for them.

He said the political parties had given the government the mandate for peace talks, but it had started an operation there without taking the parties into confidence. As a result, the tribal people had become sandwiched between the government and the Taliban.

He urged Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to visit North and South Waziristan to get cooperation from the tribal people. Meanwhile, addressing the annual meeting of the IJT, the JI chief said the elements talking of secularism were in fact going against the will of the Father of the Nation, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and the Constitution.

‘Jobless politicians’ want to lure Imran into cage: Pervaiz

LAHORE: In an obvious reference to the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leaders Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Pervaiz Rashid on Saturday said those meeting in London were politically jobless people and they were luring Imran Khan into their cage.

Speaking to media persons here, he said the remnants of Musharraf were trying to bring together the associates of the former military dictator.

“These people are luring Imran Khan into their cage but he is scared of entering it,” the minister said.

Downplaying Friday’s meeting between Qadri and the Chaudhry brothers in London, the minister said: “It is a waste of time to comment on Dr Qadri and the Chaudhry brothers meeting. One can never enter parliament while the other cannot become an opposition,” he observed.

He said Imran had become isolated politically that’s why he was relying on rejected elements like the Chaudhrys of Gujrat and a Canadian national Tahirul Qadri.

To a question, he said Sheikh Rasheed was a ticket-less passenger, who would be checked by Khawaja Saad Rafique.

The information minister said the government would decide on the removal of Musharraf’s name from the Exit Control List (ECL) after the court ruling.

The minister said Imran Khan had no idea of national politics and wanted to fight with those the government was holding talks. He said Imran was obsessed with the issue of four constituencies. He said Imran had not mentioned the Kashmir issue in his speeches or public rallies yet.

You want Geo on its knees, once, twice, three times: Asma

LAHORE: Human rights activist and former president of the Supreme Court Bar Association Asma Jahangir has said she supports freedom of expression and the independence of the media, and punishing any TV channel is not an act of any pillar of the state but of dictators.

Addressing a lawyers gathering at the Aiwan-e-Iqbal here on Thursday, Asma said whatever Geo did was not fair. No journalistic ethics permit putting the picture (of any official) on the TV screen for hours over mere allegations, she said, adding that there was nothing new in this, however, as “Geo as well as all other TV channels have done it to us all in the past”.

“You may fine it (Geo) for the mistake, you may force them to apologise”, but what is this attitude, she asked. “You say no pardon, you say you will bring this organisation to its knees, once, twice, thrice, and there seems to be no end to it,” she added. She said if the army rulers believe they can strangle the freedom of expression in this country, they are mistaken.

Asma said when the judiciary indulges in politics instead of providing justice, we criticise it. “We did it earlier, and we do it even today,” she added.

Asma regretted that the media have started dictating even to lawyers. “They say a lawyer must ask them (the media) before taking up any case. If they will permit, you take up a case, and if they don’t want you to, you don’t go for it,” the lawyer leader said.

Asma said the government claims that their heart bleeds at the misuse of public money. “If it is public money then why have you provided six employees at government expense to the former CJ, whose son is still staying in the guest house,” the rights activist asked. She also questioned the appointment of Faqeer Hussain as the director general of the Federal Judicial Academy after his retirement as the Supreme Court registrar, and termed it in violation of merit.

We want to see Muslims united, says Mamnoon

ONBOARD PRESIDENTIAL AIRCRAFT: President Mamnoon has emphasised upon Iranian President Hassan Rouhani that Pakistan wants to see all Muslims of the world united.He said if Iran presented proof of the presence of its security guards inside Pakistan, those responsible would be duly punished.

The president was talking to newsmen onboard a plane returning from one-day Kabul visit where he attended the Nauroz festival and participated in a session with the heads of Iran, Afghanistan and Tajikistan in addition to separate meetings with them.

President Karzai, appreciating the peace talks with the Taliban, said he was anxious to negotiate with the Taliban on his side. President Mamnoon termed the visit fruitful. Information Minister Senator Pervaiz Rashid was also with him.

The president said the respective state heads accepted his invitation to tour Pakistan. He said in a session of the four presidents, President Rouhani raised the issue of abduction of Iranian guards and the alleged killing of one of them at which President Mamnoon clearly said that Pakistan had nothing to do with the tragic incident.

He noted that Pakistan did not allow terrorism in any form. Mamnoon said the Iranian president was convinced by his explanation.He said Pakistan assured the Afghan president of its resolve against terrorism through peaceful means. He said he had conveyed to the Afghan and Iranian presidents that Pakistan did not want to create problems for its neighbours. “A third force is active to create differences among us,” he stated.

He noted that the Afghan president hinted at the presence of negative elements in Afghanistan and Pakistan endeavouring to disturb the Pak-Afghan relations and said such elements required elimination.

Moreover, in a talk with Pakistani newsmen at his presidential office, President Karzai denounced terrorism and remarked that his meeting with President Mamnoon was pleasant and full of hope for better mutual relations.

APP adds from Kabul: President Mamnoon arrived in the Afghan capital on Thursday to attend the Nauroz festival on the invitation of President Hamid Karzai.He was received by senior officials of Afghan government at the Kabul Airport. Pakistani Ambassador to Afghanistan Syed Abrar Hussain was also present. This is the first visit of the president to Afghanistan since assuming office. In his speech at the quadrilateral summit, President Mamnoon Hussain reaffirmed Pakistan’s full support for stable Afghanistan.

The summit was attended by Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Tajik President Emomali Rahmanov.“Our four countries offer a unique confluence of Central Asia, West Asia and South Asia with immense — yet still untapped —economic, commercial and energy potential. Together, we can play an important bridging role,” the president observed.

Our countries are already working together on different energy, connectivity and infrastructure projects including CASA-1000, TAPI, Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline, and road and rail links, he added.

“Pakistan has enhanced its bilateral assistance for reconstruction and rehabilitation in Afghanistan to $500 million. Our focus is on projects in infrastructure, roads and rails links, health, education and capacity-building,” he stated.

He said Pakistan had offered 3,000 scholarships for the Afghan students.

Addressing a ceremony to celebrate Nauroz festival, the president expressed strong solidarity with the Afghan people.The ceremony was also attended by President Karzai and heads of state of regional countries.

He also conveyed greetings to 300 million people around the world, from his own and on behalf of the people of Pakistan.He said the UN General Assembly had already declared 21st March as the “International Day of Nauroz.” Unesco has included Nauroz in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

He viewed that through concrete measures, we could translate this vast potential into a living reality and utilise it for advancing our socio-economic development goals.He also reiterated his appreciation to President Karzai for hosting this remarkable event.

Jennifer Garner, Ben Affleck don’t want any more kids

Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck have two daughters Violet, 8, Seraphina, 5, and son Samuel 2.

Star couple Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck don’t want to expand their family anymore.
The 41-year-old ‘Dallas Buyers Club’ star, who raises daughters Violet, 8, Seraphina, 5, and son Samuel 2, with Affleck, 41, will not be having anymore children, she has told a friend, reported Radar online.
“Jennifer told her pal that the difference between having two kids and three is massive and Sam would complete their family,” a source said.
“In fact, Jen admits she and Ben had only planned on having two children, and Sam was a wonderful but genuinely true accident.”
“They love their kids, but she is really had her hands full with three since Sam was born in 2012 and while things are starting to settle down, it has been pretty exhausting, especially with Ben being so busy,” the source added.

Ayan doesn't want to be left alone with Deepika, Katrina

 
Director Ayan Mukherji says that Deepika Padukone and Katrina Kaif would be the last two film actresses between whom he would like to be stuck on a deserted island.
Ayan said this in response to a query from filmmaker Karan Johar in the rapid fire round on his popular chat show 'Koffee with Karan'.
This episode of the talk show will be aired on coming Sunday on Star World, where Ayan would be joined by cousin and actress Kajol Devgn.
Deepika was previously in a relationship with Ayan's good actor-friend Ranbir Kapoor while Katrina is rumoured to be his current girlfriend.

During the chat when Karan further quizzed Ayan on these two leading ladies, the young director mostly picked up Katrina in his responses.
To 'An actress you think is sexy', Ayan said Katrina.
On who would score highest if Katrina, Kareena and Deepika took an IQ test, Ayan thought Katrina would lead.
On another question -- Deepika, Katrina or Kareena-- the most stunning girl, the answer was Katrina.
Further when Karan asked him - 'If you were to make biopics on these two people what would you name them' ? Ayan replied, On Deepika Padukone - 'The girl with the broken heart' and on Katrina, 'The Girl who Tried'.