SC judgment wiped out any imaginary deal with Musharraf

ISLAMABAD: A landmark Supreme Court ruling that declared General (R) Pervez Musharraf as violator of the Constitution had wiped out the unimplemented parts, if any, of the “deal” which the Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) government had worked out for his safe exit prior to his resignation as president in 2008.

All the judges of the apex court, sitting in one panel, handed down a historic judgment on July 31, 2009, which found the state of emergency imposed by Musharraf on November 3, 2007 as violative of the Constitution. It prescribed the former dictator’s trial for high treason under article 6 for suspending the Constitution in his capacity as the Chief of the Army Staff.

Under the deal that former Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani has talked about, Musharraf was given graceful exit out of the presidential office with an unusual guard of honour amid vociferous taunts and boos by different opposition parties.

This happened in August 2008 a few months after Gilani had assumed office of the prime minister and Asif Zardari was yet to be elected as the president. By virtue of his office, Gilani was mainly involved in talks with the establishment on Musharraf’s fate.

However, senior PPP leader Jehangir Badr has quickly contradicted him saying that the PPP had not signed any deal with Musharraf.

“Zardari had given two choices to General Ashfaque Parvaz Kayani that either Musharraf should resign or be prepared for impeachment,” he said.

What weight and worth Gilani’s assertions may carry when they have been denied by a senior party stalwart, who enjoys the confidence of the top PPP leaders including Zardari and Bilawal.

However, at the time there was an unwritten understanding between the PPP and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) that they would mutually decide about their joint presidential candidate after Musharraf’s ouster. But the PML-N was stunned when Zardari put himself up as the contestant without consulting it. This created bad blood at the very outset. Not only the previous government gave Musharraf safe exit as per the deal but it also kept dragging its feet on enforcing the Supreme Court decision to try him for high treason for nearly four years till March 2013 when its term exhausted. He traveled out of Pakistan without any hindrance by the government.

He comfortably lived in and out of Pakistan, but he decided to return to Pakistan last year to contest the general elections. After that, his woes intensified and he is in deep trouble since then.

Whatever the deal, it was swept away by the PPP’s massive electoral defeat and PML-N’s convincing triumph.

In the meantime, while holding hearing on the case of implementation of its July 2009 judgment, the Supreme Court finally asked Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to arraign Musharraf on high treason charges or face contempt proceedings in the last quarter of the previous year. As a result, he was left with no choice but to order the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to probe the matter. Then, the case was filed with the special court, which will decide Musharraf’s fate.

“The responsibility of decision about the treason case is on the court; the judiciary is free,” Information Minister Senator Parvaiz Rashid says. “The complainant in Musharraf’s case is the State and not the government. It is up to the judiciary to decide if the steps taken on November 3 by Musharraf constitute a violation of article 6 or not.

If everyone is equal, then every citizen is answerable before the court of law.”

The Nawaz Sharif government denies that the PML-N was part of any deal that the PPP signed with the establishment on Musharraf in 2008.

If there is such an agreement, Musharraf should present it in court, Parvaiz Rashid stresses.

Gilani was right when he said that Musharraf stepped down after striking a deal that he would be given a safe exit. On his resignation, Musharraf was allowed such exit from Pakistan. However, Gilani slipped when he stated that after signing a deal with the establishment, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif should not have violated it. Where is that accord?

“The establishment had also taken Nawaz Sharif into confidence at the time of striking the deal for Musharraf’s safe exit. At the time of the Bhurban Accord, when the issue of impeachment of Musharraf came up, the establishment contacted me as well as Nawaz Sharif and it was agreed that Musharraf would be provided a safe exit from Pakistan if he stepped down from the Presidency,” Gilani said.

Senate approves PPO with thumping majority

 

ISLAMABAD: The Senate on Monday passed the amended Protection of Pakistan Ordinance (PPO) with thumping majority as no political party opposed it.
However, the opposition expressed annoyance at the absence of Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan from the upper house of parliament.The bill sought to provide protection against waging war against Pakistan and prevention of acts threatening its security. The bill will now be taken up and adopted by the National Assembly in its session summoned for July 02 and would become a law after the president gives his assent to it.

Leader of the Opposition Aitzaz Ahsan accused the government of not being able to comprehend the seriousness of the prevailing situation with regard to the plight of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) and said there was need to make every possible bid to ensure comfort to the displaced people. He proposed to the government to freeze the mega projects such as metro bus and divert maximum funds for the IDPs.

Aitzaz said the army was waging a war against an enemy in North Waziristan to make Pakistan a secure place and the government needed to show seriousness in handling the related issues, particularly the humanitarian crisis of IDPs.

Opposition senators took the government to task for not taking due care of the people displaced by the Zarb-e-Azb operation in North Waziristan. They alleged the government had other priorities to focus on, and Prime Minister was criticised for taking out time to inspect a plane taken on lease and showing no interest or concern over the Karachi airport attack and firing on a plane at Peshawar Airport.

Among other things with regard to the bill, the government agreed to reduce the period of the law’s enforcement from three to two years. Moreover, the bill also binds the government to order a judicial inquiry instead of a departmental inquiry, in case a law-enforcement agency opens against suspected terrorists.

The bill has also been amended, which mandates the order to shoot a person on suspicion should come only from a law-enforcement agency official or police officer of grade-15 or above.

Over a dozen amendments proposed by the opposition parties in the House were made part of the piece of legislation through the Senate’s standing committee on interior.The amended bill defines a militant as a state enemy and anyone found sheltering the enemy would also be considered an enemy. Now, the convicted persons would also have the right to appeal their convictions before a high court.

The Protection of Pakistan Ordinance had already completed its extended life earlier this month after the government’s bid to get it through the Senate failed to make it an act of Parliament within the constitutional timeline.

Mian Raza Rabbani of Pakistan People’s Party strongly protested over the absence of interior minister Ch. Nisar Ali Khan, as on his behalf minister Zahid Hamid rose to move a motion for the laying of the House committee report and then move the bill for its passage.

Acting chairman Senate Sabir Baloch also said, “Are you Ch Nisar Ali Khan”, as Zahid Hamid got up. On the orders of the day also, the name of the federal minister for interior was mentioned.

Rabbani said the government’s seriousness could be gauged from the fact such an important bill was being passed and the minister was not around. “The Senate can’t be taken for granted,” he asserted. He added they agreed to cooperate with the government on this bill only for the sake of the particular conditions Pakistan was in today.

PML Senator Kamil Ali Agha, referring to some media reports, claimed during his Bannu visit Prime Minister had not visited any genuine IDP camp. He said this would have sent a very disturbing message to the displaced persons, who were in dire need of the nation’s support and help at this difficult juncture.

Federal Minister for the IDPs Abdul Qadri Baloch rose to explain the measures the government had taken so far and was taking for the well being of the IDPs but he preferred not to touch upon the point raised by Senator Agha.

Similarly, federal minister for information and broadcasting Senator Pervaiz Rashid also threw light on the government’s steps vis-à-vis IDPs and said every positive suggestion in this regard would be welcomed.

Opposition senators including Afrasiab Khattak, Muhammad Zahid Khan, Aitzaz Ahsan, Raza Rabbani and Kamil Ali Agha on a call attention notice and on points of order, came hard on the government for its alleged indifference to the difficulties being faced by the affected people. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan was asked to devote funds and his men for the alleviation of sufferings of the IDPs instead of creating instability.

They pointed out that there were reports in newspapers that the Civil Aviation Authority probe had blamed no one for the recent Karachi airport terrorist assault. Rabbani said they had already demanded resignation of the CAA chief and PM’s special assistant, who was given the responsibility in disregard to the Supreme Court judgement.

The opposition senators were outraged by the government’s cold-shouldered reaction to the firing on a PIA plane in Peshawar and the world international airlines’ decision to suspend their flights to and from the provincial capital. They said this had compounded problems of the passengers most of whom worked in Gulf countries.

Parliamentary affairs minister Sh. Aftab and state minister for interior Muhammad Balighur Rehman assured the House that the government was alive to the situation and the prime minister had issued instructions in this connection. However, Aftab could not make a statement when asked how the government would prevail on the foreign airlines to resume their flights to Peshawar.

The senators also flayed federal minister for interior for not visiting the Karachi airport and Peshawar airport after the recent acts of terrorism there.Pervaiz Rashid, who is also law minister, moved a motion for authorisation of the Senate chairman to make nominations in consultations with parliamentary parties leaders in proportion to their representation in the House for the parliamentary committee being formed to evaluate shortcomings of previous elections and make recommendations for electoral reforms to ensure that polls are held in a free, fair and transparent manner. The Senate session was prorogued after less than two hours’ proceedings.

Australia, New Zealand push on with day-night Tests

SYDNEY: Cricket Australia said Monday it is pushing ahead with plans to stage an historic day-night Test match with New Zealand, possibly as early as the 2015-16 season.

CA chief executive James Sutherland and his New Zealand Cricket counterpart David White met in Melbourne last week during the International Cricket Council (ICC) annual conference to discuss the idea. They are devising plans to stage the match when New Zealand tour Australia in November 2015, with the venue to be determined, CA said.

The ICC gave its approval in 2012 for member countries to work together on staging Test cricket under lights. "We are serious about pushing ahead with the concept of day-night Test cricket," Sutherland said in a statement. "We feel it will only strengthen the position and possibilities for Test cricket in many parts of the world. There are many Test matches played during non-holiday periods when adults are at work and kids are at school and that´s not an ideal way to promote the highest form of the game."

Sutherland also said there was not a major team sport in the world that scheduled the majority of its premium content during the working week. "We´re not talking about playing the Boxing Day or New Year´s Test at night," Sutherland said. "The summer holiday period in Australia really lends itself to Test cricket, but at other times of the year it can be difficult for fans to attend or watch Test matches, be it here or in other parts of the world. That´s really at the heart of the issue. The challenge is to try to make Test cricket more accessible for fans."

White said his organisation was looking forward to contributing to the day-night Test concept, especially in terms of helping develop a new pink ball suitable for Test conditions.

"Australia continue to assess conditions to ensure they are appropriate to stage Test cricket at night, and we fully support that duty of care," White said in the CA statement.

Both governing bodies said they would continue to seek the opinion of players, spectators and broadcasters.

ICC chief executive David Richardson said he supported the idea. "I´m pleased that after the ICC board gave its thumbs-up during the 2012 annual conference and following extensive trials and debates, we are now at a stage when two of our members are contemplating playing the first-ever day-night Test".

Govt wants talks with political forces: Nawaz

 

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that the government is in favour of talks with all the political forces. He added that those migrating from North Waziristan Agency (NWA) would be taken care of.
According to sources, he expressed these views while talking to Punjab Governor Chaudhry Sarwar who called on him on Tuesday. The two discussed the current political situation and matters of mutual interest.

Nawaz said that under the circumstances, it was the need of the hour for political parties to unite and work together to uphold democracy and protect the integrity of the country.On the occasion, the governor apprised the premier of the recent events related to Dr Qadri.

The premier lauded the initiatives of the governor and praised his positive role in averting chaos in the country.The prime minister said that the country was passing through a critical phase as on the one hand they were facing threats of terrorism while on the other they were dealing with the energy crisis. Under this situation, all political parties need to unite to bring the country out of the challenges, he added. — Online

Muhammad Saleh Zaafir adds: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has announced that he would pay a visit to the internally displaced persons’ (IDPs) camps in Bannu to learn about their difficulties and express solidarity with them since they are rendering admirable sacrifices for the nation.

He said this while chairing a high-level meeting here at the PM House. The problems of the IDPs and provision of maximum facilities to them were discussed in detail.Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Senator Pervaiz Rashid, KP Governor Sardar Mehtab Ahmed Khan Abbasi, Federal Minister for States and Frontier Regions (Safron) Lt Gen (retd) Abdul Qadir Baloch, PM Secretary Javaid Aslam, Special Secretary to the PM Fawad Hasan Fawad, Director General Military Operations (DGMO) Major General Aamer Riaz, DG ISPR Major General Asim Saleem Bajwa and other senior officials concerned attended the meeting.

The prime minister said that the IDPs were part of the war against terrorism and their heroic role would be remembered as no one could understate their sacrifices.He announced that all federal ministers, state ministers and MPs belonging to the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) would contribute one month of their salaries for the IDPs relief fund established by him. Employees of the federal government will also contribute one day of their salary to the fund.

The prime minister appealed to philanthropists to come forward and generously donate to the fund. He asked the people to deposit their donations through cheques and items of daily need for the IDPs. He said that the government would tackle the issue as a human duty and nobody should use it politically.

The government would not leave any stone unturned to provide the IDPs with maximum facilities. They would return to their homes as soon as the situation turns conducive and no undue delay would be made in this regard. The prime minister assured that the government would provide funds for the IDPs on an emergency basis whenever needed.

The government has already allocated Rs1.5 billion for the IDPs. The federal minister for Safron and DGMO briefed the prime minister on the present situation of the IDPs. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif directed that the IDPs are facilitated in every respect. “The government is with the IDPs in these hard times. They will be taken care of,” the prime minister noted.

Clashes with PAT workers leave 73 policemen injured

ISLAMABAD: At least 73 policeman were injured in clashes with Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) supporters in the twin cities of Islamabad early Monday morning. The clashes occurred ahead of Tahir ul Qadri's return to Pakistan to lead what he has called an anti-government "revolution".

Dr Tahirul Qadri, who drew tens of thousands of supporters to a sit-in protest in Islamabad in January last year, was due to arrive a week after ten people were killed in a previous clash with the police in Lahore.

Several security men belonging to Islamabad, Punjab and Azad Kashmir Police sustained injuries in the encounters with PAT supporters that broke out late on Sunday night in the adjoining areas of Islamabad airport.

The PAT workers also attacked the Koral police station and injured many policemen. Many others sustained injuries when the enraged activists of PAT pelted them with stones and used batons.

Many policemen suffered fractures and serious head injuries who were later shifted to different hospitals. Hospital sources told that 40 injured security personnel were brought to Poly Clinic, 11 to PIMS and 27 to DHQ Hospital, Rawalpindi.

More than 20 policemen were discharged after providing them the first aid, however, the remaining injured personnel are currently being treated at the emergency unit of the mentioned hospitals.

No other choice but to stand with the army: Imran Khan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chief Imran Khan Monday said his party was left with no other choice but to stand with the army after the decision of going ahead with the comprehensive offensive has already been taken.

He said he learnt about the launch of operation in North Waziristan on TV and questioned ‘shouldn’t they have taken us into confidence first?’ “Now what other choice do we have except for standing with the army?”

Imran Khan asked is it a good practice in democracy that the Inter-Service Public Relations (ISPR) comes forward to announce that an operation has been launched?

He said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, which is the biggest victim of terrorism, was not taken on board. The KP government, therefore, has not made any arrangements for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), he added.

“If there was no other choice but to go ahead with an operation, then at least we should been taken into confidence,” he lamented.

He said the Prime Minister did not ensure to put the dialogue process under a leadership it had deserved.

Imran Khan said the Prime Minister kept undertaking tours for attracting investment but the terrorism was a much bigger issue. “Investment would automatically flow to Pakistan if it rids itself of terrorism,” he added.

Top US diplomat Kerry defends soldier swap with Taliban

WASHINGTON: Secretary of State John Kerry defended Sunday the swap of five Guantanamo detainees for American Bowe Bergdahl, amid reports the captive US soldier was kept at times in a metal cage and in total darkness.

Kerry doubled down on President Barack Obama´s controversial decision to make the trade in exchange for the release of Bergdahl, who the top US diplomat said was at risk of being tortured by his captors.

"It would have been offensive and incomprehensible to consciously leave an American behind, no matter what, to leave an American behind in the hands of people who would torture him, cut off his head, do any number of things," Kerry told CNN´s State of the Union program.

Bergdahl was released last Saturday to American troops in Afghanistan in exchange for the five Taliban detainees held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Kerry made his remarks amid a news report Sunday about the grim conditions in which Bergdahl was held while a hostage in Afghanistan.

The New York Times wrote that the army sergeant has told medical officials that he was kept in total darkness in a metal cage for weeks, as a punishment for trying to escape.

Bergdahl, who is receiving medical treatment at an army facility in Landstuhl, Germany, is healing physically, but is still emotionally too fragile to be reunited with his relatives, said the daily, citing anonymous US officials who have been briefed on his condition.

"Physically, he could be put on a plane to the US tomorrow, but there are still a couple of mental criteria to address: the family unification piece and the media exposure piece," said one US official who has been briefed on his condition told the Times.

The newspaper also reported that Bergdahl has had no access to news media and at present is unaware of the controversy raging in the United States about whether the administration put US security at risk by freeing the five Taliban inmates.

Kerry said the freed Taliban, who have been released to the government of Qatar, are unlikely go back on their word and take up the struggle again against the US.

"I´m not telling you that they don´t have some ability sought some point to go back and get involved. But they also have an ability to get killed doing that," he told CNN.

"I don´t think anybody should doubt the capacity of the United States of America to protect Americans. Nobody."The Times reported that Bergdahl, 28, has emerged from captivity physically in better condition than expected, although he suffers from skin and gum disorders typical of poor hygiene and exposure.
Meanwhile the FBI reported it was investigating threats to his relatives back home in Idaho.

"We are aware of the threats and are working with our local law enforcement partners to investigate," FBI spokeswoman Jacqueline Maguire told AFP on Sunday, without providing details as to the nature of the threats."As always, we take these types of threats seriously," she said.

No talks with those who challenge govt writ: Mir Sarfaraz

NASIRABAD: Balochistan Home Minister Mir Sarfaraz Khan Bugti has said that talks were not possible with those who challenged the government’s writ and took up arms, but dialogue would be held with those who lay down their arms.

Talking to a private TV channel, he said that a foreign hand was behind terrorism in Balochistan. He said that the federal government was cooperating for the establishment of peace in the province.

He said that solid steps were being taken for establishing peace in Balochistan. A foreign hand was behind terrorism in Balochistan while there were 34 terrorist camps in the neighbouring country where terrorists were being given training and sent to Balochistan.

While answering a question, Mir Sarfraz said that the length of the Afghan border with Balochistan was of several hundred kilometers. Despite this, the police, levies and other agencies were performing their services in order to control terrorism. He said that the present government had continued the search for missing persons. There would be no leniency for those who gave direct interviews to newspapers and the foreign media against the security and integrity of the country. Such people were not pardonable, he added.

MQM Houston chapter expresses solidarity with Altaf

HOUSTON: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Houston supporters and workers expressed solidarity with the party chief Altaf Hussain, after his arrest over charges of money laundering.

The supporters and workers of MQM gathered at hill craft centor at Houston holding placards and chanting slogans in support Mr Hussain.

MQM Houston Unit in charge Imtiaz Ahsan said the supporters and workers would not be satisfied until they hear Altaf Hussain’s voice.

He said Hussain was the only leader who guaranteed Pakistan's strength, and that the unseen hands tried to stop Altaf Hussain to unite the country and put it to the path of prosperity.

 

England stay in semifinal hunt with 2-0 win over Malaysia

The Hague: England played tactical hockey to overcome a strong challenge from Malaysia with a 2-0 win and stay in contention for the semifinals of the men’s World Cup here today.

England enjoyed an edge from the moment Mark Gleghorne put them ahead in the fourth minute with a field goal.

Malaysia pushed them hard, forcing a number of chances and three penalty corners, but failed to secure the equaliser as England hung on grimly.

Three minutes from close, Ashley Jackson placed a stinging penalty corner into the goal to seal the victory for England.

England now have seven points from three matches in Group A. They stay in semifinal contention with Olympic silver medalists Australia and Belgium, both of whom have won their previous two games and are to clash later in the day.

Driver flees traffic stop with cop in car: police

FLORENCE: A man who allegedly fled from a traffic stop in southern New Jersey with a police officer inside his car in facing numerous charges.

Florence police tell the Burlington County Times that 19-year-old Randy Eno Mase of Wilmington, Delaware was stopped early Saturday for speeding.

When officers started speaking with Mase, they say he tried to drive off. An officer then entered the car through the driver's side door and tried to stop him, but Mase drove off with the officer still in the vehicle.

A short time later, the officer was able to stop the vehicle.

Mase faces numerous charges, including aggravated assault, eluding and drug charges. He also faces several motor vehicle citations.

Shortfall reaches 3,000 MW with increased

LAHORE/SIALKOT: Although it was Sunday, people across the country faced the worst power outages as electricity shortfall reached 3,000 MW.

The announced and unannounced loadshedding forced citizens to register their protest in various towns and cities, including Lahore, as they set ablaze bills and chanted anti-government slogans.

According to the National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC), the power generation on Sunday stood at 12,500MW while the demand was recorded at 15,500MW. This shortfall made life miserable for the people in the scorching sun.

Citizens during the protests against the power crisis demanded the government to end loadshedding at the earliest as it had paralysed the routine life with temperatures expected to rise further.

In the urban centres of central Punjab, the loadshedding hours are 10, with 14 in the rural areas. Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and southern Punjab have been experiencing 14 to 18 hours of outages. With indoor temperatures becoming unbearable in the Punjab, many people opted to visit recreational spots and canals to get some relief.

In Sialkot, the city area and other parts of the district, including Daska, Pasrur and Sambrial, the power supply was suspended for eight to 10 hours. The densely-populated and commercial areas of the city – including Chowk Allama Iqbal, Karimpura, Factory Area, Mianapura, Khadimpur Road, Rangpura, Nihal Chand Street, Prem Nagar, Defence Road, Kashmir Road and Muzaffarpura – witnessed two hours of loadshedding after every two hours during the day. The loadshedding in the night was carried out after every alternate hour.

The same reports were received from the nearby towns of Hadiana, Chavinda, Kharota Syedan, Kotli Loharan and other areas. Besides other problems, the power outages also caused severe water shortages in many areas.

PM consults officials for restoring peace talks with Taliban

 

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has held consultations with some important officials in connection with restoring the peace talks with the Taliban.
According to the sources, despite the military operation in North Waziristan and other agencies against the militants, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan are in favour of restoring the process of the peace dialogue with the Taliban.

The sources in the capital said that two days before the meeting of political and military leadership on Friday, the prime minister had held talks with former ambassador Rustam Shah Mohmand regarding the restoration of peace talks with the Taliban.

The sources said that the government still wanted to create an atmosphere for talks so that durable peace could be established in the troubled areas.

When The News contacted Rustam Shah in this regard, he said that the prime minister was hopeful and the process was moving forward positively.

Worst-ever confrontation with judiciary by cable operators, hidden backers

 

ISLAMABAD: After the complete and shocking failure of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) to get the transmission of Geo News restored despite the clear and strict judgment of the Supreme Court and inaction of the authority against the cable operators, Geo has written a letter directly to all the cable operators, pressing them not to ridicule the orders of the Supreme Court.
In its letter, Geo has reminded all the cable operators that though Pemra has conveniently failed to get the orders of the apex court implemented, the cable operators themselves were also violating the terms of their licence by first shuffling the Geo News number and later suspending the transmission.

The channel has reminded all the cable operators that suspending the transmission of a channel was the worst violation of the Constitution and law and after the SC verdict it was tantamount to making a mockery of the institutions and the state.

Regarding the cable operators’ claim about threats to them, it is also stated that the cable operators have been either blacking out the Geo channels or shifting them to the furthest numbers since April 24, but they have never contacted the police or the authorities concerned with proof. They never gave the police any phone number from where the threats were received. The cable operators were also reminded that when in the past they changed Geo position, the Supreme Court issued strict orders to them, Pemra and the government to set the things right.

Geo has highlighted that due to mysterious reasons, the cable operators were openly confronting the apex court and were punishing the Geo/Jang Group for taking its case to the Supreme Court to get justice after operators across the country blocked the transmission of all other channels of the group, including Geo Super, Geo Tez, Geo Kahani and Geo Entertainment.

This attitude of cable operators and hidden forces backing them is the worst example of confronting the judiciary.The letter was sent to all the cable operators and also copied to Pemra, all members of the authority and the Federal Ministry of Information and Broadcasting by the legal counsel for Geo Faraz Raza.

The relevant portions of the letter are reproduced here:

1. For the last several weeks, you have been violating the terms of your license by deliberately and illegally first shuffling the channel from its normal position and then completely suspending the transmission of Geo News.

2. Our client repeatedly reported your violation of license to Pemra, requesting that Pemra must take immediate steps to have transmission of Geo News restored but Pemra illegally in violation of its statutory obligation, failed to get Geo News transmission restored at its previous position.

3. Your continued violation of your license, and Pemra’s illegal omission to have Geo News transmission restored, left our client with no option but to approach the Honourable Supreme Court of Pakistan with the grievance that Pemra is not implementing the order of Hon’ble Supreme Court of 2010 in which, relying on the Court’s appointed Mediator Mr. Javed Jabbar’s Report, Honourable Supreme Court had directed Pemra to ensure that two channels Geo News and ARY News were not shuffled from their current position.

4. On 26.05.2014, the honourable Supreme Court disposed off our client’s petition on the basis of Pemra’s counsel Mr. Ibrahim Satti and Pemra’s Head Legal Department Mr. Zahid Malik, undertaking that Pemra “shall abide by the terms of order dated 13.08.2012 passed in Constitution Petition No.51 of 2010, by which the report of Mr. Javed Jabbar, the Mediator, was made part of the said order and that the Pemra will ensure that there is no shifting of the channels contrary to or in violation of the order dated 13.08.2012.”

5. It may be noted that the illegal so-called order supposedly passed by three members of Pemra, preceded the hearing of our client’s petition in the Hon’ble Supreme Court. Neither Pemra accepted the so-called decision of three private members, nor did Pemra or any anyone else bring it to the Honourable Court’s attention at the time of hearing and the order of Honourable Supreme Court does not even mention the illegal meeting of three private members who have been announcing their decision on rival TV channels.

6. You therefore have absolutely no excuse to disobey the clear orders of Honourable Supreme Court of Pakistan.

7. However, it is shocking to note that despite the above clear direction of Honourable Supreme Court of Pakistan, you still continue to keep Geo News ‘transmission suspended without realising that it is not only illegal and a clear violation of your license, but now it amounts to contempt of court too’.

8. For your easy reference, we are producing below certain relevant excerpts of the order of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of Pakistan on a petition filed by our client and that was clubbed with a petition of ARY News, titled Shahid Masood versus The Federation of Pakistan and published PLD 2010 SCMR 1849, that the Supreme Court has now directed to be implemented:

“11. Such was then the importance attached to the obligations, inter alia, cast on the Cable T.V. Network Operators offering the distribution of services and the importance attached to the undisturbed distribution of the said services by such operators. It would also be noticed from the said provisions that:

(iii) the license of any such operator causing any interference/obstruction in the distribution of any broadcast could result in suspension or even revocation of the license granted to such an operator;’ and

(iv) such an act of interference and obstruction was also a penal offence carrying a sentence of imprisonment up to three years or a fine of rupees ten million or both and such an offence was a cognizable offence authorizing the police to arrest the accused persons without any warrant. [emphasis provided]

The reason for such weight being attached to the said business is not far to find as the same stems out of the fundamental rights of freedom of speech, expression and of press as guaranteed by Article 19 of the Constitution and equally importantly, if not more, the right of every citizen to have access to information in all matters of public importance as guaranteed by the recently inserted provisions of Article 19-A of the Constitution.

13. In this view of the matter, we find that the act of the respondent Operators of the Cable T.V. Networks blocking/obstructing the transmission of ARY News and GEO News and the consequent denial of distribution service to the said Channels and to the viewers who were paying the said operators for the said service, prima facie, was a gross violation of the terms and conditions of the licenses granted to them under sections 20 and 24 read with the provisions of sections 27 and 28 of the said Ordinance of 2002 and thus attracted penal provisions of sections 30 and 33 of the said Ordinance in respect of not only the ones committing the said violations but also those abetting the same. [Emphasis provided].

15. ... ... ... The said blockade, prima facie, was not only a denial of duty towards the law, towards Pemra and towards the two broadcasters, but was also a serious breach of the constitutional, legal, moral and financial obligations of the cable operators in question to the hundreds and thousands of subscribers who had the right to information and who had paid for their right to viewership. ... ... ...

17. Having thus examined the factual, the legal and even the constitutional aspects of the matter; the factually incorrect claims being made before us and the consequent legal violations, it is ordered, for the present, as under:

(i) .... Pemra shall ensure immediate distribution of broadcast services of Pemra licensed channels, namely, ARY News and GEO News, even if the same involves strict legal action against the delinquent cable T.V. operators, if any;

(ii) ... Pemra shall personally monitor and ensure that the transmission of the broadcast of the said two channels i.e. ARY News and GEO News is continued to be aired without any hindrance or obstruction of whatever kind.”

9. It is in view of above clear directions of Honourable Supreme Court of Pakistan that we call upon you to immediately restore transmission of Geo News on its original position at which you were showing it a month ago.

10. As, despite above clear direction of Supreme Court of Pakistan, you have illegally continued to keep Geo News off air, Pemra was required by the statute as well as under the above-quoted direction of Supreme Court to not only proceed with formalities to suspend and then revoke your license, but also to prosecute you for the offence of causing obstruction in the broadcasting of Geo News. Unfortunately, to-date, Pemra has failed to do either of the above.

11. This letter is being copied to Pemra and Ministry of Information. In case Pemra still fails to have Geo News’ transmission restored, our client shall have no option but to approach the Honourable Court for appropriate actions that may be available under law against any person who may be committing the offence of disobeying clear orders of Hon’ble Supreme Court of Pakistan or being party to an effort not to allow the Court’s order to be implemented.

12. In addition to what has been stated in this letter, it is shocking to discover that instead of complying with the direction of Honourable Supreme Court by restoring the transmission of Geo News to its original position, as if in order to punish us for approaching Supreme Court for relief or to show extra contempt to Honorable Court, you have illegally suspended the remaining channels of Geo TV network too, namely Geo Tez, Geo Kahani, Geo Entertainment and Geo Super. There could not be worse example of showing contempt to the Honorable Court.

13. Suspension of all our channels is causing huge losses to Geo TV network on a daily basis for which, apart from other legal remedies against you, we shall seek compensation from you for the financial damages that you are causing to our client by illegally suspending all the channels of Geo TV network.

Pakistan wants good ties with India: Fazl

KARACHI: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rahman Saturday, appreciating Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s decision to visit India, said that Pakistan would have to be cautious about the Indian new government’s move, Geo News reported.

Talking to media here, Maulana Fazlur Rahman responding to a question said that he had already expressed his reservations about the mode of talks with the Taliban.

Kashmir Committee chairman, Maulana Fazlur Rahman said that Pakistan sincerely wanted good relations with India through peaceful resolutions of all contentious issues.

Army tells Nawaz no more talks with Taliban, takes matter in its own hands

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Army chief General Raheel has told Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif that the time for talks with Taliban was over.
“We will avenge the blood of every last soldier. Talks or no talks, the army will retaliate,” one military official told the influential Reuters news agency in Islamabad.The Reuters report, filed by reporter Mehreen Z Malik and edited by Mike Collett-White and Maria Golovnina, gave a revealing picture of civil-military relations in the Nawaz government.

The report said: “At Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s palatial offices in Islamabad this week, the army chief sat down to deliver the head of government a message he did not want to hear: The time for talks with the troublesome Pakistani Taliban was over.”

Nawaz Sharif came to power a year ago promising to find a peaceful settlement with the Islamist militant group, but as round after round of talks failed, the powerful armed forces favoured a military solution.

Their patience finally ran out and, late on Tuesday afternoon, during a tense meeting, the army effectively declared it would override a crucial plank of the government’s strategy and take matters into its own hands.

“The army chief and other military officers in the room were clear on the military’s policy: the last man, the last bullet,” a government insider with first-hand knowledge of the meeting told Reuters.

Asked to sum up the message General Raheel Sharif wanted to convey at the gathering, he added: “The time for talk is over.”The next day, Pakistani forces launched rare air strikes against the militants holed up in the remote, lawless tribal belt near the Afghan border. It is not clear whether Sharif authorised the operation.

On Thursday, they backed that up with the first major ground offensive against the Taliban there, undermining Nawaz Sharif’s year-long attempt to end a bloody insurgency across the country through peaceful means.

Disagreement over the militant threat is the latest row to flare up between the government and military, and relations between the two branches of power are at their lowest ebb for years, according to government officials.

The government did say talks with the Taliban would go on. “We will talk with those who are ready for it and the (military) operation is being launched against those who are not ready to come to the negotiating table,” spokesman Pervaiz Rashid told local media on Thursday.But the operations put the military, which has a long record of intervening in civilian rule through plots and coups, firmly back at the centre of Pakistan’s security policy.

The balance of power is shifting at a time when foreign troops are preparing to withdraw from Afghanistan and arch-rival India has just elected a Hindu nationalist leader promising to be more assertive on the international stage.“This is the clearest signal yet that the army will dictate its terms now,” a member of Nawaz Sharif’s cabinet said.

The Pakistani Taliban, as distinct from the Afghan Taliban which is actively targeting the Nato forces in Afghanistan, is believed to be behind attacks on Pakistani soldiers and civilians that have killed thousands in recent years.

The Pakistan Army has distinguished between “good” Taliban like the feared Haqqani network — who do not attack Pakistani security forces but fight in Afghanistan — and “bad” Taliban, indigenous Pakistani militants who are seeking to create an Islamic state.

While Pakistan’s military wants to go after the “bad” Taliban, it has, despite pressure from Washington, largely avoided taking on groups who launch attacks against coalition forces in Afghanistan from Pakistan’s North Waziristan region.

Prompting the latest intervention, the Pakistani Taliban have become increasingly bold, striking the army in tribal areas including a recent battle in which an army major died. Earlier this month, nine soldiers were killed in an explosion near the Afghan border.“We will avenge the blood of every last soldier. Talks or no talks, the army will retaliate,” said one military official, who, like most others interviewed for this article, spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the subject.

The army has ruled Pakistan for more than half of its history.Nawaz Sharif himself was toppled by the army in 1999 during his previous tenure as prime minister.But, humiliated after a secret 2011 US raid that killed Osama bin Laden on Pakistani soil, the army stood back from politics and supported the last year’s first democratic transition of power which brought Nawaz Sharif back to office.

Sharif manoeuvred carefully, hand picking a new army chief and trying to forge a partnership with the military in the early days of his tenure, but the overtures had little lasting impact.

There are other signs of civil-military discord.Sharif came to power promising to rebuild relations with India, but has been under pressure to toughen his stance from hardliners at home, particularly within the army.The nuclear-armed neighbours have fought three wars since independence from Britain in 1947, two of them over the still-disputed Himalayan territory of Kashmir.

Nawaz Sharif’s policies towards India have been heavily scrutinised; some in the army justify its hefty budget by pointing to — and, critics say, playing up — the potential threat from India.

And despite signs the military has become more amenable to overtures from its old foe than in the past, a trade deal pushed by the prime minister and aimed at improving ties with India was cancelled at the last minute after pressure from the army, top government officials said.

Sharif now faces a dilemma over whether to accept an invitation by Indian Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi to attend his inauguration next week.The army is also bitter about the trial of former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, who ousted Sharif from power in 1999 and was arrested after he returned to Pakistan to take part in last year’s election.

Ties with Afghanistan have never been easy, but some officials believe the army wants to torpedo the government’s relationship with a future Kabul administration, risking deterioration in regional security as Nato troops prepare to leave this year.

Generals have jealously guarded the right to dictate policy on Afghanistan, seeing friendly guerrilla groups as “assets” to blunt the influence of India there.

Though simmering under the surface, tensions between the government and the army spilled into the open last month when a popular journalist was shot by unknown gunmen and his channel, Geo News, blamed the army’s powerful spy agency, the Directorate of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

Public criticism of the shadowy ISI is almost unheard of in Pakistan. In a rare public response, the army demanded that Geo News, the country’s most-watched news channel, be shut down.The government’s media regulator has since resisted the army’s demands to cancel the channel’s license, which the military sees as a direct sign of defiance.

“Everyone was looking out to see how the government would treat the army in this crisis — as a friend or foe?” said a senior military official. “But the government allowed this to become a free-for-all, army-hunting season.”

For Sharif, buckling under military pressure is a major risk. “This is not about one TV channel but about freedom of expression and about living in a democracy,” Rashid said. “We should live and let live.”But despite putting on a brave front, officials say the government is feeling under siege.

“Never in the last year has the government felt weaker or more vulnerable,” one of Sharif’s key economic advisers said. “Now every time we have to take a major decision, on India, on Afghanistan, we will have to think ‘How will the army react?’”

A serving general said the army chief would always pick the “institution over the Constitution if push comes to shove,” adding: “As a society and a state, we have to avoid a context in which the army is pushed to do something it doesn’t want to.”

Sethi had nothing to do with selling PCB rights: Imran hospital audit body chief

 

LONDON: The former president of the International Cricket Council (ICC) and a senior Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) adviser Ehsan Mani has said that Najam Sethi, ex-PCB chairman, had nothing to do with the bidding procedures or sports rights for the cricket series against Sri Lanka.
Geo TV’s detractors and Najam Sethi’s critics, without presenting any evidence, have alleged that Sethi, who hosts one of the most watched current affairs shows on Geo called ‘Aapas Ki Baat’, may have helped Geo Super get the sporting rights for the Pakistan-Sri Lanka series held in the United Arab Emirates last year.

But in an exclusive interview over phone with this correspondent from France, Ehsan Mani, who was the head of the PCB committee that approved the Geo Sports’ bid for the Sri Lanka/South Africa series, expressed shock that such baseless allegations were aired without giving any thought to the facts.

Ehsan Mani is a board member of Imran Khan’s Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital and a friend of Imran Khan — who has led the campaign of allegations against the Jang and Geo Group, accusing the group of being involved in election rigging and winning favours from Nawaz Sharif — but Mani said he was astonished that such allegations were being made knowingly by some whose aim was to malign rather than to do anything good.

But the stern rebuttal by Ehsan Mani will come as a shock to Imran Khan who faces court cases from Jang and Geo over these allegations.

Ehsan Mani clarified: “The committee that I headed comprised Justice Shabbar Rizvi, an ex-Lahore High Court judge, Ahmed Hussain and a lawyer. It had three PCB management members Subhan Ahmed, COO, Badar Khan, CFO, and Salman Naseer, PCB’s internal legal adviser. It has had an ex-PCB Board member Bughio, a close aide of Zaka Ashraf.

“It was on my request that renowned accounting firmErnst & Young was taken on board to oversee all the process and to ensure that the whole bidding process was independent and transparent. The aim was to ensure transparency so that no bidder should be given undue advantage. Ernst and Young made the final report with recommendations and sent it to the PCB.”

Ehsan Mani said that the highest bidders were Ten Sports and Geo and they were recommended on the basis of the merit of their bids, the highest amounts they put down to win these rights. “Najam Sethi wasn’t involved at any stage. He had nothing to do with the bidding at any of the stages. There was only one PCB representative Bughio who sat in the meeting as an observer. Najam Sethi didn’t have any influence at any stage. There was no pressure, corruption or manipulation. Everything was independent and the bid was open, negotiations were opened and on board. Everything was on record and minutes were taken down.”

After the bids were received, Mani said, the committee only recommended to the PCB board that the South African series shall go to Ten Sports and the rights for Sri Lanka shall go to Geo Super. “We had no power other than to make recommendations. The PCB governing body finalised the decision. There was no interference at all at any level, there’s no question of any pressure. It was not possible. The highest bidder won and it’s simple. The terms and conditions were provided in writing in advance to all the parties involved.”

Ehsan Mani refused to disclose how much money was offered by Geo Super and Ten Sports because it was “confidential” but he stressed that the rights were won by the highest and the most competitive bidders. “There is no doubt about that. This is all on the record. Ernst & Young witnessed the negotiations and recorded everything. Their report was confidential and private which we didn’t see. Everyone involved was satisfied with the procedures and no objections were raised.”

When asked if the chairman PCB could manipulate at any stage using his powers, Ehsan Mani said that the process of establishing committees was such that the chairman couldn’t do anything. “The PCB chairman cannot manipulate. When I was approached to be a part of this committee, I said I will help.”

Mani said that he has been helping the Pakistan cricket since 1992 and had been involved in many deals and at various stages. “My only condition was that this committee will be independent and the PCB chairman will not be involved. The committee was completely independent and any involvement from any quarter was out of the question. I had done the ICC deal for $500 million in 2000. In 2006 and 2007, I was asked again by the ICC to help with their rights and one of the deals was done for $1.1 billion. When my reputation is so high and I am trusted so much, then why would I do anything untoward?”

When asked again if Najam Sethi had anything to do with the bidding process, Ehsan Mani said that Najam Sethi had no involvement. “Najam Sethi had absolutely no involvement. He couldn’t have done that. We followed a transparent procedure. No bidder knew who was offering what amount. No one knew what was on board. We wanted maximum money. We wanted maximum money for the PCB and that was our aim. Those who failed our targets failed to get the rights. All bidders were there and they knew what was going on.”

Ehsan Mani’s interview has proved the allegation leveled by Imran Khan, Mubashir Luqman and several TV channels as a complete lie. Several channels, particularly ARY, were alleging that Sethi favoured Geo in getting the cricket rights. Imran Khan leveled this allegation in his several TV interviews. He particularly attended Mubashir Luqman’s programme at ARY and repeatedly leveled this baseless allegation.

The Jang Group’s response to this allegation was present at its website, parts of social media and even published several times in newspapers, but no anchorperson ever asked any question from Imran Khan about the role and stand of Ehsan Mani, who is the chairman of the audit committee of Shaukat Khanum Hospital.

As Imran’s allegation has been proven a lie, the lawyers community in the UK is discussing what would be the worth of Imran’s other allegations against the Geo and Jang Group. They think Imran, who enjoys respect in the UK, will face embarrassment on failure to prove his charges against the Geo/Jang Group in the UK courts.

Pakistan wants talks with new Indian, Afghan govts: Nawaz

 

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that the government wants negotiations with the newly-elected governments of India and Afghanistan. He expressed the willingness to move forward, on equal terms, on issues that needed to be resolved with the two states. He also stressed upon the need for progress on relations with these countries.
The prime minister said this while presiding over a high-level meeting with regard to national security featuring the political and military leadership of the country at the PM House on Tuesday.

In the meeting, Interior Minister Nisar Ali Khan, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif, PM’s Adviser on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, DG ISI Lt General Zaheerul Islam, Chief of General Staff Lt Gen Ashfaq Nadeem, DGMO Major Gen Amir Riaz, Secretary to PM Javaid Aslam and Additional Secretary of PM Office Fawad Hassan Fawad were also present.

The premier further said that the government wanted friendly and better relations with all the neighbouring countries. In the meeting, the government-Taliban talks, Indian elections and the scenario in Afghanistan were discussed.

General Raheel Sharif briefed the prime minister on his recent visit to Kabul and his discussions on border coordination and security for the second phase of the Afghan presidential elections.

He also briefed the participants on the Pak-Afghan border coordination, withdrawal of Nato troops and security of second phase of Afghanistan presidential elections.The meeting also looked into the law and order situation in Karachi and Balochistan. The DG ISI apprised the meeting of relevant developments and the actions taken against the banned outfits.

Meanwhile, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan briefed the participants of the meeting on progress with relevance to the talks between leaders of the government and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.According to news agencies, the prime minister said that all the state institutions should unite to work on internal issues impacting the country.

Juventus celebrate third successive title with win over Atalanta

ROME: The Juventus fans were in a mood to party and their team lived up to expectations as they celebrated winning a third successive Serie A title with a 1-0 victory over Atalanta on Monday.

A second-half Simone Padoin strike enabled the champions to enjoy the moment in front of their supporters by maintaining their 100 per cent home record.Antonio Conte´s side, handed their 30th championship thanks to AS Roma´s 4-1 defeat at relegation-threatened Catania on Sunday, are on 96 points, 11 ahead of Roma and only a point away from equalling the all-time

record set by Inter Milan in 2007.Padion´s powerful 72nd-minute strike which careered in off the post following a nifty flick from Paul Pogba secured Juve´s 18th straight home league win and they only have to beat
Cagliari to finish the season unbeaten at the Juventus Stadium.

Conte made eight changes to the side which failed to overturn a 2-1 deficit in their Europa League semi-final with Benfica and they were rarely troubled by an Atalanta team who stayed in 11th on 47 points and now have no chance of European football.

Stefan Colantuono´s Atalanta are eight points behind sixth-placed Torino with two games remaining after losing four of their last five matches, falling away dramatically after winning six in a row in March.

They are also six behind Lazio and Hellas Verona, who are still in the Europa league hunt after playing out an entertaining 3-3 draw featuring a red card for each side as Verona fought back from 2-1 to lead 3-2 through goals from Iturbe and Romulo.

CJP has nothing to do with elections: Former CJP

ISLAMABAD: Former Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry said on Tuesday that country’s top judge had nothing to do with the elections.

The former CJP said it was the responsibility of the Election Commission of Pakistan to appoint Returning Officers (ROs) adding that he did not want to respond to useless allegations being made.

Justice (retd) Chaudhry emphasised the importance of the judiciary and defence institutions saying talks of a clash between them should not be taking place. The former CJP further said that a strong foundation for democracy had been laid in the country and there was no threat to it.