When will the poor not sleep hungry, SC asks govt

 

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) has summoned the final report from the Centre and the provinces on July 17 on the practical steps taken for the provision of flour to poor persons at subsidised rates.
Heading the bench, Justice Jawwad S Khawaja remarked during the flour subsidy case the government should tell when the day will come when no poor will sleep hungry.He remarked “It seems as if we are measuring water. The court does not need empty consolations but it should be told about the practical steps. Officers should shun officialdom and adopt the norms of serving the common man. Extreme obsession is also needed along with sanity for addressing the problems facing the poor segments of the society.”

He remarked. “Running the government is the job of elected representatives of people. But getting articles 9, 14 and 38 implemented is our obligation. Nine months have passed but no workable solution is becoming visible in this respect. We will not allow the poor to die of hunger despite an abundant supply of wheat grains.”

Additional Attorney General (AAG) Attiq Shah and law officers of the provinces appeared in the court. Justice Khawaja remarked, “For how long this job will be done in the provinces? We want low priced atta is distributed among the poor and its monitoring is done. We have come tosuch stage where we don’t want empty consolations. We want work, not the committees.”

AAG Attique Shah said the government is working out how atta will reach the poor. This is issue of over 67 percent population of the country, he added. Justice Khawaja remarked, “We have vast experience of judicial review as we have been doing it for the last 40 years. We will conduct judicial review when the things come before us. You all please sit together and resolve this matter. It was told by Punjab that chief minister is on the visit to China and he has however directed the concerned authorities to gear up all efforts. Tell us outline of the solution at least.”

The authorities concerned said it is being considered to use Watan card for this purpose. Justice Khawaja remarked, “There should be online system. Don’t tell more about subsidy. Tell us about proposals. Running the government is your job.”

He said the whole exercise will be of no use if deserving people don’t benefit from it. He said in his remarks that the case hearing has been ongoing since October 2013 but no steps are being taken.

He ordered all four provinces to come up with a joint solution.He said that he is aware there are difficulties, adding that the solutions to those difficulties are also available.

Govt to meet all requirements of IDPs, says Ishaq Dar

ISLAMABAD: In order to avoid donors’ fatigue, Pakistan will not make any formal request to multilateral or bilateral donors for seeking financial assistance to help over half a million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the wake of ongoing military operation in North Waziristan Agency (NWA).

Instead of seeking donors’ assistance, the government has decided to meet all requirements of IDPs through its own domestic resources.“Without seeking formal request to the donors, assistance of the multilateral and bilateral creditors and friends will be welcomed,” added the sources.

Pakistan’s military has launched operation against Taliban and their supporters to flush them out from NWA region that caused displacement of over half a million IDPs in Bannu area.“The government has taken the decision in principle that it will meet all requirements of IDPs from its own resources and formal request to donors’ assistance will not be sought. We have so far provided over Rs 2 billion and will also meet upcoming requirements.

The government has deducted one day salary of all public sector employees getting salary from federal budget that generated more than Rs 350 million,” official sources confirmed to The News here on Monday.

When contacted to Federal Minister for Finance and Revenues, Ishaq Dar confirmed to The News on Monday that the government was meeting all requirements would continue it for all IDPs in future as well.

However, high-ups in Finance Ministry told this scribe that the government so far released over Rs 2 billion for IDPs and more resources would be earmarked to meet their requirements.“We have also met financial requirements of Armed Forces to conduct this operation and will also meet the financial requirements for IDPs,” said the official.

So far 572,529 people, belonging to 44,633 families have been registered as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) as a result of Operation Zarb-e-Azb, which started on June 15th. The UAE Government has released an assistance of $ 20.5 million for the IDPs on humanitarian grounds, while US has extended an assistance of $ 31 million. Finance Ministry has released Rs. 2 billion so far for providing relief to the IDPs. Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet has approved 60,000 tons of wheat costing Rs. 2.8 billion for distribution among the IDPs.

When inquired why the government was not making formal request through flash appeal of UN for IDPs assistance, the sources said that the government knew about donors’ fatigue keeping in view experience obtained by Islamabad as result of floods in 2010 and 2011.“This decision has been taken at the top level to avoid seeking official help from the donors but if someone comes forward they will be welcomed,” concluded the sources.

Govt not to let anti-democracy forces win, says Nawaz

 

LAHORE: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Sunday said the PML-N-led government, together with pro-democracy forces, would foil all conspiracies being hatched by elements of a particular mindset to derail the ongoing democratic system.
Geo TV reported that Premier Nawaz Sharif will be meeting former president Asif Ali Zardari in the next few days and for this purpose he is likely to visit Sindh.Other senior leaders of the party will also be accompanying him.

INP adds: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif huddled together at Jati Umra on Sunday to review issues like the All Parties Conference (APC) called by the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT), provision of succor to the internally displaced persons (IDPs) and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI)’s threatened long march.

Sources said the prime minister discussed in detail the consequences of the Model Town incident and the issues being agitated by the opposition political parties to destabilise the government.

The two Sharifs expressed confidence and vowed to implement the report prepared by the judicial commission on the Model Town incident which left some one dozen people dead and over 100 injured in Lahore two weeks ago.It was reportedly decided in the meeting that the government would initiate contacts with all the political parties.

The prime minister said those indulging in anti-democratic activities, including the long march, were following an agenda to deny Pakistan of development and prosperity but the government would not allow them to succeed. He said democracy and every institution would be strengthened.

He said the nation needed unity in the wake of the ongoing military operation against the terrorists but unfortunately certain elements were involved in the politics of violence for political gains.

He said the people had given a five-year mandate to the PML-N and asked the opposition parties to wait for the next elections.According to reports, the PM and CM Shahbaz welcomed the decision of the PPP and ANP to not attend PAT’s all-parties conference.

Govt, military fighting terrorism together: President

ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain said that the government and military were ready to fight terrorism together.

The president emphasised that it was essential that hurdles not be placed in front of the government in its effort to eliminate terrorism from Pakistan.

Addressing a ceremony at the National Defence University (NDU), President Hussain said the country was passing through a difficult stage.

According to the president the challenges faced by Pakistan would be eliminated once development projects launched by the government were completed.

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.

PTI leader asks KP govt to increase aid for IDPS

BANNU: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Frontier Region Bannu, president Malik Mavez Khan and others said on Sunday that allocation of only Rs350 million from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government was a joke with internally displaced persons (IDPs) from North Waziristan.
Speaking at a press conference, they said Senior Minister Sirajul Haq should have allocated 30,000 per family for the IDPs instead of Rs3, 000. PTI members of provincial assembly (MPAs) and ministers should have come to Bannu to serve the IDPs.

The people of Bannu, Lakki Marwat and Dera Ismail Khan districts have vacated their residences and hujras and accommodated IDPs but the government failed to provide them financial and other facilities, they added.

They said the security forces should facilitate the IDPs at checkposts. People of various areas in Bannu district established camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and provided them support including portable water and food items.

Meanwhile, talking to reporters, Malik Amir Feroz Khan Wazir said that Mamandkhel tribe would provide assistance to the IDPs moving from North Waziristan Agency (NWA). Mamondkhel tribe had established camp for the IDPs at Azadmandi, he added.

“The people should generously cooperate with their brothers, who are in miserable condition and lacking water and food items as they had been forced to flee the area due to military operation,” he said, adding that people should vacate their hujras for IDPs.

Malik Ghulam Khan Wazir of Madakhel tribe and others asked the government to take measures for the rehabilitation of the IDPs on emergency basis. Camps should be set up in government schools in Bannu, Lakki Marwat, and Karak districts to accommodate the IDPs. The camps should be established near Bannu City as those in the remote areas lacked water, electricity and other facilities, he added.

Dr Qadri says he is ready for martyrdom, govt has panicked

 

LONDON: PAT leader Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri said on Sunday that the government was terrified of his arrival in Pakistan and had begun a massive crackdown on his followers across Punjab.
But he stressed that he was going to Pakistan to strengthen ‘genuine democracy’ that he claimed does not exist in Pakistan today.Before his departure for Pakistan via Dubai on Sunday afternoon, Dr Qadri said “thousands” of his workers had been arrested illegally by the police.

“Tens of thousands had planned to reach Islamabad Airport to greet me and to welcome my agenda of revolution for a better Pakistan but the government has panicked. It has used state machinery to usurp the rights of my supporters. All they wanted was to express theirdemocratic right of free expression. They have been punished for that.”Speaking to The News at the Heathrow airport, Dr Qadri said he was ready for martyrdom, if needed.

“I am going to Pakistan for Pakistan’s betterment, to help the Pakistani armed forces in their fight against terrorism; I want to bring about a positive change through non-violent means. Millions of people across Pakistan want to see a change in their lives and the way they are being governed. I am not power-hungry; I don’t need ministries or money. My agenda is simple. But the government is acting like a dictatorship and has acted in a brutal manner. Our activity centres have been shut down and our leading activists have either been kidnapped or arrested and beaten. This is a violation of our rights.”

Dr Qadri appealed to the army to take notice of the situation and intervene. “I call on the Pakistan Army to see what’s happening to our workers when they have committed no crime. I have no hope of justice from these rulers. They are insecure because their mandate is fake and they are relying on state power to crush our democratic movement for a peaceful revolution.”

When asked if he had passed his concerns directly to anyone in the military establishment and whether it was the right thing to do to attempt to get the army involved in political tussles, Dr Qadri told The News that he had not had any direct contact with the military.

“I am passing my concerns to the military through the media. I have not made any direct contact and I believe in saying things publicly without doing deals at night. I have nothing to hide; my agenda is for all to see.”

Dr Qadri said he had serious threats to his life. “I don’t care about my personal safety, life and death. If they want to hurt me, they should hurt me in any way they want. But don’t attack and torture my followers and activists who have been peaceful all along.

“After the killings of our innocent workers in Model Town, we could have easily taken the law into our own hands but we believe in the peaceful teachings of Islam. We are being punished for being pro-peace. This is unacceptable and should not be allowed. What is happening is a violation of Pakistani laws. We want intervention of the Pakistan Army in this matter.”

Dr Qadri left his east London home at 10 am for Heathrow airport.Around 300 supporters of Dr Qadri had arrived at the airport to say farewell to him. They chanted slogans upon his arrival and offered prayers for him.

Dr Qadri showed to The News a copy of his Pakistani passport and national ID card (NICOP) which he was using to travel to Pakistan via Dubai.“I am by birth a Pakistani and have every right to get involved in Pakistani politics in any way I want. These rulers cannot stop me and cannot tell me what to do.”

Country in grip of corruption by democratic govt: Dr Tahirul Qadri

LONDON: Leader of Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) Tahirul Qadri Saturday said upon arrival to Pakistan he would not allow police to put him under arrest but wouldn’t resist in case Pakistan army took him into custody.

Addressing a press conference upon reaching London on his way to Pakistan, Dr Qadri alleged the ‘so-called’ political and democratic governments had stomped democracy, law and fundamental human rights.

He said the entire country is in the grips of corruption of the democratic governments. “Every organization has been politicized. Not a single institution has been left independent,” he added.

He went to say that in the past elections used to be rigged but now the entire polls are hijacked.

Dr Qadri said Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif should not compare the tragedy of Model Town with the situation in Karachi. “The police resorted to state terrorism and direct firing on the innocent people,” he alleged.

He said the law minister Rana Sanaullah only implemented the orders and that the directive to open direct fire on innocent people must have come from the Chief Minister Punjab.

Govt musters four parties’ support for national causes: PM briefed

ISLAMABAD: Four mainstream political parties have assured the government that they would resist any threat to parliamentary democratic order and supremacy of the constitution since any adventure could inflict irreparable loss to the integrity of the country.

The three-member special committee, headed by Prime Minister’s Adviser on National Affairs Professor Irfan Siddiquee had meetings with the leadership of the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), Jamiatul Ulmai Islam (JUI) of Maulana Fazalur Rehman, Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) of Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao and Awami National Party (ANP) in the light of mandate given to it by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Federal ministers Professor Ahsan Iqbal and Khawaja Saad Rafiq are the other two members of Professor Siddiquee’s committee. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has been briefed about the initial and encouraging response of the political parties in question to the three member committee.

The committee will continue to establish contact with other political parties and groups in the wake of upcoming developments in the political arena. Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has yet to take ultimate decision about siding with the division on the national horizon but the government’s confidants have furnished contacts with the MQM also to muster its support for the national causes.

Interestingly, the favourable reaction of the government pertaining to the arrest of Altaf Hussain in London recently has evoked tremendous goodwill between the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the MQM. Highly placed sources in the government told The News here on Sunday evening that the whirlwind visit of Allama Tahirul Qadri to Pakistan next week is part of the intrigue to destabilise the country and for the reason political and democratic forces have decided to forge unity in their ranks to frustrate any attempt to uproot the democratic order in the country. The administration has knitted a net to nab Allama Tahirul Qadri who is Canadian national and involved heinous offences, including fiscal crimes and several irregularities.

His close family members are also partner in the crimes. The federal agencies, including FIA, Intelligence Bureau (IB) and FBR, are hectically engaged in compiling documentary evidence into the offences reportedly committed by Qadri and his family members. The government is also examining to institute cases against Allama Tahirul Qadri for inciting violence, instigating people against the constitution and lawfully in-place government, attempting to dislodge constitutional order in the country and preaching violence. It could pave the way for registration of criminal case against him under Article 124 (A) Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). Tahirul Qadri could be another case resembling Pervez Musharraf, who could come to Pakistan with big bang, but stranded here due to the cases awaited for him. Pervez Musharraf is trying hard to leave the country but facing enormous difficulties, the sources pointed out.

The sources reminded that Allama Qadri will have to face different sort of administration this time when he will be landing Pakistan in a couple of days since the present government wouldn’t tolerate daring by him to the institutions created by the people and irresponsible rhetoric by him. The government wouldn’t hesitate in nabbing the Canadian national after gathering solid evidence about his crimes.

The Canadian and British High Commissions would also be taken in loop about the offices under money laundering that have been committed on the soil of Pakistan, but the properties were procured in Canada and the United Kingdom with the black money whitened in the two countries. He has huge property in the United Kingdom besides Canada and some other European countries.

The government is confident that no mainstream political party or group would join hands with the Allam, and once the government decided to lay hand on him, he wouldn’t be able to solicit support from any influential quarter, the sources added.

Musharraf be restrained from going abroad: govt

 

ISLAMABAD: The federal government on Saturday filed a petition in the Supreme Court on Saturday urging that former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf should be restrained from going abroad.
The federal government, challenged the order of the Sindh High Court (SHC) striking down the name of former President General (retd) Pervez Musharraf from the Exit Control List (ECL).

In this regard, the apex court constituted a two-member bench to take up the petition.

The government filed leave to appeal under Article 185(3) of the Constitution against the judgment of the learned SHC of June 12, 2014, ordering the removal of the name of Pervez Musharraf from the ECL.

The federation prayed to the apex court to set aside the SHC judgment in the interest of justice.

It further prayed that during the pendency of the instant petition, the impugned judgment might be suspended and the name of the respondent (Pervez Musharraf) might continue to remain on the ECL and he might be restrained from going abroad without the permission of this court.

A two-member SHC bench on June 12, 2014 struck down the name of Pervez Musharraf from the ECL observing that mere pendency of civil and criminal cases against a citizen was no ground to deny him the fundamental right of travelling within or outside the country.

The court, however, had suspended the operation of the judgment for 15 days observing that since the court order was self-executory, therefore the respondents, if they so desired, might file an appeal with the Supreme Court.

In its appeal, the federal government, however, contended that the impugned judgment was void, without jurisdiction, against the facts and law and the Constitution and the same was liable to be set aside in the interest of justice.

It further submitted that the SHC lacked the territorial jurisdiction for the reasons and facts narrated herein above. The impugned judgment was therefore, without jurisdiction and the same was liable to be set aside in the interest of justice.

The federation recalled that it was specifically argued that the name of the respondent was placed on the ECL pursuant to the order of the court dated 8-4-2013 whereunder, the respondent was restrained from going abroad.

“The said order of this court was an independent order which did not merge into the final order”, the government maintained, adding that it still held the field and the SHC was bound to follow that order.

It submitted that the SHC completely ignored this aspect of the matter and passed the impugned judgment by treating the said order as only an interim order without realising and keeping in view the most important factor that the said petitions wherein the aforesaid order had been passed were disposed of and not dismissed.

It contended that the doctrine of merger was not applicable to the instant case, adding that it was applicable to the orders and judgment of the Appellate Court.

“It is submitted that the impugned judgment is a nullity in law and the same is liable to be set aside in the interest of justice”, the government stated.

The federal government submitted that the respondent (Pervez Musharraf) was accused of the offence of high treason under Article 6 of the Constitution, adding that if the respondent was allowed to go abroad, his trial would eventually end, since the extradition treaty executed between Pakistan and UAE did not cover an act of ‘Political Crime’.

“This basis was not appreciated by the SHC”, the government contended, adding that the permission granted by the SHC under the impugned judgment would adversely affect the proceedings in the trial of the respondent.

The federal government further submitted that the learned division bench which passed the impugned judgment was bound by the order/judgment of a coordinate bench passed in Criminal Misc Application No262 of 2013 passed on 23.12.2013 which held that the name of the respondent was placed on the ECL on the order of the Supreme Court.

“The reasoning of the learned division bench regarding the said order of the coordinate bench’s finding is flawed in as much as there was a specific plea to that effect taken by the respondent and there was clear finding on it by the bench”, the federation contended, praying that the impugned judgment was therefore liable to be set aside on this score alone.

The federation submitted that the respondent had been avoiding his trial on one pretext or the other and since he was accused amongst other offences of the most serious offence of high treason, the petitioner had rightfully placed the name of the respondent on the ECL in the public interest.

“The respondent has all the reasons not to come back to Pakistan once he leaves Pakistan and his trial, which is at an advanced stage, would simply be brought to a standstill”, the government contended adding that in the public interest and pursuant to the orders of the superior courts, it disallowed the application of the respondent and had insisted for the respondent’s name to be kept on the ECL.

Govt will go to SC in Musharraf ECL case

ISLAMABAD: The federal government would go into appeal in the Supreme Court against the SHC’s decision in order to prevent the former dictator General (retd) Pervez Musharraf from going abroad during his trial under the most serious charge of high treason.
Sources told The News that the decision to this respect was already taken recently by the government when it was discussed that the SHC might allow Musharraf to go abroad.In a high level meeting of top ruling party leaders, it was decided that the governmentdecided that the government would challenge the decision if the SHC directed to remove Musharraf’s name from the ECL.

It is known to all now that the military establishment wants Musharraf’s safe exit from Pakistan but the government believes that any such concession offered to the former dictator would serve as a serious jolt to rule of law in Pakistan.

The government believes that not only the Supreme Court direction is a major hurdle in letting Musharraf go out of Pakistan, such a concession if offered to Musharraf would be in violation of the fundamental rights besides being against public interest.

The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Thursday ordered the removal of former military ruler Pervez Musharraf´s name from the Exit Control List (ECL), however the court has suspended the operation of its order for 15 days. During this 15-day period, the government may appeal before the Supreme Court against the order. If the government does not appeal in the stipulated time, Musharraf will be free to travel abroad.

In its recent advice to the government, the law ministry besides referring to the 2013 SC direction of putting Musharraf’s name on the ECL referred to certain other factors impeding Musharraf’s leaving Pakistan.

It was said that Gen (R) Musharraf is facing multiple charges in various courts of different federating units. In any case, whether he is on bail or otherwise, it remains a legal obligation of federal government to ensure his appearance and production before the concerned courts in order to fulfill the mandate of Articles 9, 10 and 10A of the Constitution. His absence from Pakistan may gravely prejudice the rights of private complainants who have reposed their confidence in the judicial system of Pakistan, the law ministry advice said.

It added that Musharraf is also begin tried for the offence of high treason under Article 6 of the Constitution before the Special Court where in the course of 36 hearings his attendance could be ensured only twice for one reason or the other. “Prima facie it appears that the accused may be avoiding trial. In the interest of justice and to fulfill a constitutional obligation to take the trial to its logical conclusion and to ensure substantial compliance of Articles 9, 10 and 10A of the Constitution it is imperative that he remains present in the country. His absence from Pakistan will cause grave and serious prejudice to the ends of justice by impeding the trials,” the ministry said.

The law ministry was also of the view that sending him abroad will amount to creating an exception which will impinge upon the fundamental right of equal treatment guaranteed by Article 25 to all other persons facing trials and would be against public interest.

Karachi airport attack: Chaudhry Nisar slams Sindh govt over ‘apathy’

ISLAMABAD: Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Thursday took a strong exception to Sindh government for not paying heed to interior ministry’s correspondence about security at the gates of old airport.

Calling for a judicial inquiry, he said that the Karachi airport incident was a result of non-seriousness on part of Sindh government which is condemnable. He urged the provincial government to speak truth to the nation.

He said that the Sindh government fulfilled its responsibilities over the last five months and it sent as many as six alert regarding potential terrorist attacks. Nisar Ali Khan said that the Sindh government didn’t take action despite it was informed precisely about the airport gates vulnerable to militant attacks.

The minister said as to why measures were not taken on the basis of intelligence information to prevent the attack.

Blowback of operation worrying govt, military

ISLAMABAD: Neither the government nor the military establishment has any doubt about the capability of the army to flush out the militants from North Waziristan but the real issue is if we have the capacityto check the blowback of the operation in cities and towns of Pakistan. The answer is no.

During a series of interactions between them on the issue of terrorism and militancy, the most serious concern of the civilian leadership has been how we would be able to protect the life and property of people with the available resources, skills and capacity of the law enforcing and security agencies.

With the country’s counterterrorism capacity having been badly exposed many times in the recent years, the Karachi airport attack being the latest example, the policy of dialogue has been pursued. It is said that despite clear warnings and repeated intelligence reports, if the incidents like the Karachi airport attack and DI Khan jailbreak could not be averted, how the people could face the full-scale blowback of militants if the all-out military operation is launched in North Waziristan.

Since the menace of militancy and extremism is scattered all over, it is believed even if the military operation in the NWA becomes 100 percent successful, it would not mean elimination of terrorism and militancy in the country. During the recent years, several military operations were launched in areas like Swat and in most of the tribal agencies following which the militant activities in those particular areas were also checked to a great extent but terrorist activities never stopped. Such activities instead gathered more pace and severity.

According to the Interior Ministry documents, there are 60 proscribed organisations, including hardened terrorist outfits operating in Pakistan. In many cases, they are interlinked and spread all over the country. Thinking as if everyone is in North Waziristan is nothing but self-deception.

Then there are problems of IDPs, the “good Taliban” who have a peace agreement with the military authorities and the possible immigration of greater number of tribal people to Afghanistan where the Afghan intelligence agency with the support of RAW is doing everything possible to fuel terrorism in Pakistan.

As against the policy of dialogue, which the facts prove, brought a considerable size of relief during the recent months in the otherwise terrorism-stricken country, the fallout of a full-fledged military operation in North Waziristan would be too serious and too vast.

In view of the complexities involved in this issue, owing to the disappointing level of State’s capacity to counter terrorism and because of serious damage to life, property, business and economy of the country, each and every APC held during the recent years called for dialogue with the Taliban.

The APC convened by the present government also decided in unison to initiate the dialogue process. However, the kind of support the civilian government wanted from political parties and other key players to seriously pursue the peace process was not available.

The government in its dialogue policy had opened doors for negotiations with all the anti-state and non-state groups within the limits of the Constitution and without compromising the primary interests of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the State.

Despite certain hiccups and challenges, the dialogue process brought a unilateral ceasefire from the TTP and for the first time since 9/11, a comprehensive government-TTP dialogue process started. The peace talks also led to divisions and infighting within the TTP as some influential Taliban groups were clearly inclined to enter into a peace deal with the government.

During the talks process, there were fewer incidents of terrorism like the one in the federal courts area while numerous attacks were carried out against the security personnel. Generally, the TTP distanced itself from such attacks whereas in the recent Islamabad Sabzi Mandi terrorist attack case, the TTP condemned it and termed it un-Islamic.

While the talks process got suspended because of the Taliban infighting, there were also incidents of terrorism and retaliatory strikes by the armed forces, which further created complications and led to the latest terrorist attack in Karachi.

The government is now under tremendous pressure to call off the dialogue process and go for a full-fledged military operation in North Waziristan. The civil-military leadership met on Tuesday and is expected to meet again soon to evolve a strategy. In the present situation, the best option could be the third option where the dialogue process would continue to woo those who are interested in peace whereas others could be targeted by surgical strikes. In the meantime, the government would have to work day and night to improve its counterterrorism capacity.

Altaf asks govt to support army in eliminating Taliban

 

KARACHI: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief, Altaf Hussain, has demanded of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to support the armed forces in eliminating the terrorists.
Altaf was addressing on the 36th founding day of the All Pakistan Muttahida Students (APMSO) on Wednesday. While extending condolences to the families of victims of the Karachi airport attack, Altaf said he was not in favour of peace talks with those responsible for the martyrdom of innocent people and army men.

Referring to Tahir-ul-Qadri’s announcement of returning to Pakistan, the party chief said that if the government created any hindrances in his protests, the MQM workers will stage a protest in Qadri’s support.

The MQM chief reiterated that his party was against all forms of violence and firmly believed in achieving its objectives through peaceful and democratic means. Demanding development funds for Karachi’s crumbling infrastructure, Altaf said that Karachi was the economic hub of Pakistan and belonged to every Pakistani regardless of religion, race or ethnicity.

“From the first day of APMSO’s inception in 1978, I have always preached my followers to refrain from violence and achieve our objectives through peaceful democratic means. I have always asked the APMSO and MQM members to become exemplary citizens and promote values of respect and tolerance in their ranks and file,” Altaf said.

“The MQM stands firmly against religious extremism and denounces the recent acts of terrorism in Karachi where city’s airport and training facilities of the Airport Security Force (ASF) were attacked by religious extremists,” he remarked.

Commenting on recent events in London, the MQM chief said that “the Metropolitan Police afforded me the best possible medical care and were very kind in their dealings with me and for which I thank them from the bottom of my heart.”

“I believe in the supremacy of law and have been fully cooperating with the ongoing investigations in London. My cooperation will continue as these investigations are part of due process and perfectly normal in a democratic country,” he added.

Earlier, MQM Deputy Convener Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said no one could obliterate the MQM because the movement had thousands of martyrs, who sacrificed their lives for it.

Govt only seems to own Lahore, Rawalpindi: Khursheed Shah

ISLAMABAD: Opposition leader in the National Assembly, Khursheed Shah Tuesday said failure to take timely decisions on part of the government has led to a clash among institutions which is ‘extremely dangerous’.

“Mr Prime Minister, lets join hands and save the country,” Khursheed Shah asserted while addressing the legislators from the floor of lower house.

He lamented that the incumbent government only seems to own Lahore and Rawalpindi.

“Had the government invested Rs40 billion on electricity project instead of Metro Bus it would have served the people better,” he argued, adding when the urban centers are enduring up to 12-14-hour duration of power outages per day what to talk of the rural parts of the country.

He said Khawaja Asif, dressed in a suit and tie, used to frequent the Supreme Court to take the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) to task during the previous government. “Today he (Khwaja Asif) himself is the Minister for Power, what is stopping him now to resolve the electricity crisis,” he asked.

Khursheed Shah said his party stands with the present government for strengthening the democracy. But, the government will have to abandon the anti-people policies, he warned.

Egypt govt to quit, Sisi to make cabinet changes: media

CAIRO: Egypt´s military-installed government was due to resign Monday, with new President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi expected to make changes to the cabinet on his first day in office, media reported.

The ex-army chief was sworn in on Sunday, nearly a year after ousting elected president Mohamed Morsi after millions protested against the Islamist´s divisive one year rule.

"The cabinet ended its last meeting on Monday morning ... during which it prepared its letter of resignation to be presented to President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi," state news agency MENA reported.

Egyptian newspapers reported that Sisi is expected to ask interim prime minister Ibrahim Mahlab to continue in his post, but could make minor changes to the cabinet.

The government installed by Sisi, who has been the de facto leader since he ousted Morsi, has carried out a brutal crackdown on the former president´s Muslim Brotherhood in which more than 1,400 people have been killed and thousands more jailed.

Hours after his inauguration, Sisi, in a warning to the now blacklisted Muslim Brotherhood, said there will be "no leniency and truce with those who resort to violence".

"I am looking to a new era built on reconciliation and tolerance.. except with those who committed crimes or used violence as a tool," he said on Sunday in his first national address as president.

"I am saying clearly that those who shed the blood of the innocent and killed ... the sons of Egypt, they don´t have a place in (our) march."

At his inauguration, Western countries alarmed by the brutal police crackdown on dissent were represented mostly by low-level representatives.

Sisi becomes Egypt´s second elected president since a popular uprising overthrew longtime strongman Hosni Mubarak in 2011, unleashing more than three years of political turmoil.

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.

Govt has taken bigger begging bowl: Khursheed

 

ISLAMABAD: Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly (NA) Syed Khursheed Shah, on the government’s one-year performance, said on Friday that the government had taken up even a bigger begging bowl.
While kickstarting a debate on the budget in the lower house on Friday, he termed the one-year performance of the Nawaz Sharif-led government “poor” and gave it zero marks. The opposition leader described the budget documents as a jugglery of words and statistics.

He was more critical of the government for obtaining foreign loans at high interest, saying, rather than breaking the begging bowl, the government had raised the size of the begging bowl. “What the PPP government did not obtain in its five-year rule, the PML-N government obtained it in the form of foreign loans in their first year,” he said.

He said the finance minister had delivered a lengthy budget speech that made not only the parliamentarians worried but the media also who were guessing what was in the budget.He said every child was born in the country with a debt of Rs84,000 in comparison to Rs74,000 during the PPP’s tenure.He said the dictatorship and martial laws played havoc with the country as the people were still facing the outcome of the policies of dictators.

“One-man rule and dictatorships proved more destructive for the country. It is the beauty of parliament that we are sitting, making criticism that is being tolerated in the House,” he said while opening the budget debate in the National Assembly.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif kept the parliamentary tradition alive while sitting there during the speech of the opposition leader.The soft-spoken Khursheed Shah, in his speech that remained incomplete due to the Friday prayer and would now be completed on Monday evening, was more critical of the government in his usual soft tone rather than following the past practice of an aggressive tone of the previous opposition leaders.

The opposition leader said during its five-year tenure, the PPP-government was facing terrorism in Swat and faced unprecedented floods in 2010 but kept the prices of flour and sugar in control.

Criticising the economic policies of Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar in a soft tone, the opposition leader said Dar might have many arguments to reject the opposition’s point of view on the budget. He said that Dar could prove them wrong with arguments but if he would be asked to make a speech against the bill from his seat, Ishaq Dar would find out 1,000 faults in the budget. “I want to be his student as he could turn dirt into gold with his arguments,” he said in a lighter tone.

He taunted those who claimed to make a new Pakistan saying that some parties raised such slogans but they should know that Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah had given us already the gift of Pakistan and those claimed to make a new Pakistan should know it was already a reality.

The Leader of the Opposition, Syed Khursheed Shah, said that the budget should be in accordance with aspirations of the people. He suggested that inputs from the opposition should have been taken in preparation of the budget.

He pointed out that the government had fixed Rs2,475 billion as revenue collection target in the outgoing fiscal year but reduced it twice on the insistence of the IMF to Rs2,275 billion.He said the government had collected Rs1,950 billion till 30th May, 2014 and still needed Rs325 billion to achieve this target.

Shah stressed that the budget should focus on the deprived areas and improve the backward provinces to meet the requirements of the new concept of Federation after the 18th Constitutional Amendment.

The leader of the opposition advocated for proper shares for the provinces. He appreciated the unprecedented legislation carried out in the House on Friday and criticised the government for poor performance on legislation in the first year. However, he hoped that performance of the government in this regard would be better next year.

He expressed serious reservations over the government’s issuance of the Euro Bond at a higher interest at 8 percent, saying, on the one hand, the government was claiming that the economy of the country was stabilising and, on the other hand, it was issuing the Euro Bonds with such a high interest that created confusion about the government’s policy. “The government claims to break the begging bowl but it has pushed the country into a stronger debt trap,” he observed.

Govt to form parliamentary committee for electoral reforms

ISLAMABAD: The government has decided to constitute a high-level parliamentary committee to prepare a comprehensive electoral reforms package to ensure rigging-free elections in the country.

An official source told The News here on Thursday that the parliamentary committee would include representatives of all the political parties in proportion to their representation in parliament. It would be an influential committee like the one assigned the task of recommending the 18th Amendment by the previous parliament.

Although, most of the political parties had complaints about rigging in the last year elections, it was the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf that has agitated the issue most and recently even started street protests and public rallies to get the electoral process reformed.

PTI Chairman Imran Khan not only seeks the reformation of the electoral process but has also demanded of the removal of all members of the present Election Commission of Pakistan. The PTI wants the constitution of a new commission.

Different political parties, including the PPP, have endorsed the PTI’s demand but they want to address the issue within parliament instead of taking it to the streets. The PTI strategy, however, seems to have worked as the government is now going to set up the parliamentary committee for electoral reforms.

It is expected that like Senator Raza Rabbani-led parliamentary committee for the 18th Amendment, the electoral reforms committee would also prepare a comprehensive electoral reforms package with consensus.

Although, generally the blame is placed on the ECP for electoral rigging in the last elections, the outgoing parliament has had its major share in this situation as it had blocked critically- important ECP legislation, which had sought empowerment of the Election Commission of Pakistan on the lines of the Indian model.

The legislative bill was referred to parliament in February 2013 for enactment but it did not give it a serious thought.During the last one year, none of the political parties in the present parliament has bothered to take it up for consideration either in the National Assembly or in the Senate.

The bill, which was approved by the ECP under the then Chief Election Commissioner Fakhruddin G Ebrahim, had mainly sought the empowerment of the ECP to transfer or suspend any officer, including the chief secretary or the inspector general of police, in case such an officer was found involved in meddling in election affairs or creating hurdles in holding of elections in a free, fair and independent manner.

The bill had also proposed 30-day scrutiny period but even this was not allowed by the previous parliament. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had approved a 30-day scrutiny period for nomination papers of candidates to ensure that frauds, fake degree holders, tax and utility bill defaulters and other cheats are barred from contesting the next polls by cross checking their credentials from the concerned authorities.

To ensure true representation of the people, the legislative bill had also recommended that the winners in elections must bag 50 percent of the total votes cast. The fines for violation of the code of conduct were also proposed to be increased manifold. For instance, Rs100,000 fine was recommended to be imposed on a voter casting a bogus vote. Those committing election forgery were also recommended to pay a fine of Rs100,000 and face up to five-year imprisonment.The present system is also short of any mechanism for the implementation of articles 62 and 63 to ensure that only the persons of character could get into parliament.

Treason charge: Geo/Jang Group serves Rs50 bn notice on govt, ISI, Pemra

 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s most popular and most loved media group Geo and Jang Group has served a legal notice on the Ministry of Defence, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) for defaming and maligning the group by accusing it of working on an anti-Pakistan agenda, inciting and fuelling violence against the group, pressuring cable operators to black out Geo channels, the failure of Pemra to get the Supreme Court order to restore Geo channels implemented, and has asked all to publicly apologise within 14 days and pay damages of Rs50 billion.
In its legal notice, the group — which played a role in the Pakistan Movement, in the creation of Pakistan and came into existence much before these institutions — has alleged that because of the uncalled for, baseless allegations of being traitors and furthering an anti-Pakistan agenda, more than 8,000 journalists, workers and professionals attached to the group and their families are not only being harassed but also attacked and tortured across Pakistan.

Geo and the Jang Group have served the notice on the Federation of Pakistan and the ISI through the Ministry of Defence and on Pemra and have demanded that all must publicly apologise to the group and all its workers and their families for levelling absolutely baseless, wrong and shameful allegations without any proof and endangering the lives of thousands of professionals attached with the group.

The lawyers of the Geo and Jang group have made it clear in categorical and the strongest terms in the legal notice served on the ISI and Pemra that the group shall initiate appropriate legal proceedings against all of them in a court of competent jurisdiction for direct damage to repute caused to their clients (Geo and Jang Group and its workers) and also actual losses that they are suffering on a daily basis.

The legal notice served by Geo and the Jang Group on the Ministry of Defence, ISI and Pemra on June 5, 2014 reads;“Legal notice under section 8 of defamation ordinance, 2002.”“We, on behalf and instructions of the Independent Media Corporation (Pvt) Limited (IMC), Independent Newspaper Corporation (Pvt) Limited (INCL), News Publications (Pvt) Limited (NPL), Independent Music Group (Pvt) Limited (IMG), (hereinafter referred to as ‘our clients’) are writing to address you as follows:

“1. That together all our clients along with dozens of other companies from the ‘Jang/Geo Group’, the leading electronic and print media group of Pakistan broadcasting TV channels with the highest rating namely ‘Geo News’, ‘Geo Entertainment’, ‘Geo Tez’, ‘Geo Kahani’ and ‘Geo Super’. The Jang Group also publishes newspapers having the widest circulation in Pakistan namely “Daily Jang” and “The News”.

“2. That our clients are actively involved in the field of journalism, making and broadcasting national/international news, articles, interviews, mega events and current affairs and are considered as the most reliable sources of information by the public at large and enjoy an incontrovertible, overwhelming, unequivocal and an unparalleled reputation both at the national and international level.

“3. That on 19.4.2014, one of the leading columnists and anchorpersons of Pakistan, Hamid Mir, who is associated with our clients, was attacked in Karachi. In the environment of extreme tension and under tremendous pressure of the family of Hamid Mir, our clients’ channel Geo News broadcast a statement of Hamid Mir’s brother Amir Mir.

“4. That subsequent to the above, ISI sent a complaint to the Ministry of Defence which without even providing any evidence/proof, contained baseless and untrue allegations that “Geo Network has a history of acting illegally in furtherance of anti Pakistan agenda.”

“5. That upon receipt of the complaint of ISI, the Ministry of Defence immediately without verification of the allegations levelled in it, forwarded the said complaint containing the allegations regarding our clients having a history of acting on an anti-Pakistan agenda, as it is, to Pemra seeking immediate suspension and cancellation of Geo News’ licence.

“6. That after receiving the above complaints from the ISI through the Ministry of Defence, Pemra too, without seeking any proof/evidence of anti-Pakistani activities of our clients, issued a show cause notice to our clients, accusing them of being involved in anti-Pakistan activities.

“7. That the show-cause notice of Pemra was distributed all over Pakistan including the media of Pakistan that has caused great reputational loss to our clients.

“8. That despite our clients’ various requests to the ISI, the Ministry of Defence and Pemra to provide them evidence on the basis of which such a heinous allegation was levelled by them against our clients, no proof/evidence has been provided to them so far.

“9. That all of you have thus defamed our clients by levelling such false statements to injure their reputation, to lower them in the estimation of others and to reduce them to ridicule, unjust criticism, dislike, contempt or hatred against which this statutory notice is being served to all of you.

“10. That in addition to the reputational loss that our clients have suffered at your hands, this false and malicious allegation due to the current tense political situation in the country, was deliberately aimed at provoking and inciting the masses to engage in physical violence against our clients and thousands of their employees including journalists, putting all their lives at serious risk. You have succeeded in achieving the purpose of the false allegations as soon after having levelled them a smear campaign against our clients has also been started on the ground that our clients are traitors/anti-Pakistan.

“11. That due to your illegal threats and pressure on the cable operators of the country, they first shuffled/showed on last number of the spectrum, the transmission of our clients’ channels, ‘Geo News’, ‘Geo Entertainment’, ‘Geo Kahani’ and ‘Geo Tez’ and now the transmission of these channels have been completely suspended throughout the country.

“12. That similarly, distribution of our clients’ newspapers has also been disturbed/banned in different parts of the country. The newspapers’ distribution vans of our clients are being set ablaze on a daily basis and the employees of our clients have also been threatened and tortured in various parts of the country, on the pretext that our clients are Anti-Pakistan.

“13. That despite our clients’ repeated requests, Pemra and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in utter violation of the statutory provisions have failed to restore the transmission of Geo News and other channels of our clients on their previous position.

“14. That in the above background, our clients have approached the Supreme Court of Pakistan. On 26.05.2014, the Supreme Court disposed of our clients’ application on the basis of Pemra’s counsel, Ibrahim Satti and Pemra’s head legal department, Zahid Malik’s 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 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.

“15. That it is, however, regretfully noted that despite clear direction of the Supreme Court, Pemra has till to date not ensured implementation of the SC order in letter and spirit which shows that all of you, in collusion to each other, are bent upon damaging our clients.

“16. That due to your illegal actions, our clients are on a daily basis suffering huge financial loss as transmission of their channels has been illegally suspended and distribution of their newspapers has also been disturbed due to which they are not receiving any advertisements.

“17. That we on behalf of our clients request you to immediately provide our clients all the documentary evidence/proof in support of your allegations that our clients are involved in anti-Pakistani activities.

“18. That in view of the foregoing, our clients having no other option hereby call upon all of you to do the following within 14 days of this legal notice:

i. To stop levelling such defamatory statements;

ii. To broadcast or publish retraction or clarification for accusing our clients as traitors or anti-Pakistan;

iii. To publish an apology in a newspaper and make one through a TV interview in the same manner and in the same prominence;

iv. To restore the transmission of our clients’ channels ‘Geo News’, ‘Geo Entertainment’, ‘Geo Kahani’ and ‘Geo Tez’ to their previous positions all over Pakistan;

v. Not to harass cable operators to illegally suspend the transmissions of our clients’ channels;

vi. Though the defamation caused is immeasurable in monetary terms however, to pay our clients direct reputational damage and actual damage that come around almost to be Rs50,000,000,000 (Fifty billion rupees only).

“20. That if you fail to do the above within 14 days from the date of this legal notice, we have strict instructions from our clients to initiate appropriate legal proceedings against all of you in a court of competent jurisdiction for direct reputational damage caused to our clients and also actual losses that they are suffering on daily basis.

“21. That this legal notice is being served to you without prejudice to all the rights that our clients may be enjoying against you under the prevailing laws.”