India says UN has no role to play in Kashmir

ISLAMABAD: The Narendra Modi government thinks the United Nations Military Observer Group (UNMOGIP) has no longer any role to play between Pakistan and India and has ordered it to vacate the government premises where they have been located free of charge for 40 years.

The free lunch is over, the UN has been told. Indian media reports say that the UN has been clearly told that “the UNMOGIP’s role has been overtaken by the Simla Agreement and the consequent establishment of the Line of Control. New Delhi is of the view that the UNMOGIP has no relevance or role to play whatsoever.”

The Foreign Office did not want to comment on media reports but the spokesperson told The News: “Even if true, such moves do not change the reality.”Meanwhile, an Indian official was quoted as saying: “They should stay in Srinagar and do what they want. In case they want to be stationed in Delhi, they should hire premises in a private property and not occupy the government property.”

It is only Pakistan that has time and again proposed to India to involve the UNMOGIP over disputes at the LoC as they are neutral observers and the ongoing blame game that follows skirmishes could come to an end.

But a strange philosophy governs New Delhi, where officially the UNMOGIP has offices in New Delhi and Srinagar with their mandate well known, but India refuses to involve them in any manner in disputes with Pakistan saying they do not want the third party involvement.

In keeping with the hawkish line that Modi has taken on Kashmir, it will not be long before the UNMOGIP office in Srinagar is also wrapped up.INP adds: According to Indian Express, the South Block has asked the UNMOGIP to vacate the bungalow — 1AB, Purana Qila Road — which has been serving as its office for the last four decades. The government accommodation — a Type VII bungalow, about 7,000 square feet — was allotted to the UN mission “free of charge”.

The UNMOGIP, established under a UN Security Council Resolution, was meant to supervise the ceasefire line established under the Karachi Agreement of July 1949.

When contacted, UNMOGIP’s Military Information Officer Major Tomas Malm, who is based in Srinagar, confirmed that the government has asked them to vacate the premises. “UNMOGIP’s response is to relocate to another location in Delhi,” he said. Asked if they have been told the reason for this directive, he said, “The Indian authorities’ reason is unknown to UNMOGIP.”Asked if the move reflected New Delhi’s stand towards the UNMOGIP, he said, “You have to ask the Indian government regarding their attitude towards us.”

No room for politicking on Model Town incident, says Pervaiz Rashid

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Senator Pervaiz Rashid on Sunday said there should be no politicking on the Model Town incident which was actually a human tragedy.

Talking to various news channels here, the minister said certain elements were only doing politics on human bodies as they had no other issue. He assured that those involved in the Model Town tragedy would be brought to book at all costs. “The Punjab government had asked its law minister to tender resignation to ensure a free and fair inquiry into the incident,” he added.

The minister questioned if Pervaiz Elahi had asked his brother (Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain), the-then interior minister, to resign after the Lal Masjid incident. He said most of the APC leaders did not believe in law and the Constitution.

“They want disruption and violence to create anarchy in the country. Did they ever demand resignation from Musharraf after the Lal Masjid and May 12 2007 tragedies?”He said there was no harm in reconstitution of the judicial commission probing the Model Town incident if the law permitted but he believed the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) would still continue to protest as it was their sole objective.

“The government will implement the recommendations of the judicial commission in letter and spirit while a joint investigation team is also working,” he added.To a question about meeting with former president Asif Ali Zardari, he said meetings among politicians and with political leadership were a routine matter. He said Asif Zardari was an ex-president and the head of the country’s largest opposition political party. He, however, added that no formal schedule had been finalised for such a meeting with Zardari.

Pervaiz Rashid said the government was providing all the necessary support to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) of North Waziristan.He said the government was fully cognizant of the problems of IDPs adding that all required facilities were being provided to the people who had left their homes due to the ongoing North Waziristan operation launched to flush out terrorists.

No more than 1 person can see off, receive passengers at airports

KARACHI: The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has placed a restriction on more than one person seeing off or receiving travellers at airports across the country as part of security arrangements.

A spokesman for the CAA said the restriction will be applicable from July 6. The latest move follows a militant attack on Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport and later firing on a landing aircraft at Peshawar’s Bacha Khan Airport.

Following the attacks which saw many people killed Cathay Pacific suspended operations to Pakistan while Saudi Arabia Airlines, Emirates and Eithad Airways stopped flights to Peshawar.

Adding to the miseries of passengers the authority has also decided to wind up porter service.

No compromise on judiciary’s prestige: IHC

ISLAMABAD: Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) here Wednesday directed Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) to forward ‘code of conduct’ to all media channels and the channels which violated the same, their licences might be cancelled.

Justice Siddiqui was hearing the writ petition of Shuhada Foundation of Pakistan Trust (SFPT) that it had filed against the ARY television channel for airing defamatory programmes against the superior judiciary judges. It was on June 11 when the same court through an interim order directed Pemra to ensure that “Mubasher Lucman shall not be allowed to conduct any programme on any TV channel till final decision of the instant writ petition”. The said order was later vacated by the Supreme Court (SC).

While hearing the matter, IHC judge observed that “ridiculing judiciary is tantamount to violation of the Constitution and no compromise could be made on prestige of the judicial institutions”. IHC judge further remarked that the judiciary was being criticised without any reason; if anyone had an objection or complaint against a judge, he could file the matter before Supreme Judicial Council (SJC). If a television channel aired a ‘Qawwali,’ five other channels also did the same. Justice Siddiqui remarked that there was a censor board for the films but no censor board for the television dramas and advertisements. In advertisements, there was much being aired for the sale of different items.

During last hearing, IHC bench had noted in its order “Let secretary ministry of information, Islamabad and Pemra chairman be directed to appear in person to explain as to whether there is any code of conduct for electronic media and anchorpersons who found ridiculing the institutions of country like judiciary, Army and other sensitive institutions and how many complaints have been filed against such persons and TV channels and what action has been taken so far.”

In compliance with the court orders, Pemra chairman and secretary ministry of information was there in the court today.

SEPT petitioner while nominating federation through secretary ministry of information, secretary ministry of interior, Pemra chairman, Ammad Khalid of Geo TV Channel, and Anchor ARY TV Channel Mubasher Luqman as respondents has contended before the court that some anchors particularly Mubasher Luqman are conducting such programmes which are prejudicial to the integrity, honour, respect and independence of the superior judiciary.

The petitioner contended that the Pemra had taken no substantial steps to implement a previous court order and Mubasher Luqman on the ARY TV channel was continuing extending the campaign against former chief justice (R) Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and judges of Supreme Court particularly Justice Jawwad S Khawaja in a clandestine manner.IHC bench after issuing the above order put off hearing in this matter till July 9.

No live TV coverage of Qadri’s arrival

ISLAMABAD: Private TV channels will be barred by the government from live transmissions from the Islamabad airport when PAT leader Dr Tahirul Qadri lands there early on Monday morning.

According to officials, after the Lahore tragedy, the Punjab government and Islamabad administration are apparently better prepared to deal with Dr Qadri’s so as not to allow a repeat of the June 17 bloody drama.

“Every possible step has been taken to block PAT workers to gather at, near or around the airport. At the same time, care and caution is being taken not to use force even in the face of an unruly crowd but handle it through non-violent means,” the officials say.“These measures and approaches are intended to neutralize the Qadri revolution at the very outset.”

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.

No charges before probe into Indian weapons: FO

 

ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson on Thursday said that Pakistan did not want to level allegations before proper investigations regarding the use of Indian-made weapons in the terrorist attack on Karachi Airport.
She took exception to being questioned on a statement by the interior minister who had said that weapons found in Karachi were from India.“First of all, it is improper of you to come here and ask me to comment on the statement of a federal minister. I didn’t comment on the source of the weapons used in the Karachi attack. What I said was that the matter is being investigated. When we have the results of the investigations, we will proceed from there,” she clarified.

To queries about Uzbeks and Tajiks being involved in the attack on Karachi airport, and Indian-made ammunition being seized, the spokesperson said that investigations were still going on and she did not want to make allegations without proper investigations.

“Terrorism is an issue that Pakistan and India discuss in their official interactions,” she said.Pakistan condemned the two incidents of US drone strikes, the first this year, which, according to media reports, saw Uzbek and Afghan militants being taken out.

The US drone strikes come immediately after several strikes by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) in retaliation to terrorist attacks in different cities of Pakistan.

“The government of Pakistan condemns the two incidents of US drone strikes that took place near Miranshah in North Waziristan on 11 and 12 June. These strikes are a violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Additionally, these strikes have a negative impact on the government’s efforts to bring peace and stability in Pakistan and the region”, spokesperson at the Foreign Office confirmed after the weekly media briefing.

Meanwhile as Afghanistan readies for the second round of Presidential elections on Saturday, Pakistan says that it is taking additional measures to ‘beef up’ security along the border as it supports all efforts for a free and peaceful electoral process.

“Our authorities are taking additional measures for the second round of elections, including by retaining additional troops for this purpose. The measures include enhanced vigilance and security along the border, enhanced patrolling in close border/border crossing areas, enhanced checking by immigration staff, enhanced communication through existing coordination and cooperation mechanism and availability of hotline contact with Afghan counterparts,” said the spokesperson.

Congratulating the people of Afghanistan the spokesperson said that as a “close neighbour and fraternal nation, Pakistan stands committed to supporting the Afghan people in every possible way in their quest for peace and progress”.

You know the background of the presence of foreigners in Pakistani tribal areas. It goes back to 30 years and they still move to and fro.Obviously, terrorism is posing threat to all the countries. This is a menace which harms our people and our interests. This is a subject that is discussed when leaders meet.

On the issue of an abducted Chinese national and reports that he would be exchanged with a Taliban prisoner, the spokesperson said that she was unaware of prisoner swap.“We have said from this forum that we condemn this kidnapping.The government of Punjab has formed two or three teams to investigate this matter. It is our priority that the Chinese national is recovered safe and sound and at the earliest,” she said.

No timeframe to end Karachi operation, says Qaim

‘Action to be extended to other areas; people to be provided relief in budget’

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah has said that the timeframe to end the operation against criminals in Karachi could not be given and it could continue for the indefinite period.

He said that the operation was moving ahead positively and had started giving dividends.The Sindh chief minister said that the provincial government would do its utmost to provide the people of the province with maximum relief.

He said that the ‘targeted’ operation would also be extended to other parts of the province. Regarding the budget, the chief minister said the provincial government had talked to the federal government about 11 big projects for Karachi. “The federation has assured us of providing funds for key projects in Sindh, especially in Karachi.”He said, “We will present Sindh with good news in the budget”. However, he added that Sindh’s due share should be given to it.

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.

Younis demoted, no contracts for Kamran, Malik

KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Thursday dropped keeper Kamran Akmal and all-rounder Shoaib Malik from its central contract list of 31 players for 2014 and demoted veteran batsman Younis Khan.

The dropping of Kamran and Malik does not come as a surprise following their dismal performances at the World Twenty20 in Bangladesh in April.

Younis was demoted a rung to a category "B" player.

Players had been waiting for the announcement since January when their 2013 contracts expired. The PCB had linked awarding the contracts to match performance and fitness.

"PCB has awarded central contracts to 31 established players and young ones with future potential -- with across the board increases in remunerations," the board said in a release also announcing the 25 percent rise in monthly retainers.

Captain Misbah-ul Haq, Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Hafeez and Saeed Ajmal are in the "A" category and will now get 449,218 rupees ($4,500) a month.

"B" players Younis, Ahmed Shehzad, Umar Akmal and Umar Gul receive 314,452 rupees a month while in category "C" Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Adnan Akmal, Khurram Manzoor, Nasir Jamshed and Abdur Rehman will get 179,687 rupees.

The other players in the "D" category get 89,843 rupees a month.

"The committee took three factors into consideration while finalising the list. These were: form and performance, fitness level and future potential," said PCB director Zakir Khan, who was a member of the committee which finalised the contracts.

The board also raised Test match remuneration by 25 percent while that for one-day internationals rises by 10 percent. (AFP)

Edgar Wright no longer directing 'Ant-Man'

LOS ANGELES: Edgar Wright and "Ant-Man" are going their separate ways.

The British filmmaker said in a joint statement with Marvel on Friday that the director and studio had differences over their vision for the film, so they made an "amicable" decision to part.

Marvel announced in 2012 that it tapped Wright to bring its smallest superhero to the screen. Paul Rudd is set to play Ant-Man, a scientist who can shrink himself to the size of an insect.

Wright's credits include "The World's End," ''Hot Fuzz," ''Shaun of the Dead" and "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World."

The change in "Ant-Man" leadership won't affect the film's release date, which is set for July 2015.

Marvel says a new director will be announced shortly.

Cable operators have no authority to close channels: minister

 

LAHORE: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Pervaiz Rashid has said the law was taken into their hands on the Geo TV issue and that cable operators have no authority to decide which channel can go on air and which cannot.
Also, he added, the army and the government stand united over the issue of national interests.

Talking to the media here on Saturday, the minister said the cable operators were not authorised to ban any TV channel and warned that strict action would be taken against those who violated the law and banned channels.

Pervaiz Rashid said the Pakistan Army is standing by the government to improve ties with India. He said it was not the army but an individual Pervez Musharraf who took the decision on Kargil and then had to go down on his knees before the then Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

He said the army as an institution had never intervened to sabotage Pakistan-India relations and stated he was hopeful it would not be done in future.

Senator Pervaiz Rashid said we as a nation should look forward and put behind the past bitterness with India, adding that Narendra Modi had been elected by the Indian people and we respect their decision.

About the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan’s protest call against rigging in the last general elections, he said bringing some people on the streets did not mean a protest. He said the Election Commission of Pakistan had already rejected Imran’s objections of rigging in Sargodha.

He said the government would hold a dialogue with those who wanted peace and the elements disturbing peace would be dealt with strictly.

APP adds: Pervaiz Rashid said talks with the Taliban had not ended yet, adding that few people did not want talks.

He said Pakistan could not ignore changes in its neighbourhood as it would have to deal with the new government of India, adding the elected people would formulate foreign policies for the next five years.

The minister said: “Pakistan is responsible for its deeds and India for its own and we should keep our deeds correct.”

The minister said it was unfortunate that big media houses had given ‘scissors’ in the hands of cable operators, adding cable operators could not be allowed to violate the law. “It is good news that cable operators are reverting,” he added.

The minister said Pemra had initiated action and hoped that cable operators would do their own job and let the authorities do theirs.

“People want a completion of the journey to success and prosperity and they have brought Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to the government for it,” he added. He said no one could derail the government as such attempts remained unsuccessful in the past by some people, adding, statements of PTI Chairman Imran Khan should be ignored. “How could he criticise us when he was unable to run the KP government properly?” he added.

To a question about the transfer of the CCPO Karachi, he said Shahid Hayat was a good officer who had maintained law and order in the city and Sindh ministers had appreciated his role and it would have been better if he had remained the CCPO.

No decision yet on full-scale operation in NWA: Chaudhry Nisar

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan Saturday said neither a decision has been made on undertaking a full-scale military operation in North Waziristan nor on abandoning the dialogue process with the Taliban militants.

Talking to media representatives, he said no suggestion came from any side to scrap the process of peace talks with the Taliban in the recent meeting focusing on the country’s security issues.

He said the aerial offensive and limited action carried out in North Waziristan agency along side the Afghan border were part of the decision made some time back.

The Interior Minister termed as ridiculous a report of a foreign news agency on the meeting of security matters chaired by the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. “This is not the first time a foreign news agency has released a flawed report on (Pakistan’s) civil-military relations,” he added.

Chaudhry Nisar clarified that the meeting presided over by the PM was held in a very cordial atmosphere.

He further said that no such decision has been taken to hand over the security of Islamabad or any other major city of the country to the army.

No doubt, truth will come to surface: Justice Khawaja

ISLAMABAD: Justice Jawwad S Khawaja on Friday said that there should not be an iota of doubt that the truth will come to the surface.
A full bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Justice Jawwad S Khawaja and comprising Justice Gulzar Ahmad and Justice Musheer Alam, was hearing the petition filed by the Independent Media Group on the behalf of Geo Network against the negative propaganda by other TV channels and for resumption of its transmission on cable networks.

The court declared that the case would be decided on merit.The bench, while talking about the case, observed that one of the judges of the bench had to leave for Karachi and as he was getting late for his flight, the case was adjourned till Monday, May 26.

Akram Sheikh, the counsel for the petitioner, requested that as he will be out of the country for personal reasons, he may kindly be heard today (Friday) and submitted that in the Shahid Masood vs State, the court had held that cable operators cannot off-air any channel on their own while in the present situation, cable operators had off-aired the Geo transmission to its viewers.

Justice Jawwad replied that as a judge of this bench was getting late, so they will listen to him in detail on Monday.On the insistence of Akram Sheikh, Justice Khawaja replied that there were thousands of cases in the court for the past several years, so they will listen to them on Monday.

Akram Sheikh submitted that from Monday, Tofeeq Asif will replace him in the court and he will join the proceedings after arriving from abroad. Tofeeq Asif stood up and submitted that he was in agony as the entire federal capital was full of posters and banners against Justice Jawwad S Khawaja. He further stated that due to these posters and banners, the lawyers community was very much disturbed.

Justice Khawaja observed that no banner or poster could malign him as the Holy Quran says that respect and disrespect was directly in the hand of Allah Almighty. He further observed that his past was very clean and Inshallah he will give the right verdict in accordance with the laws.

Tofeeq Asif submitted that he was not talking about Jawwad S Khawaja as a person but was worried about Justice Jawwad S Khawaja as he was an honourable judge of this august court and his question was for the other members of this bench.

The bench observed that they were least bothered about such banners or posters and if any one had any objection in this regard, he should file an application. Justice Khawaja observed in a lighter tone that he will ask his staff to give the copies of that specific verse of Holy Quran to the people sitting in the court on the next date of hearing.

Online adds: Justice Jawwad S Khawaja refused to take any action against those involved in putting up banners against him.He remarked: “No one should have an iota of doubt that whatsoever may be the truth will come to open. If someone casts doubt after dispensation of justice, then he should go for his treatment. I will not tell about the treatment.”Mubashir Lucman, anchorperson of a private TV channel, was also present in the court along with his counsel.

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.”

Khan bowls another no ballKhan bowls another no ball

ISLAMABAD: The European Union Election Observation Mission’s report on Pakistan’s 2013 elections reveals facts that belie the claim of Imran Khan and Shireen Mazari, the

Information Secretary of PTI.

The report measures election coverage in multiple categories, including: a) rallies and press conferences; b) time allocated to political actors during Prime Time programming; c) direct speech/quotes within news; and d) political advertising.

The EU’s report shows that in rallies and press conferences category, the PTI got the highest coverage from Geo News, which is almost twice as much as the second channel in this category — Express. (Approximations from graph shows: Geo 6,250, Express 3,500, ARY 3,000, Dawn News 2,750 ).

In time allocated to political actors in Prime Time programming category, again the Geo News gave the PTI the highest share compared to all other satellite news channels (Geo 21%, ARY 18%, Express 17%, Dawn News 16%).

In the category of time allocated to political actors in news, the Geo News gave the PTI the highest share, doubling almost the figure of the second highest. (Geo 32%, ARY 17%, Express 16%, Dawn News 16%)

In the category regarded direct speech within news, the news channel which gave the highest share of its coverage to the PTI was Geo News with 25%.

However, in the last category measured by the EU — time allocated to political advertising, the PTI gave more advertising air time to Dawn News, ARY, and Express than Geo News. Though this could be because of Geo’s rates are higher as its viewership is also higher.

According to third party ratings agencies, Geo News has three times the net viewership of the second most watched news channel of Pakistan for which there has historically been a tie between three channels. If one takes into account the net ratings and net viewership impact, it is safe to say that the PTI got most of its message out during the elections courtesy Geo News.

However, Shireen Mazari, Information Secretary of the PTI, for some particular reason, is convinced that Geo was involved in rigging the elections 2013 against Imran Khan.

Imran Khan on May 20 tweeted a graph, rallies and press conferences category (mentioned above), which was from the same EU report. Imran alleged that Geo gave more coverage to the PML-N than the PTI and referred to Geo’s bias. However, the very same graph shows that the PTI itself got more coverage from Geo than any other channel.

Also regarding the PML-N, it can also be seen from the same graph that every channel gave more coverage to the PML-N in that category, including Dawn, ARY, Express and others. The reason for this could be multiple, including the organisational skills of the party at the time, quality and number of candidates, experience and how it was polling in survey after survey at the time. Khan did not, however, tweet the other graphs mentioned above in the EU report.

The EU Elections Observation monitored the media outlets from 8th April to 9th May from 18:00 to 24:00 daily.

No reason to close channel if it apologises: Pervaiz

 

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Pervaiz Rashid said on Thursday that there was no justification for shutting down a channel and if it had made a mistake, realised it and tendered an apology, it should be accepted. He said that it was advisable to follow the policy of live and let others live (Geo or Jeenay do).
He said the media-related issue would be resolved amicably soon as in the given situation, the issue was not of Geo but of the freedom of expression in a democratic society.

He stated this in an informal chat with media persons after he visited, along with members of the family, the residence of senior journalist Hamid Mir to inquire after him.

The minister recalled how he had resisted when the Supreme Court registrar had pushed for the banning of another TV channel and he had the same policy now that no television channel should go off the air.

About the speculation of the ban on Geo channels, the minister said, “The issue is not of Geo, it is about the freedom of expression in a democratic society and we have bigger issues in our country and all have to find a solution together.”

In this context, he referred to the challenges of terrorism, issues of economy, energy crisis and education and health of children. With regard to the situation arising from the Geo issue, the minister urged the media to bring an end to the infighting.

He confirmed having met representatives of different media organisations, including APNS, CPNE and PBA and his meetings with heads of media groups: Hameed Haroon, Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman, Mian Amir, Zuberi and Mujeebur Rehman Shami.

Asked for his views on the law ministry’s opinion on the issue, he said his ministry had sent its views on the matter to the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra).

“Pemra is an independent institution and let it decide about the issue in its meeting. Neither I nor anyone else should try to dictate it,” the minister maintained.Earlier, the minister, along with his spouse and children, met the bedridden journalist at his residence and remained with him for some time.

“I, along with my family, met Hamid Mir and his family. It was a family get-together. Mir’s health is much better than it was when I met him in Karachi earlier.” Rashid expressed his gratitude to the journalist for gifting him his book and said he felt honoured on receiving the gift signed by Hamid Mir. The book consists of Mir’s columns.

No one to be allowed to undermine dignity of SC: Justice Jawwad

 

ISLAMABAD: Justice Jawwad S Khawaja of the Supreme Court (SC) said on Thursday that it must be kept in mind by all that the judges of the higher judiciary would never allow anyone to undermine the dignity of the apex court.
The SC took strong exception to a news channel and the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) over a programme aired against the judiciary.

A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Justice Jawwad S Khawaja and comprising Justice Gulzar Ahmed and Justice Mushir Alam heard the petition filed by the Independent Media Corporation (IMC) on behalf of Geo Network against the negative propaganda by other TV channels and for resumption of its transmission on cable networks.

“It is learnt that the instant petition drew huge attraction”, Justice Jawwad S Khawaja asked Muhammad Akram Sheikh, counsel for Geo TV network at the start of the proceedings.Muhammad Akram Sheikh however, expressed his reservations saying that he felt harassed while taking up the case.

“We are very professional and we will deal with it professionally and we do know what our values are, thanks to Allah Almighty,” Jawwad S Khawaja remarked adding that everyone should know that they would not let anyone cause harm to the dignity of the Supreme Court.

Justice Jawwad S Khawaja refused to recuse himself from the bench hearing the Geo TV

case saying a judge took the decision to disassociate himself in accordance with the Constitution.

He said that it was the conscience of the judge himself which must determine his decision whether to sit on a bench or not.

Justice Khawaja questioned the regulatory body about its presence during propaganda against the judiciary. He asked where was Pemra when propaganda was aired against the judiciary. He said “for God’s sake recognise right from wrong”.

Zakir Malik, Pemra legal head, however, informed the court that they had forwarded the complaints to the department concerned after monitoring the said programme, adding he was hopeful of action being taken on it during the course of the day.

The petitioner, the Independent Media Corporation (IMC) prayed to the court to issue directives to restrain all channels from airing allegations against other channels or media groups. The petition was filed against the backdrop of a smear campaign against the television network by rival media groups kickstarted after a May 14 morning show aired a performance by some Qawwal.

The petitioner prayed to the court to order the law enforcement and investigation agencies and lower courts all over the country to submit copies of all the criminal complaints, FIRs and petitions filed under Section 22A that contained allegations of blasphemy regarding the show.

It was further requested to issue directives for consolidation of all the FIRs that might have been registered in various parts of the country and to restrain the law enforcing and investigating agencies from registering any new case, but to forward all pending and new FIRs containing allegations of blasphemy before the Supreme Court for eventual quashing of proceedings on them.

It was also requested to order the relevant law enforcing agencies in all the provinces to take required steps for protection of the petitioners, management and staff of the Geo, Jang Group, along with their offices all over the country.

The petitioner made the federal government through secretary interior, chief secretaries of the four provincial governments and Chief Commissioner, Islamabad as respondents.Similarly, the Independent Media Corporation filed a Civil Miscellaneous Application (CMA) in the Constitutional Petition No 51 of 2010 for revival of the said petition.

It was prayed to the apex court to order the revival of the titled constitutional petition in the interest of justice, equity and fair play; and may further be pleased to act strictly in accordance with the report of Javed Jabbar appointed as mediator with consent of the respondents in almost a similar episode and the mediation having been accepted by the respondents for reshuffling or blocking of the petitioner channels be restrained along with any other relief that the august court might graciously deem appropriate.

During the hearing Justice Jawwad S Khawaja pointed out to Akram Sheikh, counsel for Geo Television, that there was an objection from some quarters in respect of the constitution/impartiality of the bench.

Justice Jawwad S Khawaja said that the respondent or any other person having any objection against constitution of this bench might come to the court and the matter was adjourned to 1:00pm.

Later at 1:00 pm, when the court resumed the matter Attorney General Salman Aslam Butt appeared before the court and submitted that the federation had no objection to the hearing of this petition by this bench which included Jawwad S Khawaja.

However, one Sabir Shakir, Bureau Chief, ARY, Islamabad, appeared and stated that Mubashar Luqman who is an anchor person of ARY had sent him to state that he would like to engage a counsel in this case.

The court observed that there might be justification for this request though, prima facie, it did not appear so but there appeared to be some TV talk show aired last evening which might need to be seen as it appeared to be relevant in this context.

The court however, observed that in order to ensure absolute transparency in these cases, it was prepared to consider the objections which might appear from the aforesaid TV show to be against one member of this bench (Jawwad S Khawaja).

“It is possible that this objection has something to do with the news programme ‘Kharra Sach’ which was aired on ARY on May 21, 2014 (Wednesday). Therefore, we direct the registrar of the court to obtain the CD of the said programme which was aired on Wednesday and which needed to be seen as the same might throw some light on the basis or otherwise of any objection as vehemently urged by Sabir Shakir”, the court ruled in its order.

The court ruled that it would re-assemble at 2:00pm for the viewing of the TV programme. Meanwhile, the court directed its office to make arrangements for displaying relevant parts of the programme ‘Kharra Sach’ relayed the other day on ARY News Channel, through multimedia in court at 2:00pm.

Meanwhile, as the court resumed the hearing at 2:00pm, it viewed the programme ‘Kharra Sach.’ The court viewed two relevant clips of the aforesaid programme in the court through multimedia.

After viewing the relevant clips of the programme, the court observed that it was not for the present necessary to make any determination as to the nature of the excerpts from the TV programme.

The court further observed if there was any cause or matter which might require intervention in exercise of proceedings under any constitutional or statutory provision, that matter, needless to say, would proceed separately because that had no direct nexus with the matter at hand.

“The matter right now is as to whether one of us (Jawwad S Khawaja) should sit on this bench, the court ruled adding that the basis of the objection could be gathered from the second excerpt of the TV programme.

The court noted that it was in this excerpt that it had been alleged that because of a relationship (Jawwad S Khawaja) had with owner of IMC, he should recuse from the hearing of this case.

It was noted that the statement had been made by a gentleman named Aqeel Karim Dhedhi. The court however, ruled that it was quite obvious that he was totally unaware of the nature of the office of a judge and of the rules which had been laid down to ensure transparency and impartiality of benches hearing cases.

“Mr Dhedhi appears to be unaware that although the IMC owner happens to be the brother of the wife of my brother, Justice Jawwad S Khawaja said adding that he did not recall the last time they met, it might have been 20 years ago, 16 years ago or perhaps at some ‘Shaadi or Ghami’ which he did not recall at present.

“It is always for the judge himself to make a determination as to whether or not his relationship with any other person is such that he should not hear a particular case in which such person is a party”, the court ruled in its order.

The court further ruled that the Code of Conduct prescribed by the Supreme Judicial Council for judges of the superior courts includes Article 4 which states that a judge should not “act in a case involving his own interest, including those of persons whom he regards and treats as near relatives or close friends.

”From this it will be evident that only such persons can trigger recusal of a judge who are considered to be close by a judge”, the court ruled adding that the rationale of this stipulation is evident from its content.“It is clear that I have no basis for regarding or treating IMC owner as a near relative,” Justice Jawwad S Khawaja ruled in the court order.

The oath of office of judges of the Supreme Court is set out in the Schedule to the Constitution as per Article 178. It is expressly stated therein that the judge “will not allow [his] personal interest to influence [his] official conduct or [his] official decision”. Judges also swear under the Constitution to “do right to all manner of people according to law without fear or favour, affection or ill-will”. The Holy Quran in fact directs judges to act fairly, justly and impartially even if they are hearing cases involving their own relatives.

The above provisions of the Code of Conduct or oath of office or the verses from the Holy Quran do not impose a bar on a judge from hearing cases unless there is cause under Article 4 of the Code of Conduct reproduced above”, the court observed adding that no such cause exists in this case.

“In the present case, we may assume that the comments made by Mr Dhedhi may be in good faith, however, such comments before being aired on a TV channel licenced by Pemra could have been vetted or even in the case of a live telecast it should have been ascertained that the interviewee was aware of Article 19 of the Constitution and the law”, the court ruled in its order.

The court however, ruled that it did not intend to embark on any such inquiry as this would be a matter within the competence and jurisdiction of Pemra.

The court ruled that the Pemra should ensure that the provisions set out in Articles 19 and 19A of the Constitution are strictly adhered to.

These provisions have also been incorporated in the Pemra Ordinance and the rules framed by Pemra thereunder and also in the provisions of the licences which are issued by Pemra to various channels, the court ruled.

The court observed that it might be useful to record that all litigants at times made attempts to avoid hearing before certain benches but at times such attempts were not well intentioned.

“There may even be attempts to intimidate or malign judges or institutions of the state and thereby, to undermine such individuals or institutions”, the court ruled.The court observed that the hearings of this case at intervals today was significant, adding that courts were not to succumb to any remark, defamatory or otherwise. “It is the conscience of the judge himself which must determine his decision to sit on a bench or not”, the court ruled.

“We are very conscious and careful in noting that Mr Dhedhi may genuinely have felt the way he did when he said that one of us (Jawwad S Khawaja) should recuse from this case. Therefore, it might be for some other person or some other proceedings to deal with the utterances in the TV programme as reproduced above, the court ruled adding that they had no intention to comment on matters which were sub judice before this court and before other courts including accountability courts which are part of the judicial system of Pakistan wherein Mr Dhedhi might be arrayed as a party or as an accused.

“We are deliberately and consciously not recording any remarks or comment lest it should cause prejudice to the trial or to Mr Dhedhi in such pending matters”, the court ruled.

Justice Jawwad S Khawaja in the court order said that he did not find any reason whatsoever not to sit on this bench. He however referred to Article 19 of the Constitution which says, “Every citizen shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression, and there shall be freedom of the press, subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interest of the glory of Islam or the integrity, security or defence of Pakistan or any part thereof, friendly relations with foreign States, public order, decency or morality, or in relation to contempt of court, [commission of] or incitement to an offence.

The court ruled that barring the exclusions which had been mentioned in the said article, there could be no restriction imposed on the freedom of speech and expression set out in Article 19 of the Constitution.Meanwhile, the court adjourned the hearing till today (Friday).

No response from Imran on Iftikhar's challenge

LAHORE: There has been no response from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan to a debate challenge by Director Geo News election cell Iftikhar Ahmad over allegations against the channel.

During his programme ‘Mere Mutabiq’ on Friday, Iftikhar Ahmad had urged Imran Khan to provide evidence defending his allegation against Geo News of being involved in rigging during general elections 2013.

In the programme, the senior journalist invited Imran Khan and his team for a debate over the allegations. Iftikhar Ahmad said Imran Khan had issued a 100-page white paper over election rigging but did not mention the allegations against Geo News. He added that Imran Khan and PTI workers were continuously leveling allegations against Geo News.

Speaking to Geo News on Saturday, Mr Ahmad said it was regrettable that neither Imran Khan nor any other PTI representative had contacted him. He added that his team was willing to address any grievances the PTI found during Geo News’ election transmission.

Meanwhile a response has been issued by a Jang group spokesman to all the allegations leveled by Imran Khan against Geo News.

No one to be allowed to use Pak soil against any country: PM

 

LONDON: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif vowed that Pakistan would not allow its land to be used against any country as British Prime Minister David Cameron stated that Pakistan’s enemies were the enemies of Britain.
The two leaders expressed these views during talks at 10-Downing Street. Both the leaders underlined their commitment to fight terrorism together.

The prime minister was joined in the two-hour-long talks by Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch, Minister for Finance Ishaq Dar, Adviser to the PM on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Special Assistant to the PM on National Security Tariq Fatemi, Pakistan’s acting High Commissioner to the UK Imran Mirza and others.

David Cameron was assisted in the talks by Foreign Secretary William Hague and Foreign Office Minister Sayeeda Warsi.Nawaz Sharif paid a visit to his British counterpart as the British parliamentarians called for a cut in the aid programme to Pakistan and diverting funds to poorer countries unless “clear evidence” is produced that Pakistan is playing its role in reducing extremism.

Increasingly, British MPs believed that the UK fund was not being properly spent in the fight against radicalism. However, it is becoming clear that the threat to the UK from Pakistan has significantly reduced recently whereas it had gone up in the case of the Middle Eastern flashpoint countries.

Nawaz Sharif thanked Prime Minister Cameron for his country’s financial help and told Cameron that it was “something that we value very much”.

David Cameron said thatBritain and Pakistan had a “vitally important” relationship that was based on trade, development and the fight against terrorism.

He added: “The enemies of Pakistan are my enemies too because we want to defeat the extremism, the terrorism that threatens your country and so many others in the region.”Nawaz Sharif said he welcomed the UK’s announcement that the two countries would fight extremism together.

Nawaz Sharif said, “Pakistan has paid a heavy price in its fight against terror and we are determined to eliminate terrorism in Pakistan and will never allow anybody to use its space for launching an attack in Afghanistan, or for that matter, anywhere in the world,” he said. “This is our policy, which we have recently formulated,” he said.

“We believe that we will work together to fight against terror and also to pull Pakistan out of the problems it’s facing,” Nawaz Sharif said.

After holding talks at 10-Downing Street, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif addressed a conference where the UK and Pakistani business community was present. Nawaz Sharif told the conference that his government had turned around country’s economy within a year. “Pakistan today offers tremendous investment opportunities. We have brought structural reforms and introduced great policies as the UK and Pakistan remained committed to strengthening economic cooperation.

“I have today met my friend, David Cameron, who was the first to visit Pakistan after the PML-N government assumed power. The UK has offered help in all areas including education and defence. The role of the Department for International Development (DFID) has been brilliant,” said Nawaz Sharif.

He said that the two countries had agreed to work on new roadmaps and the two countries had agreed to enhance cooperation in all areas including trade, economy, education and health sector.

The PM said that his country was keen to increase UK investment in Pakistan as more than 100 UK companies were working in Pakistan and making a lot of profit.

Nawaz Sharif said that his government came into power through free and fair elections. He said that he was aware of the challenges being faced by Pakistan but he was determined to deal with these challenges. He said that since coming to power, his govt had worked on a priority basis vis-a-vis the energy crisis and output of the economy. He said that Pakistan’s economic indicators looked optimistic and almost all areas of the economy were showing signs of progress.

“We inherited an economy in dire straits. There was lack of confidence in state institutions when we took over. We worked beyond the call of duty to turn around the economy and we have succeeded. The Pak rupee has gone up significantly and the capital market outlook is appearing optimistic. The Pakistan economy appears to be back on track,” said the premier.

Nawaz Sharif said, “I am privileged that the people of Pakistan have given me a mandate. I am trying to make Pakistan a tolerant and vibrant country. I count on my friends in Britain to march with us and help us in making Pakistan a liberal society.”

On the occasion, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said, “Militancy is a challenge and we consider it very serious and Nawaz Sharif is determined to deal with it.”

He said that it was courageous of PM Sharif that he initiated a dialogue with the Taliban. “It is to Nawaz Sharif’s credit that dialogue process with the Taliban is going on the right direction. We have to exhaust this option first and foremost. If dialogue fails, the whole country will be on one page to fight the TTP. We must eliminate terrorism to make Pakistan move forward,” he said.

Answering questions, Nawaz Sharif repeated that it was in Pakistan’s interest to establish peace through dialogue. “Otherwise Pakistan does have other options including the use of force,” the prime minister said.The premier said that his govt was encouraging militants to put down their weapons and come to the dialogue table.