Imran should think about country’s future, says Khursheed

KARACHI: Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Khursheed Shah said that he did not like Imran Khan’s threats of resignations from the provincial and national assemblies.

It was not the right thing to do, he said and added that Imran should think about the country’s future. A very well-known analyst of the country, Ata-ul-Haq Qasimi, said that the mental status of Imran Khan and Tahirul Qadri is alike, and both are suffering from deprivation syndrome.

Defence analyst Talat Masood said that Operation Zarb-e-Azb is progressing according to its strategy. The plan was to begin with aerial activity to create chaos in the rank of the leadership of the terrorists, and then to proceed with ground assault.

Khursheed Shah said that Imran Khan was giving threats of resignation from the provincial and national assemblies is an inappropriate thing. Shah, however, said that he did not oppose the demand of the PTI for verification in four constituencies. Although the supporters of the PPP in the Punjab are angry over electoral irregularities, yet the PPP realises the challenges before the country and so it is dealing with the political matters discretely. The Pakistan Army is engaged in a war against the terrorists, and the PPP does not want to complicate national affairs any further.

Khursheed Shah advised Imran Khan to put the future of the country above everything else. Imran should utilise the forum of Parliament.Khursheed Shah said he sees Tahirul Qadri and Imran Khan travelling down separate paths though the path may converge later on. The government must find a political way out. Protest demonstrations and rallies are not going to solve the issues. The country’s history bears witness to the fact whenever such things happened they disturbed the country’s system. Shah said that they must learn from past mistakes. He said that resignations from provincial and national assemblies by PTI members would create a crisis because after resignation the PTI would agitate on the streets and bring life to a halt.

The PPP leader said that the Model Town tragedy was a result of the government’s cronies’ overreaction. Senior columnist Ata-ul-Haq Qasimi said that he had never been optimistic about Imran Khan’s politics. Ever since Imran Khan entered politics, he had been making blunders one after the other. He had been consistently deviating from his own statements and going back on his promises, and that is the reason behind the friction in his party. Imran has also failed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Ata-ul-Haq Qasimi said when Imran realised that his performance had been unsatisfactory he started talking about resigning from the assemblies. There will be a strong resistance from the party over Imran’s call for resignations.

The senior columnist said that Imran’s decisions reflect his inexperience in politics. Ata-ul-Haq Qasimi said that mental state of Imran Khan and that of Tahir-ul-Qadri is alike and both are suffering from deprivation syndrome. What Imran Khan is doing can derail democracy.

Defence analyst Talat Masood, while talking to the host on the programme, said that Operation Zarb-e-Azb is progressing satisfactorily. The strategy was to panic the leadership of the terrorists through aerial bombardments and then to launch the ground attack, and the strategy has been successful.

The host of the programme, Masood Raza, said that the ICC has given Pakistan the status of Big Four.Commenting on Imran Khan, Masood Raza said that it seems that Imran’s politics is confined to four constituencies only. A year has passed since the elections but still there is an echo of rigging in elections.

All including Punjab CM should appear before commission: PM

 

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif while expressing anguish over the Model Town incident directed that all including Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif must appear before the judicial commission if it summoned them.
He also directed all the concerned to ensure that such incidents should not occur in future.He urged that the conspiracy behind the gory incident should be unearthed as it was being used to tarnish image of the government.

Nawaz Sharif expressed these views while chairing a high-level meeting here at the Prime Minister House on Thursday.Talking about Operation Zarb-e-Azb in North Wiziristan Agency (NWA), the prime minister said that Pakistan was fighting a defining battle in the nation’s history and God willing terrorists would be defeated. He said that national unity was the prerequisite to make the operation against the terrorists a success.

He also directed the provision of all the facilities to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan was conspicuous with his absence in the meeting which was attended by Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Pervaiz Rashid, Minister for Planning and development Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafiq and Minister for States and Frontier Regions (Safron) Lt Gen (R) Abdul Qadir Baloch.

It is understood that the prime minister will continue process of consultation with other likeminded political leaders on the subjects.The sources told ‘The News’ that the premier was firm on forwarding the economic revival ahead with faster pace and rid the country of terrorism.

The prime minister said that Operation Zarb-e-Azb required national unity and added, “A peaceful environment in the country would benefit the soldiers fighting in the North Waziristan tribal area.” He expressed confidence that militants would lose this war and added that the IDPs from North Waziristan would be provided with every facility.

The sources said that Shahbaz Sharif’s briefing on the Model Town incident also figured in the discussion.Various aspects of the incident were also brought to the light and Shahbaz Sharif assured that the provincial administration would submit details of the incident before the judicial commission.

The participants of the meeting expressed their regret on the incident that resulted in the death of nine innocent people and injuring others. Shahbaz Sharif assured that the provincial government would investigate the incident and those responsible for it would be brought to justice. He assured that strict action would be taken against the responsible for the incident.

PM Sharif should install a War Cabinet

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif needs to put together a War Cabinet. The current cabinet produced two offsprings — talks with the TTP and multibillion rupee infrastructure projects. The attackers of the Jinnah International Airport have killed them both (talks are dead and no private investment is coming to Pakistan).

In 1916, PM Herbert Asquith of the United Kingdom was asked to form a small War Cabinet. He kept on delaying it and was finally forced to resign. PM Lloyd George then took over and formed a small, five-member War Cabinet to fight the war.

In 1939, PM Chamberlain formed a 9-member War Cabinet. PM Churchill had formed a five-member, bi-partisan War Cabinet. Australia fought the war with a seven-member War Cabinet. President Kennedy formed a War Cabinet in response to the Cuban Missile Crisis. President Bush formed a War Cabinet in response to the September 11 attacks.

The current cabinet’s priorities are completely out of sync with reality. Here’s the reality. Fatalities in terrorist violence: 52,409 (till June 8, 2014). Security forces personnel killed: 5,775. Suicide attacks: 396 (killed 6,021; injured 12,558). Bomb blasts: 4,932.

The current cabinet’s priorities are completely out of sync with reality. Here’s the reality. General officers martyred:Lieutenant-General Mushtaq Baig, Major-General Ameer Faisal Alvi and Major-General Sanaullah Niazi. Here’s the reality. Military installations attacked: GHQ Rawalpindi, Minhas Airbase, Mehran Naval Base and Pakistan Ordinance Factory.

The current cabinet’s priorities are completely out of sync with the mainstream. Here’s the reality. Prominent civilians killed: Benazir Bhutto, Salman Taseer and Shahbaz Bhatti.

Now, here are 22 words from the budget speech: “959 KM Karachi-Lahore motorway project …. 892 KM Gawadar-Ratodero Motorway …. 200 KM long Gwadar-Turbat-Hoshab Section…. 460 KM Raikot-Havelian-Islamabad Section…the Karakoram Highway.” Let us look reality ‘straight in the eye and deny it’.

What Pakistan needs is a War Cabinet-a cabinet capable of integrating and directing the war effort both in the tribal areas and urban centers; a cabinet with time-bound powers to establish war-time special courts; a cabinet empowered to restrict war-time individual freedoms; a cabinet with powers to regulate the war-time media.

Pakistan cannot win without denying terrorists three things: physical space, ideological space and funding. What Pakistan needs is a War Cabinet — a cabinet comprising the military high command (to take back physical space), an intellectual segment (to deny ideological space) and a financial wizardry component (to deny funding).

According to Shaheen Sehbai, “….the fact is that Pakistan and its critical institutions have collapsed and it is now time for a major, immediate, almost earthshaking, political and administrative renovation effort, to get back control before everything spins out of hand.”

Pakistan’s democracy has to go to war to save the state as well as democracy. The British democracy went to war under PM Churchill’s War Cabinet. The War Cabinet had the following four characteristics: One - politics was subordinated to military considerations. Two — concentrated authority. Three — the raison d’etre was the successful prosecution of the war effort. Four — democratic accountability to the electorate was temporarily suspended.Can we win this war without a War Cabinet? Who said, “The quickest way of ending a war is to lose it?”

Everything should be fair in this terror war

DUBAI: Now that the political government of Nawaz Sharif has come on the same page with the Pakistan Army and a full-fledged military operation has been launched against the terrorists, a full-fledged security and media plan for the rest of the country is immediately needed to face the blowback.

Some of the instant decisions that should be, and obviously will be, part of this whole operation, its planning, strategy and tactics, must include, if not already done:

— Instead of repeated announcements of Red Alerts, all major cities should declare night curfews, at least for three to four weeks, starting at 9 pm to 6 am.

— In sensitive localities, shooting orders be given if anyone violates the curfew and does not stop when checked.

— All businesses in all major cities must shut down at 8 pm so that people can get back to their homes by 9 pm. No exceptions should be allowed except for those with security passes.

— A War Council or War Cabinet must be announced in the Centre and in provinces.

— Other activities of parliament and the cabinet must be put in low gear and diverted to coordinating the war effort for at least three to four weeks. These should include taking care of those hit, affected or displaced by the war.

The army must be deployed at all key installations to protect them from terrorist attacks.

In sensitive cities and super sensitive localities like many areas of Karachi, door-to-door search operations should be carried out when the curfew sets in.

Special summary courts should be set up to try and convict all those who are caught with illegal arms, terrorist equipment like suicide jackets, hand grenades etc and the death penalty should be given to those convicted and sentenced without delay.

Special bulletins should be issued on the Zarb-e-Azb Operation daily or even more frequently and the media should only cover these. Total cooperation of political parties and the media must be ensured.

There can be more such actions taken but if this is a war, it has to be fought like a war. And as now we have decided to fight this war, then lets follow the saying: “Everything is fair in love and war.”We will get to the love portion when we cross the war zones.

Shah says government’s tenure should be 4 years

ISLAMABAD: Opposition leader in the National Assembly, Khursheed Shah said on Thursday that people considered the five year government tenure lengthy.

Speaking to the media, Shah said in his personal opinion an amendment should be added to the constitution and the tenure should reduced to four years.

Khursheed Shah added that the government wanted the courts to decide the fate of former military ruler Pervez Musharraf.

Shah further said the government should not try to stop Dr Tahirul Qadri from coming to Pakistan.

 

Agencies should focus on their job

ISLAMABAD: No cynicism involved, there is nothing personal though some may still doubt it, but let me request all our intelligence agencies; please, please, please focus on your job for the sake of Pakistan.

How many times would we still talk of failures, lapses and criminal negligence instead of learning lessons and improving our systems? For how long would we fight terrorism by sacrificing our soldiers, policemen, Rangers, officials of other law enforcing agencies and civilians?

Despite attacks after attacks by terrorists at their free will wherever they choose to, we haven’t learnt any lesson. The whole of Pakistan, including even the otherwise most secured strategically-important sites whether airports, air bases, military’s GHQ, air force and naval complexes, everything has appeared so far as easygoing for the terrorists.

Just half-a-dozen or even less number of terrorists, all in their teenage, can unnerve the whole of Pakistan. They have been repeatedly doing this in the recent years and did it again on Sunday night at the Karachi airport. They don’t enter the strategic places to capture such sites, rather want destruction, killing and most importantly create mayhem.

Getting them killed by the army, Rangers, police commandos etc. is normally a job of a few hours but by the time they are overpowered or killed, they would have achieved the objective of terrorising the whole country and making it a laughing stock in the whole world.

The challenge for Pakistan is not how many terrorists or militants are killed in a military/police offensive, the challenge is how could we preempt such terrorist attacks and how could we secure the life and property of the people as well as official installations and sites? Here comes the role of the intelligence agencies.

We have over two dozen agencies but none had a clue about half a dozen teenage terrorists — all foreigners as per the Karachi Rangers claim — who last night attacked the Karachi airport. They were carrying loads of sophisticated weapons, had supposedly travelled from Afghanistan to the tribal areas of Pakistan and then all the way to Karachi yet were not intercepted by any of the agency’s official.

They successfully entered the well-protected Karachi airport and easily achieved their target of terrorising Pakistan besides conveying to the whole world that it’s the most insecure place to live. Over a dozen law enforcers were martyred and this is how we fight terrorism here.

The over two dozen intelligence agencies of the country are said to have tens of thousands of agents. They have billions and billions of rupees at their disposal but still the teenage terrorists, their handlers and masterminds are beyond the agencies’ reach. Why is it so? What are these agencies doing? Is there anyone around who could hold these agencies accountable? What the agencies usually do is not a secret from the media, politicians, governments and even from the military establishment? The test is how to get the agencies focused on their prime job.

Pak, India should continue steps to improve relations: US

WASHINGTON: Pakistan and India should continue with efforts to mend their relations as improvement in relations is vital for the South Asian neighbours, a State Department spokesperson said.

Broadly speaking we believe that India and Pakistan should continue steps to improve the relationship between the two countries, Deputy Spokesperson Marie Harf said.

Her comments at the daily briefing came in the backdrop of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's travel to New Delhi where he held a bilateral meeting with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi after attending the new Indian leader's inaugural ceremony.

Obviously it is incredibly important for them to do so the spokesperson said when asked about Washington's position on improvement in relations between Islamabad and New Delhi.

Harf however did not have more specifics about what that should look like or what it might entail. The spokesperson agreed with a reporter who saw hope in future relations between the two countries in view of an early meeting between their leaders and the exchange of gifts between them.

 

Dispute should end after Geo apology: PPC

CHAKWAL: Pakistan Press Council Chairman Shafqat Mahmood Abbasi has said that apology and regret are the two things that amount to a big punishment and these two things are very significant in an Islamic society and the civilized countries.

Addressing the concluding session of the two-day journalism training workshop of the CPDI, he said while Geo News has sought apology and regretted committing a mistake then the dispute should end.

The Press Council chairman said the media itself prepares its code of conduct and it is acknowledged that the media is not free of moral and social values. Parliament is a supreme institution and is also bound by certain rules and regulations. He said that journalists have won press freedom with much struggle and has not been gifted by any ruler.

The chairman said the press freedom allowed in Pakistan is not granted to the media even in India, which is the biggest democracy of the world. He said while a vibrant media and independent judiciary are necessary for a strong democracy, media suffers greatest danger from within. He said the media should hold internecine talks. He said the print media in Pakistan is very responsible and the electronic media is only 12 years old and requires to be made more responsible. Shafqat said the law of right to information in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa will strengthen the media. He expressed hope that the situation of the media will improve.

State institutions should act as per law: Mamnoon

 

ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain on Monday said that the state institutions must work within the parameters laid down in law and the Constitution as political likes and dislikes should be made a yardstick in the discharge of respective responsibilities.
He said that the spirit of democracy is reconciliation, forgiveness, tolerance and mutual cooperation and not confrontation, conflict and revenge.“With our experience and observations, we have realised that democracy is not the name of confrontation, conflict, opposition for the sake of opposition or revenge but the spirit of democracy is reconciliation, forgiveness, tolerance and mutual cooperation,” said President Mamnoon Hussain in his maiden address to the joint sitting of the two houses of parliament at the start of the new parliamentary year.

The three services chiefs, chairman joint chiefs of staff committee, chief ministers of Punjab, Balochistan and Sindh and foreign envoys also heard the speech of the president from the visitors galleries.

He maintained that it was the peak of democracy to respect the opinion of majority, to give precedence to national institutions over individuals, and national interests should be given priority over the interests of the respective parties.

The president pointed out that the government did not believe in any restrictions on the media, however, it also expected of the media to formulate a code of conduct for itself and implement it in letter and spirit. This would enhance national honour and people would consider the media as true representative of their hopes and aspirations.He said that the media in Pakistan was also playing a role as a watchdog and in monitoring and no doubt it was free and its example was an example for many countries.

President Mamnoon Hussain observed that cooperation and understanding among the state institutions was critically needed at this juncture of time. “At a time when our enemies are actively working to create conflict and discord among us, we need to maintain unity and confidence among our lives,” he said.

Mamnoon especially accosted the state institutions saying that they should perform their duties according to the country’s laws and they should not make political likes and dislikes as their standard. “In the eyes of law and the Constitution, people of all areas are equal as their language, race, political inclination and family connections have secondary importance,” he said.

He said, “Every citizen of sacred homeland is Pakistani first and any secondary identity comes later. The lesson of equality taught by Islam is universal and the eternal message should be practically visible in Pakistan,” he said.

The president said in Pakistan, supremacy of Constitution and progress of democracy had become inter-dependent and solution to all the problems had to be sought while remaining within the established constitutional framework and that it was the Constitution which allocated the role for all the parliamentary and political forces. “This is the constitutional framework through which Federation and all federal constituents have to collectively find solution to their problems and have to work together for the people’s progress and prosperity,” he said.

He said it was a matter of satisfaction that all the state institutions were performing their duties with consummate harmony and devotion.

He said the armed forces were defending and protecting borders of the country very proficiently and other defence institutions were working diligently day and night while the whole nation was proud of them.

He said the armed forces were not only protecting the frontiers but they now were also performing important functions to ensure internal security. “They rendered matchless sacrifices for securing our future and we honour their sacrifices,” he said.

He also paid tribute to the sacrifices given by the people especially of Fata who had always been in the forefront for the defence of the country.

The president said the supremacy of the Constitution had become inter-dependent and solution to all the problems had to be sought while remaining within the established constitutional framework.

He said democratic transition and sustainability was not only a national requirement, but also important for national security, dignity and political identity. He stressed further promotion of reconciliatory approach to move the country forward.

The president lauded the vibrant role of civil society and called upon it to give consideration to the law of the country, national tradition, temperament of society and feelings of the masses while performing their role.

He said it was a matter of satisfaction that minorities were enjoying equal rights in Pakistan and they were not facing any discriminatory attitude, observing the role of minorities in the development and construction of the country was really laudable.

Mamnoon Hussain lauded the efforts of the government in strengthening the national economy and its efforts to overcome the energy crisis. He hoped that the government would be successful in overcoming these challenges soon.

The president said the government also took a bold initiative and launched a dialogue with the Taliban to bring peace and hoped this process would lead the country to the logical end.

Referring to Pakistan’s relations with other countries, the president said that they wanted brotherly and friendly relations with all the neighbours on the principle of sovereignty and equality. He said the visit of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to New Delhi was also a step forward to normalise relations with the neighbour to bring peace and stability in the region.

The president said Pakistan wanted a negotiated settlement of Kashmir dispute according to the UN Security Council resolutions and aspirations of the people of Kashmir.

He said Pakistan gave priority to its relations with China and realised that friendship between two countries was not merely a traditional diplomatic bond but in present times it had become a live metaphor of exemplary and eternal relationship. In reality, the whole global community realised that Pakistan and China were like two bodies and one soul in the real sense.

He said Pakistan was grateful to the European Union for providing it access to their markets.

President Mamnoon Hussain said realistic and pragmatic policies of the government for the development and prosperity of the country had enhanced the country’s esteem and respect in the international community. “Owing to these policies, statesmen from various countries besides representatives of international organisations and investors from all over the world are expressing their desire to work with Pakistan and invest here in various sectors,” he mentioned.

President Mamnoon said today observers and analysts from all over the civilised world were looking to Pakistan because, for the first time in 66 years of history, one democratic government completed its constitutional term and now another democratic government had completed its one year successfully.

He highlighted various schemes and projects launched by the government to generate employment for the youth. He appreciated the government for launching various schemes to help the youth and educate them which would help improve their skills and ultimately would benefit the country.

He said during the last one year, the government’s achievements were extremely impressive which included an increase in gross national production, continuous decrease in budget deficit, successful launch of Euro Bond, European Union grant of GSP Plus status to Pakistan, increase in remittances and increase in export of textile products.

The president said to continue the economic growth and development, ending of loadshedding was inevitable and lauded the steps taken by the government to solve this issue.

Those protesting and holding marches should wait four years: PM Nawaz

LAHORE: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Wednesday that the politics of the 1980’s and 90’s would no longer work.

Addressing a ceremony to mark ‘Youm-e-Takbeer,’ the prime minister said those holding protests and rallies should step out of the politics of the 80’s and 90’s and wait four years and let the people decide who they want to elect.

“The politics of delivering and fulfilling peoples’ promises will now work not that of the 80’s and 90’s,” Prime Minister Sharif said.

Prime Minister Sharif added that the government’s agenda was the development of Pakistan and asked what the agenda of those holding protests was.

According to the prime minister Pakistan should focus on economic growth.

Imran should wait for next polls, not short-cuts: Pervaiz

LAHORE: Federal Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid has said that PTI Chairman Imran Khan should wait for the next general elections instead of taking short-cuts.

In an interview, he said that the protests of the PTI and Awami Tehreek were no more than a storm in a teacup and they would not succeed in their efforts. He said that the protest of Imran Khan was the manifestation of his disappointment over his party’s failure to deliver in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

He added that Khan raised the issues of talks with the Taliban and the drone attacks for political gains but when he did not achieve his target in this way, he came up with the old issue of alleged rigging in the polls.

On the rally of Dr Tahirul Qadri to be held on May 11, Rashid said that Dr Qadri, who talked of the the people, would lead the “Canada Rally” on the day.The information minister remarked that Dr Qadri did not accept the Constitution and the democratic system but Imran Khan was walking shoulder-to-shoulder with him.

He said the government would not hinder the peaceful protest but if any of the political parties resorted to any illegal activity, the law would take its due course.He said that to hold a protest was the legal right of every political party, but it should be carried out within the limits stated by the Constitution and the law.

Those earning $2 a day should also be counted as poor: Dar

 

ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar on Sunday said poverty needs to be defined afresh and those earning US $2 a day should also be considered poor.
Speaking at the first business session at the 47th annual meeting of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Board of Governors in Astana, Kazakstan, Dar said the national economy would hopefully grow by over 4 percent during the current fiscal year (2013-14).

Inflation would remain in a single digits due to growth in both the agricultural and industrial sectors, Dar said, adding that the fiscal deficit had been reduced to around 6 percent through an increase in revenues, reduction in expenditure and positive growth in exports and remittances.

Necessary domestic reforms were being undertaken as the government preferred regional integration through increased connectivity and enhanced preferential arrangements, he added. He outlined the government’s strategies for overcoming the macro-economic challenges, according to a statement issued by the Finance Ministry here.

It said during the Constituency Breakfast Meeting, Dar suggested that the ADB revise the absolute poverty line from $1.25 per day to $2 per day in conformity with the latest revision adopted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The minister stated thatpresently 2.4 billion people were living below the poverty line of $2 a day.During the Governor’s Plenary Session, the minister highlighted the government’s response to the recent natural disasters in Pakistan and future strategy of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) of Pakistan. He emphasised the need to reduce exposure to natural hazards and disasters.

He suggested that the development partners such as the ADB, World Bank and IMF devise different strategies and action plans for promoting disaster risk reduction programmes. He said these institutions could benefit from Pakistan’s experiences.

Dar invited Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Bakhyt Sultanov and President Nursultan Nazarbayev to visit Pakistan this year. He requested Sultanov to consider measures for easing the movement of people along with enhanced cooperation in the areas of trade, investment banking and finance.

The World Bank also appreciated Finance Minister Ishaq Dar’s vision, hard work, kindness and courage to tackle difficult issues the country has been facing.In a letter written to Dar with regard to Pakistan Day, WB Vice President (South Asia Region) Philippe Le Hourou said the Board was appreciative of the actions taken by Pakistan.

Le Houerou advised Pakistan to stay the course, and for the World Bank Group to stay engaged in Pakistan’s development. “I am happy to report that it really was a ‘Pakistan Day’ and Pakistan was shinning. It is very clear that we owe this success to the strong leadership of the prime minister and to the finance minister personally”, Le Houerou added.

Imran should avoid hasty anti-govt drive: Khursheed

SUKKUR: Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Shah said on Saturday that Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan should not make a decision in haste to launch a movement against the government as it would, in the present critical juncture, harm the democratic set-up in the country.

He stressed that government, politicians and institutions should remain on the same page as this was the demand of the time. Talking to newsmen at the airport here on Saturday, he said that the country was facing the menace of terrorism and they had to provide the people with peace and relief. “Conditions are changing internationally, new governments are to emerge in India and Afghanistan and under the circumstances we have to remain united,” he said.

He opposed the agitation planned for May 11, by Imran Khan and Maulana Tahirul Qadri saying some serious issues were currently confronting the nation that demanded unity not confrontation.

Referring to the current dialogue process with the Taliban, he said when the government itself was not aware about it how could the opposition comment on it.

Media should not be censored: UK

LONDON: Britain has said that media should be allowed to freely discuss, criticise and debate issues and make informed decisions, in accordance with international human rights law.

A Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) spokesman, when asked about the Ministry of Defence’s petition to Pemra seeking to shut down Geo News and Jang Group, told The News that the UK is a strong supporter of the freedom of expression.

The spokesman stressed that Britain believed that free and informed journalism is fundamental to any democracy. The FCO spokesman said that across the world, Britain supported free expression and critical thinking, including Pakistan.

The spokesman referred to the statements issued by Britain’s High Commissioner to Pakistan Philip Barton and senior foreign office minister Baroness Sayeeda Warsi in which both senior British government representatives expressed their shock at the shooting of Hamid Mir.

Sayeeda Warsi said that press freedom was an essential part of Pakistan. She added: “This appalling attack on Hamid Mir is an attack on all who believe in democracy. Hamid Mir is in my thoughts and we wish and pray for his speedy recovery.”

Philip Barton said he was shocked to learn of the attack on Hamid Mir. “I was greatly shocked and saddened to hear of the attack on Hamid Mir — another attack on journalism and freedom of expression in Pakistan. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr Mir, his family and all at Geo TV at this difficult time. We send him our best wishes for a speedy recovery.”

If Geo-Jang Group is anti-state, it should be banned

 

 

 

 

ISLAMABAD: If the Jang-Geo Group is really anti-Pakistan or is working on enemy’s agenda, it has no right to operate in Pakistan.
Since no less than the premier intelligence agency of the country — the ISI — has charged the Geo network with these serious allegations, it is now the agency’s responsibility to bring all the required material against Jang and Geo in the court of law and get them banned.

The ISI, in its petition filed with Pemra against Geo, charged, “Geo network has a history of acting illegally in furtherance of anti-Pakistan agenda. If required, material can be provided to the regulator.”

Why ‘if required’? It must be done because as per the claim of the ISI it involves the “furtherance of anti-Pakistan agenda”. If the ISI is so sure about the anti-Pakistan agenda of Geo and has all the material to prove its case, suppressing such material and not doing anything against Geo and Jang Group is like hurting the national interest.

The ISI should not wait for a call from Pemra. One is really astonished why the ISI has not provided the material showing that Geo-Jang is anti-Pakistan to the present government or the previous governments earlier.

Ironically, Imran Khan, the PTI chairman, leveled similar allegations in a public meeting on Friday. He has given credence to the ISI allegations. Only a few months back when Khan was provided “material” against Geo by a TV anchor in a live show, Khan was formally offered by the Geo management to get all these allegations probed by a committee of his choice and then decide if these allegations had any truth.

Asad Umar, a senior PTI senior, was also in the knowledge of this offer from Geo but despite the lapse of over two months, no probe has been conducted by the PTI leader.

I have raised these issues with the Geo-Jang management quite a few times and always found them confidently dismissing these charges. Instead, they say that the Jang-Geo management has already approached the court of law against such allegations. Here is a chance for the PTI leader, the ISI and anyone else who has any such material against Geo and Jang group to prove these allegations before the court of law. It would not only be a great service to Pakistan but a special favour to the employees, including me who think otherwise.

Last year when some of the allegations against Geo-Jang Group made headlines with respect to the Media Commission’s report, the Supreme Court sought details from Pemra, which had apologised to the Supreme Court over the statement regarding Geo TV’s awareness campaigns, including ‘Aman Ki Asha’ and ‘Zara Sochiye’.

A three-member bench of the apex court, headed by the then Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and comprising Justice Jawad S Khawaja and Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed, was hearing the case regarding a Pemra official’s statement that ‘Aman Ki Asha’ and ‘Zara Sochiye’ were foreign funded programmes.

Counsel for Pemra Zulfiqar Maluka had submitted a written apology before the bench and stated that Pemra apologised over its statement regarding members of media commission as they were respectful. The then Chief Justice had remarked that it was the non-serious attitude of the Pemra officials, as they should behave in a responsible manner.

Hamid Mir and Absar Alam, the petitioners in the case, had told the SC that they did not seek an apology from Pemra. Instead, they said they wanted Pemra to present evidence to prove its allegations.

These serious allegations are hurled time and again but there has been no probe as yet. As it has not been done earlier, the ISI and the PTI should get it done now for the sake of Pakistan.

Everyone should take one step back to control situation: Nisar

ISLAMABAD: Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has said that it is his responsibility to bring the culprits involved in the attack on Geo News anchorperson Hamid Mir to book.

Talking to media here Friday, Chaudhry Nisar said that the government has constituted a three-member judicial commission tasked to probe the attack and all the evidence of the attack should be presented before the commission.

He expressed sympathy with Hamid Mir and his family members.

Nisar said that no untoward incident took place with Hamid Mir in Islamabad after PML-N assumed the government. He said Mr. Mir neither lodged any complain nor provided any numbers which might have been used for threatening him during the PML-N’s current government.

He further said that former police officials have denied any report over attack on Mr. Mir’s children. He said that if Hamid Mir or his family has any objection over Islamabad police then he would have the probe.

The interior minister further said that the government would go to any extent to unearth the culprits involved in the attack on the renowned journalist.

He called for an end to “media trial” which he said is being conducted over the issue without any evidence. The enemies are taking advantage of it, he added.

Nisar further said that he is making efforts to cool down the situation and for that purpose everyone should take one step back.

The minister said he stands by Geo and Jang group. Both Freedom of media and prestigious defence institutions are pivotal for the country, he added.

No institution should go unchecked

 

ISLAMABAD: We have an unchecked and unfettered electronic media. We have unchecked and unfettered intelligence agencies, including the all-powerful ISI. If one needs to be regulated for crossing the limits, the other too cannot be given the licence to kill.
The only way forward is the rule of law. If the media do any wrong, it should not be allowed to take refuge in the name of the freedom of press. If the ISI or any other intelligence agency is involved in any criminal act or illegality, it should not be given the space to take advantage of being a “national institution”.

If freedom of speech cannot be allowed without any bounds and limits, the agencies could not be left on their own either.Throwing cold water on the unfair aspects of the ongoing Geo-ISI controversy could be judicious to avoid an uncouth clash between the media and defence institutions. But the legal battle between the aggrieved Pakistan Army/ISI and the accused Geo management must be fought to define the limits of former’s “sanctity” and the latter’s “freedom”. Any compromise from any side on this account would deprive all of us of a great learning experience.

All appreciations for the positive contribution of Pakistan television industry and all praises for all the good that the ISI has done for Pakistan but serious minuses — anything that is beyond constitutional and legal limits — have plagued both. Such minuses are destructive for the society and the state and its institutions. The problem here is that there is no control on the media and there is no control on the agencies, particularly the ISI.

On papers there exists an institution called Pemra. Today, the Pakistan Army and the ISI are upset over how Geo treated the news of Hamid Mir’s episode. During Musharraf’s military rule and also later in the PPP’s tenure, the sacred institution of judiciary was ridiculed and judges were even abused on television channels but Pemra remained unmoved.

Besides the former PPP prime minister, ex-army chief General (retd) Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and even senior officials of the ISI were asked to make Pemra independent and powerful. But nothing was done and even during the present PML-N’s tenure, Pemra’s empowerment and its independence remains a far cry.

The intelligence agencies have been operating beyond all legal and constitutional bounds and limits. They have been involved in making and breaking of governments, harassing and beating politicians, journalists and others. They have been even accused of extrajudicial killings. Different political parties, including the PML-N, PPP, MQM, JI, ANP, etc, have been speaking and complaining about the illegal and unconstitutional doings of the agencies.

However, no serious effort has been made to keep a legal check on these intelligence agencies and make them accountable. Despite the recommendations of different commissions and committees to streamline the role of these agencies, nothing has been done to regulate the intelligence agencies through enactment and parliamentary oversight.

Amir Mir’s allegation should be probed, says Prof. Ibrahim

PESHAWAR: Jamaat e Islami leader Professor Ibrahim has called for probe into allegations leveled by senior journalist Amir Mir, brother of Geo News anchorperson Hamid Mir.

Addressing a ceremony here Thursday, Professor Ibrahim said that everyone used constitution for his/her own interests.

He said that question of imposing Sharia arose in peace talks, adding that Maulana Samiul Haq has been asked to invite religious scholars over the matters of Sharia in the country.

Why should I be hanged?

ISLAMABAD: I am a traitor and so are Umar Cheema, Ahmad Noorani and everyone else associated with the RAW-sponsored Geo Group. One of the leading traitors from the same media house — Hamid Mir — has been taught the lesson and now it is for the rest to face the music. We deserve either to be hanged or pushed to India.

More importantly, Hamid Mir’s episode is a well-planned conspiracy hatched by the Jang and Geo management itself to malign the institutions of the Pakistan Army and the ISI.

While a great number of people are appreciating our stance, I am also hearing, reading and sensing what is mentionedabove since Hamid Mir’s brother Amir Mir’s disclosure about those nominated by Hamid Mir in his earlier recorded statement as his possible killers. I was getting the vibes of displeasure even before my stance on General Musharraf’s case but after the HM episode and my viewpoint on DG ISI Lt Gen Zaheerul Islam, no doubt has been left about my being anti-Pakistan, anti-Islam and what not.

Poor Cheema, Noorani and several others are grilled because they have raised the question about the past wrongdoings of the agencies. We have been condemned unheard and now we should also wait for the bullets from the faceless killers — one by one.

Pakistan has really become a difficult place to live in, and more so for media persons. Our words, our work and our writings everything is distorted to make us look like real monsters and agents of the enemy.

If we talk against a retired dictator and head of a political party, it is deemed an attack on the institution. Without being judgmental on what HM had accused, if we talk about an individual and seek his stepping down and that too for the respect and sanctity of the institution even then we are dubbed as the enemy’s men. An advisor to PPP patron Bilawal Bhutto Zardari viewed my statement as an effort to further the agenda of the Taliban. On this premise, the security forces should be given the right even to kill me and declare me a “terrorist” — no trial, no evidence required.

Umar Cheema, who has already been thrashed allegedly by the agencies, has now become a hard nut to crack. He is a sensitive man, loves Pakistan, follows liberal and secular ideas and at the risk of his own life struggles to make Pakistan prosperous. His latest crime is the outcome of his struggle to make the rich and affluent of this country pay taxes.

But Cheema is such a foolish agent of Pakistan’s enemies that he lives in a rented house and drives a car that he had purchased on depreciated price from the organisation, that too on installments of Rs10,000 per month. After having been beaten black and blue allegedly by the agencies, he did not pick up arms to fight against the state and its institutions but opted to fight for legislated parliamentary check on intelligence agencies.

Ahmad Noorani is an angry young man, who never minces words when it comes to corruption, bad governance and suppression of the underdogs. At times though he becomes upset but his integrity is beyond any doubt. He is so stupid that instead of making a fortune by following the trouble-free tricks and trades of journalism, he too is out to enrage the powerful and the mighty. He drives a real ‘Khatara’ Mehran and believes that he can change Pakistan.

We have no dearth of such fools around in journalism both within our group and outside. Being a member of the industry for the last 24 years let me assure you that everybody in the media is not on sale. They can’t be bought, they can’t be browbeaten. Hamid Mir and the likes of him are the shining stars of our media. You may differ with their views, their style of work and their approach but their love for Pakistan and their services for the people of this country are unmatched.

And it is also true that none of us is an angel. We do make mistakes. If anyone does any wrong, he should be taken to task as per the law of the land. If there is an agent of the enemy amongst us, expose him on the right forum instead of unleashing propaganda through tainted persons both within the media and outside. If the Jang Group has a Jewish connection or it works for RAW or US interests then please bring all the evidence before a court of law. I am constrained to say that such allegations have been levelled against the Jang Group in the past. The Group had moved the courts on these baseless allegations. The courts ought to decide these cases at the earliest because these are very important and subject of discussion at present. These cases are pending in the courts for months. The decision on these cases would bring the facts to fore. Since working with the Jang Group I have seen that whenever the powerful think that this Group does not suit them they start levelling allegations against it. This happens perhaps because this is Pakistan’s biggest and most credible media group.

We have a choice to keep quiet and enjoy our lives without giving a fig about those looting and plundering the nation’s wealth, those playing with the state institutions, those undermining rule of law, those misusing their authority to serve the vested interest, those being kidnapped and declared missing, those wronged by the powerful and mighty.

But we have opted for the tough path where we create faceless enemies, face the anger of the rulers and invite the wrath of the establishment. We create troubles for our families and even endanger our own lives and those of our dear ones. We annoy state actors, non-state actors, the Taliban, criminal gangs, political parties, business tycoons and all sorts of mafias but there is no security for us. Instead we are made more vulnerable when are declared traitors and RAW agents.

These days I am advised by many of those who love and care for me to keep quiet. I tell them I have nothing against anyone, I am not against any institution. I tell them neither Musharraf is an institution nor my views on DG ISI have any disrespect for the ISI or its chief. Instead what I had feared is proving right. I merely expressed my opinion and know well the difference between institutions and individuals. I am told that I am right but still warned that it is not what I think is right but what really matters is how “they” think about you. My dilemma: I have to say what I sincerely believe is in the best interest of the country we created in the name of Islam.

Pemra should be under parliament instead of executive

 

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage on Wednesday decided to form a task force, comprising legal experts to review 64 laws related to the media in the country.
With reference to the recommendations by the Media Commission, appointed by the Supreme Court in 2013, the Standing Committee agreed to the actions and proposals and adopted the resolution as follows:

* In the age of independence of media, globalization, IT and information, it is important to have a specific role of the Ministry of Information for policy setting, to facilitate media development with freedom and accountability.

* Review of the existing 64 laws on media is critical. New laws are equally required, specifically for advertising regulation, convergence, cross media ownership negative impacts, and self-regulation. The Standing Committee will be having special meetings with legal experts on this critical subject soon and will be appointing a Media Laws Review Task Force with a six-month mandate to examine 64 laws and to propose amendments as well as new laws where required.

* Make Pemra truly autonomous and accountable to parliament and not to the executive. Thus a change in mode of appointment of chairperson and its members along the lines of the ECP is recommended.

* The existence of a Ministry of Information is important. However, its restructuring is critical. The ministry and bodies, under the purview of the ministry, have assured the committee that their restructuring plans would be presented within one month to the committee.

* Ministry of Information and IT can be merged due to new areas of convergence. A new name for the ministry to be Ministry for Public Information, Media and National Heritage.

* Create a single new integrated regulatory body by merging Pemra, PTA including cinema on the lines of OFCOM in the UK. In the cinema sector, there is a need to ensure inter-provincial harmony in the implementation of censorship rules in the provinces. All foreign films to be censored by the federal government. Provincial censor boards should include federal representation.

* Policy to ensure minimal time for Pakistani content on TV and radio to be strengthened.

* Public, regular, structured dialogue of government and regulatory bodies with all stakeholders relevant to electronic media is necessary. Similar regular structured dialogue with non-media stakeholders i.e civil society, is extremely important.

* Judiciary should conduct expeditious and conclusive disposal of the large number of stay orders, obtained by TV and radio against Pemra as at present even non-licensed TV channels are operating freely.

* Actual compliance should be ensured by media of their own codes and transparency by appointing internal ombudsman and compliance coordinators to respond to complaints and concerns of citizens.

* Temporarily freeze (except community licenses) issuance of licenses for new TV channels as cable TV distribution capacity is already saturated and until transition to digital technology.

* Ensure effective actions by government authorities to prevent smuggling and sale of DTH set top boxes.

* Ensure licenses are issued for valid, eligible community radio stations and community TV channels with safeguards.

* PTV, PBC, APP should be transformed into genuine public service entities which are even handed and fair for them to be consistent with Article 19. New system should be introduced for appointment of chairman, CEO and board of directors. Government should look into options for restructuring the ownership of PTV, PBC and APP to make their ownership more broad-based and public service oriented.

* A new law is required within which self-regulation by media, can be conducted in a transparent and accountable manner, so that self-interest doesn’t substitute self-regulation in media.

* The funding for Press Council to be equitably shared by media proprietors (such as APNS) and other segments in order for it to be independent. Alleged corrupt practices indulged into by media and government should be investigated and discouraged.

* There is a need for more effective practice of existing codes by media themselves.

* Strict effective action is needed by Pemra and Press Council to prevent excesses by media against public figures, thereby preventing unfair defamation or ridicule of public figures. Strict action needs to be taken by the Council of complaints appointed by Pemra which could include parliamentarians to prevent unfair defamation.

* Forensic audits should be conducted to determine whether corruptions occurred in award of advertising contracts by NAB, FIA, etc.

* There is a need to rationalise the principles on the basis of which advertising rates are determined for placement of govt advertising in print and electronic media so as to end the discrepancies. Government should propose single transparent policy for awarding advertisement.

* There is a need to reform the system by which advertisements of federal and provincial governments are placed by restructuring the Audit Bureau of Circulation and inducting reputed firms from private sector to make ABC credible; and by other methods such as possible decentralization.

* ECP is urged to implement recommendation of Media Commission to ensure transparency in use of funds for advertising in the forthcoming local government elections. Pemra should facilitate preparation of options for new revenue model for TV channels to reduce existing 100% dependence on advertising.

* More effective regulatory actions are required to reduce imbalanced interruptions, disruptions, intrusions of advertising on TV and radio.

* Secret funds have been abolished. Second list will be presented to the committee and to the public after audit or as per SC instructions.

* It is considered opinion of the committee that Pemra has not satisfactorily addressed the concerns raised by the Media Commission Report regarding: the restructuring of Pemra, autonomy of Pemra from executive, Direct Parliamentary Purview & Oversight of Pemra, review of the Pemra Act 2002 (Amended 2007) and Private Monopolies in Media created as a result of the Amended Pemra Act 2007.

Unfortunately without addressing these core issues, it is difficult to conceive that PEMRA will be able to respond to the challenges it faces as an independent media regulator. It is therefore recommended that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting should undertake an immediate examination of these concerns, with a clear deadline in mind, to suggest the best ways and means to implement the recommendations of the Media Commission.

* Ministry of Information has committed itself to help improve security for journalists and media. However, it has not presented any coherent plan so far. It needs to present an overview of its security plan, which it has designed after its consultations with the various media organisations. Ministry also needs to give action plan on the Committee of Information recommendations on the same.

* The existing reliance on an predominantly big cities audience measurement system to determine TV ratings should be replaced with new alternative options which accurately reflect the countries demographic realities.

* As per commitment made by PBA to the media commission, the actual rates charged by PBA members should be placed on the Internet and transparency ensured on the assets, income, expenses of media proprietors and senior journalists including TV anchors.

MNAs Parveen Masood Bhatti, Arifa Khalid Pervez, Marriyum Aurangzeb, Imran Zafar Leghari, Belum Hasnain, Murad Saeed, Dr Muhammad Azhar Khan Jadoon, Saman Sultana Jafri and Naeema Kishwer also attended the meeting.

Meanwhile, Secretary Information Dr Nazir Saeed informed the National Assembly’s Standing Committee that on the issue of access to information, the government adopted a private member bill, which was approved by the Senate. However, the Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) and some other stakeholders wanted to give their input in the proposed law. Now, he said, the bill had been sent to the cabinet, and then it would be sent to the Senate again for approval.

He said on the directives of the prime minister, the ministry was working on restructuring of public sector autonomous organisations and a ministerial committee headed by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar was also constituted to look into the matter.

Senior journalists Hamid Mir and Absar Alam said media houses and senior journalists should be bound to declare their income and assets through the Federal Board of Revenue. They also urged the committee to issue directives for the release of second report about recipients of secret funds form the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

It was said the second list carrying the names of those media persons who received funds from secret funds would be made public soon after completion of the audit.

Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Pervaiz Rashid said he had no objection to making public all lists related to release of secret funds.