Three Sindh High Court judges confirmed

 

The three justices confirmed today as judges of Sindh High Court are Mr Justice Muhammad Tasnim, Mr Justice Syed Hassan Azhar Rizvi and Mr Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar.

 

Spokesperson Farhatullah Babar said that the President also confirmed Mr Justice Nisar Muhammad Sheikh for extension for another one year as Additional Judge of the Sindh High Court.

 

The nomination for the confirmation of the Additional Judges of the Sindh High Court were earlier approved by the Judicial Commission of Pakistan and unanimously agreed by the parliamentary committee on the appointment of the Judges.

 

The President approved the confirmation on the advice of the Prime Minister.
 

PNG rebels seek pardon

 

A day after a retired colonel seized Papua New Guinea’s military headquarters in an attempt to force out the prime minister, the ex-soldier was holed up in a nearby barracks on Friday, demanding a pardon for himself and his supporters.

 

A small group of soldiers led by retired Col. Yuara Sasa put the military’s top commander under house arrest Thursday in a bloodless, pre-dawn takeover, but later that day Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said Brig. Gen. Francis Agwi had been released and remained in charge of most of the military. O’Neill said Sasa had been “dealt with,” but did not say how.

 

The mutiny was part of a power struggle in which O’Neill and former Prime Minister Michael Somare claim to be the rightful leader of the South Pacific island nation.

 

On Friday, police said Sasa was at Taurama Barracks in Port Moresby, near the military headquarters, with about 20 supporters. Police spokesman Dominic Kakas said Col. Sasa had asked for a pardon.

 

“That is correct, yes,” Kakas said. “They are trying to sort something out.”

 

On Thursday, Sasa had told reporters in Port Moresby he was giving O’Neill seven days to comply with a Supreme Court order reinstating Somare as prime minister. The government responded by calling on Sasa’s group to surrender and saying the mutiny had little support.

 

Deputy Prime Minister Belden Namah told reporters Thursday that about 30 soldiers were involved in the mutiny and that 15 of them were arrested. Namah said Sasa could be charged with treason, which carries the death sentence.
Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard condemned the mutiny, saying in a written statement that the military has no place in Papua New Guinea’s politics. Australia is the main provider of foreign aid to its former colony.

 

“It is critical therefore that this situation be resolved peacefully as soon as possible, with the PNG Defense Force chain of command restored,” she added.

 

Somare was Papua New Guinea’s first prime minister when it became independent in 1975, and was knighted by Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II. Papua New Guinea’s Parliament replaced him with O’Neill in August, while Somare was getting medical treatment outside the country.

 

Last month, the country’s Supreme Court and Governor-General Michael Ogio backed Somare, who the court ruled was illegally removed. But Ogio changed his mind days later, saying bad legal advice had led him to incorrectly reinstate Somare.

 

Sasa, who was Papua New Guinea’s defense attache to Indonesia before retiring from the military, has said Somare appointed him defense chief. Somare’s spokeswoman and daughter, Betha Somare, said that his ousted Cabinet had confirmed Sasa’s appointment several days ago. She did not respond to a request for comment on Friday’s developments.

Mutinous army demands Papua New Guinea’s PM to step down

 

Mutinous soldiers seized Papua New Guinea s military headquarters Thursday, replaced the top defense official and demanded that Prime Minister Peter O Neill cede power to his ousted predecessor within a week. The new crisis comes during a turbulent period for the South Pacific s most populous island nation, where both O Neill and former Prime Minister Michael Somare claim to be the rightful leader.

 

The self-proclaimed new chief of the country s defense forces, retired Col. Yaura Sasa, insisted he was not mounting a coup. But he warned that the military would take unspecified action unless O Neill stands down and Somare, is reinstated, as the national Supreme Court ordered last month.

 

“Both Sir Michael Somare and O Neill have seven days to implement the Supreme Court s orders to resolve the current political impasse or I will be forced to take actions to uphold the integrity of the Constitution,” Sasa told reporters in Port Moresby.

 

The government called on Sasa s group to surrender and said the mutiny did not have support from the broader military.
Deputy Prime Minister Belden Namah told reporters that about 30 soldiers were involved in the mutiny and that 15 of them have been arrested. Namah said Sasa could be charged with treason, which carries the death sentence.

 

The mutiny started before dawn, when rebel soldiers overpowered guards at the Taurama Barracks in Port Moresby. They then moved to the military headquarters at Murray Barracks and placed the head of the Papua New Guinea Defense Force, Brigadier General Francis Agwi, under house arrest. There were no reports of bloodshed.

 

The Australian Embassy reported that Agwi was released from house arrest later Thursday, a development welcomed by Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd. Sasa, who last served as Papua New Guinea s defense attache to Indonesia before retiring from the military, told reporters he had been legitimately appointed defense chief by Somare.

 

Somare s spokeswoman Betha Somare told Australian Broadcasting Corp. that his ousted Cabinet had confirmed Sasa s appointment several days ago. Betha Somare, who is also Michael Somare s daughter, did not immediately reply to The Associated Press  request for comment on Thursday.

 

Namah said Somare had “no sanity” and was using “rogue soldiers to pursue his own greed and selfishness.”
O Neill had told Australia Papua New Guinea s former colonial master and main provider of foreign aid that “authorities were taking steps to manage the situation,” Australia s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said.

 

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard condemned the mutiny. ”The military has no place in PNG politics,” she said in a statement. ”It is critical therefore that this situation be resolved peacefully as soon as possible, with the PNG Defense Force chain of command restored,” she added.

 

Somare was Papua New Guinea s first prime minister when it became independent in 1975, and was knighted by Britain s Queen Elizabeth II. Papua New Guinea s Parliament replaced him with O Neill in August, while Somare was getting medical treatment outside the country.

 

Last month, the country s Supreme Court and Governor-General Michael Ogio backed Somare, who the court ruled was illegally removed. But Ogio changed his mind days later, saying bad legal advice had led him to incorrectly reinstate Somare.

 

Australia, which has the largest diplomatic mission of any country in Port Moresby, called for Agwi to be reinstated.
“We urge that the situation be resolved as soon as possible, and that the PNGDF chain of command is restored,” the foreign affairs department said in a statement.
 

13.5% increase in gas tariff approved

ISLAMABAD: The government has approved 13.5% increase in gas tariff here on Sunday.

According to sources, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani approved the increase which will be imposed on all consumers except fertilizer feed stock.

The notification is likely to be issued either tonight or on August 8 (tomorrow).

The petroleum ministry had advised 100% increase for fertilizer sector and 68% for CNG but the advice was rejected.

CNG association’s chairman, Ghayas Paracha said that the new rates of CNG are likely to touch Rs 66 per kilogram after new gas prices. TrendPK

Sir Syed’s death anniversary today

KARACHI: Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, the reformer, educationist and author is being remembered today at his death anniversary today.

Sir Syed was born in Delhi, India on 17th October, 1817. He was great Muslim educator, jurist and author, founder of the Anglo-Mohammedan Oriental College at Aligarh, UP, India, and principal motivating force behind the revival of Indian Islam in the late 19th century.

His prominent works in Urdu, include Essays on the Life of Muhammad (PBUH) and commentaries on the Bible and on the Quran.

Sir Syed was made a Knight Commander of the Star of India in 1888. Syed Ahmed had a versatile personality, and his position in the judicial department left him time to be active in many fields.

His career as an author (in Urdu) started at the age of 23 with religious tracts. In 1847 he brought out a noteworthy book, Athar Assandid (“Monuments of the Great”), on the antiquities of Delhi. He began establishing schools, at Muradabad (1858) and Ghazipur (1863). A more ambitious undertaking was the foundation of the Scientific Society, which published translations of many educational texts and issued a bilingual journal – in Urdu and English.

In the late 1860s there occurred developments that were alert the course of his activities. In 1867 he has transferred to Benares, a city on the Ganges with great religious significance for Hindus. At about the same time a movement started at Benares to replace Urdu, the language cultivated by the Muslims, with Hindi.

This movement and the attempts to substitute Hind for Urdu publications of the Scientific Society convinced Syed that the paths of the Hindus and the Muslims must diverge. During a visit to England (1869-70) he prepared plans for a great educational institution. On his return he set up a committee for the purpose and also started an influential journal, Tahdhib al-Akhlaq (“Social Reform”), for the “uplift and reform the Muslim”.

A Muslim school was established at Aligarh in May 1875, and after his retirement in 1876, Syed devoted himself to enlarging it into a college. In January 1977 the Viceroy laid the foundation stone of the college. In 1886 Syed organised the All-India Muhammadan Educational Conference, which met annually at different places to promote education and to provide the Muslims with a common platform.

Until the founding of the Muslim League in 1906, it was the principal national centre of Indian Islam. Syed advised the Muslims against joining active politics and to concentrate instead on education. Muslims, generally, followed his advice and abstained from politics until several years later when they had established their own political organisation i.e. Muslim League.

This great scholar and leader died on 27th March, 1898, at Aligarh, India. TrendPK

Canada dissolves parliament, election set for May 2

OTTAWA: A general election will beheld in Canada on May 2, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said on Saturday after his minority Conservative government was brought down on a non confidence vote in Parliament the day before.

Opposition parties toppled Harper on Friday on the grounds that his government was tainted by sleaze, had managed the economy poorly and was in contempt of Parliament. Polls show the right-of-center Conservatives are set to retain power in what will be Canada”s fourth election in less than seven years.

Harper, in power since 2006 with two successive minority governments, says Canada does not need an election at a time when economic recovery is still fragile.

“Against our advice, the opposition parties have chosen to force an election the country doesn’t want and the economy doesn’t need,” he told reporters.

Harper spoke after visiting Governor General David Johnston– the representative of Queen Elizabeth, Canada”s head of state — to seek the dissolution of Parliament.

The prime minister says that unless the Conservatives get a majority, the three opposition parties will form what he calls an unstable and reckless coalition.

Michael Ignatieff, leader of the main opposition Liberal Party, issued a statement on Saturday saying he would not form a coalition with other parties. (Reuters)

Assange gets Gillards support : WikiLeaks

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has said on Friday that WikiLeaks did not commit any criminal offense in the country by releasing secret documents. Talk to media in Sydney, she said that we have received the advice and the advice is that there had been no breaches of Australian law.

Gillard has been criticized by WikiLeaks supporters and some members of her Labor government for subjecting prejudice on Assange in any future criminal case. Assange was released on bail in Britain on Thursday while he awaits a possible extradition to Sweden where he was charged for sex crimes.WikiLeaks has provoked fury in Washington with its publications of secret U.S. cables and vows to make public the 250,000 embassy documents it had obtained. The cables include details of overseas installations that Washington regards as vital to national security.

Answering a question Gillard said that she did not receive any advice about changing the laws to deal with similar leaks in the future.

Increasing External Intervention in Pakistan

US Ambassador has recently emphasized on ‘urgently needed’ reforms like Reformed GST, and is strongly lobbing to ensure its proper legislation. The United Kingdom has also declared RGST as indispensable for the survival and growth of the Pakistan’s economy and has declared that the donors could never come forward to extend financial assistance unless the well-off segment in Pakistan is made to pay taxes.

United States wants a direct and all-time presence at our political, financial, and defense scene on permanent basis. This is the most outrageous demand any country in the world has ever made but it is very painful for the citizens of Pakistan that our foreign office gives very lame and soft responses to these highly vital issues, obviously on the advice of sitting Government. Recent statement of the US ambassador regarding Reformed GST is also an open interference in the internal affairs of our country. Pakistan needs to deal with US with stern and tough hands over such interferences. US interference has been allowed in the change of command and promotions in the Pakistan armed forces and the structure and role of security forces of Pakistan and conditionality have been attached, which impinged hard on the defense of Pakistan. In the meantime, Zardari-led government continues to facilitate the US-Nato agenda of so-called “war on terror” for its personal gains by further pushing Pakistan into worst position. This is in spite of a rising public resentment against the US-Nato; nearly 90% of Pakistanis consider America quite negatively due to its wrong policies. Disappointing and disturbing as it is, the so-called “war on terror” has been so far worked in favor of Zardari. The Zardari regime never minds spilling Pakistani blood. It is in that background that in spite of an absolutely abysmal political management performance, loss of public support and credibility, Zardari led regime is still enjoying full support of UK and Nato and continues to receive the full support of its masters in Washington also.

Backed by USA, IMF is dictating the government to introducing reforms in GST and enhancing tariff rates of electricity and gas as well as price of petroleum products. The tax system overhaul, under the terms agreed with the IMF, entails taking away tax exemptions and slapping 15 per cent tax on services, further fueling the hardships already being faced by common people. The conditionalities imposed by the IMF have broken the backbone of a common man. Poor man in Pakistan is paying a hell a lot of tax indirectly and is being further burdened by IMF’s policies. Obviously tax base should be broadened but it should be the direct taxation and should be collected from ultimate thieves, feudal and land mafias who have been eating country like termites since its creation.

Pakistan’s “economic curse” is that the ruling elite, bureaucrats, politicians and the military establishment have worked absolutely in their own interest, and not that of the people at large. Pakistani leadership has been living beyond its means for decades. Its government expenditure, where in the world would you see a country in dire straits giving scores of Prado’s (12.5 million), Land Cruisers (16.5 millions), fleets of Toyota Hilux, Sedan’s & even Range Rovers (b/t 12.5 – 15 million) to its ministers & provincial & federal officers. The personal weaknesses of our top leadership are weakening the defense of Pakistan and endangering the sovereignty and integrity of the country but their greed seems to have no end. The cat is now out of bag. The latest Wikileaks revelations have disclosed the crooked interactions that took place behind the smokescreen of American diplomacy. The US government has not denied the authenticity of the released cables and none of the Pakistani leaders quoted in the leaks has denied having said what was reported. For us also, there is no valid point to dismiss WikiLeaks as rubbish, nothing new or even a conspiracy.

The United States has denied any involvement in the Pakistani political system as it reaffirmed its support for the so called civilian rule, saying the return of democracy has strengthened the key regional country. We have an effective relationship with President Zardari and that will continue, they say. No doubt, Pakistan and USA have very close relations since 1947 on the basis of “needs”. One, on the military side, there is extensive cooperation between the Pakistani military and the United States military, and the people of Pakistan would welcome that to continue. Though USA has always helped Pakistan both militarily and financially as well as in natural disasters and both the countries do understand the need of long lasting relationship, but in the present regime USA is controlling Pakistan like a puppet. The only reason is that the actions of our top leadership in the present regime constantly remained below dignity that encouraged the US authorities to dictate it in every sphere otherwise in normal course they keep very decent relations with other nations. Take the example of India; it is considered far superior and economically respected nation in the world and US as well as other nations interact with them with dignity and respect only due to its credible leadership.

USA should realize that their explicit involvement in the affairs of Pakistan is counterproductive. Rather than reconfiguring them as friends and saviors, the Pakistani beneficiaries of US aid rather become subsumed. Zardari is supported by the US despite political repression of Pakistan’s citizens. Will the association with Zardari, having a most corrupt history, being at the lowest of his popularity, and having no loyalty even to his own country and his countrymen can prove trustworthy for US in the long run? Generally, political relationships with such like people do not work on long term basis. The people of Pakistan consider Zardari as oppressor who, instead of stopping corruption, is inflicting more and more taxes on the poor. Due to unconditional support of US Authorities to such an unpopular leader ultimately create resentment against USA and its all activities are seen by the people of Pakistan very negatively. If USA wants long term relations with Pakistan it should work for the people to win their hearts instead of underhand dealing with the ruling elite, as the people of Pakistan are frustrated by the vulgar nature of political system prevailing in Pakistan.

Pakistan is blessed with excellent human capital with majority of the youth, second to none, the people are very, very talented. Face of the people that is presented by our ruling elite for its own objectives is not real. There are few people involved in extremism and most of the people I would say above 95% are very simple, loving, peaceful, and moderate. People to people frequent contact would bring positive results for USA. I urge US government to be soft in immigration visa policy for most young Pakistanis professional, journalist, student and labor class men and women to work in USA, and to invest maximum of its aid in the education sector in Pakistan. Every well meaning Pakistani should be grateful and appreciate those having the commitment to help establish strong institutions. It should result in greater public trust in the entities including US helping them achievement of long-term prosperity, sustainability and social well-being.

Wikileaks — Theft or fabrication?

I am beginning to think that the entire Wiki-leaks premise is a fabrication. It seems that this venue can be used for airing ideas that promote the agenda of the various powerful political powers.

Wikileaks could not be able to leak out such information without prior knowledge or consent of USA. The verbal fight between USA and Wikileaks seems to be cosmetic and artistically deceiving the countries affected by these leaks. It is worth seeing that the prime beneficiary of these leaks is United States because one thing is clearly established in the minds of the people of the nations under discussion that how penetrating and how dangerous the US Intelligence system is and how naked the actions and conversation of the Governments ruling in those countries have become in the present situation. The timing of the release of these documents may be intended to capture news cycle headlines in the most spectacular possible manner, while embarrassing U.S. and, Afghanistan and Pakistani officials as well. Every effected nation of these revelations must understand that US has adopted the policy of hurting itself first to deceive others from its own attempt to inflict compound diplomatic and political losses to the other countries. Publishing secret information by the US is decided only after weighing the risks and and its own interest. It’s very strange such a huge cache of information can be leaked to the media so conveniently

Time-frame of the these leaks was between 2004-2009 before the whole Pak Afghan Policy was laid down by the new administration in the White House and prior to the US-PAK Strategic dialogues in which Gen. Ashfaq Parvaiz Keyani himself gave out a long presentation winning many admirers within the US administration. I wonder exactly what we might find from the leaked documents that would really ‘surprise’ any Pakistani leader, or Pakistani journalist, or any Pakistani for that matter? How can this be a fresh and news story in Pakistan1s perspective- based on a ‘leak’? Things are the same which are already in the knowledge of everyone. It’s well known that the USA supported Pakistan in setting up Taliban to fight the Soviet Union. Pakistan had already, and still have, great interests in meddling in Afghani affairs. In spite of clearly reflecting “mistrust” it is written on wall that without each other both the “allies” US and Pakistan can not win this war and where the Pakistani Military needs the United States has to realize Pakistan has legitimate concerns in Afghanistan and should not have allowed such embarrassing leaks, although there is nothing new in that. Anyhow these are no more than pressure tactics. The Soviet Union during cold war managed to infiltrate the US government many times by adopting such tactics.

Wikileaks first published those “pentagon papers” on the Iraq and Afghanistan war, the reactions from mainstream media and governments were enormous in volumes and indignation. Then another leak was released by Wikileaks; Iran supplying new forms of suicide vests for al-Qaida. Another big revelation was “Pakistan’s spy agency collaborated with the Taliban” What is this trash? These facts reported by Wikileaks sound like those typical daily field intelligence reports produced in the order of the thousands. There are surely entities within US government that are allowing Wikileaks to continue and still we should expect for the same.

Corruption in Afghanistan, dealings with Iran and pressure from Saudi Arabia for military action and much more damaging details are coming out. The creation of deep mistrust between Iran and Saudi Arabia would also see its peak when Wikileaks revealed the dangerous intentions of Saudi King towards Iran. The leaks though interesting but would soon turn into an instrument that can trigger the Third World War suddenly or may be very soon! The remarks or intentions of Saudi King towards Iran can also be seen as a surgical attempt to shift the blame of any future attack on Iran from the shoulders of Israel. This is a very well planned move from the part of America and the Wikileaks that will pay them a long and valuable benefit in playing the game of diplomacy in the Gulf Region. The collapse of relationship between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Iran would be fast and painful if the reports or leaks provided by Wikileaks would be taken negatively and motive behind these leaks are not anticipated properly.

One thing is quite clear that after these leaks, the relationship between many Muslim countries would face a worst period of roll back. Another very important thing to note is that these leaks have very mild and less disturbing revelations against Israel. It is beyond understanding that why the leaks have less igniting revelations or leaks against the problem state of the Middle East? It can be sensed very easily that these leaks are released or orchestrated keeping in view to the fact that sentiments of Israel or the Zionists may not be hurt. Fact remains there that US game of death Muslim vs. Muslims is running and going on as a policy.

Everybody knows it is not a fight of any nation it is the fight started against Muslims by the pronouncement of crusade by Bush and his accomplices engulfing all religions on the advice of the only self proclaimed terrorist nation of the world. Now the fact must be faced and said boldly. It is fault of our leaders that we allowed these criminals like Bush to do what he did. The present move through Wikileaks is a continuation of Bush policies. The release of these documents for Pakistan will do nothing other than to further undermine our already declining standing in the eyes of international community. It is just an attempt to create gross misunderstandings and diplomatic crisis between the Islamic countries; the dangerous dent inflicted to the relations between Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan being the worst part. We must accept, the popularity of our President is extremely worse at home, but recent developments including the embezzlement and peaked corruption with Hajj Pilgrims by Pakistani authorities further fueled and outraged the Saudi high ups. Since President Zardari took Control, things have taken for the worse in Pakistan. Pakistan has to change positively. With so many foreign influences in Pakistan, it has to be strong enough to handle all the foreign and internal influences and it easily can with determined will. Other wise there is no Future for Pakistan. The King may have rightly said about President Zardari, but the question is, after this leak shall the sitting ruling party would be able to rely on this tested friend? Our President has a slippery skin and nothing hurts him or creates any spark in his heart that will motivate him of improving his image, but the impact of the horrendous remarks of the Saudi King can dissipate the existing warm relationship between these most important countries of the Muslim world.

To achieve their personal objectives the Pakistani leaders have really given free hand to the Americans who have never supported our cause or the Kashmir issue. Instead, they have always betrayed us. What is the use of Embassy extension in a country like Pakistan? Apparently they envisage taking Pakistan as a mini colony or American state where they are allowed to move and act freely. What are we doing? Now, after Afghanistan, they would create situation like Iraq or Afghanistan in our country to settle old scores. We, the Pakistanis, should wake up, stop the construction of this new Embassy and grab back the land extended to the Americans which otherwise is against the constitution and the sovereignty of the country. Our leaders are if doing wrongful acts while in power then they should have to admit and confess their demerits and committed mistakes before the nation and should have to create the atmosphere of self-accountability first by showing sincerity and honesty with the nation and especially with beloved Pakistan instead of condemning and refusing or denying the true facts about them. And as far as Wikileaks’ reports about Pakistani leaders are concerned then all the reports are not wrong and false about Pakistani leaders and it may be possible that some reports are wrongful and false. If our leaders are doing wrongful and definitely all the leaders are not doing much the best with the nation and especially with beloved Pakistan they should have to learn the lesson from these reports and remove their committed mistakes themselves by removing and uprooting corruption from all the departments of Pakistan so that no one could target them or any departments of Pakistan in the future in negative sense or in regard of corruption. They should realize that they have put the future of the country at stake. There are no two opinions that US in fact is trying to commandeer the Pakistan’s nuclear deterrent, which they see as its only real defense against India. Pakistan knows the Americans and the Zionists designs to dismantle Pakistan’s nuclear capabilities which are completely unjust because the Indians and Israel’s nuclear arsenal are acknowledged as legitimate but Pakistan’s not. Pakistan needs less foreign interference, not more. But on current trends the opposite is happening. The clear danger, highlighted by the leaked cables, is that the USA’s unwindable war in Afghanistan is spilling over into its weak, ill-led and much put-upon neighbor – and that Pakistan, too, could become a war zone if our leaders remained senseless as ever.

Pakistans political leadership agreed on drone attack: Wikileaks

The recently issued reports of Wikileaks have revealed that the political leadership of Pakistan has given permission to the USA for drone attacks in the tribal region. According to the report it is an undocumented agreement between the government of Pakistan and the USA.

The report has also revealed the fact that the former president Pervez Musharraf gave permission for the drone attacks and assured the USA to sign the pact of resolution of the Kashmir dispute soon. Wikileaks have also disclosed the fact that the interior minister Rehman Malik advised the prime minister to halt the attacks till the completion of Bajaur operation however the prime minister rejected his advice and said that the attacks should be continued till they are targeting the right people. The reports also say that Pakistani politicians oppose the drone attacks publicly but support it privately. Wikilekas has also proved the fact that US army is present with Pakistan army in tribal areas for better coordination during the drone attacks.

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