President Zardari Rejects US Timeline for Fighting Tribal Insurgents
Pakistan News: President Zardari Rejects US Timeline for Fighting Tribal Insurgents, President Asif Ali Zardari has resisted a direct appeal from US President Obama for a rapid expansion of Pakistani military operations in tribal areas and has called on the US to speed up military assistance to Pakistani forces and to intervene more forcefully with India, its traditional adversary.
In a written response to a letter from Obama late last month, President Zardari said his government was determined to take action against al-Qaeda, the Taliban and allied insurgent groups attacking US forces in Afghanistan from the border area inside Pakistan. But, he said, Pakistan’s efforts would be based on its own timeline and operational needs.
Zardari in his three-page letter to Obama made repeated reference to Pakistan’s core interests, unresolved historical conflicts and conventional imbalances. He called on Obama to push Pakistan’s neighbors towards diplomatic rapprochement.
Zardari noted that military operations in the Swat Valley alone had cost Pakistan $2.5 billion and said that Pakistan expected the United States to provide increased material support.
The message was reinforced Monday by Pakistan’s military chief, Gen. Ashfaq Kiyani, who told Gen. David H. Petraeus, the head of the US Central Command, that the United States should not expect “a major operation in North Waziristan” in the coming months, according to a senior US defense official.
President Zardari Rejects US Timeline for Fighting Tribal Insurgents was first posted on December 16, 2009 at 1:02 pm.
Federal Cabinet Meeting Underway
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan News : Federal Cabinet Meeting Underway, The federal cabinet meeting under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani is underway here on Wednesday.
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has convened a special meeting of the Cabinet today to approve the ‘Austerity Plan’, formulated by the Finance Ministry in the light of the recommendations made by a committee, and also to approve import of bullet-proof vehicles, official sources told Business Recorder here on Tuesday.
Chief Ministers of four provinces, AJK Prime Minister, and representatives of Northern Areas will also attend the meeting. The Austerity Plan recommends massive curtailment in perks and privileges of President, Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, Governors, Ministers and top bureaucracy. Five-day working week for resource saving (especially energy) and improved efficiency is also one of the key recommendations.
Finance Ministry has proposed reduction in the Defence expenditure, the number of Ministers and Advisors, recovery of written-off loans, displayable income tax token for small shops and income tax on agriculture as part of its austerity plan. The two major expenditure items, straining the economy are debt servicing and non-development expenditure.
“Systematically, and gradually, reducing Defence expenditure and ensuring productive utilisation of resources”, were cited by sources as suggestions by the Finance Ministry for the austerity plan. The Cabinet would also approve a policy regarding procurement/import of armoured/bullet-proof vehicles for the public and private sectors.
Sources said that Cabinet Division had informed the Cabinet on December 8, 2009 that because of prevailing security situation in the country and continuing wave of terrorism, important public and private office holders have become vulnerable for such attacks.
Appreciating the requirement of the security of public and private office holders against threat of terrorism, Prime Minister Gilani directed that a policy for procurement/import of armoured/bullet-proof vehicles for public and private sectors be tabled before the Cabinet.
The magnitude of foreign exchange involved in import of foreign made vehicles has necessitated consideration of indigenous options for armouring of such vehicles. The Cabinet was, therefore, requested to consider different sets of options for providing bullet-proof vehicles.
Sources said that the Cabinet, while taking note of genuine security concerns, decided to refer the matter to the committee on austerity measures with directions to further evaluate the options and submit workable recommendations along with the proposed austerity measures to be considered by the cabinet in its special meeting.
“Restructuring of public sector enterprises (PSEs), rationalisation of government size, review of current and federal legislative lists, budgetary measures, substantial curtailment of foreign visits, use of commercial flights instead of chartered flights, expenses on public offices, two weekly holidays, security and energy efficiency and conservation are the main proposals of the Austerity Plan,” the documents said.
Other recommendations are that expenditure on all development programs should be linked with result-oriented performance and the scope and modus operandi of Special Development Program (SDP) needs to be reformed so that leakages could be plugged.
Proper evaluation of donor-funded projects, particularly the projects financed through foreign borrowing, simplicity from the top downwards, and one-dish be made compulsory for all types of functions without any exception in public and/or private sectors.
Federal Cabinet Meeting Underway was first posted on December 16, 2009 at 1:06 pm.
Mullen, Gen Kayani Hold Talks
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan News: Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, has called on Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani at GHQ on Wednesday.
He discussed with COAS issues relating to ongoing operation against Taliban militants in South Waziristan, enhancing partnership between the two militaries and the overall security situation of the region with focus on Afghanistan.
Mullen seeks to reassure Pakistan’s military and civilian leadership that the Afghanistan surge is part of a long-term commitment to the region – not just a short-term fix. He arrived in Islamabad for his 14th trip as the nation’s top military officer, telling the Pakistani military that the US seeks to reverse years of what one senior official called “mistrust and betrayal”.
Mullen, Gen Kayani Hold Talks was first posted on December 16, 2009 at 1:12 pm.
PAF Fighter Jet Crashes in Chakwal
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan News: PAF Fighter Jet Crashes in Chakwal, Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Mirage fighter jet has been crashed in district Chakwal on Wednesday.
According to PAF spokesman, pilot has been ejected safely and no damage has been reported on the ground. The crash happened due to technical fault, he added.
PAF Fighter Jet Crashes in Chakwal was first posted on December 16, 2009 at 1:42 pm.
Cabinet Mulling Over Two Weekly Offs
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan News: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani is currently chairing a session of the federal cabinet.
The Chief Ministers of Punjab and Sindh are in the meeting as well.
Federal Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin presented to the cabinet Austerity Committee’s report on curtailing government expenditures.
At the commencement of the session, the PM Gilani congratulated the House on the consensus constitution of National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, after which the House prayed for the eternal peace of the deceased in Dera Ghazi Khan blast, which claimed yesterday at least 32 lives.
According to sources, the Austerity Committee’s report contains suggestions including two weekly off days.
The session is also reviewing the matter relating import of bullet-proof vehicles.
Cabinet Mulling Over Two Weekly Offs was first posted on December 16, 2009 at 3:12 pm.
