Kayani acted not unconstitutionally in memo issue: PM Gilani

TrendPK.com
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani Wednesday said the ambiguity over the issue of the alleged memorandum now stands removed, adding the action taken up in this regard by Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani was not unconstitutional one.

Talking to media before leaving for Davos for World Economic Forum (WEF) moot, he said the country cannot afford the confrontation among the institutions, adding the viewpoint of all and sundry should be uniform in connection with the national interest.

“I want to dispel the impression that the military officials acted unconstitutionally or against the set regulations. Now, the situation is clear with doubts removed,” the PM Gilani stressed.

The PM Gilani remarked he gave the statement regarding Army Chief Kayani and the ISI chief Shuja Pasha under specific circumstances; adding he had to give the controversial statement with a view to contradictory orders from the high officials.

It should be mentioned here Federal Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, Federal Finance Minister Dr. Abdul Hafeez Sheikh and Senator Abbas Afridi are also with the PM Gilani in the visit. TrendPK

President Zardari, PM Gilani Hold one-on-one Meeting

Reports said the two leaders exchanged views over the current national and political satiation and discussed issues of mutual interest.

NAB Submits Swiss Account Report in SC

ISLAMABAD: The Chairman National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Tuesday submitted to the Supreme Court of Pakistan its report on Swiss Accounts of President Asif Ali Zardari.

The government has also prepared a review petition on rejection of its plea by the apex court seeking more time in the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) review hearing.

The NAB in its report said it did not know where money from Swiss accounts went.

It said former Attorney General Malik Qayyum had not written any letter except withdrawing of the Swiss cases, adding that authorities concerned had been informed to take action against Qayyum.

On Monday, the SC snubbed the government by rejecting its request to postpone the hearing of its review petition against the court verdict declaring the NRO illegal, setting a stage for the possibility of another confrontation on Wednesday.

28 Afghan civilians killed in US airstrike

KABUL: Dozens of civilians have been killed and several others injured in Afghanistan after US warplanes bombarded the country”s east, according to witnesses.

The American forces launched two airstrikes in Nangarhar province on Thursday morning, witnesses said.

One of the attacks left at least 30 people dead and injured. The other strike, which hit a funeral procession in a separate area, killed 28 civilians including two children.

Thursday”s incident came after another US airstrike killed at least 52 civilians, including several women and children, in the city of Sangin in southern Helmand province last month.

US-led forces in Afghanistan regularly launch attacks on alleged militant hideouts, but the strikes usually result in civilian casualties.

Despite a promise by the commander of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan to reduce civilian casualties, the civilian fatalities are on the rise.

In a new statement, General David Petraeus emphasized on Wednesday that protecting the Afghan people was the top priority in the nine-year war.

“We must continue — indeed, redouble — our efforts to reduce the loss of innocent civilian life to an absolute minimum,” said Petraeus.

Afghan president heads to Iran

KABUL: Afghan President Hamid Karzai left on Thursday for neighbouring Iran to attend a regional conference, his office said.

Karzai will deliver a speech to the meeting, the fourth to be held between the tripartite group of Afghanistan, Iran and Tajikistan, which share a language and Persian culture.

The Western-backed Karzai will hold talks with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, aiming to building stronger ties between the countries, Karzai”s office said in a statement.

India ready to discuss all issues with Pak: Krishna

NEW DELHI: India is willing to discuss everything with Pakistan in a “step-by-step” approach to resolve differences with the neighbouring country, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said Thursday.

“We have nothing to be afraid of let the nation understand India is willing to discuss everything,” he said in the Rajya Sabha during Question Hour.

He said that India favours a graduated and step-by-step approach in resolving differences with Pakistan, but cross-border hostilities will have to cease.

Israel wary over ”Hezbollisation” of Lebanon army

JERUSALEM: An Israeli official on Thursday warned of the danger of Hezbollah gaining influence over Lebanon”s army just days after a deadly exchange of fire along the border left four people dead.

“There is a danger of the Hezbollisation of the Lebanese army, if the army begins to behave like Hezbollah,” Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon told public radio referring to the Lebanese Shiite militia group.

“If Hezbollah manages to take control of the army, we will have to treat (the army) in a completely different manner,” he said.

Top Israeli officials have said that Hezbollah was not involved in Tuesday”s deadly exchange of fire with the Lebanese army, and have for the most part sought to play down the confrontation as an isolated incident.

Defence Minister Ehud Barak said the clashes, which killed two Lebanese soldiers and a journalist as well as a senior Israeli officer, were “a very grave provocation” but hastened to add that it was not planned by the Lebanese army.

NAB to withdraw 3 references against President

ISLAMABAD: The Prosecutor General has prepared a petition for withdrawal of three references against President Asif Ali Zardari on directives of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), sources said.

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NAB to withdraw 3 references against President

End confrontation against judiciary, says Nawaz

LAHORE: Muslim League (Nawaz) chief has called for the politics of reconciliation saying the confrontation against the judiciary should be brought to an end.

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End confrontation against judiciary, says Nawaz

Meeting Of PPP’s Core Committee Held At Presidency

President Asif Ali Zardari was contented as the confrontation between the government and judiciary on the issue of appointment of superior court judges eventually ended.
President presided a meeting of PPP’s core committee at the Presidency yesterday in which Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani was also present. Addressing the meeting, President said that PPP’s government does not want coonflicts among the institutions, rather want to move on with a cooperative policy. The meeting was also of the unanimous view that a heavy political, democratic and economic agenda awaited the government for implementation; where as social and political stability was essential for the pursuit of the agenda. The meeting of PPP’s core committee was attended by Syed Nayyar Hussain Bukhari, Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Nazar Mohammad Gondal, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Rehman Malik, Syed Khurshid Ahmad Shah, Syed Naveed Qamar, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Mian Raza Rabbani, Faisal Raza Abidi, Fauzia Wahab, Rukhsana Bangash and Farhatullah Babar.

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Meeting Of PPP’s Core Committee Held At Presidency was first posted on February 20, 2010 at 10:47 am.

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