Govt. and PML-N have reconciled on NRO: Ch Shujaat

Lahore, Pakistan:- Pakistan Muslim League-Q President Chaudhary Shujaat Hussain says that reconciliation has been envisaged between government and PML-N on the National Reconciliation Ordinance.

Former president Pervez Musharraf had issued NRO on October 5, 2007 under which cases against politicians were withdrawn on political grounds.

Hussain claimed that PML-N members would remain absent from the voting. Separately, PML-N leader Khawja Asif told that NRO was a black law which was against the sprit of democracy. Asif maintained that PML-N was opposed to the approval of NRO.

Hilary Clinton Phones PM Gilani

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: US Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton telephoned the Prime Minister, Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani this evening to express her gratitude for the warm hospitality accorded to her by the Government of Pakistan during her just concluded visit.

The PM lauded her efforts for trying to clear the misperceptions about the strategic partnership between the two countries through her wide ranging and extensive interaction with the political leadership, media, youth and members of the civil society in Pakistan.

He noted that it was for the first time that a high level US dignitary had gone a distance to assure our people of the strong US commitment to Pakistan.

The Prime Minister stated that while his government will continue striving forever more strengthen bilateral relations, the US should help pursue this goal by starting the strategic dialogue between the two countries.

The US secretary of State assured the Prime Minister that as has been agreed in their meeting, the proposal of strategic dialogue was discussed with her Pakistani counterpart and will be implemented.

She also apprised the PM that she has instructed Ambassador Richard Holbrook her special Envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan and the US Ambassador in Islamabad for undertaking proactive measures to follow up on the decisions reached between the two sides during her visit.

She requested the Prime Minister to convey her best wishes to the political leadership and members of Pakistan’s Parliament as well.

Dr. Afia Siddique unconditional release sought

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan : The Senate Standing Committee on Interior on Saturday urged unconditional release and repatriation of detained Dr. Afia Siddique by the US administration if it wanted to win hearts and minds of Pakistanis.

The meeting chaired by Chairman Senator Mohammad Talha Mehmood discussed in detail Dr.Afia’s case and the issue of Pakistanis detained in foreign countries’ jails.

The committee said the US must release Dr. Afia  without any further delay.

Senator Talha Mehmood said all diplomatic channels should be extensively exploited for the early repatriation of Dr. Afia.

A Foreign Ministry representative told the meeting that as many as 6037 Pakistanis were languishing in foreign jails, mostly in UAE, Saudi Arabia and China, adding that one third of them were arrested on charges of drug trafficking.

The meeting was informed that Pakistan embassy in Washington had informed brothers of Dr. Afia for hiring a team of lawyers of their family choice to contest her case.

The committee expressed its reservations over information that lawyers were only assisting the court and not acting as lead lawyers in the case.

It condemned inhuman treatment meted out to Dr. Afia during detention, adding if US was serious in image building in the eyes of Pakistanis then it must respect Pakistani citizens.

The committee decided to raise Dr. Afia’s case at every platform in order to press for her unconditional release and for molding public opinion in this regard.

The committee also sought suggestions from the ministries of law and foreign affairs regarding taking the issue to the International Court of Justice and the legal implications.

Among others who attended the meeting were  Senator Almas Perveen, Saeeda Soghra Imam, Haji Adeel, Begum Najma Hameed, Dr Abdul Malik and representatives of law and foreign ministries.