Qadri got himself in Taseer’s security: witness
RAWALPINDI: An Anti Terrorism Court (ATC) Saturday had statements of three more witnesses recorded and later adjourned the hearing till April 2.
Judge of the special court, Raja Akhlaq heard the case of accused Mumtaz Qadri in Adiala Jail.
During the trial, statements of three policemen were recorded.
Umer Farooq, the policeman who served as Duty Head Mohrar in his statement recorded by the court said Mumtaz Qadri was made part of Governor Punjab’s security detail on his (Qadri’s) insistence.
PM Gilani rules out any amendment in blasphemy law
Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani said the government will work with other political parties to pursue the 10 point agenda proposed by PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif through a letter to him. The Prime Minister also ruled out any amendment in the blasphemy law.
Talking to media after an inauguration ceremony of OIC village and designation of Abrarul Haq as OIC humanitarian ambassador, the Prime Minister said the leaders of parliamentary parties will guide and assist the government as it works on the agenda.
To a question about reports of pressure from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for privatization of institutions, he said the government will do things which are in the interest of the country. Gilani said the government is representative of people and will do everything within its resources to provide relief to masses.
He said it is nothing unusual if his family comes under criticism. He said a parliamentary committee is looking into the Hajj scandal and PML-N members who levelled accusations will appear before it and then the report will be put before parliament. The matter is also subjudice before the court, he added.
To a question about the statement of Pope Benedict on blasphemy law, Gilani said the government will follow laws of Pakistan and he has already categorically stated that there will be no change in the law.He urged media to be responsible and said controversy on blasphemy law should be stopped.He said Interior Minister will make public the investigation into assassination of Governor Punjab late Salman Taseer.
The Prime Minister said the stakeholders who have reservations on the revision of petroleum products could hold meetings with Finance Ministry on the issue
He said he respects chief of JUI-F Maulana Fazlur Rehman and the government will work with others to find solution to problems.
Ex-Attorney General Latif Khosa appointed as Governor Punjab
According to the latest reports of trendpk.com.Com, it is known that Ex-Attorney General Latif Khosa has been appointed as the new Govenor Punjab.
Earlier to this appointment, Latif Khosa had a meeting with Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani in Islamabad. He also had a meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari in Karachi last night. It is learnt that Latif Khosa is considered to be among the few close associates of President Zardari. Previously Latif Khosa has also been appointed as Attorney General of Pakistan and advisor to the Prime Minister.
The need of this appointment for a new Governor Punjab arose after the assassination of Salman Taseer on 4th January 2011.
Rawalpindi: Salmans killer Qadri presented before ATC
Assassin of Governor Punjab Salman Taseer Mumtaz Qadri has been presented before Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Rawalpindi on Thursday, trendpk.com reported.
Brought under strict security the joint investigation team presented Mumtaz Qadri before a special ATC today. Owing to the security risks, Rawalpinds anti-terrorism court has been shifted to Islamabad for todays proceeding on Governor Salaman Taseers murder. Earlier yesterday, Taseers assassin was presented in Islamabads court. The Islamabad court handed over Qadri to the police under one days remand and instructed to present him in Rawalpindis anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Thursday (today). During initial probe, the joint investigation team brought Mumtaz Qadri at Taseers murder spot at Kohsar Market in Sector F-63, Islamabad and asked him to draw a map of the murder plan. Later on the investigation team repeated (dramatized) all murder acts while the FIA forensic team collected some proofs from the site. The investigation team has forwarded an initial investigation report to the Interior Ministry. According to the initial report, up till now no evidence has been founded for assassins links with any partyMeanwhile, the initial probe report into Taseers killing would be presented to the Chief Minister Punjab today.
The report is being presented the by the inquiry committee, formed by CM Shahbaz Sharif to look into the tragic incident.The committee is headed by Additional IG special branch Nasir Khan Durrani. Additional IG Mushtaq Sakheer and DIG Shoaib Dastgeer are members of it. It has been learnt that around 32 guards of elite force were escorting Governor Punjab in Lahore, while the number of these guards was 16 in Islamabad, adding that none of the guards was from Lahore. It is being investigated why the number of elite force was reduced in the Federal capital. The report also revealed that killing of the Governor was individual act of the assassin but the phone records of killer Mumtaz Qadri would also help in further investigation.
LHC moved for Governor Taseers disqualification
A petition has been filed in the Lahore High Court seeking disqualification of Governor Punjab Salman Taseer.
The petitioner argued that the Governor had not intimated anyone before leaving for Sri Lanka, which is against the Article 104 of the Constitution and thus he be disqualified. He added that no acting Governor was made in his (Taseer) place even when the Speaker of Punjab Assembly could be made.
The federal government , DG FIA and Principal Secretary to Governor Taseer are made parte in the case.
Punjab Govt wants to occupy Governor House: Taseer
Governor Punjab Salman Taseer said that Punjab government wanted to occupy Governor House.
Talking to media in Lahore, the Governor said that he was not going to anywhere, he was in Lahore but some channels and newspapers were presenting and publishing wrong stories. He said that he advised Punjab CM Shahbaz Sharif to run his government without any fear of government fall. He said that he was surprised at the working of Geo and Jang group, and Ansar Abbasi was writing biased reports.
People want me to disappear, says Taseer
Governor Punjab Salman Taseer has said that Punjab government wants to encroach on the Governor house and that there are people who want me to disappear but I would stay, trendpk.Com reported on Sunday.
Talking to media in the 27th Governor Golf Cup tournament in Lahore Gymkhana Salman Taseer said that the Punjab government is running on a stay order and people belonging to the government are also seen moving and interacting with the terrorists. Governor Punjab further said that he applauds Mina Nawaz Sharifs forbearance for Rana Sanaullah who uttered disgraceful remarks about the Sharif family. The governor told the media that all the projects of Punjab government have failed miserably while Rs. 2 billion have been wasted on Sasti Roti scheme and now money is being misused in the name of Ashiana Housing Scheme.
Sanaullah plays prank on Taseer
An interesting situation is witnessed on Wednesday when Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah expressed concern over the disappearance of Governor Taseer, who was later found in Sukkur.
When contacted, Governor Punjab Salman Taseer told News Trends via phone that he is in Sukkur to attend his friends marriage and would reach Karachi by evening today.
Earlier, while talking to media outside the Punjab Assembly, Rana hinted at filing a reference against the Governor, who, he said, had gone to abroad sans intimation. If we dont get any information regarding his whereabouts, the Speaker Punjab would be asked to take over as acting Governor,a seemingly concerned Sanaullah told the reporters. He also directed the IG Punjab to search out the Governor at the earliest.
CJP dubbed Nawaz as corrupt, says Taseer
Once again, Governor Punjab Salman Taseer targeted PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif, saying that instead of making Pakistan Asian tiger, he himself became a tiger.
Addressing the students of Fatima Jinnah University at Islamabad, Taseer said that even Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry termed Nawaz a corrupt man.
He regretted that his name has not been enlisted in the Wikileaks, however dubbed the Wiki as a baseless thing. He called upon Nawaz to tell the nation from where he got the billion of rupees with which he made his Raiwand mansion. Referring to Asia Bibis blasphemy case, the Governor said that he is accountable to Allah and not to the clerics. Later, he distributed degrees among the pass students.
Sanaullah sees mid-term polls only way to dislodge govt
Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah on Wednesday termed mid-term polls only way to get rid of the incumbent government for in-house change is out of question.
Talking to media outside Punjab Assembly, Sanaullah said that Governor Punjab Salamn Taseer, if he had any grievances about any decision, should move the courts instead of giving irresponsible statements.
Referring to Chief Justice Lahore High Court Khawaja Shairf, Rana said neither he was appointed not restored by the PML-N and hence he should not be compared to the appointment of NAB chief. NAB chief should be a neutral to ensure transparency in dispensation of justice, the minister stated.
Replying to a question about coalition in Punjab, he said that the alliance in the province would stay intact for Pakistan Peoples Party would want that too, but criticized Babar Awan and Salman Taseer for being harmful in this regard.
