Lawyers’ country-wide protest against Karachi killings

TrendPK.com

KARACHI: The lawyer community on Thursday protested targeted murder of their three colleagues which police and government authorities said was a sectarian attack, TrendPK reports.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.

Three lawyers, among them a father and his son, were shot dead and a fourth wounded on Wednesday after armed motorcyclists sprayed bullets at their car in Arambagh area. The slain lawyers were identified as Shakeel Jafferi, Kafeel Jafferi and Badar Munir.

Police officials and Sindh home minister Manzoor Wasan said the attack was sectarian. “We have noticed a few sectarian killings lately, which are aimed at creating chaos in Karachi,” he told reporters.

Also, the Sindh High Court (SHC) has took a suo moto notice of the assassinations, summoning Inspector General (IG) Sindh Police and Director General Rangers, seeking a report from the officials on Wednesday’s murders and law and order situation in the city.

Meanwhile, the Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry also vehemently condemned the murders.

The incident prompted Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and other national bodies of the legal fraternity to announce nation-wide strike and court boycott in protest against the incident.

Responding the call, law practitioners in Karachi boycotted proceedings of City Court and Malir Court on Thursday, and took to roads, staging sit-in on M.A Jinnah Road.

They chanted slogans against the government for what they called its failure in providing security to the lawyers and curbing target killing incidents in the metropolis.

The lawyer leaders on the occasion announced a three-day court boycott in Sindh, and demanded immediate arrest of the culprits.

In Islamabad and Rawalpindi, the lawyers boycotted courts, expressing solidarity with their colleagues in Karachi. They also condemned sectarian and politically-motivated attacks against Karachi’s lawyers.
 
Moreover, a similar strike was also observed in high courts and civil courts of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces where the lawyers demanded of the government to give compensation to the victim families.

According to the Karachi Bar Council, 20 lawyers were killed in Sindh last year, 15 of them in Karachi. TrendPK

CM Sharif responsible for drug-caused deaths: Latif Khosa

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LAHORE: Punjab Governor Sardar Muhammed Latif Khosa Thursday said Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif is responsible for deaths caused by the massive reaction of heart medicines which hitherto claimed over hundred lives in Punjab.

Talking to media after addressing a ceremony at University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, he said even the ablest and most competent person cannot run 18 ministries single-handedly, adding Punjab is being ruled over in the fashion of Mughal emperors. TrendPK
Please click ‘Video’ button to watch Khosa speak.

CM Sharif brings Health Department in focus: Rana Sana

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LAHORE: Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah Thursday said the legislation in connection with the fake medicines will be undertaken as and when Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif returns home after his Germany visit.

Replying to a question over the proposed bill banning musical concerts at educational institutions in the province, the law minister said the objectionable concerts alone have been restricted under the proposed bill.

Standing outside the Punjab Assembly in front of media persons, Rana said the CM Sharif is giving attention to the Health Department, adding no one can be punished over the issue relating the medicine reaction until the culpability is determined. TrendPK
Please click ‘Video’ button to watch Rana speak.

Ch Nisar flays Gilani for retracting anti-army remarks

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ISLAMABAD: Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Thursday criticized the government for its security policy and lambasted Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani for what he called ‘unjustified’ statements of the premier, TrendPK reports.

In a bid to defuse the worst tensions between civilian leaders and the military, the PM on Wednesday retracted from his remarks that army chief Gen Ashfaq Pervez Kayani and Director General ISI Ahmed Shuja Pasha had acted unconstitutionally when submitted their statements to Supreme Court in controversial memo scandal case.

“I want to dispel the impression that the military leadership acted unconstitutionally or violated rules. The previous remarks were made in different context,” said Prime Gilani, adding that “The current situation cannot afford conflict among the institutions.”

On Thursday, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan lashed out at the PM and the government, saying that the PM was ‘humiliating’ his office by issuing ‘unjustified’ statements for last few weeks.

“It’s a joke with the Parliament and the nation that PM issues confusing statements and later retracts under unknown fear or any deal,” the opposition leader said while speaking to newsmen outside the Parliament House.

Nisar said neither there should be any clash between institutions nor any deal. “We must think beyond our personal and political interests.”

He said urged Gilani to explain his remarks before the legislature. “He (Gilani) should think twice and at least consult with his legal experts before making statements”.

About the parliamentary committee for national security which is probing into the memo scandal, he says the body can’t replace the Parliament.

To a query about former president Gen (rtd) Pervez Musharraf’s homecoming, he said Punjab government would take all legal actions in case Musharraf arrives in the province. TrendPK

Saraiki province call shouldnt die in Speakers chamber: Governor

Taking to the media after condoling death of PPP Lahore head Qasim Zia’s sister, Punjab Governor Latif Khosa said that the poetry of southern Punjab was enough to make the people understand about agonies and sufferings of the people of those areas. The thing which mattered was deprivation of the people.

He said that he was concerned about gorgeous development in Murree and devastating backwardness in Fort Minro.

He made it clear that he was ready to talk on the issue whether the province should be termed Saraiki, Pajnad or Southern Punjab.

Latif Khosa Appointed as Punjab Governor

ISLAMABAD, trendpk: President Asif Ali Zardari appointed close aide Latif Khosa to succeed the murdered governor of the Punjab province Salman Taseer on recommendation by Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani.

Earlier, President Zardari held consultations with senior leaders of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) in connection with the appointment of Punjab governor at Bilawal House in Karachi. The announcement was made public after an elaborate meeting between Latif Khosa and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, which was held on January 9.

Later on the same date, the PM Gilani sent to President Zardari the summary with recommendation for appointing Latif Khosa as new Punjab governor. According to President House’s spokesman Farhatullah Babar, Presdient Zardari today signed the summary.

Analysts say Khosa will try to avoid antagonising the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) to tamp down disputes that have paralysed the federal government. Though soft-spoken and non-confontational, he is an ardent supporter of the PPP.

Khosa is the successor of Salman Taseer, the outspoken governor of the central province of Punjab, who was gunned down by one of his bodyguards in Islamabad on Tuesday for supporting changes in the country’s blasphemy law.

Khosa said earlier on Saturday that Zardari had called him along with Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar and Finance Minister Hafeez Sheikh for a meeting in Karachi.

“I will accept whatever the decision of my leadership,” he said.

Taseer was fiery and often clashed publicly with Nawaz and his brother, Punjab Chief Minister Shabaz Sharif. Khosa, on the other hand, is soft-spoken and non-confrontational. But he is an ardent supporter of the PPP.

Khosa’s appointment comes just one day before an ultimatum given by Nawaz Sharif to Zardari’s government on Tuesday to accept a list of his demands or face expulsion of PPP members from the Punjab provincial government.

Latif Khosa is a Pakistani senator and advocate, and the previous Attorney General of Pakistan. He was appointed the Attorney General on 19 August, 2008. He co-authored an electoral fraud report with former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto shortly before her assassination in December 2007. Khosa was one of Bhutto’s top aides.

Senator Khosa appeared before the acting Chief Justice Javaid Iqbal in a hearing over the handling of the Iftikhar Chaudry sacking issue. Khosa claimed to be working to have the ex-Chief Justice reinstated.

Latif Khosa has been recently removed form the office of Attorney General of Pakistan on October 10th 2009 due to allegations and on 10 February 2010 as Advisor of Information Technology of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani.

On 20 July 2010, advisor to Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Information Technology Sardar Latif Khosa sent his resignation to the President after developing disagreements with the Premier.

Ultimatum Not in my Dictionary: Nawaz Sharif

Pakistan Muslim League (N) chief Nawaz Sharif has said the word of ultimatum was not in his dictionary and he didn’t give any ultimatum to the government.

Addressing a press conference in Raiwind, Nawaz said he is pleased that the prime minister has given positive response to his agenda.

He said Pakistan economy going down day by day. He said, “my agenda is prosperity of the nation.”

Gilani’s phone to Nawaz

Political leaders said on Monday that Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani’s telephone to PML-N Chief Nawaz Sharif had eased political situation and described it as a democratic process and positive development.

Information Secretary of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Fauzia Wahab told VOA, “I believe we need the same atmosphere. If we want our country to make progress and weed out extremism and terrorism, we should unite otherwise we cannot achieve our goals.”

She said that the development would be good for the country, not only for Punjab but also for the Centre and added “We should remember that our survival is in democracy and powerful democratic institutions.”

About the possible appointment of PPP leader Latif Khosa as Punjab Governor, she said though she had not received any notification in this regard. If he is appointed, it will be a positive step, she said.

“I believe Latif Khosa is a well-known person of Punjab. Secondly, he has a great say in his own lawyer community,” she added.

Chairman of Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Raja Zafarul Haq said that Gilani’s phone to Nawaz Sharif would calm the political situation and perhaps the government started taking measures for the betterment of people.

A political analyst Professor Rasool Bukhsh Raees described the reconciliation between the country’s two major parties as a good omen for the nation and the country.

PMs advisor Latif Khosa tenders resignation

Prime Ministers advisor on IT Latif Khosa has tendered his resignation. Whereas, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has accepted his resignation. Cabinet Division has issued notification of the resignation. Dunya News has received a copy of the notification which states that on the directive of the PM, Latif Khosa has tendered his resignation. According to sources, it is expected that he will appear as government counsel in the NRO review case before the Supreme Court instead of Kamal Azfar.

Lahore: Lawyers storm Justice Kh Sharif’s office

Lawyers of the Lahore District Bar attacked office of the Chief Justice Lahore High Court to press their demand for the transfer of a Session Judge Zawar Ahmed from Lahore, Dunya News reported on Thursday.
Score of furious lawyers assailed and ransacked the office of Justice Khawaja Sharif when they were protesting appointment of Zawar Ahmed Sheikh in the session court. They barged into the room of CJ LHC; however, police foiled their attempt. They lawyers shattered windowpanes of the office and staged protest demonstration in the court premises afterwards. The legal fraternity chanted slogans against Zawar Ahmed Sheikh and set on effigy of Khawaja Sharif in the demonstration.

Blue eyed of Babar, Latif hold anti-judiciary demo: Qazi Anwar
Chairman Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) Qazi Anwar condemned the incident and maintained that the elements resorting to the protest are the blue eyed of Babar Awan and Latif Khosa.
He asserted that such acts are aimed at harming the recently established rule of law in the country.
He called upon the concerned Bar to take action against the nasty elements.

Babar Awan, Latif Khosa behind lawyers protest: Hamid Khan
Senior lawyer Hamid Khan, while talking to Dunya TV, said that a specific group is resorting to such anti-judiciary acts.
Such incidents are meant to bring bad name to the lawyer fraternity, Hamid said.
He said that some black sheep wanted to harm the institutions. He also hinted at the alleged involvement of Federal Law Minister Babar Awan and Latif Khosa behind the incident.

Lawyers have no say in judges appointment: Justice Nasira
Talking to Dunya News on the issue, Justice (r) Nasira Iqbal deplored on the incident and said that it seemed as if everybody is taking law into his hands. She stated that the lawyers have no authority to decide about the appointments of judges, adding that Zawar Sheikhs repute is good and he has not been charged with anything.

Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir calls on Krishna in Delhi

Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir met with Indian External Minister SM Krishna in New Delhi.
Salman handed over the roadmap of the proposed Composite Dialogue to Krishna, and added that the roadmap be implemented to further the talks between the two countries. He noted that both the countries should move ahead the dialogue process for regional peace. The two men also discussed other outstanding issues.

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Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir calls on Krishna in Delhi was first posted on February 26, 2010 at 12:23 pm.

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