Supreme Court says no intention to send PM Gilani to jail

TrendPK.com

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court has observed that it may review Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani’s contempt of court notice if he writes to Swiss authorities for reopening of corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari, TrendPK reports.

A seven-member SC bench, headed by Justice Nair-ul-Mulk, heard the case today before adjourning it till tomorrow (Thursday).  

Urging the government to implement NRO verdict in its letter and spirit, the bench observed that the court have no intention to send premier of the country to jail.

The court has exempted PM Gilani from appearing after he faced the jury on January 19th amid tight security and protocol.

Veteran lawyer and PM Gilani’s counsel, Aitzaz Ahsan contended on the issue of immunity to Zardari which is the main reason cited by the government not to ask the Swiss authorities to reopen graft cases against the President.

Ahsan harped on the same mantra that PM has not committed any contempt of court by not ordering National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for reopening cases of Swiss accounts kept by Benazir Bhutto and President Zardari which according to him enjoys immunity in the country and abroad under Article 248 of the Constitution.

During the course of hearing, Aitzaz said PM Gilani did not write to Swiss officials keeping in view President Zardair’s immunity, adding that Gilani was advised by his law secretary for this step.

“The Prime Minister himself can’t read the detailed verdict issued by the court in National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) implementation case, therefore, he is assisted by his advisors and subordinates which proposed him not to write to Swiss authorities,” the lawyer argued before the jury.

To which, Justice Nasir said that earlier the PM had said it was his own decision and that no one advised him.

“The PM gave a priority to his subordinates over the court verdict and did not write the letter. He acts upon advices of his subordinate officials but not on the SC court rulings. This step is not an evidence of PM’s goodwill and sincerity.”

Justice Asif Saeed Saeed Khaosa, a member of the bench, said “the PM has said he is ready to go to jail, instead of writing letter to Swiss authorities. Isn’t it the contempt of court?”

He observed that “the court has not intension to send the PM to jail. We just want NRO verdict to be implemented and for that Mr. Gilani must write the letter.”

Aitzaz said the SC severed contempt notice to PM Gilani but never issued any notice to him for implementation of the NRO verdict. “There is a sound reasoning for not acting upon the court orders as PM enjoys immunity for discharging this duty.”

At which Justice Nasir said contempt notice is associated with the immunity “so there is no need for carrying on the contempt case proceeding if government proves immunity for the president”.

To which Airzaz replied “Satisfy the court on Article 248 is not mandatory during the initial hearing.”

About the immunity protection, the jury said President should approach the court for his claims of having immunity.

During the hearing, an interesting situation developed when Aitzaz, the lawyer of PM, used the word “accused” for Gilani. However, Justice Asif Saeed corrected it, saying that the word can’t be used for the PM before any chargesheet is presented against him.

The court, later, adjourned hearing of the case till tomorrow (Thursday). TrendPK

Zardari calls NA session on Feb.1

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ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has called the session of National Assembly on February 1st , TrendPK reports Monday.

The sources said the session is expected to pass the Twentieth Amendment. TrendPK
Come back for more details.

Memo issue: Parliament body calls Ijaz on Feb.10

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ISLAMABAD: Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS) once again summoned American-Pakistani Businessman Mansoor Ijaz on February 10, TrendPK reports Thursday.

The committee held its meeting with Mian Raza Rabbani presiding over in the federal capital. Attorney General of Pakistan Maulvi Anwarul Haq briefed the meeting over Ijaz’s security.

Raza Rabbani said the committee came to an apparent conclusion that security provided to Ijaz was satisfactory, adding it is unjustifiable on his part to avoid coming to Pakistan on the basis of security.

The committee chairman said Ijaz will be served notice through foreign ministry and the Secretary Memo Commission will be the first person who will take evidences from him as he flies in.

The AGP told the committee that Ijaz has been assured of every possible security measures; however, no reply has been received from him thus far. TrendPK

PM says no clash with army leadership

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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has once again dismissed the impression of civilian government’s clash with military leadership over the memogate scandal, saying that he declared army statements illegal under ‘specific circumstances’, TrendPK reports.

The PM had termed ‘unconstitutional’ and ‘illegal’ the statements of army and ISI chiefs submitted to Supreme Court in memo scandal case.

“I want to rule out this impression being taken from my statement that Mr. Kayani and Mr. Pasha’s affidavits were illegal. I said that under some specific circumstances and now the situation is clear to all,” Gilani said while talking to newsmen at Islamabad airport before leaving for Davos-Klosters, Switzerland to attend annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF).

He was accompanied by Finance Minister Hafeez Sheikh, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar and Senator Abbas Afridi. TrendPK

Libya rebels cheer in Tripoli, Gadhafi’s sons held

TRIPOLI, Libya — Libyan rebels waved opposition flags and shot into the air in jubilation after reaching Tripoli’s central Green Square, Sky news live footage from the scene showed in the early hours of Monday.

The vast square, reserved until now for carefully orchestrated rallies praising Moammar Gadhafi, erupted in celebration after rebel troops pushed into the center of the Libyan capital overnight.

The rebel leadership said Gadhafi’s son and one-time heir apparent Seif al-Islam had been arrested.Rebel leaders later said a second Gadhafi son, Mohammed, and the top military unit in charge of protecting the Libyan leader surrendered.

Associated Press reporters with the rebels said they met little resistance as they moved from the western outskirts into the capital in a dramatic turning of the tides in the 6-month-old Libyan civil war. The rebels took control of one neighborhood, Ghot Shaal, on the western edge of the city. They set up checkpoints as rebel trucks rolled into Tripoli.

One of the rebels, Mohammed al-Zawi, 30, said he was in a convoy of more than 10 trucks that entered Ghot Shaal. He said they progressed as far as the neighborhood of Girgash, about a mile and a half from Green Square, where Gadhafi supporters have gathered nightly throughout the uprising to rally for their leader of more than 40 years.

He said the rebels came under fire from a sniper on a rooftop in the neighborhood.

“They will enter Green Square tonight, God willing,” al-Zawi said.

Sidiq al-Kibir, the rebel leadership council’s representative for the capital Tripoli, confirmed the arrest of Seif al-Islam to the AP but did not give any further details.

Earlier, Gadhafi said he will stay in Tripoli “until the end” and called on his supporters around the country to help liberate the capital from a rebel offensive.

He said in an audio message played over state television he was “afraid that Tripoli will burn” and he said he would provide weapons to supporters to fight off the rebels.

Sialkot: Unknown people attack Firdous office

According to details, some unidentified persons attacked the camp office of Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan on Frdiday morning and damaged office furniture.

Talking to News Trends, Dr Firdous Ashiq alleged that the PML-N workers attacked her camp office and the leadership of the N-Leagues should take notice of the incident.

Civil Lines Police Station SHO told News Trends that 20 to 30 demonstrators riding on motorcycles were involved in this incident.

World Cup 2011: Pakistan’s Captain will be Announced After 19 January

The captain for Pakistan cricket team for ICC World Cup 2011 will be announced after 19 January, said Ijaz Butt chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board on Saturday. The PCB sources said that there is no decision is taken by PCB yet that who will lead the team in the mega event, Afridi is not a certain choice as captain but the final decision about this isseu will be announced after 19 January, the day when the Test series between Pakistan and New Zealand ends. Afridi came under scathing attack for his leadership when talking to media, he critisized on some issues. The limited-over captain was the leading run-scorer in One-Day Internationals for Pakistan last year with 601 and also retrived the highest 19 wickets with Shoaib Akhtar.

Afridi was maintained as captain for the T20 series against New Zeland. However, defeat in the series there were questions regarding his captaincy skills as the PCB decides on a successor. There is an opinion within the PCB that test team captain Misbah-ul-Haq should be made leader for the limited-overs cricket too and if the test captain will give his full performance and give good results, there is a possibility give him the responsibility for the leadership of the mega event. The chairman Ijaz Butt was asked by a media man, if changing the captain right before the World Cup would harm the team, the chairman said, “The media is going create a ruckus if we announce it now and if we do it later. So it’s better if we wait.”

The supporters of Shahid Afridi believe that a particular lobby based in Lahore is already pushing for his sacking as captain and wants him to be replaced by Misbah-ul-Haq, who is the captain of test cricket team of Pakistan.

It is to be noted that at the time when all other cricket boards are giving final shape to their preparations for World Cup 2011, Pakistan cricket is teeming with conspiracy theories. The World Cup 2011 is just about six weeks away and Pakistan are already dogged by a series of problems including spot-fixing scandal.

Corrupt leaders trying to destabilize judicial system: Imran

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan said that corrupt leaders were trying to destabilize judicial system and wanted to remove Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, the chairman said that it was wrong to give powers of judges appointments to political leaders. He said, a person who was involved in the illegally occupation of a CDA land, was the member of the present judges selection committee.

Commenting on the WikiLeaks revelations, the chairman said that the reports had exposed our leadership adding that the leadership sold the nation for their own interests.

Pak Saudi relations at strain

Saudi Arabia is not only our Muslim brother but also a time tested and dependable friend. The Rulers and the People of Saudi Arabia have always supported the People of Pakistan whenever required, whether it be UN sanction due to atomic test or natural disasters like earth quake or flood. The people of Pakistan proudly thank to King Abdullah and the Saudi people as well for their lasting support in the hour of need. May Allah Almighty shower His blessings to the Custodian of two Holy mosques and the peoples of Saudi Arabia for this kind help – this is NOT the first time – Saudi Government and the peoples of Saudi Arabia were helping Pakistan before also – any time Pakistan needs help.

Governor Punjab Salman Taseer had been recently talking bad about Saudi king, there is no doubt that being a diplomat or a politician is a great responsibility but all the Ministers including Governor Punjab have entered into a competition:” Who will prove himself/herself as more loyal to Zardari and to hell with nation”. It is very shameful for our corrupt leadership who is losing the tested friends of Pakistan and seeking help from its real enemies. They are absolutely unaware of the real diplomacy which is the foundation and practical realization of politics. Have our leadership undergone any training and experience of running the affairs of this country? They are only trained to wear brand name suits, shirts, and ties and wear shoes and spray perfumes on the cost of the nation. They are least bothered about the enemy surrounding and sitting right above our heads, always planning how to finish us. Our leadership is only enjoying and travelling foreign trips.

In fact Salman Taseer had never been exactly the favorite person of the people of Pakistan. His recent hard talk against King Abdullah and Saudi Arabia is against the all norms of diplomacy. Firstly if we speak about diplomacy on an international scale, the true diplomacy is an ability to make and maintain relations between states and international subjects as main task of a diplomat is to win wars by words, not weapons, but the same ability can nowhere be found in the comments given by the Governor Punjab, which otherwise was not his prerogative. He should have been flexible and smooth-tongued while working on such a top position of the country. Secondly, I am inclined to believe that diplomacy is the art of building and maintaining relations between governments and other international organizations, and searching for compromise for decision-making on different problems by doing and saying the nastiest thing in the nicest way, but such art and skill is non existent in whole of our leadership. They are determined to sacrifice their all the allies and tested friends either for their personal gains or on the direction of their “boss”. Today Pakistan’s ties with Saudi Arabia appear to be under high strain due to such hard talks. We are rapidly loosing another tested friend China by adopting Washington’s counterproductive policies. We have rested with no standing in the eyes of other nations also only due to this visionless leadership. The people of Pakistan can conclude from this statement:

“That which has never happened in the history of Pakistan seems to be about to happen. Pakistan seems hell bent on destroying its relationship with its best Islamic ally that has stood by it through thick and thin – Saudi Arabia.”

I am sorry; we are not doing anything for Pakistan except verbally saying good things about it and defending it in front of all the people inside the country and outside. It is high time that people of Pakistan should realize how bad the results are when they do not make right use of their vote; whole nation has to suffer. It is sad that they still vote for bad and corrupt people. There is an old adage which says that fools learn from their own mistakes while smart people learn from someone else’s mistakes. In spite of the fact that it is difficult to argue against the wisdom of the past, I am convinced that fools are unable to learn just by their definition, so to say – by default! And the failure that occurred once in real life is most unlikely to be repeated again – if we are not talking about full-time idiots… The people of Pakistan feel frustrated when they have a look on news papers filled with corruption stories of our leaders, even confessed by the leaders on TV about the corruption in different departments under the PPP led government. We all should think hard about doing at least one good thing for Pakistan and stop being negative. Please for God sake, do not vote for such people, also inform your family, friends and countrymen and women to be aware of such people. They can not do any good for this country. It is very important for this nation at this stage to bring people who are good, truthful and honest Muslims, and only they can run the country much more efficiently than these corrupt and inefficient people. Pakistan’s relations with Saudi Arabia predate its birth in 1947, when independence movement was at climax. And many Pakistanis, like Muslims in all other Muslim countries, feel strongly tied to Saudi Arabia because of the traditional Islamic pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca. The people of Pakistan should come on roads and publicly condemn the attempts being made by our leadership to undermine the traditionally close ties between the two countries.

Only 20 percent people support MQM in Sindh: Zardari

In latest revelations of WikiLeaks, it is found that Asif Ali Zardari says only 20 percent people in Sindh support MQM and this leadership is due to division of provincial boundaries.

The WikiLeaks revealed are found to be of the meeting of Asif Zardari with US ambassador on 25th January 2008 after the assassination of Benazir Bhutto. At that point of time, Asif Ali Zardari demanded deployment of Army in order to stop swindling in elections. He also assured US that after winning the elections, he will form a government of national alliance. In his conversation, he also mentioned Nawaz Sharif as a shy man. He also said that even MQM has an aggressive stance but we would make an alliance with them. In order to carry on the legacy of Benazir, he would be needing the support of US, Asif Zardari said. He wanted to become the Prime Minister with the support of United States. Asif Zardari also stated that after 9/11, Pakistan received 62 billion dollars as international aid but how and where Musharraf government utilized that money, nobody knows.

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