Can’t ignore Pakistan role on Kashmir issue, says Omar

SRINAGAR: Chief Minister of Indian-held Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, has supported one of the interlocutors’ remarks about involving Pakistan to resolve the longstanding Kashmir dispute.

Omar said this, in fact, is the truth and there’s no avoiding it.

“What is new in this? When Vajpayee visited Pakistan, didn’t he discuss Kashmir? Is there not a resolution in Parliament where we want a part of Kashmir back from Pakistan? You include Pakistan in that, and when the interlocutors want to discuss Pakistan, you people have a problem with that. Pakistan has an important role in resolving the Kashmir issue, which cannot be ignored,” Omar said.

The remark by Dilip Padgaonkar had created a controversy and he had come under attack by the hardline BJP.

Earlier on Monday, the team of interlocutors, Dilip Padgaonkar, MM Ansari and Radha Kumar, met the Chief Minister

Arms recovered from Charbagh presented to media

SWAT: Arms recovered from Charbagh tehsil of Swat in different raids were presented to media on Friday.

Speaking to media on this occasion, Operational Commander Col. Ejaz said that five wanted terrorists were arrested and nine others surrendered during the last one-year.

Col. Ejaz said that 14 missiles, 29 rocket launchers, five hand grenades, KK rifles, huge quantity of bullets and other weapons.

Shariat doesn’t recognize telephonic ‘nikah’: Mufti Naeem

KARACHI: About Shoaib Malik’s alleged ‘nikah’ with India’s Ayesha Siddiqi on telephone, Mufti Muhammad Naeem says that Islamic Shariat does not recognize any such relationship, which cannot be trusted.

According to the Shariat, he said, eyewitnesses’s account is obligatory for the verification of nikah.

He said that the acceptance of both bride and groom in front of the eyewitnesses was necessary as per Shariat.

The telephonic testimony is not trustworthy according to the Shariat and neither there is any standing about the acceptance of groom.

Saudi team arrives in Pakistan to probe drug case

ISLAMABAD: A Saudi probe team arrived in Islamabad on Friday to hold an inquiry into a drug smuggling case involving three Pakistanis.

Sources close to the interior minister said that Saudi team would question the accused, Sarwat, Shafia and Faraz, who were arrested in Saudi Arab for possessing drugs during Umrah pilgrimage last year.

The Sindh Home Department has already sought permission from the court in this regard.

The police would move the accused from Karachi to Islamabad, where the Saudi team would question them.

Govt to strengthen state organs, political culture: PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Friday said the restoration of 1973 Constitution to its original form would strengthen sovereignty of the parliament and benefit the common man.

Gilani termed the consensus of political parties on the draft of constitutional reforms a “historic event”, which would prove good omen for the country and nation, Gilani said in his second address to the nation on radio.

“I assure you that our government in this situation will fulfill its duties and responsibilities of serving the masses with more dedication and sincerity,” he said.

“Our aim is not to increase our authority and command, but we consider the government as a mean to serve the people,” the prime minister said in his address.

The monthly address, on first Friday of every month, is aimed at apprising the people of the latest changes and the developments to bring about a revolutionary change in their lives.

Gilani mentioned the presentation of draft of Constitutional Reforms Committee in the parliament and lauded the efforts of the committee that worked with utmost responsibility and patriotism.

He also felicitated the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for a new name of their province, which was their longstanding demand.

The Prime Minister said the consensus of political parties on constitutional reforms showed that political leadership was completely sincere in resolving national issues.

“We want the strength of state institutions, promotion of reconciliatory politics and restoration of 1973 Constitution to its original form,” he said.

The Prime Minister took the nation into confidence over developments during last month including constitutional reforms, economy, law and order, good governance, loadshedding and inflation.

The Prime Minister said the government fully realized the problems of people particularly inflation and loadshedding that were casting negative effects on their lives.

He said Pakistan along with entire world was facing global recession and the government was striving to take solid steps to control inflation.

Syed Ali Gilani Says Ready to Talk to India

NEW DELHI: Veteran Kashmiri Hurriyet leader Syed Ali Shah Gilani surprisingly deviated his longtime hard-line stand on Thursday when he hinted at holding bilateral talks with India.

Chief of his own faction of separatist All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) is a firm supporter of Kashmir’s independence from Indian occupation and union of the disputed valley with Pakistan by Kashmiri’s right of self determination.

“Kashmir issue can be resolved by negotiations and Hurriyat Conference is ready to sit with India to resolve the longstanding dispute,” Gilani told the newsmen in New Delhi.

Gilani, 81, has always insisted on resolving the dispute by holding trilateral talks involving India, Pakistan and Kashmiris in the light of United Nations’ resolutions.

“Our party has adopted a mildness in its stance and is ready to talk to India besides the fact that India has not acted upon the U.N.’s resolutions,” he added.