ANP backs nationalists, PPP vows counter-strike on 13th

The strike has been called for restoration of local government system in Sindh.

Addressing a news conference at the Mardan House, he said that every conspiracy against Sindh will be foiled.

The ANP leader also appealed to the transporters and businessmen to support the strike and not carry out their routine activities.

He said that the role of Sindh nationalists regarding provincial autonomy cannot be forgotten.

Differences between the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) government and Sindh nationalist parties are increasing over restoration of the local bodies’ system.

According to details, the Sindh government has decided to reply strongly to the nationalists who are opposing the Local Government (LG) system.

The government has also decided to stage protests against the nationalists.

Meanwhile, PPP leader Zulfiqar Mirza bitterly criticised the Sindh nationalist leaders, saying they are opportunists.

Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F) Chief Pir Pagara also said he would play a role to bridge the divide between rural and urban Sindh.

Backing the viewpoint of nationalists, Pir Pagara said his ancestors rendered sacrifices.

Egypt army to use force to clear protesters

CAIRO: Egypt’s ruling military council said on Saturday it would clear protesters from a central Cairo square with “firmness and force” to allow life to return to normal.

Speaking at a news conference, a senior military officer blamed trouble in Tahrir Square on “elements that backed the counter-revolution”, a reference to people loyal to the administration of deposed President Hosni Mubarak. AGENCIES

Transfer of 5 ministries to provinces in 2 days: Rabbani

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination Mian Raza Rabbani has said that a notification about the transfer of five ministries from center to provinces will be issued in a two-day time.

Addressing a news conference in Islamabad today (Tuesday), he said that not a single worker of these ministries would be sacked.

He said that a separate division would be set up under the Cabinet Division to run the organizations of these ministries in Islamabad.

He said that cabinet has approved transfer of Arms Act, Lottery, Capital Gains Tax and some other bodies to provinces.

Under the 18th Amendment, higher education and curriculum would be the responsibility of provinces.

“Dr. Ata ur Rehman gave a new role to Higher Education Commission (HEC) with the patronage of Pervez Musharraf in violation of the rules,” he said. TrendPK

Bush shoe-thrower arrested at Baghdad

BAGHDAD: The Iraqi journalist who shot to fame for throwing a shoe at ex-US president trendpk.comrge W. Bush was detained on Thursday while attempting to hold a news conference in Baghdad.

Muntazer al-Zaidi had been due to hold a press conference in front of the Iraqi capital’s Abu Hanifa mosque in the mostly-Sunni district of Adhamiyah when an Iraqi army unit took him away.

“I have orders for you to come with me,” an army colonel told Zaidi, who initially refused, demanding to see a written arrest warrant.

He was eventually led into an army pick-up truck along with his brother Durgan.

Durgan al-Zaidi said before the news conference that his brother intended to add his voice to calls for a major protest in Baghdad for Friday.

The journalist shot to international notoriety for hurling both his shoes at Bush during a December 2008 press conference in Baghdad, and was eventually sentenced to three years in prison for assaulting a head of state.

That was reduced to one year on appeal, and his sentence was cut further for good behaviour. Zaidi alleged he suffered electric shocks and simulated drowning while in custody.

MQM comes up with 9-point charter of economy

MQM has announced its 9-point charter of economy. And it would be presented in the second round of meeting with the economic team of the government.

In a news conference in Islamabad, MQM leader Farooq Sattar said that it is inevitable to implement the charter of economy to avoid the Egypt-like situation in the country. Sattar said that IMF delegation told him that condition of imposing RGST was not asked by the IMF instead it was presented by Pakistani team. He said that it is demanded in the charter to impose tax on 6,000 landlords, sugar mafia and the affluent class. He said that demand of land reforms and reforms in public sector enterprises were also included in the charter. He said that additional resources of worth Rs 1000 billion can be attained by implementing the charter of economy.

PM Gilani Says Reconciliation Policy Will be Continued

The deadline was given to Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani by PML-N Chief Nawaz Shrif set to end on Monday, but on Sunday Gilani telephoned PML-N chief and assured him to accept his 10 points agenda.

Addressing a news conference, the Prime Minister said that Nawaz Sharif had clarified that he had not given any ultimatum to the government. Gilani said: I have conveyed to Nawaz Sharif governments readiness to work together on the 10 points agenda that he had proposed. He said, in response, Nawaz Sharif assured that PML-N would continue to play its constructive role as opposition. He said PML-N has formed its three-member committee headed by Ishaq Dar to work in collaboration with the government on the 10 points agenda. Earlier, the Prime Minister said that he had to convene a news conference to take the nation into confidence on the national issues and to clarify governments position in connection with all kinds of speculations that were in circulation.

He said that PML-Q, MQM, ANP, PML-F and JUI-F have assured their full support to the present government.

Replying to a question about proposed amendments in anti-blasphemy laws, the premier said I assured Maulana Fazur Rehman today that the government has no intention to table any amendment. Replying to an other question, the PM said that cut in inflation was the top priority of the government. He also assured that the inquiry of governors murder would be transparent. He said that all political parties would work jointly to end gas, power laodshedding. Responding another query, Gilani said that if his government loses majority they will sit on opposition benches.

Karachi police foil terror plot to bomb Ashura processions

Karachi police has foiled a terror plot to bomb 9-10 Muharram processions in Karachi and arrested a militant Imamuddin alias Muawia. The culprit wanted to bomb the procession with explosive laden vehicle. The culprit was also the mastermind of attack on the bus of French engineers outside Sheraton Hotel Karachi.

SSP-SIU Raja Umar Khatab told a news conference that the militant has been arrested from Ayyub Ghot area of Suhrab Ghot while his three companions fled the scene. Arms, suicide jackets, explosive material, pistols and bullets were recovered from the possession of the culprit.

Security beefed up at Karachi imambargahs

KARACHI: Administrator Fazl-ur-Rehman has said that security has been beefed up around all the imambargahs situated in Karachi.

Addressing a news conference here on Tuesday, he said that no vehicle or truck can get closer to the outer walls of imambargahs.

Rehman said that KESC has also promised to spare the city from power outages from Moharram 1 to 10.

Responding to a question, he said it is unfair to expect a nazim-like performance from him. TrendPK

Qaim suspends 13 negligent officials, orders fresh probe

KARACHI: Sindh’s Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah has suspended over a dozen officials who were held responsible for breaches of protective embankments at River Indus by a Judicial Commission.

Addressing a news conference at the Chief Minister House today, Shah said, “I have ordered a fresh inquiry in line with the findings of the Judicial Commission.

Referring to the commission’s report, he said that nobody had breached Tori and SM bunds, adding that water pressure and poor supervision led to the breakages.

He said that the commission had advised the government to get resignation of negligent officials voluntarily.

“I have transferred the chief engineer of Guddu barrage and suspended more than 13 officials,” he said. Trend Pk

Swedish lawyer denies plot in Assange allegations

STOCKHOLM: The two Swedish women making sex crime accusations against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange are not involved in any politically motivated plot against him, his lawyer said on Wednesday.

Lawyer Claes Borgstrom told a news conference that the accounts provided by the two women were credible. He also saw a good chance that Sweden would eventually press charges against

Assange, who was arrested in Britain on Tuesday.

“More than 50/50,” he said, when asked what the likelihood was of such a development.

“It has nothing to do with WikiLeaks or the CIA,” he added, when asked if the allegations were part of a politically driven plot against Assange, who has angered U.S. authorities by publishing a large trove of secret diplomatic cables. AGENCIES

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