Judiciary should be strengthened for justice, says Shahbaz

Chief Minister Punjab Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that judiciary should be strengthened in order to ensure justice for the masses, Dunya News reported on Monday.
Talking to the media outside the Punjab Assembly, the Chief Minister said that it is obligatory for all of us to have reverence for the high court as well as for the Supreme Court. He also said that in order to accomplish the objectives of lawyers movement, everyone should respect and follow the decisions by the judiciary. Shahbaz Sharif was of the view that we should leave everything to the court after expressing all the concerned legal and constitutional points.
Shahbaz Sharif briefed the media that the first phase of Model Villages would complete today with the help of philanthropists. Keys of the houses in the Model Village have been given to the owners. The Chief Minister also told the media that dispensaries and other facilities would be provided in these villages.

Judiciary is not subservient to Govt: CJ

Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry observed on Monday that judiciary is not subservient to the executive and added that any legislation that is against the spirit of Constitution cannot be termed as a law.
A 17-judge full court, headed by CJP, was hearing the petitions challenging certain clauses in the 18th amendment.
The constitution represents 180 million people of Pakistanany legislation in conflict with the constitution cannot be a law, the CJ Iftikhar asserted.
During the hearing, Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry said opening the Objectives Resolutions Pandoras Box was not necessary. He further said that the Supreme Court has made obvious the Constitution’s fundamental features through its decisions. Judiciary is neither a part of the government, nor is it the governments subordinate, he said.
Justice Ramday remarked that the apex court has got the authority of judicial review against all the legislation not only by the government but also which is made by the Parliament.
Ramday said in an annoying tone that he was fed up of questions on Judiciarys jurisdiction. The AG told the court that Senator Raza Rabbani could not come to the court as he is in Karachi these days for his father is indisposed.

Chief Justice says laws clashing with constitution carry no value

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: The Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry said during the hearing of 18th Amendment case that laws which clash with the constitution carry no value at all.

A large 17 member bench headed by the Chief Justice continued the hearing of the 18th Amendment case today.

During the hearing, the CJ said that no Pandora’s box shall be opened in front of the court as the principles of the Objectives Resolution are also provided separately in the constitution.

The counsel for civil society, Salman Akram Raja, said in his argument that he is not trying to undermine the value of the Objectives Resolution, but according to his understanding it can not be made as a standard for the court’s decision.

Member of the bench, Justice Jawed Iqbal, said that the court reserves the right to review any law under the

Altaf says some powerful elements threatening his life

MQM Chief Altaf Hussain has said that he is facing life threats from some powerful elements so party workers be prepared mentally to face any untoward situation in future.
In an open letter to the party workers, Altaf said some hidden powers are plotting to assassinate him as he has become an obstacle in the pursuit of their objectives. He stated that some international forces are trying to eliminate his movement.Altaf said the foreign media is trying to craft a rift among his party members. The reason, he said, for elements getting instigated by the MQM is that the party is exposing those involved in looting Pakistan.
MQM chiefs letter came a day before the end of the 10 day mourning announced after the murder of former convener of the party, Dr. Imran Farooq in London.

Nation observing Quaids 62nd death anniversary today

Country is observing 62nd death anniversary of the Founder of Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah today with reverence. President Asif Ali Zardari in his message to the nation on the death anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam said that the best way to pay homage to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah is to strive for achieving the objectives for which Pakistan was created as a separate independent homeland for the Muslims of sub-continent.
President Zardari said for ensuring egalitarianism, social justice and opportunities for all, there was a need to immediately rehabilitate and reconstruct millions of lives that had been devastated by the floods throughout the country.
He said, For ensuring constitutionalism, we must ensure that the constitution is given only by the elected representatives of the people and not imposed on the people by anyone else.

Jinnah’s 62nd death anniversary observed

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: The nation has observed Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah’s 62th death anniversary on Sunday with a renewed pledge to transform Pakistan into a vibrant, progressive and enlightened state as envisioned by the Founder of the Nation.

The day began with special prayers for progress and prosperity of the country.

Various government and non-government organizations held programs to highlight different aspects of the life of the Quaid-e-Azam.

In a message to the nation, President Asif Ali Zardari said the best way to pay homage to Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah is to strive for achieving the objectives for which Pakistan was created on, as a separate independent homeland for the Muslims of the sub-continent.

President Zardari said for ensuring egalitarianism, social justice and opportunities for all, there is a need to

Eid prayers turn into anti-Indian demonstrations in Kashmir

SRINAGAR: Prayers marking the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan erupted into anti-India demonstrations Saturday in Indian-ruled Kashmir as unrest continued in the troubled province.

Tens of thousands of Muslims, mostly young men, chanted “Go India, go back” and “We want freedom” as they assembled in the main city of Srinagar to offer prayers on the festival of Eid al-Fitr.

“The protests are a form of referendum showing that Kashmiris want freedom from India,” said leading separatist and key Muslim cleric Umar Farooq as riot police were deployed across Srinagar in a bid to keep a lid on tensions.

Government forces have been battling for months to contain violent demonstrations in the mainly Muslim region that were ignited by the killing of a 17-year-old student by police on June 11.

A total of 70 protesters and bystanders — some children –

Jinnah’s 62nd death anniversary today

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: The nation is observing Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah’s 62th death anniversary on Saturday with a renewed pledge to transform Pakistan into a vibrant, progressive and enlightened state as envisioned by the Founder of the Nation.

The day began with special prayers for progress and prosperity of the country.

Various government and non-government organizations are holding programs to highlight different aspects of the life of the Quaid-e-Azam.

In a message to the nation, President Asif Ali Zardari said the best way to pay homage to Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah is to strive for achieving the objectives for which Pakistan was created on, as a separate independent homeland for the Muslims of the sub-continent.

President Zardari said for ensuring egalitarianism, social justice and opportunities for all, there is a need

People want independent judiciary: CJP

ISLAMABAD: The Objectives Resolution is a compulsory part of the constitution, remarked Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry during the hearing of petitions challenging various clauses of the 18th constitutional amendment here on Monday.

Read the original here:
People want independent judiciary: CJP

Pakistan Warns India Against Hegemonistic Mindset

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan News: Pakistan warned India on Wednesday against its relentless pursuit of military preponderance and said it would have severe consequences for peace and security in South Asia and the Indian Ocean region.

The National Command Authority, which met here under Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, took serious note of recent Indian statements about conducting conventional military strikes under a nuclear umbrella and said such irresponsible statements reflected a hegemonic mindset, oblivious of dangerous implications of adventurism in a nuclearised context.

The NCA also took note of the developments detrimental to the objectives of strategic stability in the region. It observed that instead of responding positively to Pakistan’s proposal for a strategic restraint regime in South Asia, India continued to pursue an ambitious militarisation programme and offensive military doctrines.

“Massive inductions of advanced weapon systems, including installation of ABMs (anti-ballistic missiles), build-up of nuclear arsenal and delivery systems through ongoing and new programmes, assisted by some external quarters, offensive doctrines like ‘Cold Start’ and similar accumulations in the conventional realm, tend to destabilise the regional balance,” the meeting noted.

A statement issued by the PM House said: “Pakistan cannot be oblivious to these developments.” It was the first meeting of the NCA after President Asif Ali Zardari promulgated the National Command Authority Ordinance and divested himself of the powers of its chairman in November last year.

The meeting expressed satisfaction over the safety and security of Pakistan’s strategic assets and effectiveness of its strategic deterrence. It emphasised the importance of Pakistan’s policy of credible minimum deterrence and maintaining strategic stability in South Asia.

The authority reaffirmed Pakistan’s policy of restraint and responsibility and its resolve to continue efforts to promote peace and stability in South Asia. It underscored the need for preventing conflict and avoiding nuclear and conventional arms race in the region.

The NCA noted that the India-specific exemption made by the Nuclear Suppliers Group and subsequent nuclear fuel supply agreements with several countries would enable New Delhi to produce substantial quantities of fissile material for nuclear weapons by freeing up its domestic resources.

It reiterated that while continuing to act with responsibility and avoiding an arms race, Pakistan would not compromise on its security interests and the imperative of maintaining a credible minimum deterrence.

The meeting reviewed plans for generation of nuclear power under IAEA safeguards as part of national energy security strategy to ensure sustained economic growth and welcomed the renewed international interest in nuclear power generation to meet the challenge of climate change.

As a country with advanced fuel cycle capability, it said, Pakistan was in a position to provide nuclear fuel cycle services under IAEA safeguards, and participate in any non-discriminatory nuclear fuel supply assurance mechanism.
The NCA expressed satisfaction at steps taken by Pakistan at the national level for nuclear safety and security, which would continue to be important considerations in the context of national nuclear power development plans.

N-disarmament

It reaffirmed that as a nuclear weapon state Pakistan was committed to working as an equal partner in international efforts for general and complete nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. In this regard, the NCA stressed the need for non-discriminatory policies and accommodation of the reality of Pakistan’s nuclear weapon status for promoting global non-proliferation goals.

The meeting emphasised that promotion of nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament objectives in South Asia were linked with regional security dynamics and the need to address existing asymmetries and resolution of outstanding disputes.

The NCA stressed that as the sole disarmament negotiating forum the Conference on Disarmament (CD) in Geneva should play its due role in global nuclear disarmament. As far as a Fissile Material Treaty at the CD was concerned, Pakistan’s position would be determined by its national security interests and the objectives of strategic stability in South Asia, it said.

“Selective and discriminatory measures that perpetuate regional instability, in any form and manner, derogate from the objectives of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation and, therefore, cannot be accepted or endorsed. Pakistan will not support any approach or measure that is prejudicial to its legitimate national security interests.”

An official told Dawn after the meeting that India’s ‘Cold Start’ strategy was a threat to strategic stability of South Asia. India’s growing military prowess, capabilities and aggressive designs implied war-provoking intent by practical manifestation of the ‘Cold Start’ doctrine.

He said the hit and mobilise concept would further squeeze space for diplomacy and political manoeuvres for avoiding a conflict. This strategy was likely to increase the threat in an unpredictable manner at various rungs of the escalation ladder, he added.

He said it was inherently flawed to further engage nuclear South Asia in an arms race rather than diverting efforts and resources to alleviate social needs of poor segments of society. Strategic equilibrium prevalent in the subcontinent would be impacted with negative repercussions, he said.

Explaining the concept of the ‘Cold Start’ doctrine, a defence analyst said it envisaged applying linear ground forces for multiple thrusts, backed by massive fire power well before Pakistan completed its mobilisation and international community could intervene.

He said the doctrine laid stress on offensive strike, but without giving battle indicators of mobilisation to maintain chances of strategic surprise while remaining below nuclear threshold. Political decision for war would be taken at the outset.

Talking about the broad contours, he said traditional operational art of maintaining distinction between strike and defensive formations would be done away with. The war was planned to be fought by integrated battle groups (IBGs) synergised and supported by Indian Air Force and Navy.

Since the IBGs would be pre-positioned closer to international border and the Line of control, these would commence operations with least build-up and preparation and would thus achieve surprise under the doctrine, he added.

Shaping the battlefield through new concept of war, incorporating all available technical-driven assets and fire power platforms would remain the hallmark of an Indian offensive.

Analysts observed that in Indian military planners’ view there was space available for a short notice, short-duration war with curtailed objectives despite the nuclear factor. Nuclear capability has added to Pakistan’s security by impinging upon India’s liberty of action under the nuclear overhang.

As the efficacy of all-out conventional war within the nuclear environment became questionable, India started studying the possibility of a limited conflict with curtailed application of military instrument and objectives.

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Pakistan Warns India Against Hegemonistic Mindset was first posted on January 14, 2010 at 11:50 am.

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