Aitezaz says will argue for PM Gilani innocence

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ISLAMABAD: Former Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Aitezaz Ahsan Monday said he is going to Supreme Court (SC) to plead the innocence for Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani.

Talking to media outside his residence, he said after the indictment, the accused is asked about his reaction. TrendPK

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Malik orders inquiry into NA weapon incident

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ISLAMABAD: Federal Interior Minister Rehman A. Malik Tuesday said he had ordered an inquiry into taking firearms to National Assembly, adding a report in this regard will be tabled in the House within three days.

According to details, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) lawmaker Aijaz Virk told the NA session convened under Chairman Nadeem Afzal Chan that two members have come to the House carrying firearms for four years now.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Abid Sher Ali said Virk should have told the names of those lawmakers wielding firearms into the House.

The federal interior minister noted the Parliament’s security is the responsibility of Islamabad police and the Rangers, adding whoever member comes to the Assembly, he is searched; however, inquiry will be made into the weapon-carrying incident. TrendPK

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Contempt case: PM Gilani calls emergency meeting

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ISLAMABAD: Embroiled in yet another quagmire, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani called a meeting of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leaders and coalition partners to discuss the situation triggered by an order of seven-member bench seeking him to appear in person before the court on February 13.

The bench headed by Justice Nasirul Mulk directed the PM Gilani to appear before the court on February when he will be indicted of contempt charge for not implementing the court orders given in relation with the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO).

Former Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Aitezaz Ahsan said the PM Gilani is entitled to appeal if he is indicted of contempt, adding he can continue as the premier of the country as well.

PM Gilani will have a meeting with the PPP Core Committee this evening. Also Aitezaz has been invited to the meeting. TrendPK

Come back for more details.

PA melodrama: Riaz stresses on Rana Sana apology

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LAHORE: In not an unprecedented chaotic day in the Punjab Assembly, Leader of Opposition Raja Riaz Ahmed Tuesday said Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif is seemed to have signed a contract to kill innocent people.

Launching again a scathing attack against the CM Sharif, who calls himself Khadim-e-Aala (Chief Servant), Riaz termed the Chief Minister as Qatil-e-Aala (Chief Assassin).

Talking to a battery of reports outside the Punjab Assembly, the PPP leader bristled, “We, in strong words, condemn the invectives employed against the MPAs,” adding the CM does not show up at the assembly and instead, sends such ministers who uses inappropriate dictions against the other ministers.

Riaz maintained the province saw two massive scandals in education and health sectors and it is the CM Sharif who possesses the concerned two ministries.

‘Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) remained unstoppable vis-à-vis dictators like Ziaul Haq and Pervez Musharraf; what to speak of Shahbaz Sharif,’ he asserted adding Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah will have to apologize at all costs.

Rana Sana, reacting to the situation, said the deaths did not take place owing to the fact that there was no health minister.

Commenting on former Federal Law Minister Babar Awan’s Umrah visit, the provincial law minister said the Satan has commenced protesting on his (Awan’s) Umrah, saying, “I (Satan) would be left alone if he (Awan) was pardoned.”

The PA session began two hours late, but, was soon adjourned till Friday morning on uncontrollable commotion over Rana Sana’s comments. TrendPK

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PM Gilani arrives at Supreme Court

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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has arrived to appear before a seven-member bench of the Supreme Court (SC) in National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) Implementation case, TrendPK reports Thursday.

The Prime Minister will appear before the bench headed by Justice Nasirul Mulk flanked by his counsel Former Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leadler Aitezaz Ahsan.

The hearing will be held at the courtroom-4. TrendPK

Mirza spurns PPP-MQM reconciliation

KARACHI: Sindh’s former Senior Minister Dr. Zulfiqar Mirza Friday said reconciliation by Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) with Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) was unacceptable to him.

His supporters in large number gave him warm reception as he arrived at Ghagar Gate from Interior Sindh. Addressing on the occasion, PPP’s firebrand leader stressed he came out to rid people of thieves, dacoits and extortionists.

Disfavoring PPP-MQM reconciliation, Mirza urged people to strengthen hands of President Asif Ali Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto.

When asked to react to the statement given by Mirza against him, Federal Interior Minister Rehman A. Malik declined to comment.

Talking to media at Women Jail, Karachi, Malik said, “I am not meddling with any of Sindh affairs.”

Every action in Karachi is undertaken after Sindh’s Chief Minister and Governor are taken into confidence, the federal minister added. TrendPK

Salman Taseers son kidnapped

Four men on motorbikes intercepted Shahbaz Taseer in his car in the Gulberg area and took him to a nearby street before whisking him away, police said, quoting witnesses.

“Shabhaz was out with a friend when four unidentified people kidnapped him,” his brother Sheryar Taseer told.

“Our family has been receiving threats from the Taliban and extremist groups,” he said, adding they could be behind the abduction. No one has yet claimed the responsibility.

The governor, Salman Taseer, of the ruling Pakistan People s Party, was killed by his own bodyguard early this year after he came out in support of a woman accused of committing blasphemy.

Asia Bibi, a Christian mother of four, was sentenced to death in a case stemming from a village dispute, putting Pakistan s harsh blasphemy law in the spotlight. Shahbaz Taseer s abduction is the second high-profile kidnapping in Lahore this month.

Police are still searching for an American aid expert who was kidnapped about two weeks ago.

Warren Weinstein, 70, the country director for J.E. Austin Associates Inc., had been working on a project in Pakistan s northwestern tribal areas where Pakistani troops have been battling Islamist insurgents for years.

Up to eight assailants kidnapped Weinstein in a pre-dawn raid on his house in Lahore on August 13.

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.

Strike in Sindh from tomorrow against LG System in Karachi, Hyderabad

KARACHI/HYDERABAD: Sindh’s nationalist parties have announced 12-day strike call in Sindh against the restoration of Sindh Local Government Ordinance 2001 while Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has sketched the plan to counter the situation, TrendPK reported Sunday late evening.

The Malir Bar Association has announced boycott and the lawyer community will attend courts tomorrow (Monday).

Tense situation is being observed in different parts of the province including in Karachi where two vehicles have been torched.

A man has been killed in firing incident near Dalmia, Karachi. Firing has also been reported near Urdu University.

Awami Tehreek’s President Ayaz Latif Palijo and Jeay Sindh Tehreek’s Dr Safdar Sarki have condemned the restoration of the LG System. Both the leaders said that PPP and MQM have tried to divide the province. TrendPK

ICC bans government meddling

HONG KONG: Cricket’s governing body on Thursday banned countries from appointing politicians to national cricket boards, vowing to free the sport from undue government influence.

The International Cricket Council told a media conference in Hong Kong that it had made the decision to uphold “the important principle of free elections and the independence” of the sport.

“It was agreed that all member boards must implement the provisions before annual conference June 2012 and a further 12 months — to June 2013 — would be allowed before any sanctions be considered,” the ICC said in a statement issued in Hong Kong.

The reform, which allows the ICC to suspend a member country in the event of government interference in the running of a national cricket board, will be hugely controversial in Pakistan, where the president is the cricket board’s patron. Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will also be hit by the change.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) could not immediately be reached for comment.

Chairman Ijaz Butt has been criticised by former players, politicians and media for being a political appointee of the ruling Pakistan People’s Party.

The PCB has already sent a legal notice to the ICC on the amendment and has threatened legal action if the constitution is changed.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the ICC’s full council after four days of talks between the chief executives’ committee and executive board at glitzy hotels in downtown Hong Kong.

“This is a significant step towards achieving best practice and together with the independent governance review, I am excited by the commitment of the ICC to introduce best possible corporate governance,” ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said. AGENCIES

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