MQM to mull rejoining government today

KARACHI: The leaders of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) are holding an important meeting today (Wednesday) to mull whether to rejoin the PPP-led government or become an active opposition at the federal level and in Sindh, TrendPK reported.

The MQM has summoned its members of the National Assembly, from Islamabad, to partake in the meeting of its Coordination Committee (CC) in Karachi. Members of the Sindh Assembly, senators and MQM office-bearers would also remain present on the occasion.

According to sources, MQM Quaid Altaf Hussain had sent the green signal to the members CC two days ago to rejoin the government after President Asif Ali Zardari pleaded withdrawal of the resignations of his party’s federal and provincial ministers.

However, Altaf had asked the central committee to hold a meeting to discuss with the party’s parliamentarians and office-bearers before reaching a decision on the issue.

The sources said that the meeting would also consult on the current state of affairs in Punjab where protests against loadshedding had turned violent as well as the law and order situation in the country. TrendPK/AGENCIES

Rangers, police apprehend over 150 suspects in Karachi

KARACHI: Rangers and police conducted raids at offices of political and religious parties and other suspected areas in Karachi on Sunday, arresting more than 150 suspects.

Police say modern weapons were recovered from an office of a political party.

Rangers launched door-to-door search operation in Khada Market, Nayaabad, Daryaabad, Sango Lane and nearby areas.

Rangers’ commandoes also took part in the operation. More than 50 suspects were picked up in raids.

According to rangers sources, weapons were also recovered from the action.

Meanwhile, dozens of people held a protest against the operation in Lee Market and blocked traffic by erecting barricades. TrendPK

Monsoon rain cools Peshawar, Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: Monsoon rains continue to lash widespread areas of Pakistan, TrendPK reports.

Showers turned the weather pleasant in the capital city of Islamabad, brining smiles on faces of citizens.

In Peshawar, two days of rains brought the temperature down to pleasing level.

The Met office has forecast more rains in interior Sindh, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir and Balochistan for the next 24 hours. TrendPK

Pakistan Heading Towards mid term polls

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has announced to quit the coalition government after Azam Swati was fired as Federal Minister by the Prime Minister of Pakistan. The decision was taken in the meeting of JUI. After announcement of the decision Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani wanted to meet Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman at his residence; however Maulana did not meet and excused. According to sources, Federal Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira, Rehman Malik and Khurshid Shah also telephoned Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman but Maulana simply refused to talk to them. Qazi Hussain Ahmed said Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman will have to part ways with the government for revival of MMA. It is expected that Qazi Hussain Ahmad will meet Maulana today in Islamabad and during this meeting they will also discuss the matter of coalition among all the religious parties. After separation of JUI from the government, chances of MMA’s coalition have increased.

On the other hand the MQM has also strongly condemned the speech of Sindh Home Minister Dr. Zulfiqar Mirza delivered by him before the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry and accused him of threatening the Urdu speaking people. Mirza had insinuated that Karachi’s businessmen were equally to blame for the city’s law and order problem because they contributed large sums of Zakat and extortion money to militant organizations involved in terror activities and by donating large sums of money to religious organizations  without properly identifying their antecedents, they were a party to the growing terrorism in the country. The statement could create bitterness between the MQM and PPP and harm the Sindh coalition government. In swift reaction of the statement, the MQM’s Rabita Committee held an emergency joint session in Karachi and London to discuss this “provocative speech”. The meeting demanded the top leadership of PPP to take a serious note of the “unwarranted speech” and ask the Home Minister to explain his position. MQM has told that remaining in the coalition or quitting the coalition Government was for the Rabita Committee to decide as the party always takes important decisions at this forum. Altaf Hussain has telephonically contacted Ch. Shujaat Hussain also to discuss the present political situation.

Islamabad is humming with rumors that the country was moving towards mid term polls, as following withdrawal of support by JUI (F) and highly unpredictable attitude of the MQM has left Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani with no option but to go for snap polls. The differences between PPP and JUI (F) are unlikely to subside as claims of Azam Swati about alleged corruption in the Hajj arrangements which had brought bad name to the country and he wrote letters to the President and the Prime Minister but instead of taking any stern action against the culprits, the Minister was sacked. Azam Swati is fully backed by Maulana Fazlur Rehman.

The PPP-led government has already lost its credibility, as it could not fulfill any of its pledges made with the people and could not provide any relief to the common man against mischief of mongers who were at their free will to fix the prices of daily used commodities according to their choices. “Sugar mafia” has proved highly powerful that government had to move step back and wind up the action against them. The government could not come up to the expectations of the people who were facing the ever worst inflation of the Pak history. The government has pushed the people towards a situation that would compel them for suicide.

PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif has recently given a clear statement that he can no longer back such a government, which doesn’t seem to be ready for a ‘change for the better’ and would endorse a ‘constitutional change’. All plans that accept the current President and Prime Minister are not likely to be endorsed as events in the past several months show; they are part of the problem not a solution. Prime Minister Gilani has also recently announced that “Parliamentary change would be acceptable”. He showed his willingness to accept political change. In the wake of growing speculation over regime change Pakistan needs an in house change or mid term polls. The Government should bring the nation out of this uncertainty at earliest possible.

PPP to avoid political confrontation: Zardari

President Asif Ali Zardari urged the PPP workers and activists to remain calm over anti-government propaganda as the country was passing through difficult times.
Addressing in the meeting of PPP Parliamentary Party Punjab in Islamabad, the President said that PPP members should continue process of reconciliation. He said that PPP would defend democracy at any cost. More than 100 parliamentarians attended the meeting.

PPP Karachi threatens Geo TV with severe consequences

KARACHI: PPP President Karachi Najmi Alam threatened the Geo TV for more serious consequences if it did not stop airing ”undesirable” news.

He was addressing a PPP rally outside Geo TV offices. The PPP”s activists, holding the flags of their party, took the building of Geo News at II Chundrigar Road into their siege and pelted stones.

The jialas rose full-throated slogans against Geo News and Jang Group.

Govt responsible for implementation of court verdicts

LAHORE: Former president of Supreme Court Bar and PPP leader Aitzaz Ahsan has said implementation of the court decisions is the responsibility of the government.

Original post: 
Govt responsible for implementation of court verdicts

Pakistan thrash Bangaldesh by 139 runs

DAMBULLA, Sri Lanka: Pakistan thrashed Bangladesh by 139 runs in the Asia Cup at Rangiri Dambulla Stadium on Monday.

Originally posted here: 
Pakistan thrash Bangaldesh by 139 runs

Balochistan allocates Rs 3 bln for health, edu

QUETTA: The PPP-led Balochistan coalition government on Monday presented Rs 152.

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Balochistan allocates Rs 3 bln for health, edu

Grenade attack at PPP leader’s house in Karachi

KARACHI: Unknown persons hurled hand grenade at a house of PPP leader in Maripur area of Karachi on Friday.

According to reports, unidentified persons hurled hand grenade outside house and office of PPP local leader in Maripur and flee from the scene. No causality was reported in the incident. Police and Bomb Disposal Squad have reached the scene.

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