World Condemns Salman Taseer’s Assassination

The assassination of Punjab Governor Salman Taseer has been condemned worldwide. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Tuesday condemned the assassination of the governor of Pakistan’s Punjab province, calling his death “a great loss.”

“We strongly condemn the assassination today in Pakistan of Punjab Provincial Governor Salman Taseer,” Clinton said in a statement.

“I had the opportunity to meet Governor Taseer in Pakistan and I admired his work to promote tolerance and the education of Pakistan’s future generations. His death is a great loss,” the chief US diplomat said.

“Our deepest sympathies are with Governor Taseer’s wife and children,” she added.

France on Tuesday condemned the assassination of the governor of Pakistan’s Punjab province, hailing him as a man known for his “courage in defending democratic institutions.”

“France firmly condemns the assassination on Tuesday of the governor of Punjab Salman Taseer. Governor Taseer was a political personality of the highest order,” deputy foreign ministry spokeswoman Christine Fages said.

The United States said Tuesday that the assassination of the governor of Pakistan’s Punjab province, Salman Taseer, was a “great loss” because he was trying to stabilize his country.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will offer Washington’s condolences to Hussain Haqqani, the Pakistani ambassador to Washington, when she meets him later Tuesday, State Department spokesman Philip Crowley told reporters.

“From our standpoint, his death is a great loss. He was committed to helping the government and people of Pakistan persevere in their campaign to bring peace and stability to their country,” he added.

US Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter has expressed his deep grief and condolences over the assassination of Governor Punjab Salman Taseer.

“I am deeply saddened by the assassination of Governor Taseer. On behalf of the United States, I offer my condolences to his wife and children,” said Cameron Munter.

Speaking about the assassination of Salman Taseer, Ambassador Munter said, “He had the courage of his convictions and was a champion of tolerance. His death is a great loss to the people of Pakistan,” says a US Embassy press release issued here Tuesday.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday condemned the assassination of the governor of Pakistan’s Punjab province calling it a blow to the country.

“The secretary general condemns the assassination today of the governor of Punjab province,” said UN spokesman Martin Nesirky. The official, Salman Taseer, was shot dead by a bodyguard opposed to his criticism of blasphemy laws.

Ban called the governor “a prominent leader whose death is a loss for Pakistan.”

People from all walks of life including politicians, civil society, trader unions and Human Rights Commission of Pakistan have condemned the tragic death of Salmaan Taseer, while expressing deep sense of sorrow and grief over the sad demise.

The PPP’s Punjab Leadership, members of provincial cabinet including Law Minister Rana Sana Ullah and leaders of other political parties while condemning the assassination of Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer demanded exemplary punishment for the accused involved in the murder conspiracy.

In their separate statements, PPP’s Punjab President Imtiaz Safdar Warraich, Secretary Information, Dr. Fakhruddin Ch, Secretary Finance, Aurangzeb Burki and Additional Secretary Dr. Hasnaat Shah termed governor’s murder a big loss for the PPP and demanded arrest of those who masterminded his assassination.

Speaker Punjab Assembly, Rana Muhammad Iqbal, Senior Punjab Minister, Raja Riaz, provincial Ministers, Rana Sana Ullah, Tanvir Ashraf Kaira, Dr. Tanvirul Islam, Ch. Abdul Ghafoor, Ahmed Ali Aulakh, Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman, Malik Nadeem Kamran, Kamran Michael, Member Provincial Assembly Syed Zaeem Hussain Qadri and Dr. Saeed Elahi have expressed deep sense of sorrow and grief over the assassination of Governor Punjab Salman Taseer.

Senior PPP leader and Chairman Evacuee Property Trust Board, Syed Asif Hashmi held a condolence meeting at his residence and condemned late Taseer’s murder in strongest words.

In their separate condolence messages, all ministers and PPP leaders prayed that may Allah Almighty rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant courage and strength to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss with fortitude.

Why did federal agencies not provide security to governor: Khosa

Senior Advisor to Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Zulifiqar Khan Khosa said that those who were talking about the custodian killing of Governor, only want to appoint as Governor.

In press release, he said that federal security agencies were also deputed for the governors security and why these agencies failed to rescue the governor. He said that the federal government was not serious to find out the reason of assassination. He further said that the investigation should be made transparent and failure of federal law enforcement agencies also should be determenid.

Lawmakers Plead Their Cases About Fake, Invalid Degrees

trendpk: Twelve lawmakers including their counsels on Monday appeared before the special committee of Election Commission of Pakistan and pleaded their cases about fake and invalid degrees.

The hearing regarding fake/invalid degrees of twelve Senators, MNAs and MPAs held under the chairmanship of ECP’s nominated officer Muhammad Afzal Khan.

The representative of Higher Education Commission Rahim Bux Channa was also present, said a press release issued here.

Barrister S.M. Zafar appeared on behalf of Senator Wali Muhammad Badini and pleaded that at the time of filing of nomination papers of his client, the condition of graduation was not required and requested to close the case.

Mazhar Hayat,MNA appeared in person and presented all documents including copies of University Card, Evaluation Reports, Passport, and list of participants of Convocation ceremony.

The committee asked him to provide a set of his complete documents with written reply along with an affidavit and adjourned the case till December 28.

Khalifa Abdul Qayyum Khan, MPA (PK-64) appeared in person and presented all his educational documents.

The Committee informed him that the name of the Madrassah, from where he got his education, is not included in the list of ten Maddaris degrees of which have been declared equivalent to graduation by the HEC. He was, therefore, asked to submit his written reply along with an affidavit and the case was adjourned till 20th December 2010.

For Nasim Nasir Khawaja, her representative Ms. Rozina Naveed appeared and pleaded that due to some technical errors in her reply, they could not submit it before the Committee, therefore, the case may be adjourned.

The Committee informed her about the allegations and advised her to submit credible documents in her defence on December 20 otherwise her case will be closed and placed before the Chief Election Commissioner.

For Syeda Majida Zaidi MPA, (PP-Reserved), Muhammad Imran Advocate appeared and sought adjournment for submission of written reply. The committee fixed December 20 as final date of hearing.

For Yar Muhammad Rind, MPA (PB-31), Sardar Addul Razzaq Khan Advocate appeared and pleaded that a petition had been filed in the Lahore High Court and Justice Sagheer Ahmad Qadri is hearing the case on December 22 and therefore sought adjournment.The Committee advised him to submit written reply in support of his contention and the case was fixed for December 28.

Rana Jehanzeb Akhtar Advocate appeared on behalf of Ms. Saima Aziz, MPA (PP-Reserved) and informed that his senior Barrister Rafiq Rijwana could not reach Islamabad to plead the case; therefore, the case may be adjourned.Her next date of hearing is in office.

Muhammad Imran Advocate appeared in the case of Ms. Samina Khawar Hayat, MPA (PP-Reserved) and requested for adjournment. The Committee fixed December 20 as next date of hearing.

A representative, Inamullah appeared on behalf of Sardar Ali, MPA (PK-34). The Committee informed him that the second degree submitted by him has also been declared bogus by the University of Peshawar. The representative requested for issuance of notice to the Controller of Examination of the University of Peshawar to produce the record before the Committee. The Committee decided to ask the Controller of Examination to produce record on December 28 and advised the representative to ask Mr. Sardar Ali to appear before the Committee in person on the same date.

An Advocate,Tariq Khokhar appeared on behalf of Mir Humayun Aziz Kurd, MNA (NA-267) and pleaded that the degree of his client is invalid but not fake. No criminal proceedings can be initiated against his client as no mala fide intention was involved. The Committee advised him to provide documentary proof in support of his contention and also submit an affidavit/written reply to proceed further in the matter. The Committee fixed December 28 as next date of hearing.

In the case of Ijaz Ahmad MPA, (PP-209) his advocate Raja Jehanzeb Akhtar appeared and pleaded that he had already submitted written reply in the case with the contention that the degree of his client is quite genuine and issued by a recognized institution. He relied upon a judgment of Division Bench of Lahore High Court dated September 11 in the case of Ihsan-ud-Din Qureshi and others. The Committee informed him that the degree was issued by the institution itself which was not authorized to issue degree. His next date of hearing is in office.

Gen. Kayani meets Gen. Petreaus, Norwegian dignitaries in GHQ, Rawalpindi

RAWALPINDI: General David H. Petreaus, Commander International Security Assistance Force called on Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on Sunday (today) at General Headquarters.

According to an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release, Her Excellency Miss Grethe Faremo, Norwegian Minister of Defence along with General Harald Sunde, Chief of Norwegian Armed Forces also called, in a separate meeting, on the Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani today at General Headquarters.

The visiting dignitaries remained with him for some time and discussed matters of professional and mutual interest. Trend Pk

AMC’s 28th Undergraduate Convocation held in Rawalpindi

Staff Report

RAWALPINDI: An impressive ceremony the 28th Undergraduate Convocation of the Army Medical College (AMC), Rawalpindi was held today.

According to an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release, Lieutenant General (Retired) Muhammad Asghar, Rector NUST, Islamabad was chief guest on the occasion who awarded degrees to 174 graduates of 29th MBBS and 8th BDS Courses.

It is worth mentioning here that Army Medical College is an elite medical institute of the country comprising highly qualified teaching faculty.

It was established in 1977 and was affiliated with Quaid-I-Azam University.Army Medical College was recognized by General Medical Council, UK in 1982.Fellowship program commended in 1996. It became a constituent college of National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST) in 1988. BDS Course, M Phil and PhD programs were

Gen. Kayani visits commando training activities at Mangla

Staff Report

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani visited Mangla today to witness various training activities. He visited a Light Commando Battalion undergoing training. While informally interacting with the troops, he appreciated their morale and professionalism.

According to an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release, the COAS also witnessed Low Intensity Conflict training being carried out by Young Officers of various units/formations.

He emphasized, on the occasion, the need to comprehend dynamics of Low Intensity Conflict and develop skills at individual/unit level accordingly.

The COAS also met Lance Naik MianYousaf Jamil, World Record holder for planting most number of trees in a single day. He lauded the spirit behind the effort of Lance Naik Yousaf to promote tree plantation.

Earlier, the COAS

Gen. Kayani visits commando training activities at Mangla

Staff Report

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani visited Mangla today to witness various training activities. He visited a Light Commando Battalion undergoing training. While informally interacting with the troops, he appreciated their morale and professionalism.

According to an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release, the COAS also witnessed Low Intensity Conflict training being carried out by Young Officers of various units/formations.

He emphasized, on the occasion, the need to comprehend dynamics of Low Intensity Conflict and develop skills at individual/unit level accordingly.

The COAS also met Lance Naik MianYousaf Jamil, World Record holder for planting most number of trees in a single day. He lauded the spirit behind the effort of Lance Naik Yousaf to promote tree plantation.

Earlier, the COAS

Gen. Kayani visits commando training activities at Mangla

Staff Report

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani visited Mangla today to witness various training activities. He visited a Light Commando Battalion undergoing training. While informally interacting with the troops, he appreciated their morale and professionalism.

According to an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release, the COAS also witnessed Low Intensity Conflict training being carried out by Young Officers of various units/formations.

He emphasized, on the occasion, the need to comprehend dynamics of Low Intensity Conflict and develop skills at individual/unit level accordingly.

The COAS also met Lance Naik MianYousaf Jamil, World Record holder for planting most number of trees in a single day. He lauded the spirit behind the effort of Lance Naik Yousaf to promote tree plantation.

Earlier, the COAS

Gen. Kayani visits commando training activities at Mangla

Staff Report

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani visited Mangla today to witness various training activities. He visited a Light Commando Battalion undergoing training. While informally interacting with the troops, he appreciated their morale and professionalism.

According to an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release, the COAS also witnessed Low Intensity Conflict training being carried out by Young Officers of various units/formations.

He emphasized, on the occasion, the need to comprehend dynamics of Low Intensity Conflict and develop skills at individual/unit level accordingly.

The COAS also met Lance Naik MianYousaf Jamil, World Record holder for planting most number of trees in a single day. He lauded the spirit behind the effort of Lance Naik Yousaf to promote tree plantation.

Earlier, the COAS

CJCSC Gen. Khalid Wynne calls on UAE Armed Forces’ Chief

Staff Report

RAWALPINDI: Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, General Khalid Shameem Wynne, during his official visit to UAE, called on Lieutenant General Hamad Mohammed Thani Al Rumaithi Chief of Staff of UAE Armed Forces on Tuesday.

According to an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release, the CJCSC and UAE Armed Forces’ Chief discussed evolving regional security situation especially developments in Afghanistan, bilateral relations between the two countries and other matters of mutual interest. Trend Pk

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