SC resumes Gilani court contempt hearing toady

TrendPK.com

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan is going to resume on Wednesday the hearing of contempt of court notice issued to Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani for his failing to pursue corruption charge against President Asif Ali Zardari, TrendPK reports.

However, the jury has exempted PM Gilani from appearing in the court after he faced the jury on January 19 th amid tight security and protocol.

Today, Prime Minister’s lawyer will submit his argument on the issue of immunity to Zardari which is the main reason cited by the government not to ask the Swiss authorities to reopen graft cases against the President.

A seven-member SC bench will hear the case.

Veteran lawyer and PM Gilani’s counsel, Aitzaz Ahsan will contend before the jury on whether or not the PM committed contempt of court by not ordering National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for reopening cases of Swiss accounts kept by Benazir Bhutto and President Zardari.

The issue of President’s immunity will also be hotly debated in today’s hearing.

NAB chairman Admiral (retd) Fasih Bukhari, Federal Law Minister Maula Bux Chandio, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Syed Khursheed Shah, PPP leaders Qamar Zaman Kaira, Nadeem Afzal Chan and other bigwigs are also present in the court.
 
Gilani had appeared before the court on January 19 th and had sought more time on why he didn’t ask the Swiss authorities to re-open cases against the Pakistan President.

In previous hearing, Aitzaz Ahsan was also given three week to look into the documental record regarding the NRO cases. TrendPK

EU to sanction Iran bank

BRUSSELS: EU nations Thursday agreed to sanction Iran’s central bank, freezing assets used to finance its nuclear drive, but have yet to clinch an oil embargo deal that could penalise debt-hit Greece.

“The text was considered closed and agreed,” a diplomatic source said of the proposed financial sanctions, following talks between senior diplomats from the 27 European Union nations.

Diplomats have held lengthy meetings through the week in Brussels to agree an oil and financial embargo against Tehran that is to be formally adopted at talks between EU foreign ministers on Monday.

But Greek concerns held up a final deal on the oil embargo.

The freeze on assets held by Tehran’s central bank will be partial, “enabling legitimate trade to go ahead”, and ensure there are no obstacles to continued payment of outstanding Iranian debts to Europe, an EU diplomat said.

Germany notably expressed concern over the reimbursement of loans to Iran worth 2.6 billion euros should financial channels be closed.

“The idea is to dry up sources of finance for Iran’s nuclear programme,” said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

But the high-level diplomats planning ways of tightening the noose on Tehran were unable to finesse last details on an oil embargo, the source added.

“They’ll have another go on Monday morning” ahead of the foreign ministers’ meeting, said another diplomat.

“But it’s looking likely that the oil embargo will have to go directly to the foreign affairs council” of ministers, he added.

The new EU sanctions are part of a concerted effort with the United States to pressure Iran into halting its controversial nuclear activities, which the West suspects are aimed at developing nuclear weapons.

Iran says its nuclear programme is purely for civilian use.

The EU imported some 600,000 barrels of Iranian oil per day last year, according to the International Energy Agency, making it a key market alongside China, which has refused to bow to pressure from Washington, and India.

“The issue is how to reassure the delegation that depends most on Iranian oil that all is done to protect them,” said a diplomat.

“The problem with Greece was not resolved.”

Iranian oil accounted for 34.2 percent of Greece’s total oil imports, 14.9 percent of Spain’s and 12.4 percent of Italy’s in the first nine months of last year, according to the latest EU statistics.

The problem for European governments has been to agree to implement an embargo that gives nations dependent on deliveries from Tehran time to phase out existing contracts.

Some countries, including Britain, France and Germany, wanted a three-month deadline, whereas financially-stressed nations such as Greece, Italy and Spain were requesting up to a year.

Under discussion too has been a request from Italy to allow Iranian companies to continue repaying debts with crude instead of cash.

That would mean Tehran having less crude to sell on the market.

Exploratory talks have also taken place to seek alternative supplies for nations dependent on imports from Tehran.

Contacts had been made “notably with Saudi Arabia to examine whether it could increase production to offset the loss of Iranian crude,” a senior EU official said.

Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi said this week that the kingdom’s output could be boosted by around 2.6 million barrels a day to offset a potential cut in Iranian exports.

But Iran warned Saudi Arabia to reconsider its vow to make up for any shortfall. AGENCIES

Army may be deployed in Karachi

KARACHI: Federal Interior Minister Abdul Rehman Malik, following the incident of ambush at policemen in Korangi, resulting in demise of six cops, has nodded his head for deployment of army in Karachi, saying, “Karachi may be given under authority of army to ensure peace and stability in case the ongoing spree of violence and target killings continue to plague the city, TrendPK reported late Friday.

Sindh not to cancel old arms licences

Those weapon licences issued by the federal government will be cancelled next month (September).

A few weeks ago, Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik announced that all weapon licences across the country will be cancelled soon to tackle the bogus licences after which new weapon licences will be issued and registered by National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA).

Contrary to Rehman Malik’s announcement of cancelling all weapon licences, the Sindh government has now announced that it will not cancel its provincial weapon licences.

Meanwhile, the federal government has announced that a ban has been imposed on Weapons Permit-144 and all federal weapon licences will be cancelled in September.

Mumbai attacks case: contempt notice issued to Rehman Malik

The notice has been issued on a statement given by him in London with reference to despatching judicial commission to India in Mumbai attack case.

FIA had filed application under section 503 about despatching a judicial commission to India. FIA has completed its arguments on it while defence counsel Khawaja Sultan and other lawyers were yet to give arguments on behalf of Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi and other accused.

Defence lawyer Khawaja Sultan Ahmad had made interior minister and government respondents in contempt plea. It was said in the contempt application that interior minister while addressing a seminar in London had said with respect to the petition pending hearing in the court in Mumbai attack case that court had granted commission’s request for sending judicial commission to India and the commission would leave for India within 7 to 11 days.

The court while granting plea of Khawaja Sultan Ahmad stopped debate over the application filed by FIA for sending commission to India and issued contempt of court notice to Interior Minister Rehman Malik on his statement.

The court on the request of lawyers has also summoned three prosecution witnesses including forensic expert of FIA Noman Ashraf Godla, Inspector Sardar Muhammad Azam and Nisar Jadoon from FIA on August, 13 for recording their statements.

Sindh’s weapon licenses will not be cancelled: Sindh Home Department

KARACHI: All weapon licenses issued by the Sindh government will not be cancelled, said the Sindh Home Department today.

Those weapon licenses issued by the federal government will all be cancelled next month (September).

A few weeks ago, Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik announced that all weapon licenses across the country will be cancelled soon to tackle the bogus licenses after which new weapon licenses will be issued and registered by National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA).

Contrary to Rehman Malik’s announcement of cancelling all weapon licenses across the country, the Sindh government has now announced that it will not cancel its provincial weapon licenses.

Meanwhile, the federal government has announced that a ban has been imposed on Weapons Permit-144 and all federal weapon licenses will be cancelled in September . TrendPK

Old arms licences to be void on 31st: Rehman Malik

Talking to the media in Karachi, Rehman Malik said deweaponisation will be carried out in phases. He said the holders of manual arms licence should surrender it to get a new, computerisd licence. All zonal headquarters of the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) have been directed on the matter, he added.

The minister said anyone carrying a weapon without a computerised licence after this date will be charged under the Pakistan Arms Ordinance and the Anti-Terrorism Act.

He also said all people should ensure that there is no illegal SIM card issued in their name because action would be taken by relevant authorities. He said the people could dial 668 and enter their National Identity Card number to know the number of SIMs registered in their name. He said if a SIM was found being used for any crime after September 5, action would be taken against the owner of the SIM and a First Information Report (FIR) will be registered.

Rehman Malik said an officer of Deputy Inspector General level will be assigned to work with intelligence agencies and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) against extortionists in Karachi.

He said major issues in Karachi were sectarian, ethnic and political. He said action indiscriminate action would be taken against unscrupulous elements. He claimed killings in Karachi had been controlled and the situation was being monitored on an hourly basis.

Terrorists attack PNS Mehran, Karachi

KARACHI: Two powerful explosions and firing were heard near the Pakistan Air force (PAF) Museum, TrendPK reported Sunday night.
Eyewitnesses informed TrendPK that two blasts were heard at about 10:35pm.

Sources said that 10 to 15 terrorists are still in PNS Mehran where exchange of firing between terrorists and law enforcement agencies continue.

Police, rangers and other law enforcement agencies rushed and cordoned off the area soon after the blasts and firing.

Rescue teams including Edhi and Chhipa ambulances have entered PAF Faisal Base.

The CPLC Chief Ahmed Chinoy said that the situation was not clear yet.

Ahmed requested people to take alternative routes as rush on the roads have disturbed rescue teams to reach on the spot.

Exchange of firing still continues.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik directed law enforcement agencies to reach where terrorists attacked.

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has telephoned Rehman Malik, directing him to take appropriate measures immediately.

30 arrested in Karachi on extortion charges: Malik

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Rehman Malik has said that a ministerial committee has been constituted to prevent extortion in Karachi.

In a statement in the Upper House today (Tuesday), Malik has claimed that 30 people have been arrested in Karachi on charges of extortion.

His statment came after trade bodies observed a shutter-down strike in the metropolis against the rising incidents of extortion.

“No revengeful act will be initiated against anyone. Only real culprits will be punished,” he said.

On the other hand, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) withdrew its bill seeking weapon-free country.

Federal Law Minister Dr. Babar Awan, on the occasion said, the bill has some legal misfits which will be tabled in Senate after a thorough review.

Later, opposition parties staged a token walkout from Senate to express solidarity with missing persons while, MQM staged a walkout in protest against the rising incidents of extortion in Karachi. TrendPK

Gilani ready to go to watch World Cup semifinal

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani is prepared to watch the World Cup semifinal between Pakistan and India in Mohali, India.

Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) leader Chaudhry Nisar Ahmed refused to go with the Prime Minister

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