Ch Nisar flays Gilani for retracting anti-army remarks

TrendPK.com

ISLAMABAD: Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Thursday criticized the government for its security policy and lambasted Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani for what he called ‘unjustified’ statements of the premier, TrendPK reports.

In a bid to defuse the worst tensions between civilian leaders and the military, the PM on Wednesday retracted from his remarks that army chief Gen Ashfaq Pervez Kayani and Director General ISI Ahmed Shuja Pasha had acted unconstitutionally when submitted their statements to Supreme Court in controversial memo scandal case.

“I want to dispel the impression that the military leadership acted unconstitutionally or violated rules. The previous remarks were made in different context,” said Prime Gilani, adding that “The current situation cannot afford conflict among the institutions.”

On Thursday, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan lashed out at the PM and the government, saying that the PM was ‘humiliating’ his office by issuing ‘unjustified’ statements for last few weeks.

“It’s a joke with the Parliament and the nation that PM issues confusing statements and later retracts under unknown fear or any deal,” the opposition leader said while speaking to newsmen outside the Parliament House.

Nisar said neither there should be any clash between institutions nor any deal. “We must think beyond our personal and political interests.”

He said urged Gilani to explain his remarks before the legislature. “He (Gilani) should think twice and at least consult with his legal experts before making statements”.

About the parliamentary committee for national security which is probing into the memo scandal, he says the body can’t replace the Parliament.

To a query about former president Gen (rtd) Pervez Musharraf’s homecoming, he said Punjab government would take all legal actions in case Musharraf arrives in the province. TrendPK

Memo issue: Parliament body calls Ijaz on Feb.10

TrendPK.com
ISLAMABAD: Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS) once again summoned American-Pakistani Businessman Mansoor Ijaz on February 10, TrendPK reports Thursday.

The committee held its meeting with Mian Raza Rabbani presiding over in the federal capital. Attorney General of Pakistan Maulvi Anwarul Haq briefed the meeting over Ijaz’s security.

Raza Rabbani said the committee came to an apparent conclusion that security provided to Ijaz was satisfactory, adding it is unjustifiable on his part to avoid coming to Pakistan on the basis of security.

The committee chairman said Ijaz will be served notice through foreign ministry and the Secretary Memo Commission will be the first person who will take evidences from him as he flies in.

The AGP told the committee that Ijaz has been assured of every possible security measures; however, no reply has been received from him thus far. TrendPK

SC adjourns hearing of Balochistan killings till March 2

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Friday adjourned hearing of a petition filed regarding Balochistan’s targeted killings and other crimes till March 2.

A three member bench, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry , heard the case. Home secretary and I.G Balochistan presented report regarding deteriorating situation of law and order in the province.

The chief justice said in his remarks that if the governor, chief minister, I.G and chief secretaries are not safe, then who will be safe!

The court suggested attorney general to meet the prime minister and tell him the real and full story of Balochistan and keep his comments in the record of the court. TrendPK

MQMs gives 10-day ultimatum to PPP to explain Mirzas remarks

MQM has given 10 days time to PPP to explain the remarks of Sindh Interior Minister Zulfikar Mirza about formers involvement in the incidents of target killings in Karachi.

MQM Rabta Committee meeting was held in London and Karachi at the same time in which all party leaders discussed the prevailing political situation after the anti-MQM remarks of Zulfikar Mirza and ouster of JUI-F from the coalition government. Talking to media after the meeting, MQM leader Raza Haroon said that the party has given 10 days to PPP for explanation of Mirzas remarks, then MQM will figure out its future strategy. He said that MQM will not take decisions in haste. Haroon said that Mirzas statement was a conspiracy to divide Sindh so that the party has strongly condemned it. He asked the PPP leaders to explain the remarks of Zulfikar Mirza, either these were Mirzas own remarks or partys. He said that differences among parties were not a new happening and MQM wanted to solve all matters with mutual discussions. He said it was democratic right of JUI-F to break away from the coalition.

PCO case: Judges established institution within institution

The Supreme Court in its remarks in the contempt of court case against PCO judges said that PCO judges established institution within institution with the help of dictator. While SM Zafar said that judge itself is a court and it cannot be issued contempt of court notice.

A four-member bench under the supervision of Justice Shahid Siddiqi heard the case against PCO judges. In his remarks, Justice Shahid Siddiqi said that the dictator issued an order which was not approved by the Parliament but the judges supported the dictator. He said that institution within institution cannot be set up. The hearing of the case would be held tomorrow again.

CJ warns AG of stern action in missing prisoners’ case

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry remarked that the court should not be compelled to take a stern action.

The Chief Justice made these remarks while hearing a case regarding the disappearance of 11 prisoners from Adiala Jail.

Attorney General Maulvi Anwar ul Haq said, “I stand by my stance that 11 missing inmates are not in the custody of intelligence agencies.”

In his remarks, Chief Justice Chaudhry said that evidence exists that these men are being held by agencies.

“The Chief Secretary is a reliable person. Think again or else things will get more complicated,” he said.

The apex court further warned that any attempt to obscure the case would lead to more problems.

The Chief Justice directed the Attorney General to submit a written statement in this regard. Trend Pk

Obama will discuss Pakistan in India parliament: official

MUMBAI: U.S. President Barack Obama will discuss Pakistan in the context of regional security and counterterrorism in his speech to the Indian parliament on Monday, a senior administration official said on Sunday.

“The president will definitely discuss Pakistan”, the official said, but declined to go further than that because he did not want to get ahead of the president’s remarks.

Obama draw criticism on Saturday after he paid tribute to victims of the 2008 Mumbai attacks but made no reference in his remarks to India’s traditional foe Pakistan, which New Delhi blames for harbouring anti-India militants.

Pakistan-based militants killed 166 people in a 60-hour rampage through Mumbai, India’s financial hub, gunning down their victims at luxury hotels, a train station and a Jewish centre. India says elements in the Pakistan state were behind the

China says European support for Nobel winner an affront

BEIJING: Any European nation’s support for Chinese dissident and Nobel Peace Prize-winner Liu Xiaobo would be seen as an affront to China’s legal system, China’s Foreign Ministry said on Friday.

Cui Tiankai, China’s key G20 negotiator, made the remarks in response to a reporter’s question at a briefing for the upcoming G20 summit in Seoul next week.

Liu, who is currently serving an 11-year jail term on subversion charges for his role in advocating democracy and an end to the Communist Party’s monopoloy on power, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in October.

The New York Times reported on Thursday that China was putting pressure on European governments to boycott the Nobel awards ceremony in December. AGENCIES

China says European support for Nobel winner an affront

BEIJING: Any European nation’s support for Chinese dissident and Nobel Peace Prize-winner Liu Xiaobo would be seen as an affront to China’s legal system, China’s Foreign Ministry said on Friday.

Cui Tiankai, China’s key G20 negotiator, made the remarks in response to a reporter’s question at a briefing for the upcoming G20 summit in Seoul next week.

Liu, who is currently serving an 11-year jail term on subversion charges for his role in advocating democracy and an end to the Communist Party’s monopoloy on power, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in October.

The New York Times reported on Thursday that China was putting pressure on European governments to boycott the Nobel awards ceremony in December. AGENCIES

Police torture case: SC told cops, lawyers on patch-up path

The Supreme Court on Friday adjourned the hearing of a suo moto notice of police torture on lawyers in Lahore till last week of November.
During the course of hearing, member of an inquiry committee formed to look into the matter Kazim Khan told the court that a patch-up is expected between both the estranged parties.
Justice Ramday wondered on the remarks by Kazim Khan in which he said that he fell ill during the investigation of the case, saying that how come a small responsibility make you ill? DCO Lahore Sajjad Bhutta, IG Punjab Tariq Saleem Dogar and Commissioner Lahore also attended the hearing as per earlier orders by the SC.

Next Page »