9th Muharram: Mourning procession being taken out across country; red alert
The 9th Muharram mourning processions are being taken out across the country to commemorate the huge sacrifices rendered by Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S) and other martyrs of Karbala, trendpk.com reported on Thursday.
In Lahore, thousands of mourners took out Zuljinah procession from Imambargha Atia Ahle-Bait located at Nicolsan Road and Pandu Street Islampura.
ited the sacrifices rendered by Imam Hussain (AS), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), his companions and family members at Karbala. The procession route is being monitored by moveable cameras installed at hidden places. In Islamabad, the procession started from the imambargah in G-6. The participants of Majlis-i-Aza had to pass walk-through gates installed on the main road. The mourners did Noha Khwani and Matam (chest-beating). In Karachi, the main procession would begin from Nishtar part chowrangi, and after passing though its routes, would climax at Hussnainia Irania Imambargha, Kharadar. Strict security measures have been adopted by the Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) to meet any untoward incident.
Extra police and Rangers contingents have been deployed across the country in this regard. Security arrangements have also been finalized in others major cities for Muharram including Quetta. Police, Balochistan Constabulary and FC besides a brigade of Army would be deployed in the city on the occasion of mourning processions.LEAs have sealed off all the procession routes in Quetta, Lahore and others major cities.
Backbone of terrorists broken: CJCSC
Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Shamim Wyne said that backbone of Taliban network has been broken and this menace would be eradicated soon.
Addressing the ceremony of 122th Passing Out in Abbotabad Kakul Academy, Gen Shamim said that the government was fully aware of internal and external threats and it was fighting war on terror as per available resources. He lauded the sacrifices of the Army rendered in the war. He said that countrys sovereignty would not be compromised.
ISAF enhances cooperation with Pakistan Army
KABUL: International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan has recently established three Coordination Centers along Afghanistan-Pakistan border to check the movement of suspected terrorists.
The move was seen as meeting, to some extent, with Pakistan’s long-standing demand to increase security to check slipping of terrorists from the Afghan frontier. “We have established three coordination centers along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border – inside Afghan territory—to check their cross border movement,” said ISAF Commander of 3rd Brigade Col Luong.
He was talking to media-persons from Pakistan who were especially flown to the newly established center called “Tillman Forward Operating Base” in Paktika province on Tuesday.
The Brigade is responsible for keeping vigil along 260 km long chunk of Pakistan-Afghanistan border in the North Eastern flank of the war ravaged country.
Both the neighbors share around 2100 km long porous border, most of which comprises difficult hilly terrain. Another Coordination center has been established in Nawa while a coordination center already exists in Torkhum area.
Presently around 115,000 troops of the coalition led by USA are deployed in the whole of Afghanistan while around 140,000 soldiers of Pakistan’s security forces have been deputed on their side of the border.
British endorses Pakistan’s stance on terror war: Kaira
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira said President Asif Ali Zardari and British Prime Minister David Cameron lauded the sacrifices rendered by Pakistan in war on terror during the talks the two leaders held in London on Friday.
In an interview with media he said the talks were held in a cordial atmosphere. Kaira said that President Asif Ali Zardari explained Pakistan’s stand on all issues, including war on terror and the British Prime Minister supported his viewpoint.
He said the two leaders discussed the historic relations between the two nations .
The British Prime Minister appreciated the efforts of the democratically elected government, Kaira said and added, sacrifices rendered by Pakistan Army, law enforcement agencies and the civilian population were appreciated.
LPG prices increase by Rs3 per kg
LAHORE: The price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has been increased by Rs 3 per kilogram on Thursday, LPG distribution association announced Thursday.
This was the second time increase in a week.
According to the association, the price of domestic cylinder has been increased by Rs 30 while the rise in commercial cylinder price was Rs 120.
In Lahore, per kilogramme price stands between Rs 78-81, in Karachi Rs 75-78, in Peshawar, Gilgit, Fata, Murree and Islamabad Rs 82-85.
The price was last increased on June 4.
Fata”s development budget enhanced up to Rs15bn: Hafeez
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Finance Dr.Abdul Hafeez Shaikh said on Thursday that the government is fully aware of the sacrifices rendered by Fata people in war against terrorism and announced enhancement of its Annual Development Plan (ADP) from Rs. 8.6 billion to Rs. 15 billion.
He stated this while talking to a delegation of parliamentarians from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata), led by Munir Orakzai, MNA, called on the Federal Minister for Finance here Thursday.
Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh also discussed matters relating to the development of their area.
He assured the delegation that all constitutional and administrative formalities in this regard would be completed shortly and the Ministry of Finance would ensure that the amount is released promptly.
He also appreciated the constructive role played by the people of Fata in the War on Terror, adding that the government is fully aware of the sacrifices rendered by Fata people in this War.
During the meeting, the parliamentarians also apprised the minister of the economic problems being faced by the people of Fata agencies.
Ramday urges system be kept from falling
ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar Muhammed Chaudhry said the change in the oath of judges would lead the country to have the continuity of the democracy in the country, wondering why such an amendment (18th Amendment) was brought, when the judiciary had already effected a change in judges’ oath to stem the path of a dictator, Geo News reported Wednesday.
The CJ Chaudhry said this while heading a SC’s 17-member larger bench hearing various identical petitions filed against some articles contained in the 18th Amendment.
He further said, ‘Judiciary wants the stability of the democracy and we wish in the earnest that it was not harmed.’
Justice Khalilur Rehman Ramday said in his remarks, ‘Who will be held responsible if the system, for which the sacrifices were given, is committing suicide?’
The verdict against the PCO judges has been made a part of the Constitution and the apex court said the same in its ruling, he remarked.
Earlier, Akram Sheikh Advocate, counsel of a petitioner Nadeem Ahmed continued his arguments on the second day today.
Sheikh said, ‘The Constitutional Committee was not mandated to establish a commission concerning the judges’ appointments. The judiciary is bound by law to have an eye on the federal and the provincial governments.’
‘Eighteenth Amendment was not rendered in the regional languages.’
Citing the example of Britain, Akram said the judiciary in that country was consulted when the law relating the judges’ appointment was amended; however, the Law Commission was not approached for consultation, when the same was done in Pakistan.
Akram added the Parliament approved the Amendment only in four minutes.
The court demanded the Parliamentary record regarding 18th Amendment.
Justice Saqib Nisar said, ‘Article-174(A) has some good parts as well. If a five-member committee is formed, then how come the independence of judiciary would be affected.’
Urging Akram Sheikh Advocate not to classify politicians into good or bad, Justice Asif Saeed said, ‘Quaid-e-Azam who gave us country was a politician and it was politicians who presented 1973 Constitution.’
The court will continue hearing the case tomorrow.
Govt, people are united against terrorists: FO
ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit has said that Pakistan’s armed forces are carrying out a successful offensive against militants in tribal areas.
The government and people of Pakistan are united for the elimination of terrorists, who have no room in the country, the spokesman said Friday.
He stated that violence against innocent people is unacceptable and uncalled for.
Basit further said people of Pakistan attach a great value to the sacrifices rendered by armed forces in the ongoing war against terrorism.
Altaf grieved over blast at Kohat police station
LONDON: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Altaf Hussain Sunday strongly condemned the suicide bomb blast at Kohat’s police station in Saddar area, that killed seven innocent people.
In his statement, Altaf said the heartless assassins killed yesterday the innocent people and the grisly act was repeated today that killed and injured several innocent citizens.
The MQM Chief said those elements involved in such heinous activities are anti Muslim and anti human, urging the nation, ‘We must unite against these elements.’
Altaf has expressed his profound grief over the loss of precious lives and extended condolences to the bereaved families.
He also demanded the President and the PM to take immediate notice of the fresh wave of terrorism that hit Kohat and that measure be taken up to ensure sanctity and security of people’s life and property.
13 extremists killed in Orakzai op
PESHAWAR: At least 13 extremists were killed in clashes with the security forces in Orakzai Agency’s area of Sangra, Geo News reported Sunday.
The action claimed life of a security personnel, as well.
According to sources, the clash between the security forces and the extremists occurred early this morning, where 13 extremists were killed. The rest of the extremists fled the scene.
A personnel of the Frontier Corps was martyred in the action.
The forces’ operation that is in progress for four weeks now, have forced the local people to evacuate to the nearby areas including Kohat and Hangu.
