Sheikh Rashid sees bleak outlook for govt
KARACHI: Chief of Awami Muslim League (AML) Sheikh Rashid Saturday said it seems from the overall situation in the country that the government got caught out at slip.
Talking to media after a meeting with Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Functional) chief Pir Pagara at Kingri House here, AML chief said the national scenario is not quite satisfactory, adding, ‘Muslim League (Nawaz) never takes stand against the federal government, as they dread the formation of coalition government between Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Q) in Punjab.’
It seems Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) is not disposed to quit the coalition government at present, he added. TrendPK
Musharraf formally launches All Pakistan Muslim League
Former President Pervez Musharraf has announced to join politics and formally launched his party All Pakistan Muslim League on Friday in a ceremony in London.
Talking to participants, Pervez Musharraf said, On this historic day, I announce to join politics and become part of APML. He said that he decided to join politics because there was no politician in Pakistan to get the country out of multiple challenges.
He said that the country progressed under his 9 year rule, but he admitted that he committed some political mistakes. He forwarded his apology on those mistakes, saying that to error is human, to forgive divine. He said that he will inform the nation after his comeback about the reasons due to which he committed all the mistakes. He said that NRO was his biggest mistake and there was deal with Benazir Bhutto to not come back before elections.
He said, Pakistan is our country, it is the most beautiful country, it is precious, and we are nothing without this country, thats why I used to say Sab se pehlay Pakistan.Today, Pakistan is facing a number of challenges, and it is calling us for security, now it is our duty to save our beloved country, he added. He said that All Pakistan Muslim League will fight against poverty, illiteracy and unemployment.
He said, Pakistan was achieved to have social, economic and religious freedom. But people are being deprived of their rights and the rich are using laws for their interests.
He said that party manifesto would be comprised of three documents; first the Quran Pak, second the address of Quaid-e-Azam on August 11, 1947, and third document would be Objectives Resolution of Liaqat Ali Khan.
He said that local body system would be restored and family politics would be ended. He said that civil service would be reformed restructuring the government. He said that all people, women and men, would have equal rights. He said that nepotism and corruption would be ended and merit would be promoted. Electricity and water would be available to everyone, and food would be provided to everyone. He said that women education would be top priority. He said that Pakistans sovereignty would not be compromised, it would be saved from internal and external threats.
The former president said he will raise the GDP up to 6 percent. He said that Pakistan has capacity of producing 19000 MW power. He said that eradication of terrorists was vital for the progress of the country.
He invited all Pakistanis to come forward and join hands with APML and strengthen it. Sher Afgan, Nisar Memon, Lala Nisar and Fawad Chaudhry were also present in the ceremony.
Talking to Dunya News, PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal said that Musharraf has to apologize in the court after returning to the country. He said that Musharraf didnt commit mistakes, but those were blunders. He attacked the Lal Masjid, killed Nawab Akbar Bugti and ruined the Constitution for two times.
Talking to Dunya News, Sheikh Rashid said that it wasnt a bad thing to ask for pardon. He said that Pakistan is passing through an important phase of politics. He said that Musharraf was afraid that if ban on third term premiership ended, his chance would be minimum.
PPPs Jahangir Badar while talking to Dunya News said that Musharraf cant be a good politician. He said Musharrafs allies looted the poor. He said that there was no dictator like Musharraf in history who joined politics and made party.
PML-Ns Pervez Rasheed while talking to Dunya News said that Musharraf started his speech with white lies as he said he was going to join politics but he had already played politics when he took heinous steps on Kargil which brought bad name to Pakistan. He started politics on October 12, 1999.
Govt stance on Swiss cases ‘contempt of court’: Experts
ISLAMABAD: Legal experts, politicians and analysts have declared the government’s stance on Swiss cases a ‘contempt of court’.
They are of the view that the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) has a right to seek help from any of the state organizations to have its orders implemented.
Talking to Geo News Thursday, Justice (Retd.) Wajihuddin Ahmed said the government-adopted stance has no standing in the Constitution. “While as far as contempt of court is concerned, even the Prime Minister enjoys no immunity,” he added.
He pointed out that the court can direct such authorities with whose help it can put the ruling into action. “Actually this behaviour is being exhibited by the people who are trying to prove their so-called loyalty to their leader(s),” he noted, adding, “they have no sense that with such acts they will ruin their political careers and lose their assembly membership as well as ministries.”
President Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) asserted that the Supreme Court has the authority to have its orders implemented. It (SC) has a number of options at its disposal, he pointed out.
Article-189 of the Constitution states that all Supreme Court’s orders will be applicable and effective for all the departments and administrative heads of the government, he clarified. And Article-190 of the Constitution gives SC the right to seek assistance from any department/head of the government to establish supremacy of law.
Chief of Awami Muslim League Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said government is totally indifferent to its integrity and standing. The government’s stance on Swiss cases may lead to a number of problems, he observed.
Sheikh Rashid said: “Whenever they fear a clash, they pull themselves back by a couple of steps, but they continue to stand firm to their ultimate goal …they never change their policies.”
He said if action is taken on grounds of ‘contempt of court’ then it can even lead to the dissolution of the government.
Nine extremists killed in Orakzai operation
PESHAWAR: At least nine extremists were killed and various others injured in security forces action in Orakzai Agency, Geo News reported Sunday.
According to sources, the security forces pounded two hideouts of the extremists in Orakzai Agency area of Dabori from gunship helicopters, killing nine extremists and injuring several others.
The security forces continued today the operation in progress since last five weeks. At least 500 extremists have been killed in the operation and over 65 centers including 13 training centers have been razed down.
Over 60 MPs want to meet Musharraf: Qureshi
KARACHI: Major General (retd.) Rashid Qureshi has said that PPP and PML-N start blaming former president Pervez Musharraf for Benazir Bhutto’s assassination whenever he talks about returning to the country.
Speaking to newsmen at the Karachi airport, Qureshi said all those people, who are supporter of Musharraf, are included in the All Pakistan Muslim League (APML).
He said Pakistan’s renowned politicians often meet the former president in Dubai. More than 60 members of Parliament wants to see Musharraf, he revealed.
To a question, he said Musharraf will return to the country after the registration of All Pakistan Muslim League, which will be done soon.
Rashid label present rulers as civilian dictators
KARACHI: Terming the current rulers as civilian dictators, former federal minister and Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rashid urged the people to either take to the streets or prepare for death.
Speaking to newsmen at the Karachi airport on Sunday, he said PML-N and PPP are fighting ‘nura kushti’ while in fact they are same side of one coin.
He warned that Pakistan would become next Ethiopia and Somalia if water issue were not resolved. The nation gave nothing to the nation, he added.
SC Orders to Hold Polls in NA-55, Seeks Reply
Pakistan News: The Supreme Court gave directives to hold polls in NA-55 Rawalpindi, and demanded reply from the Punjab government about NA-123 Lahore .
Earlier, the Punjab government filed its reply in the court stating the law and order situation and repeated threats of terrorist attacks as reason for the postponement of by-polls, however, it also added that it would conduct the by-polls if the court allowed.
Sheikh Rashid and Nawaz Sharif are among those who would run for Rawalpindi and Lahore seats respectively.
SC Orders to Hold Polls in NA-55, Seeks Reply was first posted on December 30, 2009 at 6:11 pm.
Punjab CNG stations remain close Monday
LAHORE, Pakistan News : Around 600 CNG stations remained closed on second day, increasing difficulties of citizens.
The meeting of all Pakistan CNG association is to be held today wherein future strategy will be chalked out.
Chairman of all Pakistan CNG association Ghiyas Paracha stated that increase in the prices of CNG from the first of January will not be accepted.
Sui Northern Gas Pipelines added into the difficulties of the association by increasing the CNG prices.
He said that special meeting of the association has been called today (Monday) in which future plans will be decided.
Around 600 CNG stations have been closed down in Lahore and its environs for two days in line with load management plan of SUI Northern GAS Company (SNGC) CNG stations of Lahore, Kasur, Shekhupura and Okara have been shut down for two days from Sunday. Gas supply to CNG stations will be resumed at 6 am on Tuesday. People of Lahore avoided difficulties due to weekly off on the first day of two day closure of CNG pumps as working men and women and school-going children remained at their homes.
Owing to closure of CNG stations, rickshaw drivers seem affected. Some of them said that two days unavailability of CNG will cause starvation among daily wage workers.
Punjab CNG stations remain close Monday was first posted on December 21, 2009 at 7:50 pm.
Supreme Court accept Sheikh Rashid’s appeal on by-polls for hearing
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan News : The Supreme Court of Pakistan has accepted Sheikh Rashid’s appeal to listen his application to conduct by-polls in NA-55 in Rawalpindi in contradiction to the verdict of the Lahore High Court.
The three member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry has issued notices to the government of Punjab and Election Commission to submit its replies in the courts. Chief Justice remarked during the hearing that the Supreme Court would continue its work according to the constitution of Pakistan. The government has the responsibility to conduct by-polls and if the government is not in a position to conduct by-polls then it should inform to the Attorney General Shah Khawar. The Attorney General would ask the Governor Punjab to hold elections.
Earlier, Waseem Sajjad, the counsel of Sheikh Rashid argued in the court that article 224 section 4 indicates to hold by-polls on the vacant seat in the sixty days. The Election Commission had given November 7, 2009 a date for the by-polls on NA-55 but the government of Punjab appealed to the Lahore High Court and indicated in the application that the Election Commission did not make any consultation with the governmnet of Punjab for announcing the date of by-polls. Waseem Sajjad further argued that the Election Commission is an independent institution.
The Supreme Court also issued notice to Attorney General to assure his presence in the court in the next hearing.
Supreme Court accept Sheikh Rashid’s appeal on by-polls for hearing was first posted on December 21, 2009 at 8:04 pm.
New Debate Heats up About Future of NRO Beneficiaries
November 22, 2009 by Trend PK
Filed under Breaking News
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan News: NRO beneficiaries have started to devise their strategies after the issuance of a list making names of all the NRO beneficiaries public.
Politicians and other people included in the list say that decisions didn’t come on references against them for many years following which they had to take cover of NRO. Often people claim that they are innocents and were booked in fake cases. NRO will stand invalid on November 28 after which cases against all the NRO beneficiaries will reopen. However, Minister of State for Law Muhammad Afzal Sindhu says that cases against President Asif Ali Zardari cannot reopen.
PPP will fire some NRO beneficiaries: Rashid
About NRO beneficiaries Awami Muslim League Chairman Sheikh Rashid Ahmad said that PPP would sack some ministers and ambassadors who are beneficiaries of the NRO. He maintained that media has highlighted this issue so much that a decision on it is vital now. Rashid opined that judiciary would come into action if government didn’t take any decision in this regard.
Many important personalities among NRO beneficiaries: Zafar
Eminent lawyer and legal expert SM Zafar said that names of very important people have come on the front after the issuance of a list of NRO beneficiaries. He maintained that nature of the cases is also disclosed. “NRO beneficiaries can be divided into two groups. Some of them can be given relief. The NRO stands valid till November 28,” he added. Zafar told that NRO would be tried in the Supreme Court and after the decision of the court things would get clear.
PML-N always supported abolishment of NRO: Iqbal
Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) Central Information Secretary Ahsan Iqbal has a clear stance that NRO should be abolished. “PML-N has been accused of corruption in the past but now it is clear that PML-N is a transparent party,” he added.
