Fazl assures conditional support on RGST

Staff Report

LAHORE: JUI-F chief Maulana Fazl ur Rehman has assured his party’s conditional support for Reformed General Sales Tax (RGST).

While talking to the media in Lahore, he said that an army operation will not benefit Pakistan and all decisions should be taken as per the decisions of Parliament resolution.

He was of the opinion to have a firm belief in the supremacy of Parliament and democracy. He clarified that if RGST will be lenient and won’t impose much pressure on the citizens of Pakistan, his party will support it. Trend Pk

Punjab facing injustice in gas supply: Shahbaz

Deploring the step-motherly treatment with Punjab vis-a-vis gas supply issue, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Friday said that he would ask the Central government to resolve it.
Shahbaz was talking to media after inaugurating head office of Punjab Industrial Estate at Sundar Industrial Estate.
Referring to the Supreme Courts ruling on 18th amendment, the CM said that the said verdict would likely to help bring the political temperature down.
The decision showed that the judiciary has accepted the supremacy of the parliament which bodes well for the future, the CM maintained.

50,000 Hajj applications received

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Religious Affairs has so far received around 50,000 Hajj applications under the government scheme.

Last date for submitting the applications is July 2, while the ministry would send 80,000 intending pilgrims under the government scheme to perform the most cherished religious obligation.

The ministry had extended the last date to submit Hajj applications from June 25 to July 2 due to low turn out of applicants mainly caused by the condition of Machine Readable Passports (MRPs) imposed by the Saudi authorities for Hajj this year.

The ministry has issued directives to the bank branches receiving the Hajj applications for accepting the applications along with photocopies of the receipts from those aspirants who have applied for MRPs.

The applications are being received through designated bank branches of Allied Bank Limited, Habib Bank Limited, Muslim Commercial Bank, National Bank of Pakistan, United Bank Limited and Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited.

Sasti Roti scheme to continue: Shahbaz

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that the government will ensure continuation of welfare programs, such as, Sasti Roti scheme.

During meeting with members of the provincial assembly belonging to various districts, Shahbaz Sharif said the Sasti Roti and Sasti Roti Dastarkhwan programs are not less than a blessing for the poor, destitute, laborers, orphans and widows. The welfare programs have been initiated in the province for deprived segments of the society, he added.

The Punjab Chief Minister linked the building of flourishing society with the supremacy of justice. “I have taken on the mission of ensuring quick and affordable dispensation of justice to the people,” he added.

Independence of Judiciary to be ensured at any cost: CJ LHC

JAND: Chief Justice of Lahore High Court Khawaja Muhammad Sharif Saturday said that independence of judiciary would be ensured in the country at any cost.

“For the supremacy of law, every sacrifice would be made,” the CJ LHC stated this while addressing judges and advocates here today.

In the eyes of judiciary, the rich and poor all are equal, he said.

Chief Justice LHC Khawaja Sharif said that upgradation of Jand Courts to Sessions Division was his duty.

Violators of law would be dealt with an iron hand, he determined while emphasising that the federal and provincial governments to respect the law.

He lauded the role of media, lawyers and society for the independence of judiciary.

CJ LHC asked the lawyers to stop observing strikes as it would hamper the speedy justice. He urged the people to play their due role in the development of the country.

Kidnapped ex-ISI officer found dead

MIRANSHAH: Former intelligence officer Squadron Leader Khalid Khwaja (retd) was found dead in Karam Kot area of Mir Ali, Geo News reported.

Bullet riddled body of Khalid Khwaja was found today with a pamphlet saying Asian Tigers killed Khwaja.

The self-styled militant organisation, Asian Tigers, which has been holding hostage two former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) officers and a journalist, came up with new demands Wednesday, April 28, 2010, for the release of the kidnapped men.

It had approached former Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz parliamentarian from Kohat, Javed Ibrahim Paracha, and sought his role in negotiations between the government and their group for the release of the two retired military officers.

The three men had gone to the volatile North Waziristan tribal region on March 26 to work on a documentary about Taliban. They went missing and an unknown organisation, Asian Tigers, believed to be run by a banned militant organisation of the Punjabi Taliban claimed responsibility for their kidnapping.

The purported militant group released video statements of the two former intelligence officers, Ameer Sultan alias Col Imam (retd) and Squadron Leader Khalid Khwaja (retd) and journalist, Asad Qureshi.

In the video, released on April 19, 2010, Col Imam first introduced himself and then claimed that he had come to Waziristan on the advice of former army chief, Gen Mirza Aslam Baig (retd). He said he had served the Army for 18 years and worked in intelligence branch for 11 years.

Khalid Khwaja, who is now a lawyer and chairman of the Defence for Human Rights, said he served Pakistan Air Force for 18 years and the intelligence unit for two years. He said he had come to Waziristan on the advice of former intelligence chief Lt-Gen Hameed Gul, Gen Aslam Beg (retd) and Col Sajjad of the intelligence unit. It seemed he was reading a written statement handed to him by his kidnappers as at some point he appeared looking down to a piece of paper to read the name of Col Sajjad.

The third person in the video was journalist Assad Qureshi.

He said: “My name is Asad Qureshi. I am a British citizen. Please help and set me free. I am being detained by Asian Tigers.” In an email to media, the spokesman for this previously unheard militant organisation admitted that Khalid Khwaja and Col Imam were in Taliban custody.

“We demand the release of all Taliban leaders and others Mujahideen, including Mulla Biradar, Mansoor Dadullah and Maulvi Kabir. We will send a list of other Mujahideen we want to free within few days,” the spokesman added. He said they had set 10-day deadline for the government to release ”Mujahideen” or else they would kill the officers or take any other decision.

AJK PM warns Pakistan against inference on judicial crisis

LAHORE: Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Raja Farooq Haider Friday warned the Government of Pakistani against taking any unconstitutional step in the legal matters of AJK.

Addressing the lawyers at Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA), he said any unconstitutional interference from Islamabad would also have implications on Pakistan.

Some steps taken by Islamabad are creating a split among the people of Kashmir, he said, but added for Kashmiris, Pakistan is like a mother, whom they cannot fight.

The AJP premier demanded Pakistan, after cleansing its only Constitution of distortions, should now address the grievances of Kashmiris.

The reference against AJK Chief Justice was sent as he was interfering in the matters of executive and administration, he said.

“I will sacrifice my own position for the Supremacy of Constitution,” he added.

SC Asks Rehman Malik to Submit Written Reply

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan News: Interior Minister Rehman Malik has obtained time to submit his written reply in a contempt of court charge after he appeared before the Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has booked 4 cases against a mills group in connection with the Steel Mills corruption case.

SC’s three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice (CJ) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, heard the Steel Mills corruption case of Rs22 billion.

Rehman Malik was also present at the courts’ room, with regard to the allegations that he violated the court order by changing the investigative team probing into allegations of corruption in Pakistan Steel Mills.

Malik said he accepts the supremacy of the constitution, and that is why he appeared before the apex court.

Malik said he was unable to get lawyer’s assistance due to his tough schedule, while CJ accepted his request and asked the Interior Minister to submit the reply by January 24, 2010.

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SC Asks Rehman Malik to Submit Written Reply was first posted on December 24, 2009 at 7:19 pm.

Public Service Agenda Would Be Continued Under The Instructions Of President

Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan: Minister Population Welfare Punjab Neelam Jabbar Ch. has said that public service agenda would be continued under the instructions of President Asif Ali Zardari, party discipline and polices of PPP. She said that the President Asif Ali Zardari is the symbol of federation and a new era of political & economic stability had been ushered in under his guidance whereas, constitutional & democratic institutions would become stronger.

In a statement, Neelam Jabbar Ch. said that supremacy of parliament had been ensured and people’s problems would be solved on priority basis whereas, harmony among the masses of the provinces would be made stronger. She said that sovereignty of the country would be restored and elected representatives of the people would work for the strengthening of the democracy. The democratic forces are united, democracy is strong, people are aware of constitution & rule of law therefore, all the political forces should work for the supremacy of parliament & law and strengthening of democratic institutions, she concluded.

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Public Service Agenda Would Be Continued Under The Instructions Of President was first posted on September 7, 2009 at 3:56 pm.
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