President Zardari, Asfandyar Wali Khan Discuss NWFP Security
ISLAMABAD: President Awami National Party Asfandyar Wali Khan Wednesday called on President Asif Ali Zardari and discussed with him matters pertaining to law and order and security situation in NWFP.
In a meeting held at Presidency, they also discussed the measures taken for the rehabilitation and return of displaced people to their homes in Malakand division.
President Zardari said Pakistan was looking for support and assistance of world community to overcome the gigantic task of reconstruction of the damaged infrastructure in Swat.
The President said the government was working on ‘Malakand Pilot Project’, a five year plan of action providing for not only rehabilitation and reconstruction of Malakand but also to address the root causes of extremism and militancy.
The Malakand Pilot Project will be presented to all FoDP partners for their consideration next week, the President said.
The President said the government would ensure the safe return of displaced people to their homes and that the damaged infrastructure was being rehabilitated on priority basis.
PRESS RELEASE of Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khan Khosa
Lahore, Pakistan: PRESS RELEASE of Senior Provincial Advisor Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khan Khosa.
Senior Provincial Advisor Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khan Khosa has strongly condemned the recent irrational statement of Governor Punjab Salman Taseer which he has made in the context of Gojra inferno. He said that the Governor has belittled his constitutional post with this statement which is contrary to facts, concocted and truly negative as different measures taken by the Punjab government belie his claim. He advised Mr. Taseer to conform to his constitutional obligations as Governor which is the highest office of the Federation in the province. Instead of promoting political bigotry against the Punjab government, he should learn to maintain the prestige and dignity of his office as his former protector is himself running from pillar to post to save his skin from the grip of law.
In a statement issued here today, the Senior Advisor maintained that the Governor is supposed to be unbiased and impartial and, therefore, he should avoid needless meddling in the government affairs. Governor’s irrational behavior in the wake of Gojra incident is more like a local Councilor who vainly tried to play politics over this sensitive issue and conspired to create animosity against the Punjab government. The need of the hour is that we should promote and encourage norms of tolerance, reconciliation and peaceful co-existence at every level as the country is already passing through a difficult phase of history, he said.
He said: “Governor Taseer is constitutionally obligated to cooperate with the Punjab government in maintaining an environment of harmony and tolerance in the province.”
Sardar Zulfiqar Khosa made it clear that the Gojra inferno has been taken very seriously by the Punjab government and Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif not only adopted administrative measures, but also made sure that the poor affectees are fully consoled and they would not feel deprived and dejected in their hour of need. CM not only paid an extensive visit to the site of the incident along with ministers and high officials of the government and announced different measures including cash payments to the affectees, taking action against the administration’s failure to protect the Christians and holding of judicial enquiry to fully probe the incident, but he has also deputed special police squads for the protection of Christian churches in the province. He has also made it clear to the representatives of various minorities and the ulema that the protection of minorities is the priority consideration of his policy and the administrative and political measures will certainly help improve the situation.
The Senior Advisor stated that there was complete harmony between the Federal and the Punjab governments on the issue of protection and welfare of minority communities and both the governments have shown cohesion on the issue of rehabilitation of the Gojra affectees. Zulfiqar Khosa said: “Pakistan has always given utmost priority to the welfare, protection and safeguarding of the rights of the minorities as enshrined in the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.” Praising the Federal Government measures while criticizing the Punjab government is an undignified step of Governor Taseer whose real intention is to sabotage the political reconciliation between the Centre and the Punjab province.
It must be remembered that Governor Taseer is a remnant of Pakistan’s most disgraced dictator currently hiding in the UK, while his lieutenant is busy in promoting hatred against a federating unit. It appears that Governor Taseer is only trying to prove his loyalty to the fugitive dictator.
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Gen Tariq Majid Visit to Vietnam, Brunei
ISLAMABAD: Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Tariq Majid on Wednesday left here for an official visit to Vietnam and Brunei Darussalam.
During his visit he is scheduled to meet top civil and military leadership of both countries.
