De seneste posts fra danske RSS feeds og weblogs på Overskrift.dk om tag'et pakistan http://www.overskrift.dk Thu, 24 May 2012 15:01:21 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://www.overskrift.dk/images/overskrift.gif http://www.overskrift.dk Overskrift.dk http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 60 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Newspakistanpk/~3/KtMVbR8fBMs/ The issue of the enforced disappearances and subsequently killings allegedly at the hands of the security forces in Sindh is nowhere near the levels it is in Balochistan. Nationalist politicians have been speaking for some time that they are increasingly being harassed and threatened. The certainty of this allegation appears to be corroborated by the circumstances surrounding the killing of Muzaffar Bhutto, the leader of Jeay Sindh Muttahida Mahaz. A couple of days ago, his body bearing two bullet wounds was recovered in the Chalgari area near Hyderabad. The nationalist leader had been missing since February this year and His wife filed a petition in the court for recovery of her husband, claiming that her husband had been abducted by the security forces. It is vital to highlight here that Muzaffar Bhutto had been picked up in a similar fashion on at last two occasions. The way in which the nationalist leader disappeared and was found dead is reflected in the cases the apex court is pursing in Balochistan. Jeay Sindh Muttahida Mahaz advocates the creation of a separate state of Sindhu Desh which is why its leaders are threatened and harassed by the security forces. The intelligence departments refused the allegation that Muzaffar Bhutto was in their custody during the course of constitutional petition. The onus is upon the intelligence services and law-enforcement agencies to comprehensively establish their lack of involvement by dynamically pursing all suck killings and dumping incidents and bringing original culprits to the justice, if they are not indulged in these tactics. The matter is of a great concern and it is fortunate that the media and the judiciary have brought it to the forefront of public attention due to the efforts of the families of the missing persons. Such incidents are putting significant black marks on the country?s human rights record and require a solution at the earliest. It is vital to mention here that such incidents are not achieving positive names for the country. Faisal Farooq NewsPakistan.pk Thu, 24 May 2012 12:44:43 +0100 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Newspakistanpk/~3/yIRVBsi-6a0/   Sights of Sounds of Pakistan: Chitral Part-5 The scions of the Katur dynasty are still widely respected and honoured by the people of Chitral today, but the current Mehtar, H.H. Saif-ul-Mulk Nasir does not hold any royal powers.. During the reign of Mehtar Aman-ul-Mulk, known as Lot (Great) Mehtar, the dynasty’s sway extended from Asmar in the Kunar Valley of Afghanistan to Punyal in the Gilgit Valley. Tribes in Upper Swat, Dir Kohistan and Kafiristan (present day Nuristan, not to be confused with the Kalasha valleys which have always been an integral part of Chitral) paid tribute to the Mehtar of Chitral. The ruler’s title, Mehtar, is unique; his male descendants were styled Mehtarjao, equally rare, until the higher (Persian) royal style Shahzada, originally reserved for the Crown Prince (Tsik Mehtar, again unique, as Heir Persumptive, becoming Wali-Akht Sahib when heir Apparent), was extended to all princes of the Mehtar’s blood since the rulers at that point. A personal museum of one Mr Wazir on way up to Drosh fort has many interesting collections including one letter written by the British district political agent to the grand Mehtar stating that it has been observed with "concern" that locals do not get up and pay respect to the British when passing by on the road and that he is "advised" in his own interest to inform everyone that all locals to stand and pay respect to the passing by vehicles even if no British is sitting inside as mark of respect, lest the offender will be taken as a Russian spy and dealt with accordingly." The Mehtars dominated till the British, threatened by a possible Soviet invasion, established a garrison in Chitral in the 19th century. However, when these fears were ill founded, the British lost interest in Chitral, and the Mehtars were left to govern as they wished until the late 1960s, when the state was dissolved in 1969 and made part of Pakistan. However, the scions of the Katur dynasty are still widely respected and honoured by the people of Chitral today, however they do not hold any royal powers. The easiest way to Chitral is by air from Peshawar. PIA, the national airlines, operates daily Fokker flights to Chitral on subsidized rates. The flight takes 55 minutes but as is the case with all flights to the northern areas, this too is scheduled by the weather.     To be continued? Naveed A Bari NewsPakistan.pk Thu, 24 May 2012 12:28:29 +0100 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Newspakistanpk/~3/WK6FBbMVZew/ After successfully restoring deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, some elements in the lawyers have really started thinking themselves above the law. The recent attacks by lawyers on policemen, readers and judges are truly regrettable. There has been a string of incidents across Punjab Province in the past few months where the lawyers manhandled policemen, court?s readers, entering into unwarranted arguments and abusing the judges of subordinate judiciary. Interestingly, no lawyer has been punished so far in any of the incidents as they managed to secure bails. A couple of such incidents took place in Lahore two days back where groups of lawyers maltreated a judge?s reader at civil courts and an ASI from Gujranwala was kicked, punched and his uniform torn apart in the premises of the Lahore High Court (LHC). The LHC Judge took the notice of beating of ASI and summoned High Court Bar Association representatives after the civil courts employees abandoned their work and went on strike against the rough attitude meted out to their colleague. However, no action has been taken against the responsible lawyers thus far. A couple of incidents reported in the recent past when lawyers tortured policemen for not giving statements of their liking in the court. All civil judges of Lahore and Faisalabad observed pen-down strike in March this year against the alleged torture of their colleagues by lawyers. Such incidents are worrisome and height of vandalism on the part of those who are expected to uphold the rule of law in the country. If the legal fraternity is violating the law of the land and no action is being taken against them by the Bars and the Courts, then one shudders to think where the country was heading for. Apparently certain black sheep have entered the noble profession who want to make their name by bullying the prosecutors, witnesses and judges to get verdicts of their desires. This trend cannot be accepted by a civilized society and the entire community will lose its credibility in the eyes of the people if it goes unchanged. Hence, it is responsibility of the Bar Associations to call a national-level meeting and take firm decision to deal with such condemnable acts including a lifetime ban on practice of legal profession on those indulging in rude behavior and violating code of ethics. In addition, the Supreme Court should also take suo moto notice of the issue if it is really sensitive about its dignity and honor. Faisal Farooq NewsPakistan.pk Thu, 24 May 2012 11:42:54 +0100 http://twitter.com/WelfareUpdate/status/205590399337766912 RT @tribuneblogs: That filthy, smelly child is mine - creative writing piece by Tayyaba Hassaan http://t.co/lTI7e1CL #Pakistan Twitter / WelfareUpdate Thu, 24 May 2012 11:25:45 +0100 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Newspakistanpk/~3/ZIU4wORyTyE/ We all watch as the Judiciary continues to split the Nation There are countries in which the judiciary plays a pivotal role in the rising of nations in terms of economy, social welfare and the rule of law, but then there are those unfortunate ones which have to face the wrath of their own courts, hindering all possible advancement. Since the day Chief Justice Ifthikar Muhammad Chaudhry was forcefully reappointed as the country?s CJ, a long process which involved many stakeholders looking to have their mess cleared up. It is easy to see that each and every step taken by the civilian government has been overlooked by him in the most negative way possible. I do not know what goes on in other countries, but never has any government throughout history faced such scrutiny over their actions than in Pakistan from the first day up until now. The clash between judiciary and executive goes back since Pakistan was put on the map of this world as judges supported the takeovers of numerous military dictators like Zia-ul-Haq, who had elected Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto hanged to death. They followed by overthrowing the governments of Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif twice and most recently, allowed ex-Chief of Army Staff Pervez Musharraf to rule for over 9 straight years. The special case about Ifthikar Muhammad Chaudhry is that he himself took over charge of the seat of Chief Justice after Pervez Musharraf overthrew Saeed-uz-Zaman Siddique from the post and took oath under the PCO back in 2002. He then granted the military dictator time to run the government, under God knows which law of the Constitution, and it was not until Musharraf decided to throw him out in November of 2007 that Ifthikar Muhammad Chaudhry became a national hero. Looking at his status as originally being a PCO judge, does that not classify him as those who took oath under Abdul Hameed Dogar and were than prosecuted to resign and apologise. Should not Saeed-uz-Zaman Siddique deserve the seat that was taken from him, which obviously did not trigger the same reaction from the people and lawyer community as it did with the current CJ? Naeem Bukhari, a well known member of the lawyer community who was responsible for writing the letter against Ifthikar Chaudhry did it once again and that too, to the Chief Justice himself. That time, lawyers and the nation in general looked down on Mr. Bukhari and termed it to be a act of hatred and on the directs of Pervez Musharraf, but now, his second letter has gotten a total different response by the black coats for sure, but it is easy to see how the media just really buried it instead. Look forward to seeing the letter as we continue this discussion in the future. Syed Hassan Bokhari NewsPakistan.pk Thu, 24 May 2012 09:50:50 +0100 http://twitter.com/amnestydk/status/205565589614370816 #Pakistan doctor who helped #CIA pin down Osama bin Ladens location sentenced to 33 years in prison http://t.co/j17RqOwh Twitter / amnestydk Thu, 24 May 2012 09:47:10 +0100 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Newspakistanpk/~3/tFzuOsR8JJs/ Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Maulana Fazlur Rehman has asserted that land route for NATO forces will not be restored, saying that rumors regarding any such move are completely baseless. Speaking to a party-jirga, the JUI-F chief stated that the joint resolution of parliament and recommendations of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS) have redefined Pakistan?s stance with respect to the US. He observed, ?Any secret deals conducted in the past are now null and void. Any department or ministry cannot bypass these new principles now?. Fazlur Rehman categorically stated that NATO supplies will not be restored as it is detrimental to the national interest of Pakistan, warning that it could lead to civil war in the country. He said, ?The US is well aware of the economic problems of Pakistan. The country is also facing constitutional crises after Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani?s conviction and now the US wants to pressurize Pakistan through the Chicago conference. Our leaders should show maturity in dealing with such situations?. All agreements with the US have become outdated. It is ripe time that the government should make it clear to the US that they had been no more partner of the US in war against terrorism. Maulana also flayed criticism at the provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, saying that the Awami National Party (ANP) had approved a resolution calling for including FATA in its provincial domain. He, however, said that this was against the wishes of the people. He pledged to invite tribal elders to discuss the situation further and recommended the provincial government to take them into confidence before taking any major decisions. He accused that the ANP was working on international agenda to amalgamate the FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas) with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In the meantime, Fazlur Rehman condemned the violence in Karachi, saying it seems that the leaders were not serious about dealing with the crisis. In his view, the policies of the government are responsible for chaotic condition in Karachi. The JUI-F chief also opposed military operation in Karachi, Fata and Balochistan, stating that restoration of peace and tranquility was only possible with unanimous decision of political parties by dialogue. Faisal Farooq NewsPakistan.pk Thu, 24 May 2012 09:18:07 +0100 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Newspakistanpk/~3/PnnumKRuc50/ Marvi Memon, the leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), claimed that Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) was behind the Mohajir Sooba Tehreek, expressing fears she is being targeted because of her claim. While speaking to the media, she stated, ?Same people are responsible for the events of May 22 who were behind those on May 12, 2007?. The PML-N supports the two issues the rally was for ? condemning the deaths of innocent people in Lyari and condemning the division of Sindh?. In order to gain the support, the PML-N accepted an invitation from Ayaz Palijo, the leader of Awami Tehreek that took out rally on May 22. Explaining the allegations being leveled against her for Tuesday?s incident, she said the MQM had targeted her for naming them as being behind the Mohajir Sooba Tehreek. She also criticized Interior Minister Rehman Malik, saying his allegations were so ludicrous they were not worth commenting on. She noted, ?The government talks against [the billboards and graffiti] but has not been able to remove (them). They are in cahoots with the MQM. Or they are not in charge. That means the MQM is in charge?. Explaining the events of Tuesday, she said that the PML-N contingent first went to Ibrahim aka Cheel Chowk where they were told that the rally would start from Uzair Baloch?s residence. She said the rally took off, and appeared to be divided into two, a large group of people from Lyari, including women, and the workers of the Awami Tehreek (AT). The people at the back of the rally came under fire when they moved towards MA Jinnah Road. She said her driver escaped the attack but her jeep was hit by firing. They were caught in the crossfire and were targeted by attackers in the surrounding buildings when they decided to stop at Denso Hall to wait for the rest of the rally to catch up. In her view, when the remaining people caught up with the rally most had left because of the panic and they moved forward to II Chundrigar Road. Later, Marvi Memon was then called by the PML-N to attend an emergency meeting to recount what had transpired. Faisal Farooq NewsPakistan.pk Thu, 24 May 2012 08:31:45 +0100 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Newspakistanpk/~3/KcGxWjJz9DY/ In order to overcome the deteriorating situation in Sindh, particularly the incident of May 22, the federal cabinet constituted a four-member special committee to investigate the killing of innocent people. The cabinet met with Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani in the chair, discussing host of issues including law and order situation in Balochistan and Sindh. It formed another special panel to look into the security issues in Balochistan, particularly related to the violation of human rights. The special body for Sindh will be comprised Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Maula Bukhsh Chandio, Syed Naveed Qamar and Khursheed Shah, which will hold meetings with nationalist leaders to address their reservations over a prospective of Mohajir province. Gilani directed the two bodies to complete their reports and submit recommendations at the next session of the federal cabinet. Finance Minister Dr Hafeez Sheikh gave a presentation to the cabinet on the energy situation in the country during the meeting. On which, the premier asked the Ministry for Law to draft necessary legislation to deal severely with issues of power theft and defaulters. Mian Manzoor Wattoo reportedly suggested the cabinet that CNG stations should be closed for three months to tackle the gas crisis which is causing severe damage to the industries. In the meantime, the federal cabinet congratulated the president on his successful participation in the NATO Summit in Chicago, expressing satisfaction over the outcome of the visit of the Turkish Prime Minister to Pakistan. Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira while briefing the media after the meeting dispelled the impression that ministers belonging to the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) had boycotted the cabinet meeting. He clarified that they had some engagements in Karachi which was why they didn?t attend the meeting. The minister insisted that reopening of NAB references against the Sharif Brothers was not political victimization since the references were originally submitted under former president Pervez Musharraf?s regime. He observed, ?The Sharif brothers should not be afraid of facing the courts they are the luckiest in Pakistan who always received justice in time?. Clarifying that Chicago summit was not the forum for apologies, the minister said their talks are going on with the US and the NATO and their stance on Salala check-post was very clear. Faisal Farooq NewsPakistan.pk Thu, 24 May 2012 08:00:12 +0100 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Newspakistanpk/~3/3pd-vu_e1ic/ In quite an unprecedented move, Amnesty International criticized the United States (US) for conducting Abbottabad raid that killed Osama bin Laden and using unmanned aircrafts to attack people in the Pakistan’s tribal areas. The Human Rights group released its 50th annual report, lashing out at the US for using lethal force in killing of Al-Qaeda chief in secret operation carried out by US NAVY seals. It observed, ?The US administration made clear that the operation had been conducted under the USA?s theory of a global armed conflict between the USA and Al-Qaeda in which the USA does not recognize the applicability of international human rights law?. The report claimed that the killing of Osama bin Laden will appeared to have been illegal in the absence of further clarification from the American officials. It also raised questions about attacks by US unmanned aircrafts inside the Pakistani territory, which claimed many innocent lives. Amnesty International stated that a request for clarification over an American spy attack in Yemen last year had also gone unreturned. Furthermore, it also spoke about missing persons and failures of the Pakistani government in safeguarding the rights of minorities. It noted, ?Out of several missing persons across Pakistan, only 220 of them were recovered”. Commenting on the ongoing killings of media professionals, the report said almost nine journalists were killed during 2011 across the country. The protector of the human rights was of the opinion that the UN Security Council was flabby for the purpose and is failing to match the courage of protesters across the globe. Highlighting the failure to end the bloodshed in Syria, the Amnesty International said the top security body of the United Nations looks redundant after repeated vetoes by major arms exporters Russia and China. Its annual report also pointed out that emerging powers including South Africa, Brazil and India were complicit through their silence on key issues of human rights. ?The vocal support by many global powers in the early months of the Arab Spring in 2011 had not translated into action, with many international leaders now looking the other way?, it added. The report also flayed criticism at Canada for failing to arrest former US president George W. Bush during a visit in October despite clear evidence that he was responsible for crimes under international law. Faisal Farooq NewsPakistan.pk Thu, 24 May 2012 07:08:40 +0100 http://dagensfix.dk/2012/05/24/24-05-12/ Jesper Schultz dagensfix.dk Thu, 24 May 2012 06:57:16 +0100 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Newspakistanpk/~3/CdVBb8qEY9M/   President Barack Obama spoke briefly this past Monday with President Asif Ali Zardari on the sidelines of a NATO summit as the uneasy allies looked to drain the poison from their wounded relations.   Obama and Zardari "had a brief conversation," and were joined later by Afghan President Hamid Karzai to take a joint picture, National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor said.   NATO invited Zardari to the summit amid signs that Pakistan could soon reopen ground supply lines into Afghanistan. Pakistan shut the routes after a November incident in which a NATO strike on its soil killed 24 Pakistani soldiers.   American and NATO officials say the closure of the routes has not hurt the alliance’s war on the Taliban, but that they would be crucial to the plan to withdraw the International Security Assistance Force’s 130,000 troops by the end of 2014.   "So far, the closure of the transit routes has not had a major impact on our operations in Afghanistan," NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen told reporters.   "But it goes without saying that it will be quite a logistical challenge to draw down the number of troops in the coming months and years. So we need a number of transit routes, and obviously the transit routes through Pakistan are of great importance, and I would expect a reopening of the transit routes in the very near future," Rasmussen said.   Irfan Khokhar NewsPakistan.pk Thu, 24 May 2012 06:38:29 +0100 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Newspakistanpk/~3/t0ljp9qycWo/ NEPRA raises Power Tariffs on account of retrograde fuel adjustment Wednesday, May 23, 2012: Pakistan?s National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has once again raised the power tariffs by up to Rs1.79 per unit on account of nostalgic fuel adjustment for the months of February and March 2012. The increased tariffs will be reflected in bills that all consumers, except the lifeline ones, receive in September and October 2012. As per the notification issued, Nepra has raised power tariff by Rs0.59 per unit to recover the fuel cost for February that would be reflected in September. The authority has also hiked the tariff by Rs1.79 per unit to recover the fuel cost for the month of March that would be recovered in October. In dissenting notes against the decisions, Nepra member Shaukat Ali Kundi said that inefficiencies in and mismanagement of public sector generation companies (Gencos) persist and generation cost burden continues to increase. ?I am, therefore, inclined not to pass on any undue burden to the consumers,? Kundi said. He said that public sector Gencos were given certain directives by Nepra to reduce generation costs and protect consumers from unwarranted burden caused by mismanagement of the service providers, but all in vain. The declining performance of public sector Gencos is not only aggravating load-shedding in the country, but also causing a huge loss to the exchequer, Kundi said. These Gencos are not making any serious effort to improve their operational performance,? he added. A committee assigned to carry out a study determined that the accumulated loss on account of inefficiencies in Gencos was around Rs25.874 billion during 2007 and 2009. While Nepra has not allowed for these losses to be passed on to the consumers, they are borne by the respective companies and their 100% shareholder, the government of Pakistan. ?This is something very alarming ? the government must take notice of these losses caused to the national exchequer, and make a thorough probe into these losses and its recovery thereof,? Kundi added.   Wajahat Javed NewsPakistan.pk Thu, 24 May 2012 01:18:27 +0100 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Newspakistanpk/~3/RAnzmXk6eGY/ Tussle between power companies and oil supplier may worsen the energy crisis Islamabad: (Wednesday, May 23, 2012) A lingering tussle between the power companies and the major oil supplier of the country over advance payments may aggravate the energy crisis in the country as power producers have lately become reluctant to buy petroleum products by opening letters of credit that may ensure prompt payments for oil supplies. The new mechanism, if approved and adopted by the energy companies, will ensure smooth and sustained oil supply on cash rather than on credit and will thus curb the issue of circular debt that has marred the entire energy chain for the past many years. In order to facilitate the power producing companies, Pakistan State Oil (PSO), which is also the largest oil marketing company of the country, has started to open LCs for purchase of petroleum products from refineries after Pak-Arab Refinery Company (Parco) refused to supply oil on credit. Faced by this situation, PSO is now devising and opting the mechanism as its receivables, mainly from the large buyers, or say the power producers, have touched Rs 205.98 billion while it has to pay Rs 178.802 billion to local as well as international fuel suppliers. Commenting on this new mechanism of making advanced payments, an official of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources said, ?The LC-backed system will force power companies to make advance payments to oil suppliers. There will be no oil for the power sector if it does not make payments in advance.? However, this is only one side of the picture as the power companies do not seem ready to adopt this new system of payments. Dwelling on this matter, a senior official at the ministry of water and power said, ?The system, introduced by PSO, can be successful only if the power sector accepts it and opens LC for oil purchase.? However, the official also made it clear that the power companies virtually had no money to implement the LC-backed payment system. Fayyaz Yaseen NewsPakistan.pk Wed, 23 May 2012 22:00:19 +0100 http://twitter.com/davidmacdougall/status/205374838464983040 Doc who helped track down Bin Laden is jailed in Pakistan. But here's 5 people #Pakistan hasn't jailed: http://t.co/iDsaDzVO by @FP_Magazine Twitter / davidmacdougall Wed, 23 May 2012 21:09:11 +0100 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Newspakistanpk/~3/SdsSB_MO3kc/ Pakistan considers itself at war with the US: US Congressman Washington: (Wednesday, May 23, 2012) While reacting to Pakistan sentencing Dr Afridi for 33 years in Prison, the US department of defense said today that Afridi?s help provided intelligence that was very helpful with regards to the operation that culminating in killing Al Qaeda chief, and thus, it, in no way was a treason towards Pakistan. Adding further to his remarks, the department spokesperson said that Pakistan and the United States have a common cause of fighting against terrorism, and thus they had Al Qaeda as a common enemy. The spokesperson said that the Secretary has already said ?It is a real mistake on Pakistan?s part.? Viewing this in a different context, the US Congressman, Dana Rohrabacher said that Dr Shakil?s prison sentence is a ?decisive proof that Pakistan sees itself as being at war? with the US. Rohrbacher further added, ?there is no shared interest against Islamic terrorism. On 9/11, Pakistan was coordinating the efforts of the Taliban who were in league with Osama bin Laden. In 2012, Pakistan is still working very closely with the Taliban, whose leader Mullah Omar was plotting with Bin Laden right up until he was killed, according to documents taken from Bin Laden?s Pakistan home. Pakistan was and remains a terrorist state.? Advocating that the US should come forward to help Dr Afridi, Rohrbacher said, ?Dr Afridi came through for the American people, now it is our time to come through for him.? ?Advocates of aid argue we should draw a distinction between the civilian government and the military-intelligence cabal who are supporting terrorist groups that murder Americans, but President [Asif Ali] Zardari?s behavior at the Nato summit in Chicago indicates that he is either in league with the military or under their domination. Any money that goes to Islamabad will continue to end up in the pockets of people actively and deadly hostile to America? he added further. Stressing on Hillary Clinton to opt for punitive measures to teach Pakistan a lesson, the Congressman added further, ??Secretary Clinton will have to do more than voice protests over the Afridi case. Both the Departments of State and Defense need to take punitive actions against Pakistan. Carrots are not enough when dealing with an adversary. Sticks are needed to prove we are serious. Cutting off aid to the regime while providing support to groups like the Balochi people who are oppressed by Islamabad will send a message that it doesn?t pay to confront America,? said Rep. Rohrabacher. Fayyaz Yaseen NewsPakistan.pk Wed, 23 May 2012 19:29:50 +0100 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Newspakistanpk/~3/2unYtN_vwRc/ Nawaz vows to build a better Pakistan if entrusted with votes Attock: (Wednesday, May 23, 2012) Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) leader Nawaz Sharif said here today that Pakistan was progressing leaps and bounds during his two stints in power. He was addressing a rally in Attock today. The PML-N leader said that if he had remained in the power, prosperity would have reached the town where from he was currently addressing the masses. Boasting about the development projects undertaken by his government, Nawaz said that they made the development sustainable and had not looked for begging to finance the development programmes. Lamenting the country?s present deteriorating situation, the former PM of Pakistan said that there was no loadshedding, terrorism, extremism, inflation or unemployment in the country when he ruled. Quoting that during his regime Pakistan was far ahead of India, he said, ?Everything was just fine; Pakistan was region?s No. 1, better than India.? Resenting the growing national debt, Nawaz said that every child born today is under massive debt. Waving his party flag, Nawaz said that if the people of Pakistan will entrust him again with their votes, things will change in Pakistan for good and better. He said, ?God will change the destiny of the youth; this government is ruining their future. Together, we will build a new Pakistan which will become Asia?s tiger?. Lashing out at Pakistan Peoples? Party led government; Nawaz said that even though he knew that the elections were rigged, his party decided to cooperate with the PPP. However, he was of the view that the PPP had betrayed them. Commenting on the time he spent in exile, Nawaz said that he could spend those seven years in serving the nation. Promising to build a better Pakistan, Nawaz asked the people of Attock to support him. He said, ?I have come to you for the sake of Pakistan and not for any personal gain.? ?There will come a time when there will be no inflation, no loadshedding and no other problems and that would be PML-N?s time in power? he added further. Fayyaz Yaseen NewsPakistan.pk Wed, 23 May 2012 18:59:40 +0100 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Newspakistanpk/~3/Y1KQHu-nzY8/ According to the recent news, Dr. Shakil Afridi, a native of Khyber Agency, has been sentenced to 33 years in jail on the accusation of helping the CIA find Osama bin Laden. He has been charged of treason, a local official said. He was accused of running a fake vaccination campaign in Abbottabad, in which he collected DNA samples, which is believed to have helped the American intelligence agency CIA to track down bin Laden. Osama Bin was killed in a unilateral raid of U.S. Special Forces in May, 2011. “Dr Shakil has been sentenced to 33 years imprisonment and a fine of 320,000 Pakistani rupees ($3,477),” said Mohammad Nasir, a government official in the northwestern city of Peshawar, where the jail term will be served. He gave no further details. Hence, Dr. Afridi becomes the first person to be sentenced by Pakistani authorities in the Osama murder case. The sentence was handed down under tribal laws which do not carry the death penalty for a crime such as treason. However, the U.S. has strongly criticised the whole act. “Without commenting on specific individuals, anyone who helped the United States find bin Laden was working against al Qaeda and not against Pakistan,” said Pentagon spokesman George Little. Senior U.S. officials had made public appeals for Pakistan, a recipient of billions of dollars in American aid, to release Afridi, detained within weeks of the raid that killed bin Laden and strained ties with Islamabad. Irfan Khokhar NewsPakistan.pk Wed, 23 May 2012 17:52:50 +0100 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Newspakistanpk/~3/KfdML1zJ8Io/ Dr Shakil Afridi handed over 33 years in prison Peshawar: (Wednesday, May 23, 2012) Dr Shakil Afridi, a government surgeon and the key informant to the CIA in Usama Bin Laden?s arrest and killing operation has been handed over 33 years in jail for treason charges. Afridi, who had been under trial for the same charges and was sacked as government doctor two months ago, was found guilty in a detailed tribal judicial investigation in province Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In addition to the imprisonment, Afridi will also have to pay a fine of Rs 320,000. Afridi has worked for years in the security challenged province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly in the areas heavily infiltrated by the Taliban and al Qaeda. Since the tribal judicial system is completely different to that of conventional judicial system, Afridi was not given a chance to defend himself, said the officials. Under the tribal system, he was not liable to hire a lawyer. Sharing details of the punishment served to Dr Afridi, Mohammad Siddiq, the spokesman for the administrative head of Khyber said, ?He has been sentenced for 33 years on treason charges and has been moved to Peshawar central jail after the verdict was announced by the local court.? Afridi?s trial that continued for several days took place under assistant political agent Nasir Khan in Khyber. The verdict was confirmed by his immediate boss, the political agent, in the northwestern city of Peshawar today. Pakistan?s tribal judicial system grants Afridi the right to appeal. The critics to the decision argue that Afridi should not be trialed under the tribal law for an alleged crime that took place outside the system?s jurisdiction. According to the sources, he has been sentenced under penal code clauses related to offences against the state, conspiracy or attempt to wage war against Pakistan, concealing with intent designs to wage war against the state and on charges of working against the country?s sovereignty. In January, Leon Panetta, the Defense Secretary of the US confirmed that Afridi had assisted the US intelligence by collecting DNA to verify Bin Laden?s presence and also expressed concerns over Pakistan?s treatment of him. Besides Dr Afridi, seventeen other health officials, who also took part in the same fake vaccination programme set up by the CIA in a bid to confirm the al Qaeda was living in Abbottabad, have already been sacked from their posts. Fayyaz Yaseen NewsPakistan.pk Wed, 23 May 2012 16:52:22 +0100 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Newspakistanpk/~3/djWfW0T9GTw/ Law and order situation in Balochistan: CJ lashes out at the PM and minister for interior Quetta: (Wednesday, May 23, 2012) Resuming with the hearing on missing persons? case in Balochistan, the Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry expressed discontent over the cold responses of the PM and the provincial minister for interior. While in dialogue with Khushnood Lashari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani?s principal secretary, the CJ remarked that if the PM does not want to implement the apex court?s orders, it could mull over utilizing other options available in the constitution that also included imposing ?emergency?. Irked by the absence of the interior minister for Balochistan, Mir Nasirullah Zehri, the CJ ordered the secretary for interior to register a case against him. He also said that if Zehri did not appear before the court, then he should be arrested and brought before the apex court. Justice Chaudhry made these comments while expressing his dissatisfaction with the law and order situation in the Balochistan. The government officials that appeared before the apex court?s bench in Quetta included Defence Secretary Nargis Sethi, prime minister?s principal secretary Khushnood Lashari, DIG Balochistan, IG Police, Chief Secretary Balochistan and the secretary interior. The Supreme Court?s bench expressed its resentment over the behavior of those who continue to defy the court?s orders. Earlier, Gilani directed his principal secretary and secretary for cabinet to appear before the apex court in Quetta. He gave the directive while chairing a cabinet meeting. A statement issued by the PM house in this regards stated, ?It clearly manifests how much the government holds the Supreme Court in high esteem?. Fayyaz Yaseen NewsPakistan.pk Wed, 23 May 2012 16:22:13 +0100 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Newspakistanpk/~3/EiiATX91kBM/ Role of youth in Pakistan?s progress Youth of any nation is always considered the asset of a country and it plays a primary role in the development of that country. Youth plays a vital role in keeping the nation upfront at the international level as through their contribution, a country moves on and on in the right direction of prosperity. Nonetheless, situation is not that optimistic in Pakistan, a country where more than fifty percent population is comprised on people who are between 16 to 30 years of age. Even with this huge majority of the total population, the country is still trailing far behind as compared to other super nations of the world. Major reason behind this dilemma is that our youth has lost its national pride and do not even think about the prosperity of this country because a huge percentage of young people do not even want to live in this country. These young people remain busy in discovering the ways through which they could find means of going abroad. They are even ready to do this by hook or by crook as their only objective is to go abroad and settle there for the rest of their lives. These young people spend major part of their time in vulgar activities and their hot topics of discussion are movies, songs, video games and so on. Such youngsters are going far away from the teachings of Islam and from the norms and traditions of our society. Our talented youngsters have adopted double standards as they always try to follow the foreign culture while living in a society where traditional norms are completely against that foreign culture. Considering the fact that young people of this country always remain busy in such vain activities, how can we expect that this country could produce renowned scientists, engineers, political leaders? The youngster of today is expected to become a responsible citizen of tomorrow but unfortunately, the younger generation seems to be years away from that maturity, which is the pre-requisite of a prosperous country. Pakistan will grow if the youngsters realise their responsibilities and work accordingly by leaving their vain activities behind and act for the progress of this homeland. Muhammad Ahmad Nazir NewsPakistan.pk Wed, 23 May 2012 14:31:06 +0100 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Newspakistanpk/~3/OrTKlEYtk1w/ Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry said that options including emergency were available in the Constitution if Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani does not want implementation of the Supreme Court?s verdict. A larger bench of the Supreme Court with Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry in the chair resumed hearing the cases of Balochistan law and order and missing persons. The Chief Justice while hearing the case observed, ?Emergency could be imposed in the country or anything other?. In his view, the issue of Balochistan could not be resolved by giving jobs to Baloch youth. Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry issued directives to the government to produce Balochistan Home Minister before the bench on Friday after registering a case against him, saying that serious allegation had been raised against him in the missing person case. He remarked that the incumbent was not following Article 148 of the Constitution despite repetitive reminders. In the today?s hearing, Principal Secretary of Prime Minister Khushnood Lashari and Defence Secretary Nargis Sethi and other government officials appeared before the bench. The Chief Justice while addressing Khushnood Lashari said that the situation in the province was critical but the authorities concerned were not making serious efforts to bring the matters under control. He commented that people were raising fingers at Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Military Intelligence (MI), Frontier Corps (FC) and other law enforcement agencies (LEAs) in the forceful disappearances. Khushnood Lashari answered that the incumbent had introduced Aghaz-i-Haqooq-i-Balochistan Package on which Iftikhar Chaudhry asked him to visit the province to monitor the progress. He noted that the apex court could give up all key tasks to resolve the Balochistan issue. In the meantime, Justice Khilji Arif asked the Advocate General Balochistan that how they can resolve the Balochistan issue as it is a burning matter. He remarked, ?We are trying to control this fire by playing our role but all stakeholders will have to give input in this regard?. On Tuesday, the Chief Justice said 80 per cent of the allegations with regards missing persons were against the Frontier Corps (FC). He noted, ?We want to save Balochistan?the law and order situation in the province is alarming and kidnappings and targeted killings are still going on?. Faisal Farooq NewsPakistan.pk Wed, 23 May 2012 12:58:35 +0100 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Newspakistanpk/~3/6ADaylTtLDM/ Sights of Sounds of Pakistan: Chitral Part-4   Even if someone does not have a liking for Polo, the excitement of the players, the galloping horses and the local crowd would make one yell and clap as a team approaches the goal post of its opponents. One must not miss this festival if one happens to be visiting Chitral in July – rather one should plan the visit to Chitral keeping in view this rarity. The history of this annual polo tournament at the Shandur Top dates back to 1936 when a British Political Agent, Major Cobb organized the first polo tournament here. Major Cobb was fond of playing polo under full moon and he developed a polo ground near Shandur that was named after him and is still known as ‘Major Cobb Moony Polo Ground’. Polo fans gather at Shandur from all over the world to participate in the spectacular polo events during this tournament. Historical chronicles reveal that in 2nd A.D Chitral was under the rule of a Buddhist ruler Jai Paul, then the middle period is perceived to be ruled by Kalash rulers, Rajawai, Bazik and Bula singh. However, the Kalash suffered heavy casualties in a  series of skirmishes with the troops of Shah Nadir Rais, the ruler of Rais Dynasty and finally concentrated in the Romboor, Bamborate, Birir and Jinjirit (present Kalash valleys). Then the Adamzadas came to throne and later on it is known as Katoor Dynasty and still they are visible in shape of Royal family of Chitral. Chitral has been a princely state whose rulers decided to join Pakistan upon independence in 1947. The ruling family of Chitral was the Katur dynasty, founded by Shah Katur (1585-1630).  During the reign of Mehtar Aman-ul-Mulk, known as Lot (Great) Mehtar (Mehtar is a Turkish word meaning royal, king,elder), the dynasty’s sway extended from Asmar in the Kunar Valley of Afghanistan to Punyal in the Gilgit Valley. Tribes in Upper Swat, Dir Kohistan and Kafiristan (present day Nuristan, not to be confused with the Kalasha valleys which have always been an integral part of Chitral) paid tribute to the Mehtar of Chitral. The ruler’s title, Mehtar, is unique; his male descendants were styled Mehtarjao, equally rare, until the higher (Persian) royal style Shahzada, originally reserved for the Crown Prince (Tsik mehtar, again unique, as Heir Persumptive, becoming Wali-Akht Sahib when heir Apparent), was extended to all princes of the Mehtar’s blood since the rulers at that point.   To be continued? Naveed A Bari NewsPakistan.pk Wed, 23 May 2012 12:51:55 +0100 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Newspakistanpk/~3/xs6eyDv9ukA/ Karachi, the gateway to Pakistan has been burning for several decades but the federal and provincial governments completely failed to control law and order situation in the port city. The end results would be horrific the way in which the Pakistan Peoples? Party (PPP) is putting the city at stake in the name of reconciliation. Militants and target killers are enjoying immunity of killing the people anywhere in the city. The fact that law enforcement agencies cannot act against the killers and terrorist despite knowing them proves political manipulation. The fresh episode of violence, which is no different from May 12 mayhem, would make even the most optimistic amongst us think that Karachi has been lost amid sea of blood. Unidentified men opened fire on a rally took out against the creation of Mohajir Province, killing at least fifteen people while injuring over 30. Life in the old city has ground to a complete halt after the incident. At least 7000 thousand people lost their lives in the last three years in Karachi, which is considered economic hub of the country. It would be far too simplistic to blame the violence on gangs, as most politicians have done. Definitely, criminal gangs have been involved but it is well-established fact that every power group has an affiliation with powerful political party providing it muscle, weaponry and shelter. The law enforcement agencies would not have speedily melted away the cause if it was a simple case of gang violence. The nature of Karachi politics indicates that political fighting perpetually takes an ethnic touch. The question of how the city will be controlled, whether under the commissionerate system or by a local body representative, should be a mere administrative issue. The resolution of the violence is both simple and yet impossible to achieve. The three main political parties in Karachi, the PPP, the MQM and the ANP are required to put their grudges aside for the sake of the city. However, it is easier said than done. The unpleasant reality is that violence is just another bargaining chip in Karachi?s power politics. Other solutions that have been suggested are likely to beget further violence. Bringing in the army or giving shoot-to-kill order to paramilitary forces, as we learned in the 1990s, will only deepen the anger and hate. The answer lies not with the men in uniform but with the civilians who were elected to keep the city safe. Faisal Farooq NewsPakistan.pk Wed, 23 May 2012 11:38:37 +0100 http://www.infowars.dk/content/pentagon-cia-white-house-opened-hollywood-bin-laden-raid Pentagon, CIA, White House opened up to Hollywood on bin Laden raid Politico admin infowars.dk Wed, 23 May 2012 10:12:23 +0100