News From Pakistan

[+]Musharraf’s trial not for settling personal score: Nawaz
      Saturday, September 05, 2009

LAHORE: PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif has dispelled the impression that the PML-N is a friendly opposition and claimed that they were striving for the survival of democracy and political stability in the country. Talking to party activists from all the four provinces on Friday, he said that they were not demanding the trial of Musharraf to settle personal vendetta but for the supremacy of the rule of law. He claimed that if a common man and former prime minister could come to the court then why not a military dictator. He said parliament got a golden opportunity to hold impeachment of former president Musharraf for his illegal steps on November 3 because he could not get it stamped from parliament. He stated that the PML-N was emblem of lofty democratic norms and had been playing a responsible role in the prevailing circumstances without practising confrontational politics. He said he had been claiming for a long time the solution of problems was not merely the change of governments but the system, which could mould it into a true democracy in accordance with the vision of Quaid-i-Azam and the 1973 Constitution.

(Courtesy Daily The News, Pakistan)

[+]Two militants, soldier killed in Mohmand
      Saturday, September 05, 2009

GHALLANAI: Security forces on Friday claimed to have killed two militants in Ambar area while one Mohmand Rifles personnel was killed and two others sustained injuries during a search operation in Baizai Tehsil of Mohmand Agency on Friday. Sources said security forces exchanged fire with the militants for about three hours in Ambar area early in the day, killing two militants. There were reports that military helicopters bombarded and destroyed suspected hideouts of the militants in Atam Killay, Lakhkar Killay and Tani area in Baizai Tehsil near the Pak-Afghan border. During a search operation in Tani area, a constable of the Mohmand Rifles, identified as Shahab, was killed while Subedar Ashiq Afridi and Constable Mansoor Khan sustained injuries. About 15 suspected militants were also arrested from the Tani area. Meanwhile, in Ambar area, two persons, identified as Namdar Khan and Beldar Khan, were killed when an explosive device planted near their house went off.

(Courtesy Daily The News, Pakistan)

[+]Khalid Mirza sacked
      Saturday, September 05, 2009

ISLAMABAD: Chairman Competition Commission of Pakistan Khalid Mirza was sacked rather unceremoniously by Prime Minister Gilani on Friday, who also appointed Additional Secretary Planning Javed Akhtar as the new Chairman after promoting him to Grade 22. The abrupt termination came within hours of the Mirza led Competition Commission imposing a hefty fine of Rs 6 billion on the cement cartel of the country. Mirza had also told Geo Television earlier in the day that the cement cartel comprising the cement producers of the country had ganged up since 1992 and had been manipulating prices by controlling productions through a mutual unethical and illegal understanding hammered out amongst themselves. The fine had followed a long and exhaustive investigation by the commission. In his comments made to Geo TV, Khalid Mirza had opined the criminal members of the cement cartel also deserved to be imprisoned for upto 10 years, as that would have been the sentence for such a crime in many civilised countries of the world. A close aide of former chairman CCP, Khalid Mirza, told The News on Friday night that any member or chairman of the CCP could be removed only if a court of inquiry proved any charge against them. “Such removal is unlawful in accordance with the Competition Ordinance,” he added. He said that the tenure of former chairman CCP Khalid Mirza was to expire in July 2010. Khalid Mirza, according to his close aide, is considering challenging his removal in a court of law but has not yet taken any final decision. He said that Mirza had taken actions against influential business tycoons on allegations of cartelization and his removal posed serious question about the government’s intention to ensure rule of law and good governance in the country.

(Courtesy Daily The News, Pakistan)

[+]Zardari, Kerry discuss issues on phone
      Saturday, September 05, 2009

ISLAMABAD: US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Senator John Kerry phoned President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday and discussed issues of mutual interest. The issues relating to the early passage of the Kerry-Lugar Bill, legislation to set up the Reconstruction Opportunity Zones in the war-affected areas of Pakistan and assistance in the energy sector came under discussion in the telephonic talk. The president thanked the US senator for his consistent support to Pakistan. Senator Kerry is a co-sponsor of the Kerry-Lugar Bill, which seeks to provide Pakistan $1.5 billion of economic assistance annually over the next five years, extendable to 10 years.

(Courtesy Daily The News, Pakistan)

[+]Swat operation to continue, says COAS
      Saturday, September 05, 2009

MINGORA: Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani has said the military operation in Swat would continue till all terrorists were eliminated and peace restored to the valley. He said this while addressing elders and Army soldiers during his visit to the scenic Kalam Valley on Friday. He said the militants in Swat had been given a severe blow and their infrastructure dismantled. He added that normalcy was fast returning to the area as the Army had taken control of the valley. The Army chief said the sacrifices rendered by the people of Swat were unforgettable, adding that security forces would ensure protection of their lives and properties. Earlier, the Army chief visited a school of psychology in Barikot area where treatment was being provided to children who were forcibly taken away by the terrorists. Currently, 32 students are getting psychological treatment at the school. The COAS also awarded badges of bravery to officers and soldiers who displayed great acts of valour during the Operation Rah-e-Rast. A press release of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said Gen Kayani interacted with the people in Kalam and Barikot and remained with them for some time. He appreciated the people of Swat for their cooperation with security forces against the leftover terrorists in the valley. The locals assured their full support to security forces for maintaining peace and order in the valley. They said that the terrorists were not only the enemies of Islam and Pakistan but also of the people of Swat. The COAS was briefed on the return of the displaced people. He appreciated the efforts of security forces for bringing peace in the valley and assisting the return of the displaced people. He directed the forces to maintain the respect of law at all costs. The Army chief also visited the newly built community police training centre. He appreciated the spirit and determination of local youth to fight against the terrorists. He interacted with the recruits and praised their high morale.

(Courtesy Daily The News, Pakistan)

[+]LG issue: AG withdraws statement
      Saturday, September 05, 2009

ISLAMABAD: An example of lack of communication between top officials was witnessed on Friday when Attorney General Sardar Latif Khosa took back his statement on the extension of the term of local governments just after the denial of Presidential Spokesman Farhatullah Babar. The attorney general earlier in his statement said the president had extended the term of the local governments till December 31, 2009. However, Presidential Spokesman Farhatullah Babar denied the news attributed to the attorney general that President Asif Ali Zardari had extended the term of the local bodies till the end of this year. He said that the president had sent the summery on the local bodiesí fate to the Law Division for seeking a consensus of all the stakeholders. “It is not correct to say that the president has decided, the fact is that the president is waiting for the report of the Law Division,” he said. After the denial from the presidential spokesman, the attorney general took back his earlier statement, saying that his statement was taken out of context. Online adds: Attorney General Sardar Latif Khosa said that President Asif Ali Zardari had extended the deadline for the local government system up to December 31. Latif Khosa, while talking to Sindhi media, said that the deadline for the LG system had been extended to give time to coalition partners to take a decision on the future of the system. Responding to a question, the attorney general said that the 17th Amendment could not be fully repealed, adding the national and provincial assemblies would be affected in case of complete abolishment of the 17th Amendment. He said that the 17th Amendment had some good points.

(Courtesy Daily The News, Pakistan)

[+]Army to stay in Swat till restoration of peace: COAS
      Friday, September 04, 2009

SWAT: Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Pervez Kiyani said that the army will stay in Swat till the restoration of peace. The COAS made it clear that without the support of the masses, the backbone of the militants could not be broken. Kiyani expressed these views on his visit to Malakand and Kalaam while addressing Army Jawans, officers and tribal leaders of the area on Friday. The COAS paid tribute to the sacrifices of Jawans and officials of the Pakistan Army. He was of the view that the army is determined to sacrifice for the sake of the country and thus will defend the nation tooth and nail. On the occasion, Army Chief also inaugurated an Army Public School in Malakand in the area of Subahan.

(Courtesy Daily The DAWN, Pakistan)

[+]Pakistan’s security concerns must be addressed: Haqqani
      Friday, September 04, 2009

WASHINGTON: Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States Hussain Haqqani said Friday that Pakistan is a responsible regional player and is pursuing a foreign and security policy that will lead to peace and development in the region. He, however, stressed that Pakistan had some legitimate and genuine security concerns which must be addressed by the global and regional community. Haqqani expressed these views while delivering a lecture at the University of Virginia. The Lecture was attended by over 400 students and faculty members. Ambassador Haqqani in his lecture 'The Changing Direction of Pakistan' said that Pakistan is passing through a process of transformation in which it is moving from authoritarianism towards democracy, militancy to tolerance and harmony, and conflict to entrepreneurship. 'Pakistan's strategic location is a critically important asset and building on that Pakistan is set to become regional hub for growth and development,' he added. Ambassador Haqqani also maintained that through the power of democracy, Pakistan will successfully defeat militancy and terrorism. In reply to a question Ambassador Haqqani said that Pakistan welcomes the holding of elections in Afghanistan and would work with any government that is elected by the Afghan people.

(Courtesy Daily The DAWN, Pakistan)

[+] Sugar crisis continues; Federal govt expresses helplessness
      Friday, September 04, 2009

ISLAMABAD: The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council approved on Thursday 20 development projects of Rs259.4 billion with a foreign exchange component of Rs149 billion.
The projects relate to infrastructure, water and irrigation and railways, in addition to one for development of districts along the Line of Control in Azad Kashmir.
The committee at a meeting presided over by Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin approved 10 small and medium dams, including Ghabir, Papin, Winder, Daraban and Pelar, which would cost Rs57.5 billion. It also approved the revised PC-1 of Satpara and Sabakzai dams which would cost Rs4.48 billion and Rs1.96 billion, respectively.
The meeting gave approval of Rs23.44 billion for upgrading the Khanki barrage near Wazirabad and Rs1.87 billion for rehabilitation of the left bank of Sukkur barrage.
Briefing newsmen on decisions taken at the meeting, Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira said the dams would help meet the increasing demand for energy and irrigation water.
He said Rs800 million would be spent on water-related projects in Balochistan, Rs700 million in the NWFP and Rs500 million each in Sindh and Punjab.
The committee approved Rs15.9 billion for a rehabilitation package for the railways.
Sources said that before approving the package, which included administrative and technical reforms, the meeting took serious note of losses incurred by the department.
It also approved procurement of 202 coaches. The government has already given approval for the purchase of 75 locomotives.
The meeting was informed that after acquiring new coaches and engines, the operational revenue and commercial efficiency of railways would improve with increase in passenger traffic.
Railway ministry officials told the committee that new carriages would operate at a speed of up to 160 km per hour with reduced maintenance cost. Mr Kaira said that an overall restructuring plan was under way because the government wanted to make railways a viable and competitive entity.
Ecnec decided to launch the ‘Pyara Kashmir’ project at a cost of Rs10.72 billion in six districts of Azad Kashmir to improve the standard of life of people living along the LoC.
Social development packages and infrastructure projects are included in the project.

(Courtesy Daily The News, Pakistan)

[+] ECNEC approves 20 projects of Rs. 259bn
      Friday, September 04, 2009

ISLAMABAD: The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council approved on Thursday 20 development projects of Rs259.4 billion with a foreign exchange component of Rs149 billion.
The projects relate to infrastructure, water and irrigation and railways, in addition to one for development of districts along the Line of Control in Azad Kashmir.
The committee at a meeting presided over by Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin approved 10 small and medium dams, including Ghabir, Papin, Winder, Daraban and Pelar, which would cost Rs57.5 billion. It also approved the revised PC-1 of Satpara and Sabakzai dams which would cost Rs4.48 billion and Rs1.96 billion, respectively.
The meeting gave approval of Rs23.44 billion for upgrading the Khanki barrage near Wazirabad and Rs1.87 billion for rehabilitation of the left bank of Sukkur barrage.
Briefing newsmen on decisions taken at the meeting, Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira said the dams would help meet the increasing demand for energy and irrigation water.
He said Rs800 million would be spent on water-related projects in Balochistan, Rs700 million in the NWFP and Rs500 million each in Sindh and Punjab.
The committee approved Rs15.9 billion for a rehabilitation package for the railways.
Sources said that before approving the package, which included administrative and technical reforms, the meeting took serious note of losses incurred by the department.
It also approved procurement of 202 coaches. The government has already given approval for the purchase of 75 locomotives.
The meeting was informed that after acquiring new coaches and engines, the operational revenue and commercial efficiency of railways would improve with increase in passenger traffic.
Railway ministry officials told the committee that new carriages would operate at a speed of up to 160 km per hour with reduced maintenance cost. Mr Kaira said that an overall restructuring plan was under way because the government wanted to make railways a viable and competitive entity.
Ecnec decided to launch the ‘Pyara Kashmir’ project at a cost of Rs10.72 billion in six districts of Azad Kashmir to improve the standard of life of people living along the LoC.
Social development packages and infrastructure projects are included in the project.

(Courtesy Daily The News, Pakistan)