Pakistan must end emergency: US
 

[B][U][CENTER][SIZE="4"]Pakistan must end emergency: US[/SIZE][/CENTER][/U][/B]

WASHINGTON: The US said on Monday that President Musharraf has taken “some encouraging steps” toward returning to constitutional rule, but he must end emergency. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters that the US counselled that the state of emergency should be lifted prior to the election. afp

[url]http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007%5C11%5C27%5Cstory_27-11-2007_pg1_2[/url]

[B][U]Benazir says democratic govt will restore deposed judges[/U][/B]

* Former PM says ready to form alliance with Sharif
* Files nomination papers for Larkana constituency

LAHORE: PPP Chairwoman Benazir Bhutto has said that a democratic government would restore all the deposed judges of the superior judiciary, Dawn News reported on Monday.

Talking to reporters after filing her nomination papers, she said she was ready to form an alliance with Nawaz Sharif. “We are ready to forge an alliance with all moderate political parties,” she told reporters in Larkana.

“We welcome Nawaz Sharif’s return to Pakistan. It will strengthen the democratic and political culture,” AFP quoted her as saying. Bhutto herself flew home last month after eight years abroad, and the two (BB and Nawaz) are working on a joint strategy against President General Pervez Musharraf following his imposition of emergency. That may include boycotting the elections but a final decision on that will not be taken until after the close of Monday’s deadline for registration.

“We are concerned that elections will be rigged but we don’t want to leave the field empty,” she said.

She said an alliance of moderate parties was also being pushed by the United States. “In the past the United States would support dictatorships but now it is supporting democratic forces, which is a sign of encouragement for all the democracy-loving people,” she added.

Files papers: Earlier, Benazir filed her nomination papers for NA-207, Larkana-Shikarpur-Kamber-Shahdadkot, reported APP. She submitted papers to returning officer Khalid Mahmood Bhatti.

Similarly, Mir Aamir Ali Magsi also filed nomination papers for the same constituency as covering candidate for Benazir. daily times monitor/agencies

[url]http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007%5C11%5C27%5Cstory_27-11-2007_pg1_6[/url]

[B][U]Nawaz Sharif vows never to work with Musharraf[/U][/B]

* Ex-premier says any govt serving under Musharraf will be undemocratic * Calls interim setup ‘remote controlled’

LAHORE: Former premier and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif vowed on Monday never to work with General Pervez Musharraf or the PML-Quaid in government, reported AFP.

“My party will not become part of any coalition government under President Musharraf in future,” he told reporters a day after his return.

As he filed his nomination papers for January 8 general elections, he urged people to “wake up” and protest against Musharraf’s “dictatorial regime”.

Illegal government: “We believe that any government serving under Musharraf will be illegal and undemocratic,” Nawaz said. He said elections would only be acceptable if Musharraf revoked emergency rule, withdrew the Provisional Constitutional Order and reinstated the sacked superior court judges.

Sharif told reporters inside a courthouse here, where he filed his papers, that he was in favour of boycotting the elections, but steered clear of ruling out his participation, saying he would consult with other parties first. He said that if Benazir Bhutto, another ex-premier, decided on a boycott, then “our parties can launch a joint struggle”.

He also accused authorities of rigging the elections, AP reported. “Shouldn’t such elections be boycotted?” Sharif asked.

‘Remote controlled’: He demanded an impartial Election Commission and said he was not satisfied with the caretaker government, which was “remote controlled”, a staff report adds. Nawaz said those who had been forced to defect to the PML-Q and had not harmed the PML-N in any way would be considered for readmission to the party. agencies/staff report

[B][U]‘Swat operation will end before polls’[/U][/B]

ISLAMABAD: The Swat operation would be completed before elections, caretaker Interior Minister Hamid Nawaz Khan told reporters at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Passport Directorate. “We are taking action against foreign miscreants in Swat. The condition will resolve itself and the operation will be completed before general elections,” he said. He said the local administration had started preparing for general elections in Swat, adding that the situation was improving and locals were cooperating with security forces. staff report

[B][U]40 militants, four soldiers dead in Swat clashes[/U][/B]

* Local administration announces relaxation of curfew for four-hour period

By Daud Khattak and Saleem Athar

MINGORA/PESHAWAR: Security forces used artillery and gunship helicopters on pro-Taliban militants in the troubled Swat valley, killing 40 militants, including two commanders, and losing four soldiers, said military spokesman Major General Waheed Arshad.

He said another five soldiers had been injured in the operation. Arshad told Daily Times that the hilltops had been cleared, while security forces were now advancing towards areas where the militants had taken refuge.

Swat Media Centre spokesman Amjad Iqbal said two local commanders were among those killed, reported AFP. Commander Khitab Khan was one of the commanders killed, Daily Times learnt. Iqbal said security forces had targeted the hideouts of militants loyal to rebel cleric Maulana Fazlullah throughout Sunday night.

Meanwhile, a statement issued here said security forces destroyed eight vehicles and killed several militants during an operation. The militants’ convoy was destroyed on Bara Bandai-Shakardara Road. Separately, two security personnel were injured in a mortar attack on Kabal Golf Course.

Curfew relaxation: Also on Monday, the local administration announced a four-hour relaxation in curfew from 8am till 12pm. The curfew had been in place since Saturday.