As we predicted, President Pervez Musharraf has resigned rather than drag the nation through an acrimonious and ill-defined impeachment process that would have bled the economy and deepened the political paralysis in the country. He took this decision not because it was the graceful and generous thing to do but because political necessity dictated it after he lost the support of America and the Army. Where do we go from here?

After his speech, Gen (r) Pervez Musharraf met with his former friends and benefactors, took a salute of honour and quickly repaired to his official abode in Rawalpindi in an unflagged car. The likelihood is that he will stay here quietly for some days before taking a flight out of the country, probably on the pretext of Umra to Saudi Arabia. I don’t think the Zardari regime will create any obstacles in his physical exit, even as Mr Sharif’s spokesmen continue to bay for his blood as a matter of popular pressure tactics on Mr Zardari to concede their other demands.

Their first demand is the restoration of the judges, including Iftikhar Chaudhry. In this they will have the support of the lawyers movement and most of the media. But I don’t think Mr Zardari will succumb to this demand quickly. Instead, he is likely to reiterate his position that there should be a constitutional amendment covering the restoration of the judges, ousting of the president’s power under 58-2B and indemnifying the Musharraf era which included the NRO and the current Supreme Court headed by Justice Hameed Dogar. This will lead to another round of uncertainty which throws the country into a spin again.

Their second disagreement is likely to be over the nomination and election of the next president. Mr Zardari has said time and again he thinks it is the PPP’s right to appoint a person of its choice. Mr Sharif insists otherwise. Mr Zardari’s candidate may be Mrs Faryal Talpur, his sister, who is an accomplished politician in her own right, and a Sindhi as opposed to the Punjabi prime minister. But they could jointly end up fielding either someone from Balochistan or the NWFP as a compromise candidate. If that fails, Mr Sharif could go his own way and put up Ghaus Ali Shah who has rushed home on Mr Sharif’s orders after a voluntary seven-year exile.

Meanwhile, as the two sides wrangle in the full glare of the media, two critical issues are likely to fall by the wayside. The first has to do with bread and butter issues of the people and the concerns of the domestic and international business community. I don’t see any dramatic initiatives in the making regarding poverty alleviation or inflation. The stock market and the rupee will also remain under pressure despite their slight revival yesterday. The second has to do with the war on terror which concerns America and the Pakistan Army. This is an unpopular war. That is why the Army and Mr Musharraf quickly handed over its “ownership” to the civilians shortly after governments were formed. I don’t think Mr Zardari is going to have the time or inclination to articulate an anti-terror policy that satisfies America, especially since he will be reeling from a hostile media bent on restoring the judges and convinced that this is America’s war and not Pakistan’s war. Under the circumstances, the US will probably take matters into its own hands as far as possible in FATA, regardless of its blowback on Mr Zardari.

Will the coalition survive these problems? I can’t imagine it will break apart tomorrow. They mean to torture us some more before they start torturing each other. But it cannot endure for long now that the Musharrafian glue that held them together is gone. Unfortunately, since Mr Zardari is in the driving seat, all the blame will be heaped on him for all the accidents that are bound to occur ahead.

Stocks up after resignation, rupee gains strength

KARACHI: Pakistani stocks jumped by 4.5 percent on Monday after Gen (r) Pervez Musharraf announced to resign from presidency, dealers said. The Karachi Stock Exchange KSE-100 Index finished the day gaining 460.91 points to close at 10,719.62. The Pakistani rupee also regained its strength, recovering Rs 1.07 to close at 75.53 a dollar.

Qayyum, Aziz, Nasim resign

ISLAMABAD: AGP Malik Qayyum, NSC Secretary Tariq Aziz and PCB Chairman Naseem Ashraf resigned from their respective positions on Monday, sources said. Qayyum confirmed reports about his resignation. PM Gilani approved the appointment of Senator Lateef Khosa as the new AG, Waqt TV reported. According to sources, Aziz tendered his resignation and left for London on a private visit.

PM warns against political vendetta

LAHORE: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said on Monday that he believed in accountability but not in political vendetta. Speaking in the National Assembly, Gillani said accountability of public office-holders should be conducted but warned against indulging in political vendetta. He said he had forgiven whoever who put him behind bars. The prime minister congratulated the nation by saying that the dawn of democracy had broken and the dictatorship had been buried forever, adding that there would be rule of law in the country now. About the future, he said the government had never accepted the 17th constitutional amendment or Article 58(2b) of the constitution. “There should be a balance of power. We don’t accept institutions which are not accountable to this house (parliament),” he added. The prime minister said the government would strengthen the institutions and the Public Accounts Committee of the National Assembly would be strengthened for the smooth functioning of all government departments. He also underlined the need for an independent election commission to hold transparent elections in the country.

Coalition forms committee to reinstate sacked judges

* Candidates for presidential office not discussed during meeting
* Zardari calls Musharraf’s resignation ‘victory of the people’

ISLAMABAD: The chiefs of the four-party ruling coalition on Monday formed another committee to devise a framework for the restoration of sacked judges in accordance with the Murree Declaration as soon as possible, sources privy to the meeting told Daily Times.

They said the leaders met at Zardari House after General (r) Musharraf’s resignation to devise a strategy for the implementation of their joint agenda in a meeting that lasted for more than four hours.

“The coalition partners made a committee headed by senators Ishaq Dar and Raza Rabbani to work out the modalities for the restoration of sacked judges within a couple of days in accordance with the Murree Declaration,” sources privy to the meeting told Daily Times.

They said the coalition did not discuss the candidates for the president’s office and the judges’ issue dominated the meeting, which will continue today.

The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) also held a meeting of its Central Executive Committee on Monday to discuss the party’s future strategy.

Zardari: PPP Co-chairman Asif Zardari described Gen (r) Pervez Musharraf’s resignation as a victory for the people, in a statement released on Monday.

Zardari also thanked Muttahidda Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain for his support.


RAWALPINDI: General (r) Pervez Musharraf will get a president’s security, Express News quoted Premier’s Adviser on Interior Rehman Malik as saying on Monday. Malik told the channel that the government would provide foolproof security to Musharraf and would use all means in this regard. Sources told Daily Times that extra security staff of Musharraf had been recalled soon after his resignation. Around 600 security officials, including 200 policemen, used to guard the routes in Musharraf’s itinerary, the sources said. They added that troops, instead of routine security officials, guarded the route when he returned to Rawalpindi Camp Office from the president’s house after addressing the nation.

Rice praises Musharraf’s role in war on terror

WASHINGTON: United States Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, commenting on General (r) Pervez Musharraf’s resignation, praised him as “one of the world’s most committed partners in the war against terrorism and extremism,” while expressing America’s strong support for the democratically elected civilian government and its desire to modernise Pakistan and build democratic institutions.

She also expressed America’s “gratitude” to the Pakistani leader as he steps down after nearly nine years of his turbulent rule.

Rice said, “We strongly support the democratically elected civilian government in its desire to modernise Pakistan and build democratic institutions. The United States supported the transition to democratic government in Pakistan and respects the results of the election. We believe that respect for the democratic and constitutional processes in that country is fundamental to Pakistan’s future and its fight against terrorism. Musharraf has been a friend to the United States. Musharraf, one of the world’s most committed partners in the war against terrorism and extremism, made the critical choice to join the fight against Al Qaeda, the Taliban, and other extremist groups that threaten the peace and security of Pakistan, its neighbours, and partners throughout the world. For this, he has our deep gratitude.”

Rice said, “We will continue to work with the Pakistani government and political leaders and urge them to redouble their focus on Pakistan’s future and its most urgent needs, including stemming the growth of extremism, addressing food and energy shortages, and improving economic stability. The United States will help with these efforts to see Pakistan reach its goal of becoming a stable, prosperous, democratic, modern, Muslim nation.”


WASHINGTON/ISLAMABAD: General (r) Pervez Musharraf will stay in the country for a couple of days before proceeding to Saudi Arabia with his family for Umra, it was learnt here on Monday. An informed source told Daily Times that Musharraf would spend some time outside Pakistan, which may include a trip to the United States to see members of his close family. His brother, a doctor, lives in Chicago, while his son, Bilal Musharraf maintains a residence in Boston. According to sources in Islamabad, Musharraf resigned following an agreement with the ruling coalition that it would provide him security and would not try him after declaring any of his actions as unconstitutional. The US, the UK, Saudi Arabia and General Ashfaq Kayani are guarantors to the agreement.

Let bygones be bygones, says Zardari

LAHORE: Despite the euphoria in the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) camp at the exit of General (r) Pervez Musharraf from the Presidency, credible sources with access to the top PPP leadership have told Daily Times that Asif Zardari is keen on letting “bygones be bygones” and “getting on” with grappling with the real issues facing the nation and people of Pakistan instead of harping about the fate of the former president. “Mr Zardari is not interested in the politics of revenge and is not baying for Gen (r) Musharraf’s blood like some Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leaders and partisan mediamen said the source. “He wants this chapter to be closed.”


* Gen (r) Musharraf announces resignation as president
* Decision made in order to avoid confrontation
* Says he does not want horse-trading, won’t test his allies’ loyalty
* Rejects allegations, says he made all decisions after consultation
* Blames new govt for political and economic instability
* Leaves his future for people of Pakistan to decide

ISLAMABAD: General (r) Pervez Musharraf resigned as the President of Pakistan on Monday to avoid an impending impeachment, ending a weeks long political standoff and bringing the curtain down on eight years and ten months of turbulent rule.

Speaking on television from his camp office at 1pm, Musharraf said he had made the decision to avoid confrontation between state institutions that could make a military intervention possible.

“After viewing the situation and consulting legal advisers and political allies, with their advice I have decided to resign today,” he said in the speech that lasted more than an hour.

Institutions: He said he was ready to face impeachment but the process would create tension among the parliament, the judiciary and the Presidency. “It is not a time for individual bravado. To me, Pakistan was always first, it remains so and will always be first,” he said. “It would have been the defeat of the nation irrespective of the result [of the impeachment move].”

Horse trading: The retired general said he did not want “horse trading” in parliament and did not want to test the loyalty of his supporters.

Allegations: He gave a detailed account of his version of the political, economic and security situation and rejected the allegations made against him by the ruling coalition.

“No charge sheet can stand against me. Nothing can be proved against me because I always took important decisions with all stake holders on board, including military and political leadership,” he said.

Instability: He blamed the current government for what he called an “economic meltdown” and political instability. “The economic crisis and other problems started six months ago and not during my tenure,” he said.

Musharraf said he initiated all-round development in health, education, infrastructure, telecommunication and arts and culture, and empowered women and minorities. He took credit for introducing “real democracy” in the country with the introduction of the local government system and two elections each of local governments, the national and provincial assemblies and a Senate election.

Future: Regarding his future, he said he left it for the people to decide. “I leave my future to the people of Pakistan. Let them be the judges and let them do the justice,” he said. Musharraf did not say whether he would stay in Pakistan.

He said people had a lot of expectations from the new government and that he, as president, had offered full co-operation to the ruling coalition, but they failed to deliver, “My approach was to address complicated issues faced by the nation, but unfortunately, some of the elements in the government were more interested in politics of vested interests than in solving the problems,” he said.

Musharraf thanked his political allies, military and the bureaucracy, and his mother, wife and children for support. He said he hoped a vibrant media would continue to play its role.


Source: Daily Times.

Abdul Qayyum resigns as AG

ISLAMABAD: Attorney General Malik Abdul Qayyum has submitted his resignation here on Wednesday. Secretary Law Agha Rafiq told Geo News that Malik Qayyum has formally apprised him about his resignation. About appointment of new attorney general, he said no decision has been taken yet in this regard. “Decision to suspend nine deputy attorney generals has not been finalized also, he added.

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US helping Pakistanis displaced by clashes

Thursday, August 21, 2008

ISLAMABAD: The United States has provided emergency assistance to Pakistanis displaced by an army operation against militants in Bajaur Agency, embassy officials said on Wednesday.

Local authorities have said more than 200,000 people have fled Bajaur, the primary focus of the nearly two-week-old offensive, and the neighbouring Mohmand Agency. Many have landed in relief camps set up by the government and political parties.

Aid: "We are working alongside the Pakistani and provincial governments to get emergency aid to those in need," said US Ambassador Anne W Patterson, adding that $50,000 had been set aside for gas stoves, pots, utensils and plastic sheeting.

The supplies are intended to help those "displaced by the fighting survive until it is safe for them to return to their homes", she said, without suggesting when that might be.

The US aid indicated American officials were watching the situation with growing concern. But it also came as Washington seeks to strengthen its ties with the new ruling coalition.

The spokesman for Pakistan's Foreign Ministry could not immediately be reached for comment on the US aid package.

Army spokesman Maj Gen Athar Abbas said the operation was confined to Bajaur, but it was possible the operation was having a spill-over effect on residents in the neighbouring Mohmand Agency.

Many of the displaced were headed to the Lower Dir region, where government officials say several relief camps have been set up. Large numbers also went to Peshawar and surrounding areas.

Television footage in recent days has shown hundreds of people packing trucks or walking with belongings to escape the violence.

Gul Bibi, 58, cried as she told an AP reporter that her husband Hamid Khan left home for evening prayers in the Mullah Sayed area in Bajaur four days ago but never returned.

Around 780 people were at a relief camp at a school compound in Nowshera. Dozens of off-white tents were up, while dust-covered children lingered barefoot.

Allahdad Khan, the camp administrator, said the government and several relief groups were providing medical services, blankets, food and other aid. It's unclear how much longer the Bajaur clashes will continue.

Adviser on Interior Rehman Malik said last week that Pakistani intelligence has reports that about 3,000 armed militants were present in Bajaur. The militants include Pakistanis, Afghan Taliban and Central Asians, he said. ap

Altaf proposes Zardari for Presidency

Thursday, August 21, 2008

KARACHI: MQM chief Altaf Hussain has proposed PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari as a candidate for the president. According to a press release from the MQM London secretariat on Wednesday, Altaf said Zardari needed to be appreciated for how he handled General (r) Musharraf’s impeachment issue. MQM’s Haider Rizvi told AP that his party wanted Zardari as president because of his past sacrifices and for how he handled Musharraf’s ousting.

I’m not going anywhere: Musharraf

Thursday, August 21, 2008

ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf relaxed with a game of tennis on Wednesday after stepping down following nine years of turbulent rule, and told his aides “I am not going anywhere”.

“I am spending time with my family, especially with my mother. I am playing tennis and enjoying it thoroughly,” former deputy information minister Tariq Azim quoted Musharraf as telling parliamentarians who visited him on Tuesday.

Musharraf also scoffed at media reports he was about to leave the country.

“I am not going anywhere and all this talk of me leaving is rubbish,” Azim quoted him as saying. “He was very relaxed and in a jovial mood,” Azim told AFP. “When I saw him yesterday he was wearing a polo shirt and khaki slacks and was heading off to the tennis court.”

Azim said Musharraf also wanted to write a follow-up to his 2006 memoir, “In The Line Of Fire”.

“He told us he would like to write a book and said that a lot has happened between now and his first book,” Azim said.




Thursday, August 21, 2008

LAHORE: Lawyers will hold their weekly protest rally on Thursday (today) for the reinstatement of the sacked judges. The National Action Council has given a call for the rally. The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), the Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) and the Punjab Bar Council (PbBC) have also given calls for a full-day boycott of the court proceedings. The LHCBA vice president said after the general house meeting, the lawyers would take out a rally on The Mall. He said a record number of lawyers; civil society; and political party workers would participate in the first rally following General (r) Musharraf’s resignation from the Presidency.

Germany to give Rs 11m aid for flood victims

Thursday, August 21, 2008

ISLAMABAD: Germany announced on Wednesday to provide Rs 11 million assistance for flood victims in North West Frontier Province (NWFP).

“The German Federal Foreign Office (FFO) is making available Rs 11 million to help flood victims in northwest Pakistan,” said a statement by the German embassy.

The embassy said following heavy rainfall, more than 200,000 people in the region bordering Afghanistan had been affected during the last weeks. It said at least 50 people were still missing.

Germany is funding emergency projects to quickly help affected communities in NWFP and Khyber Agency, where people urgently need tents, blankets, basic medical care, drinking water and basic foodstuffs.

Germany also provided emergency aid worth 350,000 euros for flood victims last summer. It also had been providing humanitarian aid to Pakistan for Afghan refugees and in 2008 alone, the (FFO) made available 440,000 euros. It has provided a total of 1.4 million Euros assistance during the last five years.

The NWFP is also focal region for German development cooperation with Pakistan, where 90 million euros are being spent on projects focusing on the energy, health and education and earthquake reconstruction.

USAID assistance for displaced people: The United States government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has provided $50,000 emergency assistance to families displaced by the recent conflict in Bajaur and Mohmand agencies.

“This funding will be used for immediate relief assistance, including gas stoves, pots, utensils, plastic sheeting and poles, to the most vulnerable people, including women and girls, fleeing the region,” said a statement by US embassy here.

“We are working alongside the Pakistani and provincial governments to get emergency aid to those in need and this assistance from the American people will provide essential items that will help these vulnerable people displaced by the fighting survive until it is safe for them to return to their homes,” US Ambassador Anne W. Patterson said in the statement.

She said USAID was continuing to monitor the situation and will provide additional assistance if necessary

64 schools lack basic facilities

Thursday, August 21, 2008

RAWALPINDI: About 64 schools lack basic facilities, contrary to government claims of spending huge amounts of funds on education sector.

Official reports, seen by Daily Times, revealed that such schools were in remote areas. Most of them don’t have boundary walls, electricity supply, drinking water and toilets.

About half of schools in Raja Bazar, Bakramandi, Dhoke Hassu, Dhoke Kashmirian, Adiala Road and Murree Road do not have libraries, laboratories and furniture, forcing students to attend classes sitting on floor.

The district government has allocated Rs 2.810 billion for education sector for the next financial year – Rs 2.663 billion for salaries and Rs 147.562 million for non-salary expenditure.

Sources told Daily Times that the local government had requested the Punjab government for Rs 200-250 million for the repair, renovation and maintenance of schools.

They said Rs 20,000 for every primary and Rs 50,000 for middle school to pay off utility bills annually. Iftikhar Ahmed, the Government Boys High School Morgha headmaster, said the government had reduced non-salary expenditure of schools. He said the government should increase fuel charges for schools.

Government Girls’ School Murree Road principal complained of complicated process of obtaining funds. She said the schools were not given funds enough to pay off bills of water, electricity, newspaper and gas.

Saghir Alam, the Punjab Teachers Association president for Rawalpindi division, said land of many schools had been encroached upon, which was one of the main causes of the problems facing the schools.

He said land mafia had prolonged their occupation of schools’ land through long litigation process.

Mohammad Bashir, the headmaster of Government Boys’ Primary School Kalyal, said the school’s boundary wall could not be built because encroachers had occupied it. He said children were given education under fear of attacks and theft.

”If the land is returned to the school, we will construct more classrooms, a library and a laboratory,” he said.

Mohammad Munir, a teacher, said sports and extra-curriculum activities could not be held in many schools because of unavailability of playgrounds.

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Time is the longest distance between two places.

ISLAMABAD -- Two suicide bombers killed 59 workers outside Pakistan's main munitions factory about 20 miles from the capital in a sign of how the Islamic militancy is worsening even as Pakistan's military intensifies a campaign against it.

The bombers struck simultaneously at two gates where hundreds of workers were leaving the facility, located in Wah, a garrison town. Some 67 were wounded.

Maulvi Umar, a spokesman for Tehrek-e-Taleban Pakistan, an outlawed militant group that supports al Qaeda, claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement. He said it was revenge for military airstrikes earlier this week in Bajur, a militant stronghold near the Afghan border. According to Pakistani and Western intelligence agencies, the Bajur tribal region has become the main center for al Qaeda and Taliban activities in Pakistan.

Mr. Umar said militants will carry out similar attacks in other major cities, including Islamabad, unless the military halts its operations. Capital Islamabad and other major cities are now on high security alert.

It was the second attack by the Taliban militants this week. More than 35 people were killed Tuesday in a bombing at a government hospital in Dera Ismail Khan, a town in North West Frontier Province.

Security officials say more than 500 militants and around 30 soldiers have been killed during nearly two weeks of fighting in Bajur. Thousands of troops backed by helicopter gunships are involved in the operation. Jet fighters bombed suspected militant hideouts in the area on Wednesday. The fighting has forced more than 100,000 people to flee the area for safety.

The escalating violence presents a huge challenge to Pakistan's government, which is in disarray following the resignation of President Pervez Musharraf Monday. The two main parties in the ruling coalition are at odds over whether to restore judges Mr. Musharraf sacked last year. The parties are expected to discuss the issue again Friday. Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, leader of the junior partner in the coalition, has threatened to withdraw support from the government if there is no agreement to reinstate the judges Friday.


The U.S. is watching the situation closely. President George W. Bush called Yousuf Raza Gilani, Pakistan's prime minister, Thursday to express his sympathies for the victims of the terrorist attacks and affirm U.S. support for the campaign against the extremists, according to a White House statement. Mr. Bush also called Mr. Musharraf to wish him well, it added.

The complex attacked Thursday, near the historic city of Taxila, is a cluster of about 20 industrial units producing artillery, tank, and anti-aircraft ammunition for the Pakistan armed forces. It employs around 30,000 workers. A senior police official said the bombers blew themselves up after failing to get inside the gate.

Witness said there was a massive explosion. "All around the gate I saw blood and human flesh' said Rana Tanveer, who was working at a bank about 200 meters from one of the gates where a bomber struck.

Police arrested three suspects allegedly involved, including a prospective bomber who was trying to flee.



Source: The Wall Street Journal.

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P.R.

* PPP can get 428 votes out of 702 without support from the PML-N or PML-Q

ISLAMABAD: The numbers game in the 702-member presidential electoral college – the Senate, the National Assembly and four provincial assemblies – has tilted in favour of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).

And the PPP can get up to 428 votes without support from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid.

According to the formula given in Schedule-II of the Constitution, the 342 members of the National Assembly and 100 members of the Senate have one vote each. The number of votes cast in a provincial assembly in favour of each candidate will be multiplied by the total number of seats in a provincial assembly having the smallest number of seats (Balochistan with 65 seats) and divided by the total number of seats in the provincial assembly in which the votes are cast.

In case the PML-N pulls out of the four-party coalition, the PPP (124 MNAs and 10 senators) will have the support of the Awami National Party (ANP), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and the independents and likely of Baloch nationalist parties, which are already part of the PPP-led coalition in Balochistan.

The PML-Q, as its members were divided on the issue of former president Pervez Musharraf’s ouster, may also divide in two groups. A forward bloc has already emerged in the former ruling party and is inclined towards the PPP.

In case of the PML-N’s break-up with the PPP, there is also a possibility that a majority of PML-Q members may join the PML-N.

In 100-member Senate, the PPP and its allies including FATA legislators have 46 members. Of the 339 members of the 342-member National Assembly, 184 belong to the PPP (124) and its allies (MQM 25, ANP 13, JUI-F 5, independents and FATA members 17).

Bush thanks Musharraf for Qaeda fight

CRAWFORD: United States President George W Bush on Thursday thanked General (r) Pervez Musharraf for his help in the fight against Al Qaeda, a White House spokesman said. “President Bush had wished him well and thanked him for his efforts in the democratic transition of Pakistan, as well as the fight against Al Qaeda and extremist groups,” spokesman Gordon Johndroe said.

Bush assures Gilani of continued support

CRAWFORD: United States President George W Bush telephoned Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Thursday to assure him of “strong commitment to working with . . . the government of Pakistan to address the ongoing battle against extremists and . . . its current economic situation”. The White House said Bush expressed his sympathies to Gilani over recent terror attacks in the country.

‘Musharraf pulled Pak away from brink of extremism’

WASHINGTON: United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has praised Gen (r) Pervez Musharraf for having pulled Pakistan away from the “brink of extremism” and also smoothing the path of democracy in his country by taking off his uniform. Rice added the US is working with the G-7 group of leading industrialised nations to materialise an economic package for Pakistan to bolster the country’s development.

Take battle to extremists’ doorstep: PM

* Yousuf Raza Gilani says Pakistan confronting ‘faceless enemy’

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has to take the war on terror to extremists’ doorsteps because it cannot be won on defensive, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said on Thursday.

“We have to dig the faceless terrorist out of his hiding, disrupt his plans, and confront the worst threats before they emerge,” Gilani said while addressing a ceremony to mark the graduation of policewomen in a crisis response course conducted by the Interior Ministry in collaboration with the United States.

He said the war on terror was Pakistan’s own war, which it was fighting in an unprecedented way.

“It is a dire need of the time to confront terror threats before they emerge,” he said.

“We are not being attacked by any [foreign] military or a known army. Our enemy lurks silently within our society. This is our own war,” he said.

Gilani said there was a need to be vigilant all the time and try to recognise the enemy.

He urged Pakistanis to participate in the war on terror.

Concerning the six-week course, he expressed the hope that training and orientation of the crisis response team would add impetus to their talent.

US Ambassador Anne W Patterson said the US considered Pakistan its strong ally in the war against terrorism, and was ready to work with the new Pakistani government.

‘PPP Punjab backs Zardari for Presidency’

LAHORE: The Parliamentary Committee of the PPP Punjab has unanimously passed a resolution nominating PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari as a candidate for president “in the best interest of Pakistan”, Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer told a press conference on Thursday.

After a parliamentary party meeting at the Governor’s House, Taseer said the PPP Parliamentary Committee would send the recommendation to the party’s CEC today (Friday).

The governor said other political parties would support the PPP. Asked whether the PML-N would support Zardari’s nomination as president, he said the PML-N was a partner in the ruling alliance and would support the PPP. If a party did not support the PPP, it could field its own candidate, he added. To another question, he said Article 58(2b) of the Constitution would be abolished even if Zardari became president.

Nawaz won’t mind Musharraf leaving country

WASHINGTON: Former premier Nawaz Sharif has said he would not mind General (r) Pervez Musharraf leaving Pakistan.

“If he wants to go, I won’t stand in his way,” Nawaz told the Wall Street Journal in an interview published on Thursday. “He might want to take a break,” the former premier added. “We will not try to bring the government down,” he said. “But of course we then have no choice but to sit in the opposition.”

“I would very much like to see this coalition stay in tact. I would be the last person who wants to see it disintegrating,” Nawaz said.

He said Pakistan People’s Party Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari had earlier assured him that the sacked judges would be reinstated within 24 hours of Musharraf’s impeachment.

Aitzaz won’t quit PPP over judges issue

ATTOCK: SCBA President Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan said on Thursday that he would not quit the PPP over the judges’ issue. Talking to reporters, he expressed confidence that the sacked judges would soon be restored under the Murree Declaration. The SCBA president said while the Pakistani civil society, lawyers and intellectuals supported the judges’ reinstatement, the US had not played an effective role in this regard. He said lawyers will observe a two-hour sit-in at all intercity roads of their respective districts if the sacked judges were not restored, adding that lawyers’ movement would remain peaceful also in future. Aitzaz said lawyers would resist the grant of a stay order against the restoration of the sacked judges, by the post-November 3 judiciary.

Judges issue will be resolved today: Naik

LAHORE: The sacked judges’ issue will be resolved by Friday (today), Federal Law Minister Farooq H Naik said on Thursday. Talking to Geo News outside the Parliament House, Naik said JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman and ANP chief Asfandyar Wali Khan had sought 72 hours to find a middle path to resolve the judges’ issue, adding that both would certainly reach a decision by Friday. The PPP wants the judges’ restoration through a constitutional amendment whereas the PML-N wants an executive order to restore the sacked judges. The ANP leader told the channel that the sacked judges would be restored following consensus among the four coalition partners – the PPP, the PML-N, the ANP and the JUI-F.

Nine militants killed in Bajaur strikes

KHAR: Nine suspected militants were killed and several injured when security forces shelled militant hideouts in Bajaur Agency on Thursday. Forces pounded hideouts in Salarzai tehsil and the Chilargam, Raghgan, Badan, Dabz, Zgai, Mulasaid, Sawai, Umri, Landi, Kas and Spray areas of Mamoond tehsil in the agency. Locals said that five suspected militants were killed in Mamoond and four in Salarzai. Locals said that a large number of militants were still present in Mamoond, Salarzai and Charmang tehsils of the agency, despite a 16-day operation against them. Business centres and education institutions have been closed and there is a severe shortage of food in the agency, forcing the people to migrate.

Credible clues found to DI Khan blast: Malik

ISLAMABAD: Authorities have found “credible information” about Tuesday’s suicide blast in DI Khan and the evidence will be shared with the media in the next few days, Adviser to the PM on Interior Rehman Malik said on Thursday. “Some foreign hands might be involved in terror activities in DI Khan, Kurram Agency and Swat,” Malik told reporters after the graduation ceremony of women police officers of the first Women Crisis Management Group. He said the government had called a meeting of law-enforcement agencies in Islamabad on August 25 to devise an “effective strategy” against the Talibanisation of Karachi. Malik claimed busting a network of terrorists planning about 50 suicide attacks in the country on the eve of Independence Day.

PM slams attack, wants ‘hidden hands’ exposed

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani strongly condemned the Wah attack and “directed the authorities to make efforts to expose the hidden hands behind the incident,” the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan news agency said. “He expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss of lives and said the perpetrators of such crime would be brought to justice,” the press release said. In another press statement, Acting President Mohammadmian Soomro “expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss of lives and said perpetrators of [the act] will be brought to justice”.

TTP claim responsibility, warn of more attacks

WAH: The Taliban movement has claimed responsibility for the Wah atrocity and threatened to carry out further suicide attacks if an army offensive against militants is not stopped. A spokesman for Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan said: “Our bombers carried out today’s attack. It is in reaction to military operations in Swat and Bajaur.” Maulvi Omar told AFP: “Similar attacks will be carried out in other cities of Pakistan including Lahore, Islamabad and Rawalpindi.” “The Wah factory is a killer factory where arms are being produced to kill our women and children,” he told Reuters.

Deadliest attack on a military installation, at least 70 killed:

Taliban strike army’s arms
* Two suicide bombers hit Pakistan Ordnance Factories during shift change
* POF Hospital commandant says 67 people injured, 21 in critical condition

WAH CANTT: Two suicide bombers blew themselves up outside Pakistan’s main army munitions factory on Thursday, killing 70 workers in the deadliest attack on a military installation in the country’s history.

According to Pakistan Ordnance Factories Board press release, the blasts occurred outside two exit gates of the POF about 1440 hours when a large number of workers were leaving the complex.

One of the bombers blew himself up outside the main gate while the second detonated his explosives at almost the same time near another gate, said police officer Sardar Shahbaz.

Soldiers cordoned off the area and kept reporters back as ambulances arrived to take away the casualties, a witness said.

Shift change: According to APP, Regional Police Officer Nasir Khan Durrani told reporters that the death toll had risen to 70. “It’s a massive attack,” Durrani told AFP. “Two men apparently blew themselves up outside the factory during a shift change. The bombers were on foot and they exploded themselves less than a minute apart.”

Critical condition: Durrani also gave out names of the dead, adding that eight bodies could not be identified. Commandant POF Hospital Brig Arshad Zia told reporters that around 67 people had been injured in the incident, and 21 are in critical condition.

The charred body of a bearded man, believed to be one of the bombers, lay on the road outside one of the gates, an AFP journalist saw. A severed leg, abandoned shoes and several mangled bicycles were scattered nearby.

The Pakistan Ordnance Factories at Wah is a cluster of about 20 industrial units producing artillery, tank and anti-aircraft ammunition for the Pakistani armed forces. It employs around 25,000 to 30,000 workers. It adjoins the historic city of Taxila, which is home to Buddhist ruins.

Factory worker Riaz Hussain said most of the victims were labourers who were joining the afternoon shift. “I was working in the factory when I heard one blast and then another. They were huge,” he told AFP. “Security people then immediately surrounded the place and we were not allowed to go outside.”

“It was like a doomsday,” said Ghaffar Hussain, whose nephew was killed. “We are finished, we are ruined,” he said, tears rolling down his face.

Rescue worker Zaheer Shah said the bombers struck when “ it was very crowded”.

The blasts came two days after a suicide bomber attacked a hospital in the northwestern town of Dera Ismail Khan on Tuesday, killing 30 people.



Source: Daily Times.

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P.R.

PPP nominates Zardari for president

* Party co-chairman seeks time to make decision

ISLAMABAD: The Central Executive Committee (CEC) of the Pakistan People’s Party on Friday unanimously named its Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari for the presidential election scheduled for September 6.

“The party’s CEC has unanimously named [Zardari] for the office of president. Zardari thanked the party but sought some time to decide whether to become the president of Pakistan,” sources privy to the meeting told Daily Times.

A source close to Zardari said although he had sought time, he had made up his mind to run for the country’s highest office.

“The Sindh Assembly’s unanimous resolution supporting his candidature was the first step in this direction,” the sources said. The meeting – originally scheduled at Zardari House – was held at the Prime Minister’s House because of secrecy and security concerns.

The party’s estranged senior vice president Makhdoom Amin Fahim and lawyers’ movement leader Aitzaz Ahsan also attended the meeting.

The sources said that the CEC also authorised Zardari to nominate a person of his choice for the office in case he decides he will not run for president, but wanted another meeting for the new candidate’s nomination.

Ahsan pressed the party for the restoration of the judiciary, and Fahim remained silent during the meeting, the sources said.

They said that CEC members were divided over co-operation with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz.

In an hour-long speech at the beginning of the meeting, Zardari said: “We will continue co-operation with our coalition partners without compromising our principled stance.”

Presidential election on September 6

ISLAMABAD: The election for the office of president will be held on September 6, the Election Commission of Pakistan announced on Friday.

Candidates will file their nomination papers by 12pm on August 26. The chief election commissioner will scrutinise the nominations on August 28. Candidates will be allowed to withdraw their nominations before noon on August 30, after which a list of candidates will be published at 1pm. Polling will be held in Parliament House and provincial assemblies on September 6.

Rupee, stocks hit new low

KARACHI: The Pakistani rupee weakened to a record low of about 77.15 against the dollar on Friday as investors worried about the future of the country’s government and economy. Pakistan’s stock market also fell about 3 percent to close at 9993.81. Investors fear political wrangling would prompt rating agencies to cut their credit ratings.

One million march in IHK for freedom

NEW DELHI: Hundreds of thousands of Kashmiris, waving green flags and shouting “we want freedom”, marched through the streets of Srinagar on Friday to peacefully protest against the Indian occupation.

Reports said at least one million people reached Eidgah grounds, the largest political gathering in the Kashmir Valley since 1989, in response to the call of the joint co-ordination committee consisting of both factions of the APHC.

Buoyed by the massive response to their “Eidgah march” in Srinagar, Kashmiri pro-freedom groups revived their strike call, asking people to observe a complete shutdown for three days. They asked the people to assemble at the city centre on Monday to hold a silent rally.

Schools and business establishments remained closed across the valley and a large number of police and paramilitary troops were deployed on the streets, but did not confront the protestors. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq told the gathering to continue protests till the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road was opened, Armed Forces Special Powers Act and other draconian laws were withdrawn and political prisoners released.

Restoration after presidential election: Qaim

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah hinted on Friday that the restoration of the deposed judges could be resolved after the forthcoming presidential election scheduled for September 6. “The judiciary also has importance but after the formation of the government and democracy,” he said at the Sindh Assembly. “And the process of democracy is not completed until the election of a president.” The assembly has passed a unanimous resolution to recommend PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari’s name as a “suitable” candidate for the president’s slot.

MQM not to back resolution on judges: Rizvi

ISLAMABAD: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) will not support any parliamentary resolution to reinstate the sacked judges, party leader Syed Haider Abbas Rizvi said on Friday. “There is also a verdict by the Supreme Court full bench that a parliamentary resolution could not reinstate the judges,” he told journalists at Parliament House “We believe in articles 3a and 3b of the Charter of Democracy (COD), signed between PPP and PML-N, which says that both parties would not allow reinstatement of any judge who had taken oath under PCO,” said Rizvi.

Nawaz relaxes deadline on judges: Showdown set for Wednesday

* Coalition to move resolution in NA on Monday
* PPP-PMLN joint body to draft resolution
* Fazl says results to come in a week

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has extended the deadline for the restoration of the judiciary yet again and a resolution will be presented in the National Assembly on Monday.

The decision was made after the ANP, JUI-F and legislators from FATA mediated indirect negotiations between the PML-N and PPP on Friday.

PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif wants the judges to be reinstated by Wednesday, but JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman declined to give a specific date saying results were likely in a week.

Addressing a joint press conference, Nawaz said PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari had made a written agreement with him that the sacked judiciary would be restored to its pre-November 3 position within 24 hours of General (r) Pervez Musharraf’s ouster, but did not fulfil his commitment.

He said it had been decided in his meeting with ANP chief Asfandyar Wali and JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman that National Assembly will discuss the issue on Monday and Tuesday before passing the resolution on Wednesday. He said the sacked judges should be restored on the same day.

“The nation has given us a mandate in the February 18 general elections to undo Pervez Musharraf’s unconstitutional steps,” Nawaz said.

To a question, the PML-N chief said the reinstatement of sacked chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry was central to the issue. “I have no personal relationship with him but the independence of judiciary is the goal.” He said the restoration of the judiciary would be “a joke” if Chaudhry was not reinstated.

Committee: A committee consisting of two members each from the PPP and the PML-N will draft the parliamentary resolution, Wali told reporters, and the draft would be finalised this weekend. The resolution would call for the restoration of the judiciary and would declare Musharraf’s November 3 acts void.

Fazlur Rehman said Nawaz had proposed the Wednesday deadline, but there could be a delay of “one or two days” depending on how much time the members take to debate the issue, “but the sacked judges would be definitely restored during the coming week”.



Source: Daily Times.

__________________
Regards,
P.R.

Bhutto's widower to run for Pakistan presidency

• Story Highlights
• Widower of assassinated Benazir Bhutto to run for for Pakistan presidency
• Pervez Musharraf resigned amid efforts to impeach him
• Move comes amid calls to restrict powers of president

(CNN) -- The husband of assassinated leader Benazir Bhutto has agreed to run for the Pakistani presidency.

The announcement was made Saturday at Asif Ali Zardari's home.
An election by lawmakers to replace Pervez Musharraf will be held on Sept. 6. The former strongman resigned less than a week ago rather than face the humiliation of impeachment.
Mian Raza Rabbani of the Pakistan People's Party said he was "happy to announce that Zardari had accepted his party's nomination" to run for president.
But his election is far from certain.
Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the junior partner in the ruling coalition, has demanded that the People's Party slash the powers of the president before he'll support their candidate.




http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapc...ref=rss_latest

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Aarwaa

Pakistan is ruled by three As - Army, America and Allah.

78 more killed in Swat operation

Sunday, August 24, 2008

SWAT: Seventy-eight people were killed and several others injured as fierce clashes continued in different parts of the Swat Valley today.

The security forces launched their offensive late night on the alleged headquarters of the Taliban militants. They used artillery and gunship helicopters to hit positions of the militants.

ISPR spokesman in Swat said that clashes between security forces and Taliban militants had killed 45-50 militants including a Taliban commander and foreign fighters in Tehsil Kabbal of Swat.

The security forces blew up a headquarters of Taliban in Tehsil Kabbal.

Meanwhile, 10 securitymen were also killed and seven injured in clashes while Taliban claimed to have destroyed 20 vehicles of security forces.

On the other hand Tehrik-e-Taliban Swat spokesman Haji Muslim Khan rejected the ISPR’s claim, saying no local or foreign fighters was killed in fighting. He claimed the responsibility of attacks on FC checkpost and other areas.

He vowed to carry out more attacks in the country if security forces were not withdrawn from the troubled valley of Swat.

Meanwhile, shelling continued as militants’ hideouts were attacked by the forces from FC camp Kanju and other camps. However there were no reports of casualties or injuries.

According to ISPR, curfew has been relaxed from 8am to 8pm from Sunday in Swat.

82 MQM legislators to back Zardari

Sunday, August 24, 2008

ISLAMABAD: Some 82 federal and provincial legislators of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) will vote for PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari in the forthcoming presidential elections, MQM Rabita Committee member Babar Khan Ghouri said on Saturday.

Talking to a private TV channel, he said MQM chief Altaf Hussain had already termed Zardari the most suitable person for the slot of the president of Pakistan due to his inherent qualities.

He said the MQM wanted to extend advance greetings to Zardari. Responding to a question, he expressed his best wishes to the coalition government and said political forces should put their energies together to put the country on the road to progress and prosperity.

Meanwhile, MQM leader Saleem Shahzad on Saturday welcomed the decision of the PPP to nominate Zardari for the slot of the president.

Talking to a private TV channel, he said: "The MQM welcomes the PPP’s decision to nominate Asif Ali Zardari for the slot of the president and we are happy that the presidential candidate has been nominated from a smaller province."

The decision to nominate the presidential candidate from a smaller province will strengthen democracy, bring political and economic stability and resolve the problems of the people, he added.

He said MQM chief Altaf Hussain had proposed the name of Zardari for the slot of the president.

He said the MQM believed that Zardari had handled the issue of impeachment with political wisdom. He added that the next president should have the ability to take along all the political forces and Zardari possessed that ability.

President should be from Balochistan’

Sunday, August 24, 2008

LAHORE

Punjab PML-N leaders have demanded that the next president of the country should be from Balochistan because it would help end sense of deprivation among the people of the province.

In a joint statement issued here on Saturday, PML-N parliamentarian Malik Afzal Khokher and provincial leader of the party Sajjad Hussain Chheena said Balochs had been facing hardships and afflictions due to the wrong policies of the previous government. It was the duty of other the provinces to redress their grievances, they added.

They said political leaders should rise above personal and political interest to strengthen federation. They warned the country could not afford any disputed political decision on any important national issue at this critical juncture.

They said PML-N Chief Mian Nawaz Sharif’s approach about the national issues including the independence of judiciary was based on principles and reflected his realistic and mature thinking. They added the judges must be reinstated by August 27 as nation was not ready to tolerate even a momentís delay in this regard after the retirement of Pervez Musharraf.

He said the PML-N had been showing flexibility and following the policy of reconciliation to keep the ruling coalition intact but it should not be misconstrued as our weakness.

Afghans protest US mly strikes

Sunday, August 24, 2008

HERAT, Afghanistan: Afghan villagers staged an angry protest on Saturday amid claims that 76 civilians were killed in coalition air strikes against Taliban, as the US military launched an investigation.

President Hamid Karzai condemned civilian casualties from Friday’s clashes in the western province of Herat but there were conflicting claims about the death toll, with the US-led coalition saying only 30 rebels were killed.

If the toll of 76 is confirmed, it would be one of the highest for civilians in the battle against the extremist Taliban, who were ousted from power in Afghanistan during a US-led invasion in late 2001.

It was difficult to independently verify what happened near the village of Azizabad, about 120 kilometres (75 miles) south of the city of Herat, as the area is a stronghold of Taliban and other militants, and considered dangerous. About 250 villagers staged an angry protest on Saturday, hurling stones at Afghan troops, the police chief for western Afghanistan, General Akram Yawar said.

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Time is the longest distance between two places.

Govt bans TTP, freezes its accounts

ISLAMABAD: Federal Government on Monday banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan and issued directive to freeze its accounts and assets, according to the notification. Adviser to Prime Minister Rehman Malik said that all concerned departments and international community have been formally informed about the notification of banning Tehrik-e-Taliban. While, restriction has also been put on the movement of people associated with the TTP. The government has also issued warning for the people and organizations involved with TTP. Beside this, ban was also imposed on statements of its representatives in media. Tehrik-e-Taliban was accused of attacks on security forces, government buildings and suicide attacks.

Resolution for Zardari’s presidential bid tabled in NWFP assembly

PESHAWAR: A resolution asking PPP Co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari to contest the presidential election has tabled in NWFP assembly today. NWFP PPP President and Senior Minister Rahimdad Khan presented the resolution that welcomed the nomination of Asif Zardari for presidential slot and expressed hope that he would work for freedom of judiciary and democracy after assuming the office of the president. Bashir Bilure of ANP also presented a resolution. Opposition leader in NWFP assembly Akram Khan Durrani while commenting on the resolution said that JUI has reservations over FATA operation and JUI would not become the part of the resolution till the removal of these reservations.

PML-N would oppose Zardari’s presidential bid in Frontier Assembly

PESHAWAR: Pakistan Muslim League-N would oppose the presidential bid of Asif Zardari in Frontier Assembly. Talking to Geo News, PML-N Frontier President Pir Sabir Shah said that primary objective of PML-N is immediate restoration of judges whereas for People Party, Asif Zardari’s president ship is more important. This stance is putting the future of coalition in jeopardy. He said PML-N would oppose the resolution for Zardari’s presidential bid in Frontier Assembly.

Fresh fighting kills 22 in Kurram Agency

PARACHINAR: At least 22 people including 16 militants were killed while 38 others injured in fresh clashes between rival tribes in Kurram Agency here on Monday. Tribal elders have accused the government of not making any attempt for ceasefire in the troubled areas. The fighting has intensified, it said. According to sources, at least 22 people were killed and 38 others injured as fighting between rival tribes continued for the 19th straight day in Kurram Agency on Monday. Apart from Bangush and Turi tribes, militants from Waziristan, Khyber Agency, Orakzai Agency and other areas were taking part in fighting. Tribes said that fighting intensified with the involvement of militants while government made no attempt to stop it. Death toll in 19-day clashes have climbed to over 400 people.

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* PML-N proposes postponing presidential election
* Considers sitting on the opposition benches
* May try to win PML-Q over for ‘plan-B’ in Punjab

Daily Times Monitor

LAHORE: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) called for the postponement of the presidential election for a month after a meeting on Sunday, and its chief Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari had “hurt my confidence”.

According to Geo News, most of the PML-N leaders were “disappointed with the PPP” for not restoring the sacked judiciary following the procedure and the timeframe they had proposed.

“I had allied with the PPP to steer the country out of the prevailing crises,” the PML-N chief told leaders of his party during a meeting at his Raiwind residence, according to a Dawn News report.

Opposition benches: Citing sources in the party, television channels said some of the party leaders wanted the PML-N to quit the ruling coalition and sit on the opposition benches. They wanted the party to stay away from the presidential election, but Geo News said a final decision in this regard would be made in a meeting of the party’s Central Working Committee in Islamabad on Monday.

Plan-B: The PML-N leaders also discussed the fate of the coalition government in Punjab if the party pulls out of the coalition in the centre. Geo News said the PML-N was likely to show flexibility in its stance towards the rival PML-Q to win them over for a possible plan-B.

The channel said PML-N leader Makhdoom Javed Hashmi strongly criticised Zardari and asked the party to form a new strategy.



* PPP co-chairman says sacked CJ has become ‘too politicised’
* Pakistan, world losing war against Taliban
* Says his goal as president will be ‘full democracy’
* ISI ‘is going to be controlled’
* Musharraf ‘welcome’ to stay in Pakistan, not the only one to blame for terrorism

LAHORE: The president should not have the power to dissolve the parliament and that the head of state’s role should be “more ceremonial”, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari has said in an interview with US magazine Newsweek, that took place before he was named the PPP’s presidential candidate.

“The parliament is sovereign, and one has to look at the future of Pakistan’s democracy as more important than individuals as such,” he said in the interview, with Newsweek’s Lally Weymouth.

“We [have] fought this war for democracy, and all the powers that Musharraf enjoyed were obviously non-democratic. We need to have a debate in the parliament and see how strong we want the future president [to be] and how strong we want to make our prime minister. I think the president should not have the power to dissolve the assembly.”

Chaudhry: To a question, the PPP leader said that he was in favour of reinstating sacked chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, “but there is a position in the party, which says that he has become too politicised in the last many months and he has been leading rallies”.

ISI: To a question about the Pakistan’s premier intelligence agency, he said the ISI “is going to be controlled. There is no other choice. ISI is part of the state”.

Musharraf: To another question, he said General (r) Pervez Musharraf was welcome to stay in Pakistan, and that Musharraf was not the only one responsible for terrorism.

War against Taliban: In an interview with the BBC published on Sunday, Zardari said Pakistan and the world were losing the war against Taliban. “I think at the moment [the Taliban] definitely have the upper hand,” he said. He said growing militancy could affect the whole world.

Full democracy: In another interview broadcast after his nomination on Saturday, he told the National Public Radio that his goal as president would be “the development of full democracy” in Pakistan.

Zardari said Pakistan needed Washington’s support for democracy and overcoming economic and security challenges being faced by Pakistan and South Asia. daily times monitor/app


ISLAMABAD: I will support Zardari’s nomination for the post of president, said ANP chief Asfandyar Wali Khan on Sunday. He said, “We consider Zardari as a candidate of the ruling coalition. We hope he will take steps to eliminate the remnants of dictatorship from the political system.” online

LAHORE: The PPP ministers in the Punjab cabinet will resign if the coalition collapses due to the judges’ issue, Geo News reported PPP Punjab Senior Minister Raja Riaz as saying on Sunday. Riaz said the PPP would restore the judges according to its own strategy. daily times monitor



Source : Daily Times

__________________
Regards

Aarwaa

Pakistan is ruled by three As - Army, America and Allah.