Gilani, Karzai agree to re-engage

Monday, August 04, 2008



COLOMBO: The leaders of Afghanistan and Pakistan agreed on Sunday to “re-engage” in the fight against Islamic extremism, a joint statement said.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani met in Colombo on the sidelines of a Saarc summit, according to a joint statement released here. “The two sides agreed to coordinate their efforts to stop cross-border terrorism,” the statement said.

“At the suggestion of Pakistan, the Afghan side agreed to re-engage on all bilateral and multilateral forums,” it added. Karzai and Gilani had also agreed after their “cordial” breakfast meeting that their foreign ministers would meet over ways to build “close and constructive engagement” between the neighbours, the statement said.

The aim was to “build confidence and develop a common strategy at the political, military and intelligence levels in collaboration with their coalition partners and Nato/Isaf,” it said.—AFPMuhammad Saleh Zaafir adds from Islamabad: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has expressed his optimism that PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif would not distance himself from the ruling coalition, as he has been a credible partner of the alliance.

The meeting between Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif scheduled for tomorrow (Tuesday) would be a normal interaction among the allied leaders and it would provide them an opportunity to deliberate upon a number of subjects of national and common interests and as such there is no need to have formal agenda for the same.

“Do the allies need an agenda for their meetings?” Gilani posed a counter question when he was asked about the possible framework of the discussions. The prime minister who returned from Colombo Sunday late evening after attending 15th Saarc summit while talking to the newsmen at Chaklala Air Base expressed his satisfaction at his meetings with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh. The tension would lower between both the countries as a result of the interaction with the two leaders. The prime minister who was accompanied by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that the foreign ministers of the Saarc had prepared useful proposals for the betterment of the people of the region and the heads of the delegations adopted them.

He referred to the decisions taken by the association for energy, food safety, and alleviation of poverty in the region. He said that Pakistan proposed a number of important proposals in the conference that were appreciated by all the member countries and unanimously adopted by the summit.

To a question the prime minister said that his visit proved to be useful and he had an opportunity to meet a number of the leaders of the region. The formal and informal bilateral meetings on the margins were premium of the summit.

Talking about his meeting with his Indian counterpart Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said that Indians had reservations about the last monthís attack in Afghan capital where about 40 people including three Indian diplomats were killed and allegations were leveled against Pakistan.

The Indian leader referred to the Afghan government allegations but I told him that he would meet the Afghan president to ascertain the facts and if any evidence was produced he would certainly take action. “I made it clear to the Indian prime minister that Pakistan is a victim of terrorism and it is doing everything possible to eliminate the menace.”

The meeting with the Indian prime minister proved productive and candid. Talking about his meeting with Afghan president on breakfast Sunday morning Prime Minister Gilani said it took place in an extremely cordial atmosphere and the two sides explained their positions in frank manners. He cherished Afghan president’s offer that if Pakistan moves a step forward, he will be more than willing to move a thousand steps. This spirit must continue to prevail and it would be helpful greatly in sorting out the tangles.

He termed the joint statement regarding his meeting with Afghan president as a positive message. The prime minister said that Pakistan would continue to strive for peace and tranquility in the region and do whatever is possible for it to root out terrorism in the region.

He congratulated Sri Lankan leadership for holding successful Saarc Summit in peaceful manner amid fears of terrorism. He appreciated the hospitality of Sri Lankan people and government.



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Zardari-Nawaz meeting: last chance to save the system

Monday, August 04, 2008
By Ansar Abbasi

ISLAMABAD: In the midst of an extremely gloomy situation, Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif are meeting on Tuesday, which possibly would be their last chance to save the coalition and the system from serious damage.

In case of failure, things may get out of their control as the current situation cannot continue anymore. Hence, this is a test for the country’s politicians to rise up to the occasion and change the course of history, including the depressing last four months of their performance. Otherwise, they would be directly responsible for any damage caused to the system.

Last week, a credible source revealed that the country’s establishment has already got uneasy with what the government is doing ñ or has done ñ during the last four months. Fears about the possible wrapping up of the set-up are also increasing. Even on Sunday, I received a call from a PPP leader who, while sharing an unconfirmed report, claimed that Prime Minister Gilani was being advised by some of his friends and family members to step down for not being given a free hand to run the government but getting the blame for everything.

Whether Gilani accedes to any such an advice or not, the political instability, growing tales of corruption, the disappearance of accountability systems, bad governance, highly controversial key appointments, no-confidence in the judiciary, the deteriorating law and order situation and cropping up of a crisis after crisis have made the government highly unpopular.

No matter President Musharraf and his eight-year rule were the real causes of the present mess, politicians, particularly Asif Zardari and Nawaz, were given the mandate on Feb 18 to cleanse the Augean stables, a job in which they have terribly failed so far. Though Zardari is in the driving seat and is also mainly responsible for adding to this mess, Nawaz Sharif will have to share the blame, too, as his party continues to be a part of the coalition.

Today, the masses do not like the PPP, especially its top leadership. Tomorrow, the same would be the situation for the PML-N and its top leadership if it continues with the coalition without breaking the sickening status quo. Such disillusionment amongst the masses towards politicians and the leading political parties encourages anti-democratic forces to play their game.

For Zardari and his party, there is only one viable option: he has to end the terrible style of his rule and will have to resort to good governance. He is also required to make his mind quickly if he would go for the president’s impeachment and would restore the judges. There is no time left for any further dilly-delaying on such matters.

Nawaz Sharif, on the other hand, has to stick with the coalition if Zardari changes his mind. Otherwise, he, too, has no option but to quit the coalition and sit on the opposition benches even at the risk of losing the Punjab government, which by the way is the only positive thing that has happened to Pakistan after Feb 18. In the other three provinces and at the Centre also, there is no feel of any government. Further getting along with the coalition, which is fast becoming the cause of problems, would be suicidal for both the PML-N and its popular leader Nawaz Sharif. Some have already started saying that Nawaz Sharif would be no different from Asif Ali Zardari. If really so, it would be really unfortunate for the politicians as well as the democracy in this country.

It’s a pity that the misrule of the past four months and non-seriousness of the government to resolve the major problems inherited by the present regime, including the judicial crisis, have encouraged supporters of Musharraf’s military rule to draw comparisons between the present democratic rule and his past rule. Options of 58(2)b and the setting up of a national government are being discussed.

Although, such a dispensation would increase the problems, the present government’s style of rule is extremely worrisome for all and sundry. In favour of democracy, possibly the only viable alternative would be to let all the political leaders to sit together and find a solution. Maybe another election is what they all come to?



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Woman scientist alive, in US custody

Monday, August 04, 2008

By Rahimullah Yusufzai

WASHINGTON: Five years after her disappearance, an MIT-trained Pakistani neuroscientist, accused of belonging to an al-Qaeda cell based in Boston, is alive and in custody in Afghanistan, her family attorney said. “It has been confirmed by the FBI that Aafia Siddiqi is alive,” said Elaine Whitfield Sharp, a lawyer for Siddiqi’s family, who said she spoke to an FBI official on Thursday. “She is injured but alive, and she is in Afghanistan.”

The news sheds some light on one of the most intriguing local mysteries in the war on terrorism. Siddiqi, who lived in Roxbury and studied at Brandeis University as well as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), disappeared with her three children while visiting her parents in Karachi in March 2003, around the same time the FBI announced that it wanted to question her.

For five years, the US and Pakistani authorities have denied knowing her whereabouts. But human rights groups and Siddiqi’s relatives have long suspected that she had been captured in Karachi and secretly taken into custody.

If Siddiqi was arrested in Pakistan and turned over to the United States, it would highlight a crucial instance of intelligence cooperation between the two countries during a historic low point in their relations.

Earlier this week, US officials accused ISI of actively cooperating with tribal, pro-Taliban militants engaged in killing US troops in Afghanistan. In the White House meeting, President Bush confronted Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani with the intercepted phone calls between ISI and the militants.

Marvin Weinbaum, a Pakistan specialist at the Middle East Institute, said Pakistan has a history of reacting to pressure from the United States by publicly revealing that it had captured and turned over high-value terrorism suspects. Usually, such cooperation is kept as secret because of anti-American sentiments.

“But when it suits their purpose to advertise that they are cooperative with the US intelligence, all too often, someone of high profile is revealed to have been captured and turned over,” he said.

On Thursday, an FBI official visited Siddiqi’s brother in Houston to deliver the news that she was alive and in custody, Sharp said, but the visit raised as many questions as it answered. The FBI officials would not say who was holding her or reveal the fate of her three young, American-born children.

“If she is in US custody, they want to know where she is,” Sharp said. “Who has got her? And does she need medical care?” The FBI and the Justice Department declined to comment. Late last week, Siddiqi’s photo still appeared on the FBI’s list of people wanted for questioning.

Military documents declassified in recent years suggest that Siddiqi is suspected of having ties to several key terrorism suspects being held at the Guantanamo Bay detention centre. She is believed to have links to Khalid Sheikh Muhammad, alleged mastermind of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, and allegedly arranged travel documents for another suspected terrorist. Papers in Guantanamo Bay also indicate that she married Ali Abd al-Aziz Ali, an alleged al-Qaeda facilitator, who intended to blow up gas stations or poison water reservoirs in the United States.

The three men were among 14 high-value suspects brought to Guantanamo Bay in 2006 after years of secret detention in CIA prisons in eastern Europe. At the time, Bush said no suspects remained in so-called black sites, but human rights groups contradicted him, saying there were still suspects being held incommunicado at the US facilities such as the Bagram airbase detention centre in Afghanistan.

In a 2006 report, the Amnesty International listed Siddiqi as among a number of disappeared suspects in the war on terrorism. In recent weeks, Pakistani newspapers reported that a lawyer, Javed Iqbal Jaffery, had petitioned a Pakistani court for Siddiqi’s release and vowed to bring her detention to the UN human rights commissioner.

According to the reports, Jaffrey alleged that Siddiqi was jailed in Kabul after being held in Bagram; a British journalist reached a similar conclusion, based on interviews with prisoners released from Bagram.

Sharp said she believes those reports increased pressure on the US and Pakistani authorities to divulge more information. “I do not believe that they just found Aafia,” Sharp said. “I believe that she was there all along.”




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Nawaz, Asif cross swords today

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

By Asim Yasin & Babar Dogar

ISLAMABAD/LAHORE: Pakistan People’s Party Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Quaid Nawaz Sharif will meet in Islamabad today (Tuesday) in a bid to talk out the issues facing the country particularly the reinstatement of the deposed judges and impeachment of President Musharraf.

A PPP meeting held in Islamabad on Monday drafted some new proposals while the PML-N Central Executive Committee and Parliamentary Committee in their meeting in Lahore gave a mandate to Nawaz Sharif to have a final dialogue with the PPP co-chairperson on the issue of restoring the judges without any delay.

In order to keep the ruling coalition intact, PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari is likely to present fresh proposals to Mian Nawaz Sharif for the restoration of the deposed judges and impeachment of President Pervez Musharraf.

He held a marathon session with the PPP’s central leadership at the Zardari House on Monday. They discussed a wide range of issues, including the war on terror, perceptions about governance, poverty and rising inflation, law and order, the status of the coalition, current debate on impeachment of President Musharraf, restoration of the sacked judges and issues likely to be raised during the luncheon meeting with PML-N leader Mian Nawaz Sharif today.

The meeting was attended by Governor Punjab Salman Taseer, Mian Manzoor Wattoo, Naveed Qamar, Rehman Malik, Farooq Naek, Najamuddin Khan, Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Sherry Rehman, Hina Rabbani Khar, Khursheed Shah, Humayun Kurd, Nazar Gondal, Raja Pervez Ashraf, Dr Asim, Jahangir Badar, Khalil Ahmad, Fauzia Habib and Rukhsana Bangash besides party’s spokesperson Farhatullah Babar.

However, those who attended the meeting were tight-lipped about the new proposals, saying they would be first discussed at the highest level in Tuesday’s meeting. However, sources said the presence of Governor Punjab Salmaan Taseer and Adviser to the PM on Industries Manzoor Wattoo in the meeting indicated that a counter strategy was also discussed in case Nawaz Sharif pulls out of the coalition if the judges are not restored by August 14.

Sources said Law Minister Farooq H Naek reiterated the earlier stance that the deposed judges would have to take fresh oath and they could only be restored through the constitutional package and not by an executive order.

The meeting took stock of the political situation prevailing in the country and a host of issues facing the people and the coalition government including the restoration of the deposed judges and expansion of the cabinet.

On the war on terror, the meeting fully endorsed the policy of uprooting militancy and terrorism through political engagement, massive socio-economic uplift of the tribal areas and use of force against those who challenged the state and took up arms against it.

The meeting expressed the view that a comprehensive plan for Fata has become necessary for waging a successful war against terrorism.

Talking to newsmen after the meeting, Federal Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervaiz Ashraf termed it a routine meeting of the party. He said that the prevailing political situation was discussed in detail.

To a question, he said the PPP wanted to keep the coalition government intact. “Party Co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari is in a better position to speak about the coalition matters,” he added.

The PML-N leaders, during the joint meeting at Model Town, Lahore, expressed concern over the failure of the coalition government to come up to the expectations of the masses and feared that people might become disillusioned with the democratic system.

They were of the view that the PML-N, being a coalition partner, must compel the PPP government to take immediate measures for providing relief to the people and restore the judges without any delay.

Some leaders suggested that the PML-N should prepare to sacrifice everything for the sake of restoration of the judges, but others said the decision of leaving the coalition would be disastrous for the country and democracy. Nevertheless, the meeting mandated Nawaz to decide the fate of the coalition in case Zardari does not agree to their demand of judges’ restoration.

Later, addressing a press briefing, PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif said they had reviewed all the problems confronting the nation after the elections and the agreements they had signed with the PPP. He admitted that the government had hardly completed four months during which he had numerous meetings with the PPP leadership, without making any headway on basic issues. He said the PML-N was facing immense public pressure.

Nawaz Sharif told the media he had sent a letter to Asif Ali Zardari in Dubai on July 16, in which he apprised him of public unrest, caused by poverty, unemployment, price hike, loadshedding and the judges issue. He said he told him that people had started doubting the coalition government because of its failure to resolve basic issues. He said he had asked Asif Ali Zardari to convene an assembly session for immediately restoring the judges, according to the Murree declaration and appoint a new president of the country in consultation with all political parties after impeaching President Musharraf.

Earlier, responding to media queries, Nawaz Sharif expressed the hope that the PPP would take his letter seriously. He said he wanted the coalition government to continue and fulfil its promises with the masses. Nevertheless, he said the person who was responsible for all ills in the country must not be allowed to go scot-free. “We have to take the bull by the horns,” he added. He alleged that President Musharraf was responsible for weakening Pakistan. However, he said they could resolve all problems if they fulfilled all the promises made with the nation.

He rejected ‘minus one’ and ‘minus two’ formulas for restoring the judges and said it was not a matter of a few people but a legal and constitutional issue and they wanted to restore the sanctity of the institution. He said they preferred to resolve the matter by keeping the coalition government intact. “It is for the first time in Pakistan’s history that two leading political parties are cooperating with each other on wishes of the masses who want a dictator to pay for his misdeeds and the judges restored,” he added.

He clarified they would only take the responsibility of the issues which the PPP shared with them. He said the PPP had not consulted them while announcing the increase in the prices of petroleum products and gas. “Had they consulted us on the issue, we would have suggested a better solution,” he added.

When asked that President Musharraf had said he was monitoring the performance of the government, he said those who were responsible for the deteriorating situation were now claiming to be judges. He said he had no legal right to monitor the performance of the government.

About the situation in Fata, he said they had not given any statement against the PPP policy. He said they would resolve the issue after discussing it in parliament.

About the PM’s US visit, he said the Foreign Office should not manage invitations for dignitaries without their consultation. He said they should only accept the invitations initiated by other governments. He asked the Foreign Office not to be more loyal than the king.

About the ISI role, he said it should be under civilian control, with no political role.

Online adds: Meanwhile, addressing a delegation of PML workers in Sahiwal, Nawaz Sharif said the PML-N would not compromise on principles at any cost.

The delegation was led by president PML-N Sakkan Wala, Nouraiz Ghafoor Gujar.

Nawaz said the PML-N will abide by the Murree declaration and would not hesitate to sacrifice Punjab government over the judges issue. He said independence of judiciary is inevitable for supremacy of constitution and strong democracy.

He disclosed that PML-N would make an important announcement in the next 24 hours by taking all parliamentarians and Central Working Council into confidence.




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Judges can return with fresh oath: Naek

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

By our correspondent

ISLAMABAD: Federal Law Minister Farooq H Naek said on Monday the PPP had decided to invite all deposed judges to resume their duties after taking fresh oath.

He was talking to reporters after a meeting of PPP leaders here.

He said that these judges had taken oath under the PCO from Gen Musharraf under the Third Schedule of the Constitution which was under Article 270-C. He said that all arrears and benefits would be paid to the deposed judges but they would be required to take a fresh from President Musharraf under the Constitution, he said.

Talking to Geo TV, PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari said that he had written a detailed reply to Nawaz Sharif’s letter. He said his preoccupation in Dubai delayed the reply. He said: “Nawaz is my elder brother and all issues will be discussed in detail with him when he come for lunch on Tuesday.”

Talking to newsmen, Federal Minister for Information Sherry Rehman said that expansion in the cabinet would take place just before the next session of the National Assembly and the new ministers would take oath before NA session.

This development could take a week, she said. She said that Nawaz Sharif and his team would be given the option that PPP was ready to restore all judges with their seniority and they should take oath under the Constitution and resume duty.

Talking to media, Federal Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf said the party leaders agreed to continue the government coalition. He termed it a routine meeting of the party.

He said that the prevailing political situation and issues were discussed in detail in the meeting. To a question, he said the PPP wanted to keep the coalition government intact.

He however added that Party Co-Chairperson Asif Ali Zardari was in a better position to speak about the coalition matters.

Answering a question about the problem of load-shedding, he said it would come to an end by next year.



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US told not to back terrorism against Pakistan

By Kamran Khan

KARACHI: Pakistan has complained to the United States military leadership and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) that Washington’s policy towards terrorism in Pakistan was inconsistent with America’s declared commitment to the war against terror.

Impeccable official sources have said that strong evidence and circumstantial evidence of American acquiescence to terrorism inside Pakistan was outlined by President Pervez Musharraf, Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani and Director General Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) Lt. Gen. Nadeem Taj in their separate meetings with US Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen and CIA Deputy Director Stephen R Kappes on July 12 in Rawalpindi.

The visit by the senior US military official along with the CIA deputy director — carrying what were seen as India-influenced intelligence inputs — hardened the resolve of Pakistanís security establishment to keep supreme Pakistan’s national security interest even if it meant straining ties with the US and Nato.

A senior official with direct knowledge of these meetings said that Pakistan’s military leadership and the president asked the American visitors “not to distinguish between a terrorist for the United States and Afghanistan and a terrorist for Pakistan”.

For reasons best known to Langley, the CIA headquarters, as well as the Pentagon, Pakistani officials say the Americans were not interested in disrupting the Kabul-based fountainhead of terrorism in Balochistan nor do they want to allocate the marvellous predator resource to neutralise the kingpin of suicide bombings against the Pakistani military establishment now hiding near the Pak-Afghan border.

In the strongest evidence-based confrontation with the American security establishment since the two countries established their post-9/11 strategic alliance, Pakistani officials proved Brahamdagh Bugti’s presence in Afghan intelligence safe houses in Kabul, his photographed visits to New Delhi and his orders for terrorism in Balochistan.

The top US military commander and the CIA official were also asked why the CIA-run predator and the US military did not swing into action when they were provided the exact location of Baitullah Mehsud, Pakistan’s enemy number one and the mastermind of almost every suicide operation against the Pakistan Army and the ISI since June 2006.

One such precise piece of information was made available to the CIA on May 24 when Baitullah Mehsud drove to a remote South Waziristan mountain post in his Toyota Land Cruiser to address the press and returned back to his safe abode. The United States military has the capacity to direct a missile to a precise location at very short notice as it has done close to 20 times in the last few years to hit al-Qaeda targets inside Pakistan.

Pakistani official have long been intrigued by the presence of highly encrypted communications gear with Baitullah Mehsud. This communication gear enables him to collect real-time information on Pakistani troop movement from an unidentified foreign source without being intercepted by Pakistani intelligence.

Admiral Mullen and the CIA official were in Pakistan on an unannounced visit on July 12 to show what the US media claimed was evidence of the ISI’s ties to†Taliban commander Maulana Sirajuddin Haqqani and the alleged involvement of Pakistani agents in the bombing of the Indian embassy in Kabul.

Pakistani military leaders rubbished the American information and evidence on the Kabul bombing but provided some rationale for keeping a window open with Haqqani, just as the British government had decided to open talks with some Taliban leaders in southern Afghanistan last year.

Before opening new channels of communication with the Taliban in Helmand province in March this year, the British and Nato forces were talking to leading Taliban leaders through†Michael Semple, the acting head of the European Union mission to Afghanistan, and Mervyn Patterson, a senior UN official, before their unprecedented expulsion from Afghanistan by the Karzai government†in January this year.

The American visitors were also told that the government of Pakistan had to seek the help of Taliban commanders such as Sirajuddin Haqqani for the release of its kidnapped ambassador Tariquddin Aziz, after the US-backed Karzai administration failed to secure Aziz’s release from his captors in Afghanistan.

Admiral Mullen and Kappes were both provided information about the activities of the Indian consulates in Kandahar and Jalalabad and were asked how the CIA does not know that both Indian consulates are manned by Indian Intelligence who plot against Pakistan round the clock.

“ We wanted to know when our American friends would get interested in tracking down the terrorists responsible for hundreds of suicide bombings in Pakistan and those playing havoc with our natural resources in Balochistan while sitting in Kabul and Delhi,”, an official described the Pakistani mood during the July 12 meetings.

Throughout their meetings, the Americans were told that Pakistan would like to continue as an active partner in the war against terror and at no cost would it allow its land to be used by our people to plot terror against Afghanistan or India . However, Pakistan would naturally want the United States, India and Afghanistan to refrain from supporting Pakistani terrorists.

Pakistani officials have said that the current “trust deficit” between the Pakistani and US security establishment is not serious enough to lead to a collapse , but the element of suspicion is very high, more so because of† the CIA’s decision to publicise the confidential exchange of information with Pakistan and to use its leverage with the new government to try to arm-twist the Army and the ISI.

The Pakistani security establishment, officials said, want a fresh round of strategic dialogue with their counterparts in the US, essentially to prioritise the objectives and terrorist targets in the war against terror, keeping in mind the serious national security interests of the allies.



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Musharraf’s ouster to precede decision on judges

Wednesday, August 06, 2008

By Asim Yasin

ISLAMABAD: PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and PML-N leader Mian Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday reached a consensus on the impeachment of President Pervez Musharraf and would later decide on the modalities for the restoration of the deposed judges.

However, the decisions will be formally announced today (Wednesday) after consultation with other coalition partners — Asfandyar Wali and Maulana Fazlur Rehman — as well as other supporters of the ruling coalition.

In a marathon meeting that lasted for more than six hours on Tuesday at the Zardari House the two leaders discussed the major political and economic challenges facing the country. The session ended without any formal announcement and another round of talks is scheduled for today (Wednesday). The two also held a two-hour one-on-one meeting.

Nawaz Sharif led the PML-N delegation comprising Shahbaz Sharif, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Senator Ishaq Dar and Khawaja Asif.

Asif Ali Zardari was assisted by Leader of the House in the Senate Mian Raza Rabbani, Minister for Labour and Manpower Syed Khursheed Shah, Minister for Information Sherry Rehman, Jehangir Badar, Minister for Kashmir and Northern Areas Qamaruz Zaman Kaira and Law Minister Farooq H Naek.

After the meeting, both Asif Zardari and Nawaz Sharif did not talk to the press. A statement read out by PPP's Farhatullah Babar termed the meeting positive in which a consensus was achieved on the key issues.

However, he said the final announcement about the decisions would be made today (Wednesday) after another round of talks at the Zardari House. He said consultations would also be held with Asfandyar Wali, Maulana Fazlur Rehman and other partners of the ruling coalition, as they are presently not in Islamabad. "Contacts with the Fata leadership and other allies will also be made to get their input for today's (Wednesday) meeting," he added.

Sources claimed that though there was consensus on the impeachment of President Pervez Musharraf but the deadlock still persisted on the modalities of the restoration of the judges as the PPP wanted that the judges should take a fresh oath but the PML-N wanted to implement the Murree Declaration for their restoration.

After the meeting, Asif Zardari held a meeting with Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani at the Prime Minister's Secretariat, which was also attended by Farooq H Naek and Raza Rabbani to prepare a draft for the impeachment motion. The sources claimed that the draft would be presented and approved at today's meeting between the two leaders.

Earlier, as the meeting started, the PPP suggested that the impeachment of President Pervez Musharraf should be taken up first, as it would make the task of the restoration of the judges a lot easier.

The sources said it was decided that once all the coalition partners agreed then the charge-sheet for the impeachment of the president would be submitted in the National Assembly to start the process.

The PML-N, they said, has accepted the proposal to show its sincerity to keep the coalition intact. However, on the judges issue, Nawaz Sharif insisted on implementing the Murree Declaration. Law Minister Farooq H Naek was called to the meeting to discuss the judges issue and he left after some time while the talks continued.

Later, a PML-N central leader, Khwaja Asif, also said there was broad consensus on important issues. "The talks did not fail. There are more chances of 'make' than 'break'," he said. He said the two sides would hold a "final round" on Wednesday (today).

Meanwhile, talking to newsmen, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sherry Rehman termed the meeting between Asif Zardari and Nawaz Sharif 'very positive and cordial'. She said the agenda of the meeting was to evolve a joint strategy on national issues.

She said another meeting would be held on Wednesday (today), while consultations with other coalition partners is also under way to take their suggestions and input. It seems the PPP has once again been successful in delaying the restoration of the judges by insisting on Musharraf's impeachment first. In the process it has managed to keep the coalition intact as well.

It was being speculated that the PML-N would walk out of the coalition over the judges issue but this has not happened and instead the Nawaz League has expressed the desire to keep the coalition intact.



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Asif, Nawaz see through Musharraf plan to sack govt

Wednesday, August 06, 2008

By Mohammad Saleh Zaafir

ISLAMABAD: PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday agreed to give priority to impeachment of President Musharraf after they realised that the president has made up his mind to dissolve the assemblies and send the coalition government packing.

Sources told The News that both the leaders reviewed President Musharraf's engagements and activities and found out that in meetings with leaders of different parties including the PML-Q, the MQM and the Pagara League, the president was giving indications of uprooting the government and the system.

The leaders, the sources said, agreed that the economic and political crises faced by the country were deliberately created by the president with the help of his supporters. The planning for these crises was done well before the February elections. The flour and oil crises were also part of the strategy adopted by the president. The wheat was first exported and when the situation got out of control it was imported on high rates. Similarly petroleum products were given a subsidy and no effort was made to stabilise the prices.

Consequently, the PPP and PML-N leaders believed, the economy came under pressure and unrest increased in the country. They also agreed that the president gave the impression that the armed forces would support him in his plans. However, the chief of army staff has said time and again that the armed forces would not interfere in politics. The army's image was tarnished when General Pervez Musharraf was the chief of the army staff and soldiers and officers of the army had to face many difficulties particularly in the last days of Musharraf as army chief.

However, with the steps taken by General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani the image of the armed forces was restored. Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari met one-on-one, before their aides joined them, to devise a line of action.

The two leaders recalled that on November 3, 2007, when the Supreme Court was about to decide on Pervez Musharraf’s eligibility to contest the presidential election, he imposed martial law in the country. When the lawyers protested, they were tortured openly and blatantly. Journalists were targeted and restricted strictly and many innocent people were killed in the Lal Masjid operation. Large-scale annihilation was caused by initiating an operation in Balochistan killing Nawab Akbar Bugti. All this threatened the national cohesion and integrity.

There were some subversive activities in Karachi putting the whole country into the a state of frustration that not only destroyed the social structure but also the economic set-up. This was done with clear intentions and much thought out conspiracy.

According to the sources, both Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari were in agreement about Pervez Musharraf that he had become a threat to the country's stability and development. He, they believed, had devised his internal and external policies to only serve his own purpose.

He has misused his authority to benefit his personal friends. The leadership of the two parties agreed on the point that it was not possible for Pakistan to continue on the path of prosperity as long as Pervez Musharraf remained president of the country.

By using certain tactics he paralysed the government machinery. Likewise, there was a prevailing sense of insecurity among the government officials and they were not able to serve the country in a meaningful way.

Recently through his statements President Musharraf tried to give the impression that he was about to dissolve the elected assemblies by using Article 58-2(b).

Sources said because of these policies of the president the country's foreign exchange reserves declined to a critical level and chances to revive the national economy were bleak. It is further said that during the meeting, President Musharraf's impeachment and a number of other punitive measures, which would be taken under the constitution, were also discussed. However, what would be the line of action was still a secret in this regard. Preventing President Musharraf from representing the country at world-level meetings and forums was also being considered.

According to diplomatic analysts under the prevailing situation President Musharraf's visit to China tomorrow (Thursday) can also be jeopardised. It is also learnt that a charge sheet regarding allegations against Musharraf was prepared, however, it would be given a final shape after consulting the leaders of other political parties of coalition.



http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=16441

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TTP threatens suicide attacks in Karachi’

Wednesday, August 06, 2008

By Mushtaq Yusufzai & Hasbanullah Khan

KHAR/PESHAWAR: The Baitullah Mehsud-led Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on Tuesday threatened to launch countrywide suicide attacks if the government did not stop the military operation in Swat.

Also, the TTP, which is a conglomerate of militant organisations operating in the tribal areas along the border with Afghanistan and settled districts of NWFP, threatened to extend its 'operations' to Karachi if they felt any threat to their movement.

TTP deputy leader, Maulana Faqir Mohammad and spokesman Maulvi Omar addressed a news conference at Inayat Kalley town in the Bajaur Agency where they threatened to launch suicide attacks in Pakistan's major cities, including Peshawar, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore and Karachi, if what they termed the killing of their fellow fighters was not stopped forthwith in Swat district. TTP vice chief, Faqir Mohammad said a Shura meeting was held with Baitullah Mehsud in the chair in which it was decided to launch countrywide suicide attacks on government installations if the Swat operation was not halted.

"Our deadline has already expired but again we wanted to give a ‘final’ deadline to the government to stop the operation or face the consequences," Faqir threatened. Faqir is also the commander of tribal militants in the Bajaur Agency where they had set up their own Islamic courts and are settling disputes.

Later, talking to The News by telephone from the militants-controlled Mamond town in the Bajaur Agency, TTP spokesman Maulvi Omar said they had prepared a squad of suicide bombers aged 15-20 and would send them to major cities for carrying out suicide attacks on government and military installations.

Also, Omar claimed they had even included women in the suicide squad who would be assigned tasks at sensitive locations. "A large number of women have been approaching us for the past few years and consistently wishing to be given an opportunity to sacrifice their lives for a noble cause," Omar claimed, adding dozens of women had been imparted proper training for such attacks and were waiting for a final directive from Baitullah Mehsud.

However, when asked, Omar said no woman had so far carried out any suicide attack in Pakistan. "Earlier, our focus was on preparing more women suicide bombers but we have to stop that on Baitullah's directive as the number of women suicide bombers exceeded that of men," the TTP spokesman maintained.

About reports of militants' attack on Karachi, Omar claimed that their people were already in the city but waiting for the call from Baitullah Mehsud to launch their activities. "Karachi belongs to the entire nation. We will not allow any terrorist group to lay claim to the city and collect ' ghunda' tax (extortion money) from its citizens," the militants' spokesman vowed.

However, he said right now they were busy in their activities in the tribal areas and in Afghanistan, but if they were challenged in Karachi, they would launch their attacks without any delay.

Also, he said since there were no foreign troops in Karachi and the Taliban were not facing any hardships in their movement, therefore they had no plan to carry out any such attack there. In their Shura meeting, Omar said it was felt that the government was planning military operations against them in South Waziristan, Mohmand and Bajaur tribal regions. "We are ready to fight and have heavy weapons, including anti-aircraft guns, mortars and artillery and also rocket-propelled grenades fitted on key installations," he claimed.




http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=16443

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Musharraf awaits charges before decision to quit

Sunday, August 10, 2008

ISLAMABAD: President Pervez Musharraf on Saturday said that he would decide whether to face impeachment or not after reviewing the details of the charge-sheet being drafted against him by the ruling coalition.

He made this observation in a meeting with the leaders of his loyalist party PML-Q, Ch Shujaat Hussain and Ch Pervaiz Elahi, who called on him at his Rawalpindi Camp Office.

The meeting discussed in detail the ruling coalition’s move to impeach Musharraf, the overall political situation of the country, especially the number of votes the ruling coalition claims in parliament. The meeting took place at a time when the ruling coalition is reportedly drafting a charge-sheet against him.

Since the announcement of the impeachment, the president has been holding hectic meetings with his political and legal aides.

Before meeting his political aides, the president also held meetings with his legal advisers and reviewed a number of options regarding impeachment. According to sources, during the meeting Ch Shujaat advised the president to avoid using Article 58(2)-b and said if he did so, the PML-Q would not be in a position to support him, as the political situation in the country did not allow it.

Shujaat, the sources said, also suggested to the president to make a decision whether he was ready to face the impeachment or resign and if he was ready to face the impeachment then the PML-Q would stand by him and defend him in parliament.

President Musharraf assured the top leadership of the Q-League that he would not use 58(2)-b as he was a big supporter of democracy.

The president said that he would courageously face the charge-sheet of the ruling alliance in accordance with the democratic process, as he first intended to see the allegations being levelled against him.

He accused Mian Nawaz Sharif of working against the democratic system in the country, sources maintained. He also advised the ruling party to refrain from worsening the situation in the country to fulfill the wishes of only one party.

Online adds: In the meeting President Musharraf said that the PML-N was trying to create anarchy in the country, adding that the PML-N Quaid Mian Nawaz Sharif was doing vengeful and personal politics.

He said he would not use Article 58(2)-b because he was a true supporter of democracy.

He said confrontation would harm the democratic process in the country.

During the meeting, the Chaudhry brothers assured the president that their party was completely united and they would support him.

The president also held deliberations with his constitutional aides with regard to his impeachment.

Reuters adds: Later, after holding a meeting with the embattled president, Ch Shujaat Hussain brushed aside fears that he (President Musharraf) would undo the country’s transition to democracy after nine years of one-man rule by dismissing the assembly. “He doesn’t have any such intention,” Shujaat said.



Who killed Benazir?

As many as 70 per cent of those, who responded to The News’ query — who killed Benazir? — pointed their finger at President Musharraf.


http://thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=16521

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Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.