Showing posts with label pakistan. Show all posts

Tuesday, 8 November 2016

Why PTI protesters have much to learn from the past.

I have never pelted stones or fought with the police. As a Peoples Party jiyala in my youth, I was an active political worker.

I addressed hundreds of rallies in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, organised meetings, participated in and led marches, and was at the receiving end of police batons dozens of times.

But I never threw a stone or a punch.

In my youth, we struggled against General Ziaul Haq’s martial law. The educated and well-off youth were not part of our struggle.

Today, it is different: the educated youth have been mobilised on a large scale and the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) deserves the credit for this.

I am though concerned about how this political activism is manifesting. The teargas in the air and the containers on the roads repeat the story of violent protests. Pakistanis are, justifiably, expressing their discontent at the state of affairs.

But unlike the semi-literate, lower middle-class youth with whom I protested, I see the upper and middle-class youth active on the streets today. However, their activism doesn’t reflect the maturity of their privilege and education.

What I see are seemingly educated youth who are ignorant of how to be active in the political sphere.

I see PTI supporters throwing stones at the police and some even wrestling with law enforcement officers in Islamabad.

I see PTI-supporting lawyers in Lahore attacking cars and assaulting parents transporting children on motorbikes.

This is no way to be an enlightened political activist.

Our youth need mentoring. There is a way to be a jiyala or cheetah, and it does not involve throwing stones or punches.

Clinton or Trump? America decides on 45th Potus.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll gives Clinton a 90pc chance of defeating Trump.

Americans on Nov 8 began voting for the 45th president of the United States. Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump face voters on Tuesday as millions of Americans turn out on Election Day to pick the next US president and end a bruising campaign that polls said favored Clinton.

In a battle centered largely on the character of the candidates, Clinton, 69, a former secretary of state and first lady, and Trump, 70, a New York businessman, made their final, fervent appeals to supporters late on Monday to turn out the vote.

If she wins, Hillary Clinton could become America's first female commander in chief. A Reuters/Ipsos States of the Nation poll gave Clinton a 90 per cent chance of defeating Trump and said she was on track to win 303 electoral college votes out of 270 needed, to Trump's 235.

World markets braced for the outcome of one of the most contentious US presidential elections in history, with stocks up slightly on cautious expectations of a Clinton win. The dollar and bond yields slipped, while gold inched up.

Saturday, 5 November 2016

JOINING OECD CONVENTION TO BRING TRANSPARENCY IN GOVERNANCE:

He directed that inter-ministerial consultation should be undertaken to determine Pakistan's readiness for accession to other international conventions and protocols which create transparency and openness in governance.

He said the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions and the Open Government Partnership (OGP), an initiative of the UK Government, should both be reviewed and recommendations should be made on Pakistan's preparedness for joining these multilateral fora.

He said accession to the multilateral agreements would augment Pakistan's efforts to combat fiscal crime and further strengthen its compliance framework on anti-corruption. The minister directed that all necessary steps for joining both fora should be undertaken expeditiously.

The meeting was attended by Secretary Finance Dr Waqar Massod, Special Assistant to Finance Minister Tariq Pasha and other senior officials of the Finance Ministry.

Financial matters: govt’s review petition dismissed.

ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court on Friday ruled that the constitution bars prime minister from exercising his discretionary powers in financial matters without the approval of the federal cabinet.

The top court of the country, on August 18, had struck down a notification for withdrawing exemption on sales tax to the companies, importing cellular phones and textile goods in the country.

It is pertinent to mention that SRO 682(I)/2013 had enhanced sales tax from 5 to 17 per cent on supplies of industrial inputs outside five export-oriented sectors including textiles whereas SRO. No 280 (I)/2013 and 460(I)/2013 had enhanced sales tax on the imported cellular phones.

Withdrawal and modification (in the rate) of sales tax were challenged in the Islamabad High Court with a plea that such notifications had not been issued by the federal government in accordance with Section 3 of the Sales Tax Act, 1990.

In response to the rejection of pleas by the IHC, the appellants challenged the verdict before Supreme Court to which the apex court on August 18, while announcing its 80-page reserved judgement, ruled that fiscal notification enhancing the levy of tax issued by the Secretary Revenue Division, or the Minister are ultra vires.

The verdict also said, “Neither a Secretary, nor a Minister and nor the Prime Minister are the Federal Government and the exercise, or purported exercise, of a statutory power exercisable by the Federal Government by any of them, especially, in relation to fiscal matters, is constitutionally invalid and a nullity in the eyes of the law,” says the judgement.

Consequently, the federal government urged the Supreme Court to revisit its verdict in the matter with a plea that a constitutionally powerful Prime Minister can exercise his powers to run the government affairs.

Resuming the hearing of the federal government’s review petition in the matter, a three-judge bench led by Justice Mian Saqib Nisar observed that Rules of Business cannot overrule constitutional provisions.

After hearing the arguments of Additional Attorney General Waqar Rana in the matter, the bench dismissed the review petition.

Was Imran ditched by PTI Punjab chapter?

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan is regarded by many as a strong-willed person. However, on Tuesday before daybreak, this man called off his much-trumpeted plan to lock down Islamabad — to the dismay of his allies and zealous supporters.

The main reason for this unexpected move, according to some sources, was Imran’s realisation that the PTI Punjab chapter’s second-tier leaders had ditched the party at the eleventh hour primarily in the face of the Punjab government’s well-worked-out strategy to stop it from mobilising public for the protest.

PM Nawaz takes jibe at Imran Khan, says liars cannot lead Pakistan

Also, the rally led by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervaiz Khattak from the party’s power base on October 31 had much fewer participants than Imran had expected.

Comprehending the possible scenario on Nov 2, Imran quickly made up his mind to abandon the lockdown plan. And around 6 am on Nov 1, the PTI chief telephoned Khattak to stop the march.

Background discussions with the party’s senior leaders suggest that a hot topic of discussion at Imran’s residence in Bani Gala was the overall poor response extended by Punjab to the protest call.

“We have confirmed reports from different quarters that some regional leaders and elected provincial assembly members from Punjab offered voluntary arrests to police on October 30 and 31,” a senior leader confided.

Top leaders from Punjab present inside Bani Gala on the night of October 31 found it difficult to have exact knowledge of the whereabouts of the second-tier leadership from Punjab as cell phones of a majority of them went off as Punjab government intensified its crackdown.

“Some 2,000 party leaders and activists were arrested by the Punjab Police on Oct 30 and 31,” he said.

He said it was Imran’s decision to keep senior leadership from Punjab – Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Jehangir Khan Tareen, Aleem Khan and others – at Bani Gala.

Fiery exchange exposes rupture in PAT-PTI ties

“The PTI’s Punjab plan collapsed as the senior most leaders from the province were present in Islamabad while the second-tier leadership, which was tasked to mobilise and bring the public to Islamabad, courted arrests or did not attend calls of their superiors,” he said.

“They [party’s Punjab leaders] just disappointed Imran Khan,” he said, adding that these leaders would be made answerable for their failure in the coming days.

This situation forced Imran to take refuge behind the Supreme Court of Pakistan that is currently hearing the Panamagate case, contrary to his previous announcement that the protest would go ahead side by side with the court hearing.

According to another senior leader, this was the reason why names of PTI Punjab organisers – Mian Mehmoodur Rashid, Ijaz Chaudhry, and Chaudhry Sarwar – were first not included in the list of speakers who were to address the thanksgiving rally in Islamabad on Wednesday.

“Imran Khan asked for the list of speakers prepared by his close confidants. Punjab organisers’ names were not there. He intervened and directed to include their names so as not to give a negative message to the public and media about his anger for them,” he said.

In every crisis there is an opportunity for someone. And the PTI’s K-P chapter, headed by Pervez Khattak, appeared as a beneficiary of that crisis for at least fighting and creating a scene on national level, he added.

“For that reason he was the last speaker before Imran Khan to take the podium contrary to the past practice when Shah Mehmood Qureshi used to address the public before Imran Khan,” he said.

Amnesty condemns Pakistan over crackdown on PTI protesters

A PTI spokesperson when contacted negated the impression, saying the PTI was united and ready to fight the atrocities of incumbent regime. “Punjab leaders planned to leave for Islamabad on November 2 morning but before that the Supreme Court intervened and defused the tension,” he said.

About the 6 am call made by Imran to the K-P chief minister, the spokesperson said Imran had asked Khattak to go back to Swabi from Burhan interchange and come back after regrouping, adding that there is no reality in the claim that Imran was disappointed with Punjab organisers.

“In speeches delivered on the thanksgiving day, leaders from Punjab were given 40 per cent share, while they can also be seen sitting in the front row on the container,” he added.

He said since day one Imran Khan was demanding that either Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif step down or present himself for accountability. “Our prime demand is met and now the prime minister’s case on corruption charges is under consideration at the apex court,” he concluded.

Have received many marriage proposals: Bilawal Bhutto.

The young and single Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who recently returned from United Kingdom opened up on his marriage plans.

“I have received many marriage proposals but I have rejected all of them,” Express News quoted the bachelor as saying. He added that he will marry a girl of his sisters’ choice, “And the girl who my sisters choose will be lucky.”

Bilawal responds to those who ‘don’t appreciate’ his tears

Bilawal was addressing the media in Obaro, Sindh, where he further said that any girl who wishes to marry him will face difficulties.

Last week, Bilawal addressed his emotional press conference and people’s harsh reactions to it, saying he hopes his critics never experienced the pain he has experienced.

“To those who don’t appreciate my tears; I pray u never have to experience the pain I’ve experienced, I pray u never have to shed such tears,” he said in a tweet.

When Bilawal cried…

Bilawal broke down in tears as he spoke about his late mother, Benazir Bhutto, during a visit to inquire after injured victims of the police training centre attack in Quetta last month.

“My family and the people of Balochistan share the same pain… I am no ordinary politician. I am the son of Benazir Bhutto. I am also a victim of this terrorism,” he said.

Smog causes closure of motorway across various locations.

FAISALABAD: The motorway was closed across various points due to the dense fog. However, motorway authorities claimed that the fog was less intense as compared to a couple of days ago.

According to details, the motorway was closed from Lahore to Sialkot, Motorway M3 Pindi Bhattian to Faisalabad and Motorway M4 from Faisalabad to Sial Mor, Gojra-Shorkot section.

Motorway police stated that the closure of the road was due to the dense fog and lack of visibility on the roads. The fog is also reportedly very dense from Lahore to Khanewal and the visibility has been estimated at 50-150 meter.

Motorway police have issued cautionary advice and instructions to drivers, urging them to drive slow and avoid unnecessary travel. Use of fog lights has also been recommended.

ATC indicts Dr Asim, Waseem Akhtar, others.

KAACHI: An Anti-Terrorism Court of Karachi on Saturday indicted former state minister for petroleum Dr Asim Hussain, close aide of former president Asif Ali Zardari, in a case pertaining to providing medical treatment to the militants.

Mayor Karachi Waseem Akhtar, MQM Pakistan Leader Rauf Siddiqui, PPP leader Qadir Patel, Pak Sarzamen Party (PSP) leader Anees Qaimkhani and Usman Moazzam have also been indicted in the same case.

Dr Asim, who has recently suffered a paralysis attack, was brought in the court in a wheelchair.

In the court he pleaded not guilty.

He said, “Those who have charged me with crime should also be indicted.”

The court has summoned the witnesses in the case.

Ex-Senator Faisal Raza Abidi taken into custody.

KARACHI: Law-enforcement agencies (LEAs) officials detained former Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Faisal Raza Abidi after an early morning raid on his Karachi residence today.

Abidi was taken into custody after police and Rangers personnel searched his house in the city's New Rizvia Society for about half an hour, sources said. LEAs arrived at the former Senator's residence in at least 10 vehicles, they said. The law enforcers blocked all passages and surrounded Abidi's residence during the swoop.

He has reportedly been shifted to an undisclosed location for interrogation. However, none of the law enforcement agencies (LEAs) has revealed the arrest of former senator.

The reason behind the arrest has yet to be revealed, however, sources informed that the former senator would be quizzed pertaining to some high-profile cases.

The firebrand former PPP leader resigned from his Senate seat in 2014 after developing differences with his party.

Abidi, once among the most trusted lieutenants of former president Asif Zardari, was accused of violating party discipline and repeatedly issuing statements in favour of martial law.

Meanwhile, Rangers also took into custody two political workers during a raid in North Karachi, and three illegal Afghan citizens from Gabol Town locality of Karachi.

Chinese Consortium to launch new airline in Pakistan

| Says it will bring in $3 billion investment

ISLAMABAD - Praising the country’s economy as capable of absorbing and capitalising the direct foreign investment, the Chinese investors have expressed their interest in launching a new airline in Pakistan for which they would be discussing modalities with the Government of Pakistan.

The representatives of a consortium of Chinese investment companies comprising China Huarong International Holdings Limited, China Innovative Finance Group Limited, Hong Kong Tian Group, Chandong Hi-Speed Group and China Road & Bridge Group yesterday met Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif at the PM House.

Warmly welcoming the delegation, the Prime Minister appreciated the Chinese delegation’s fruitful interaction with Ministries of Finance, Petroleum & Natural Resources, Water & Power and Capital Development Authority.

The Prime Minister expressed hope that members of the Chinese delegation will have a productive visit in the backdrop of briefing by various ministries about immense potential for investment in Pakistan’s infrastructure development, energy and communication sectors.

Appreciating the prudent and practical measures taken by the government for the revival of the national economy, the members of the delegation said that Pakistan is fully ready as well as capable of absorbing and capitalising the Foreign Direct Investment.

The delegation apprised the Prime Minister that they are bringing $3 billion Investment Fund to Pakistan because of the vision of the Prime Minister that focus on infrastructure development and energy sectors.

The Chinese delegation also expressed its intent to explore possibility of starting a new airline in Pakistan after the permission from the Government of Pakistan. The Chinese side said that it is actively pursuing its investments in infrastructure, power, aviation and tourism sectors of Pakistan.

“We fully appreciate the vision of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif which enunciates that economic prosperity is an offshoot of infrastructure connectivity and self-sufficiency in the energy sector,” the members of the delegation stated.

The Prime Minister expressed his gratitude to the leadership and brotherly people of the People’s Republic of China for their all weather support that is getting stronger with each passing day. The CPEC is a game changer that is going to transform the lives of the billions of people of the region, the PM said.

He said that the economic outlook of Pakistan has altogether changed in the last three years, which is being acknowledged globally. Standard and Poor’s (S&P) has also upgraded Pakistan’s ranking to B from B-; Pakistan is among this year’s global top 10 improvers in Doing Business 2017, the Prime Minister expressed with satisfaction.

Inflation is continuously on downward trend while reduction in petroleum prices also helped in decreasing inflation, he further added. He said the Foreign Exchange Reserves have now increased to over $24 billion.

“Our Investment Policy has been designed to provide a comprehensive framework for creating a conducive business environment for the attraction of FDI,” the PM said. Pakistan's policy trends have been consistent, with liberalisation, de-regulation, privatisation, and facilitation being its foremost cornerstone, he stated. The Law of Special Economic Zones (SEZ) has been made to meet the global challenges of competitiveness to attract Foreign Director Investment (FDI).

Finance Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Chairman Board of Investment Miftah Ismail, Mayor Islamabad Sh. Ansar Aziz and other senior government officials were also present during the meeting.

CPEC WESTERN ROUTE TO BE

COMPLETED BY 2018: MINISTRY

APP adds: The spokesman of Ministry of Planning and Development and Reforms said on Friday that work on the Western corridor of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is progressing in full swing and reaffirmed that the route would be completed by 2018.

The 650 km long Gwadar-Quetta section of the Western route has already been completed which according to the given time line was to be delivered in December 2016, this shows the work pace is not only smooth rather we are moving on fast track and ahead of time.

He made these remarks while clarifying a news item appeared in a section of the Press regarding CPEC and maintained that the points raised by honourable members in a meeting of Senate Committee on CPEC are inappropriate based on lack of information.

In a statement issued here, the spokesman stated that completion of the Western route would bring a new era of development and prosperity for the people living in the underdeveloped areas.

He said that construction work on the 285 km DI Khan-Hakla Road has also been commenced.

The spokesman said, CPEC is a multi-sectoral cooperation between Pakistan and our all weather friend China.

All decisions regarding CPEC projects and its execution are made with mutual consultation keeping in view the interests and well-being of the people of Pakistan, he said.

Therefore, the apprehensions expressed by the honourable members of the Senate Committee on CPEC are baseless and unfair, he added.

Friday, 4 November 2016

Will reveal reason of leaving ministry at some stage, says Pervaiz.

LAHORE: Former Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Pervaiz Rashid said that he would reveal the reason of leaving his ministry at the right time. He said that he’d never stay behind if the larger interest of Pakistan demanded sacrifice.

Talking to media after leaving his ministry, Pervaiz Rashid said that he was identified as not a minister, but as a political worker. “I was made minister by the leadership. It doesn’t make any difference if they took it back”, he said.

Rashid said that he felt proud over his commitment with democracy, leadership and the party and his loyalty could not be questioned. “I’ll continue working as an active worker of Muslim League”, he said.

“I have no regrets. Why I resigned from ministry, will be known to all at the appropriate time”, he said.

COAS hails team for winning international military exercise.

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif met with Pakistan Army team which won Gold Medal in “Exercise Cambrian Patrol” held in UK from 14-23 October.

A total of 122 teams participated in the event known as one of the toughest patrolling test for military personnel.

COAS appreciated the team for their commendable performance in winning the medal and keeping Pakistan’s flag high.

Cambrian Patrol is physically challenging and arduous exercise which concentrates on teamwork for achieving the mission. The teams of 8 men carrying up to 40 kgs each crosses some of the most unforgiving mountainous terrain of mid-Wales, UK, amid tactical and technical challenges, testing leadership, self-discipline, courage and determination of the participants.

This is the third time Pakistan Army has won Gold in the Cambrian Patrol winning the competition last year as well.

Khattak must not misguide masses, says Nisar.

ISLAMABAD: Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has eulogized Islamabad Police and Law Enforcement Agencies for establishing writ of the sate during critical period in the Federal Capital.

Addressing Police Darbar in Islamabad today [Thursday], he said that government is well aware of the responsibility of police and Law Enforcement Agencies.

He said the government has increased salaries and facilities of Police and Enforcement Agencies which will further be enhanced in future.

The Interior Minister rejected KPK Chief Minister’s assertion and said that Frontier Constabulary and other Law Enforcement Agencies belong to Pakistan and not to a particular province which maintained law and order. He said these agencies should not be dragged in politics.

He said extra security and full protocol were given to Pervez Khattak as KPK Chief Minster and added that he is welcomed to Islamabad as Chief Minister. Chaudhry Nisar asked him not to misguide the public to achieve the motives.

Ch. Nisar Ali Khan said that government in order to maintain law and order barred those groups who are bent to spread violence in the Capital. He said a particular group is not allowed to paralyze the capital as Pakistan is a nuclear state.

The Interior Minister rejected propaganda about permission given to Difa-e-Pakistan Council to hold a public meeting in Islamabad despite imposition of Section-144.

He said the Council sought permission and accepted conditions proposed by the district administration for the purpose. He also reminded critics that DPC is not a outlawed organization as it includes parties like PML(Q), Jamat-e-Islami and JUI(Sami).

Ch. Nisar Ali Khan said salaries of FC personnel are being increased by fifty percent immediately and remaining fifty percent would be hiked in June next year. He said a new recruit would get about thirty thousand rupees a month as against about seventeen thousand at the moment. He said FC personnel would also get internal security allowance irrespective of where they are deployed.

The Minister said it would be his endeavour to have a major hospital, colleges and university for children and families of the FC personnel.

He announced award of Commendation Certificates and prize of fifty thousand rupee each for the ten thousand FC personnel who were deployed for security duties in Islamabad and Punjab during political tension.

30 Afghan killed as NATO makes airstrikes in Kunduz .

KUNDUZ: At least 30 Afghan civilians, including women and children, were killed in a NATO airstrike Thursday in the volatile northern province of Kunduz, officials said.

The strike occurred early Thursday after a firefight killed two US soldiers and three Afghan special forces during an anti-Taliban operation in Kunduz.

It was not immediately clear if the two incidents were related, but the killings highlight growing insecurity after the Taliban last month overran Kunduz city for the second time in a year.

“Afghan forces and coalition troops conducted a joint operation against the Taliban insurgents. In the bombardment 30 Afghan civilians were martyred and 25 others were wounded,” provincial spokesman Mahmood Danish told media.

Police spokesman Mahmoodullah Akbari gave the same toll to media, adding that the dead included infants aged as young as three months and other children.

“They were asleep when their house came under attack by coalition troops,” Akbari said.

In a brief statement on Twitter, NATO conceded it was behind the airstrike.

“Airstrikes were conducted in #Kunduz to defend friendly forces under fire. All civilian casualty claims will be investigated,” it said.

Emotionally-charged protests erupted in Kunduz after the airstrike, with dozens of relatives of those killed in the airstrike rallying outside the governor´s office, carrying the bodies of victims.

“I am heartbroken. I have lost seven members of my family. I want to know, why these innocent children were killed? Were they Taliban?” said Taza Gul, a 55-year-old labourer.

Legal Eagles to fight Panama battle now.

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has directed the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Pakistan Muslime League Nawaz (PML-N) and other parties to submit written response on Thursday regarding finalisation of Terms of References (TORs) to form a commission to probe the issue of Panama Papers leaks.

A five-member larger bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali heard the petitions submitted against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and Awami Muslim League (AML).

The apex court had earlier directed both the government and PTI to submit their comments after consulting with their respective leaderships on the formation of a commission and adjourned the hearing for two hours.

As the case hearing resumed, the government and Pakistan Tehreek-e Insaf expressed their consent for the formation of the commission.

The court asked the parties to present in writing their proposal for formation of the commission.

Chief Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali said the commission will report to the Supreme Court, adding that it will hold powers equal to the apex court.

“We are determined to resolve this issue. We will solve it and we will solve it as soon as possible. Now the highest forum in the country in regards to dispute resolution has taken up this matter, so now you hold your positions, please restrain,” Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, one of the five judges hearing the case told the court.

The bench further made it clear that the court will settle the issue of TORs by itself if any party failed to respond.

PM WELCOMES SC DECISION

Speaking to reporters outside the Supreme Court, Minister for Defense Khawaja Asif said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has openly welcomed the formation of the commission on Panama Papers. He said the Prime Minister wants early conclusion of the case.

Asif said the PML-N has whole-heartedly accepted the court’s orders and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf should also take back the protest call.

He reiterated that there is no justification of the protest following the court’s proceedings on the matter.

Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique expressed the confidence that the PTI leadership will show maturity and take back the protest call for return of normalcy to the country.

Counsel of PTI Hamid Khan in his remarks said the PTI agrees to the formation of the commission.