Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf said Thursday that tribesmen killed about 300 foreign al-Qaeda militants near the Afghan border and admitted the army was helping the tribal fighters.
Musharraf's comments came after months of pressure from key ally the United States and other nations with troops in Afghanistan to crack down on Islamic insurgents on Pakistan's lawless, tribally ruled frontier.
"The people of South Waziristan now have risen against the foreigners," Musharraf told a conference in Islamabad of defense officials from 22 countries. "They have killed about 300 of them. They have support from the Pakistan army. They asked for it."
Previously, officials have only said that the army had secured parts of South Waziristan, after the tribesmen drove out the mainly Uzbek and Chechen insurgents themselves, and that the military provided medical aid.
They have also given lower casualty figures than Musharraf, telling reporters on a rare trip to the region Wednesday that about 200 foreign militants and 40 tribesmen had died.
Musharraf said the tribesmen, who once gave shelter to the foreigners after the fall of Afghanistan's Taleban regime in 2001, were likely to fight rebels in other parts of the region.
"We want a similar activity in North Waziristan and there are indications that this can happen there as well," he said.
NATO and US officials claim cross- border attacks on their forces have risen since the deals in South Waziristan in 2005 and North Waziristan in 2006, but Pakistan said such assaults have in fact dropped.
Fighting broke out in South Waziristan March 19, sparked by a Taleban commander-turned-government supporter's demand that Uzbek militants in the area leave or disarm. The tribesmen hoisted white flags, pounded war drums and proclaimed victory earlier this week, saying that the foreigners had been driven out of their bunkers - a claim backed by the army.
But the regional army commander said Wednesday Uzbek commander Tahir Yuldashev, who has alleged links to Osama bin Laden, was not caught.
When he spoke at the conference earlier, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz urged the United States not to belittle Islamabad's anti-terror efforts or link aid to its success against militants.
US Vice President Dick Cheney told Musharraf during a surprise visit to Islamabad February 26 he was concerned that Taleban and al-Qaeda militants were regrouping in the tribal areas.
He denied threatening Pakistan with a cut in aid, but Democrats in March introduced legislation that would make aid conditional on Islamabad's counter- insurgency performance.
Courtesy: TS
Showing posts with label Pervez Musharraf. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pervez Musharraf. Show all posts
Friday, April 13, 2007
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Radical Islam spreads in a riven Pakistan
The intruders covered their faces and broke down the front door. They ransacked the home, then kidnapped the three women and the baby who lived there.
No one was arrested, despite a standoff with police. And neighbors welcomed the dozens of kidnappers, mostly female Islamic students who took the hostages back to their school, because the women, dressed in black from head to toe, and a few male supporters were doing what the police never could: shutting down Aunty Shamim's brothel.
"We were trying to curb anything immoral," said student Hamna Abdullah, 20, from the Jamia Hafsa, the school run by the neighboring Lal Masjid, or Red Mosque. "We did not misbehave. We treated them very gently."
The women from the brothel were released two days later, on March 29, after the owner repented. Later she denied it was a brothel. Yet the kidnapping has raised fears that a new Islamic morality campaign has spread to Islamabad from the remote tribal areas where pro-Taliban militants hold sway. And it is only one example of the vice war being waged by the Red Mosque, which has turned into a serious problem for the Pakistani government, unsure of how to push back against Islamists, especially women wielding sticks or even guns.
The mosque underscores how Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, weakened by his controversial removal of the nation's Supreme Court chief last month, is caught between fundamentalists and the West, trying to control religious extremists as he pushes pro-American policies that have alienated much of Pakistan.
Courtesy: CT
No one was arrested, despite a standoff with police. And neighbors welcomed the dozens of kidnappers, mostly female Islamic students who took the hostages back to their school, because the women, dressed in black from head to toe, and a few male supporters were doing what the police never could: shutting down Aunty Shamim's brothel.
"We were trying to curb anything immoral," said student Hamna Abdullah, 20, from the Jamia Hafsa, the school run by the neighboring Lal Masjid, or Red Mosque. "We did not misbehave. We treated them very gently."
The women from the brothel were released two days later, on March 29, after the owner repented. Later she denied it was a brothel. Yet the kidnapping has raised fears that a new Islamic morality campaign has spread to Islamabad from the remote tribal areas where pro-Taliban militants hold sway. And it is only one example of the vice war being waged by the Red Mosque, which has turned into a serious problem for the Pakistani government, unsure of how to push back against Islamists, especially women wielding sticks or even guns.
The mosque underscores how Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, weakened by his controversial removal of the nation's Supreme Court chief last month, is caught between fundamentalists and the West, trying to control religious extremists as he pushes pro-American policies that have alienated much of Pakistan.
Courtesy: CT
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Pakistan's Bhutto presses President Musharraf to leave army post
Exiled former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto acknowledged having talks with Pakistan's government, but said President Gen. Pervez Musharraf must resign his army post before her party enters any political pact.
Pakistan is buzzing with speculation that Musharraf could cut a deal with Bhutto that would allow her to return to Pakistan before parliamentary elections due around the end of 2007 — and perhaps win a third spell as prime minister.
In return, Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party could help re-elect Musharraf as president and implement his U.S.-backed program to counter Islamic radicals, including Taliban and al-Qaida militants near the Afghan border.
In an interview with Geo television broadcast late Monday, Bhutto said talks were under way with government emissaries "for the restoration of democracy."
However, she said reports of progress toward a deal were exaggerated.
Courtesy: IHT
Pakistan is buzzing with speculation that Musharraf could cut a deal with Bhutto that would allow her to return to Pakistan before parliamentary elections due around the end of 2007 — and perhaps win a third spell as prime minister.
In return, Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party could help re-elect Musharraf as president and implement his U.S.-backed program to counter Islamic radicals, including Taliban and al-Qaida militants near the Afghan border.
In an interview with Geo television broadcast late Monday, Bhutto said talks were under way with government emissaries "for the restoration of democracy."
However, she said reports of progress toward a deal were exaggerated.
Courtesy: IHT
Pakistan’s Minister of Tourism accused of “great sin;” fatwas forthcoming
Nilofar Bakhtiar is Pakistan’s Minister of Tourism. She recently learned to skydive for a celebrity jump in France. Skydiving is not the sin she’s been accused of. What she did is sooo much worse than that. It happened after the skydive.
Her sin is so horrifying, so awful, so distasteful, so…shocking…that I ought not even type it. It’s that bad.
You won’t believe it. You really ought to stop reading this post right now.
I see you didn’t take my advice. Fair enough. You’ve been warned.
Nilofar Bakhtiar may have…hugged…a man. I’m not making this up. I’m also not making up the entirely reasonable reaction that her “great sin” has sparked at the infamous Red Mosque in Pakistan.
The Red Mosque isn’t just any old mosque. It’s next to Pakistan’s ISI HQ, and many agents attend there. It helped train up the Taliban. Lately it has been challenging Musharraf’s rule by mounting an anti-vice campaign (or it has been playing the radical foil to Musharraf’s secular rule, depending on how you view the situation). If Musharraf were Palpatine, the Red Mosque would be the Jedi Temple. They don’t seem to get along, both are major authorities, and everyone there knows it and may have to choose sides at some point.
Courtesy: HR
Her sin is so horrifying, so awful, so distasteful, so…shocking…that I ought not even type it. It’s that bad.
You won’t believe it. You really ought to stop reading this post right now.
I see you didn’t take my advice. Fair enough. You’ve been warned.
Nilofar Bakhtiar may have…hugged…a man. I’m not making this up. I’m also not making up the entirely reasonable reaction that her “great sin” has sparked at the infamous Red Mosque in Pakistan.
The Red Mosque isn’t just any old mosque. It’s next to Pakistan’s ISI HQ, and many agents attend there. It helped train up the Taliban. Lately it has been challenging Musharraf’s rule by mounting an anti-vice campaign (or it has been playing the radical foil to Musharraf’s secular rule, depending on how you view the situation). If Musharraf were Palpatine, the Red Mosque would be the Jedi Temple. They don’t seem to get along, both are major authorities, and everyone there knows it and may have to choose sides at some point.
Courtesy: HR
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
PPP-government contact for providing honorable way back to military
Opposition leader in Senate and Deputy Secretary General Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Mian Raza Rabbani, has said that PPP-government contacts were aimed at to provide honorable way back the military to barracks, but the government wanted to divide opposition by spreading deal ‘rumors’.
Addressing a press conference here at the chamber of opposition leader in Sindh Assembly, he said that PPP-government contacts were nothing new and these contact were aimed at to provide a safe passage for army to barracks from politics.
“But, the government, by propagating about the so-called deal wanted to create rift among opposition ranks,” he alleged.
He said that Benazir needed neither to strike deal nor any one’s permission for returning to the country.
“There may be ideological differences between PPP and MMA, but at present all the opposition parties were moving towards a common goal of independence of judiciary, getting rid of incumbent military dictatorship, supremacy of parliament and for holding a free and fair election under a caretaker setup”, he asserted.
Rabbani asked the president either own up the responsibility of Steel Mill’s privatization and other ‘scandals’ including current judicial crisis or accept that Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz had bypassed him in all these matters.
He termed the incumbent setup as a government of ‘looters’ and ‘plunderers’.
“If there would have been any minister of ‘good’ character then he must resign over the PSM issue”, he remarked.
He claimed that the reference against the CJP was an attempt to avenge from him for his decision in PSM privatization.
He asked Prime Minister to tell the nation as who is responsible for the ‘corruption’ and ‘irregularities’ committed in PMS and KESC privatisation, procurement of railway carriages, stock market crash and other ‘scandals’.
He alleged that by appointing Zafar A. Kahn as managing director PIA the regime has started preparations to privatise the national airline.
Raza Rabbani announced that PPP would restore trade unions and abolish all anti-labourers’ laws including the IRO after coming into power.
He said that the incumbent rulers are feudal and capitalists and representing the international imperialists.
“The rulers have rendered more than seven lakh workers jobless just to appease the imperialist forces”, he charged.
Opposition leader in Sindh Assembly Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, PPP leaders, Taj Haider, Rafique Engineer, Rashid Rabbani, and others were also present on the occasion.
Courtesy: OLN
Addressing a press conference here at the chamber of opposition leader in Sindh Assembly, he said that PPP-government contacts were nothing new and these contact were aimed at to provide a safe passage for army to barracks from politics.
“But, the government, by propagating about the so-called deal wanted to create rift among opposition ranks,” he alleged.
He said that Benazir needed neither to strike deal nor any one’s permission for returning to the country.
“There may be ideological differences between PPP and MMA, but at present all the opposition parties were moving towards a common goal of independence of judiciary, getting rid of incumbent military dictatorship, supremacy of parliament and for holding a free and fair election under a caretaker setup”, he asserted.
Rabbani asked the president either own up the responsibility of Steel Mill’s privatization and other ‘scandals’ including current judicial crisis or accept that Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz had bypassed him in all these matters.
He termed the incumbent setup as a government of ‘looters’ and ‘plunderers’.
“If there would have been any minister of ‘good’ character then he must resign over the PSM issue”, he remarked.
He claimed that the reference against the CJP was an attempt to avenge from him for his decision in PSM privatization.
He asked Prime Minister to tell the nation as who is responsible for the ‘corruption’ and ‘irregularities’ committed in PMS and KESC privatisation, procurement of railway carriages, stock market crash and other ‘scandals’.
He alleged that by appointing Zafar A. Kahn as managing director PIA the regime has started preparations to privatise the national airline.
Raza Rabbani announced that PPP would restore trade unions and abolish all anti-labourers’ laws including the IRO after coming into power.
He said that the incumbent rulers are feudal and capitalists and representing the international imperialists.
“The rulers have rendered more than seven lakh workers jobless just to appease the imperialist forces”, he charged.
Opposition leader in Sindh Assembly Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, PPP leaders, Taj Haider, Rafique Engineer, Rashid Rabbani, and others were also present on the occasion.
Courtesy: OLN
Pakistan's Musharraf: Exiled Bhutto Not Returning
Pakistan's president said Sunday that there was no deal in the works with his main political opposition, denying speculation that former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto could return from exile.
President Gen. Pervez Musharraf's statement followed media reports and recent comments by a Cabinet minister suggesting that relations may be thawing between Musharraf and Bhutto.
"A spokesman for the president has strongly refuted all speculations regarding change in the government and a deal with an opposition party," an official statement from Musharraf's office said.
The government recently shifted a veteran anti-corruption investigator from cases against Bhutto, who lives in exile but still leads the Pakistan People's Party, the country's largest anti-Musharraf political group.
The transfer of the corruption investigator fanned speculation that Musharraf may sanction Bhutto's return to Pakistan. Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, a staunch Musharraf supporter, said Thursday that the move was part of negotiations between the government and Bhutto's party aimed at an unspecified possible deal.
Musharraf has been weakened by a bitter fight with opposition groups, including those led by Bhutto and another former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, over his removal of a senior judge.
Musharraf, who toppled Sharif's elected government and seized power in a bloodless coup in 1999, has said in the past that both Sharif and Bhutto, who was elected prime minister in the 1980s and 1990s, have no further role to play in Pakistani politics.
Courtesy: NM
President Gen. Pervez Musharraf's statement followed media reports and recent comments by a Cabinet minister suggesting that relations may be thawing between Musharraf and Bhutto.
"A spokesman for the president has strongly refuted all speculations regarding change in the government and a deal with an opposition party," an official statement from Musharraf's office said.
The government recently shifted a veteran anti-corruption investigator from cases against Bhutto, who lives in exile but still leads the Pakistan People's Party, the country's largest anti-Musharraf political group.
The transfer of the corruption investigator fanned speculation that Musharraf may sanction Bhutto's return to Pakistan. Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, a staunch Musharraf supporter, said Thursday that the move was part of negotiations between the government and Bhutto's party aimed at an unspecified possible deal.
Musharraf has been weakened by a bitter fight with opposition groups, including those led by Bhutto and another former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, over his removal of a senior judge.
Musharraf, who toppled Sharif's elected government and seized power in a bloodless coup in 1999, has said in the past that both Sharif and Bhutto, who was elected prime minister in the 1980s and 1990s, have no further role to play in Pakistani politics.
Courtesy: NM
No Deal with Pakistan Govt; Benazir assures Nawaz
Two ex-Prime Ministers of Pakistan Mian Nawaz Sharif and Ms Benazir Bhutto have had a surprise meeting in Dubai on Saturday to mull over the political situation in Pakistan.A media report said on Saturday that Ms Bhutto assured Mr Sharif that no deal between her Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the government was in the offing. She told Nawaz Sharif that only routine talks were being conducted with government emissaries. Tariq Aziz, secretary of the Pakistan's National Security Council met with Ms Bhutto prior to her meeting with Sharif. Their talks were inconclusive, but they appear to have prompted Ms Bhutto to call on Nawaz Sharif, adds the report. Both Ms Bhutto and Mr Sharif have been in Dubai for quite some days now, and rumours had been flying around that Mr Sharif was extremely perturbed by reports of an “imminent deal” between the government and the PPP.Ms Bhutto personally took the initiative to visit Mr Sharif on Saturday to dispel these concerns. She assured him that details of any talks or deal with the government would be shared with him, since the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz was a partner of the PPP in the Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy. On his part, Mr Sharif made it clear that ARD parties were worried and suspicious of the situation, and the PPP should make its stand clear since one of the conditions in the ‘Charter of Democracy’ signed by the two former premiers was that neither party would do a deal with the present government in Pakistan. Nawaz may Quit ARD Yet, another report, carried by the newspaper said Sunday that the Chief of PML (N), Mian Nawaz Sharif has threatened to quit ARD in case of any deal between PPPP and government. Mian Nawaz Sharif made his intentions clear to Ms Benazir Bhutto during his talks with PPPP leader at the Dubai residence of Ishaq Dar, and has warned her of PML (N) parting ways with PPPP since “principles” laid down by “Charter of Democracy”, would be severely compromised in case some deal was made. Responsible sources of PML (N) informed news agency Online that Mian Sahib had informed Ms Benazir Bhutto about the doubts and reservations of other political component parties of ARD, who take the issue as a conspiracy to weaken the ARD. Sources have informed that Benazir Bhutto has outrightly denied any instance of deal with the government, but her candid confession about “mere talks and routine connections” have confirmed various leaks, which were being vehemently denied by PPPP, and were the main cause of Mian Sahib’s consternation. Mian Sahib has reportedly protested about the secrecy of these “mere talks”, and has warned that these endeavours could seriously jeopardize the ARD alliance, since it would only strengthen the notion about Benazir’s agreement with the regime.An earlier story said that former premiers Mian Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto met in Dubai on Saturday and mulled over important socio-political affairs of the country.Both the leaders were in Dubai for quite some days but there had been no meeting between them, causing all kinds of rumours to surface, out of which Mian Nawaz Sharif’s purported unhappiness over the “possibility of an imminent deal” of Benazir Bhutto with current government.Ms Benazir Bhutto personally took the imitative to visit Mian Nawaz Sharif on Saturday and made it clear to him that any talk or deal with the government would be shared with him, since PPPP is a partner of ARD. She also assured Mian Nawaz Sharif that no deal was in the offing, just routine contacts were being made. On his part, Mian Nawaz Sharif made it clear that ARD parties were quite worried and suspicious of the situation, and PPPP should make its stand clear since the condition of absolutely no deal with a tyrant has clearly been implied by “Charter of Democracy”. Prior to the meeting Malik Ghulam Mustafa Khar also met Ms Benazir Bhutto and had suggested to her to meet Mian Nawaz Sharif to allay his doubts. Pakistan Observer contacted media coordinators of both PPP and PML-N to confirm the reports about the meeting and get more information in this regard. Media coordinator of PML-N, Ahsan Iqbal confirmed the meeting saying it was a private meeting without any political agenda.Ahsan Iqbal said Benazir Bhutto rang up Mian Nawaz Sharif and expressed her desire to come to his house to congratulate him on the birth of his grandson.“Mian Sahib cordially reciprocated her good sentiments and wishes and welcomed her at his residence”, Ahsan Iqbal remarked adding that the meeting was just private in nature as no political issue was discussed in it.He said that though the political circles were terming the meeting of vital significance but it had nothing of political nature.On the other hand PPP spokesperson Farhatullah Babar at first denied reports of the meeting saying he was unaware about the latest happenings in Dubai. Responding to query about the political significant of the meeting, Babar said that if the meeting had taken place then it might be of private nature. “Perhaps she had gone to congratulate Mian Nawaz Sharif on the birth of his grandson”, he remarked. According to another report, Ms Benazir Bhutto held inconclusive talks with the government’s emissary Tariq Aziz in Dubai on Saturday. However, the PPP leaders, including Makhdoom Amin Fahim, who are presently in Dubai along with Ghulam Mustafa Khar, had out-rightly rejected any planned talks between the two sides. On Saturday, the government emissary, Tariq Aziz called on the former Prime Minister and deliberations were held between the two sides for quite some time.However, informed sources said that the talks remained inconclusive as both sides could not evolve consensus on major points of any expected deal. Of PPP, MQM Alliance Meanwhile, a report from Lahore says that the opposition Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and government coalition partner the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) could be allies in the next general elections, as they were in 1988, PPP General Secretary Jahangir Badr said here Saturday. “Political parties should always keep all options open. The MQM was a PPP ally in 1988 so there is no harm in making an alliance with it again,” said Badr while talking to Peoples Labour Bureau Head Abdul Qadir Shaheen and PPP Punjab deputy secretary information Iqbal Sialvi. He said if personalities like Abida Hussain and Fakhar Imam, former Muslim League stalwarts, could join the PPP, there was no reason why the PPP could not make alliance with the MQM. MQM sources said that the party’s top leadership was seriously considering an alliance with the PPP. Another reason the MQM is moving towards the PPP is the difficulty the party is facing establishing a foothold in Punjab, largely due to Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, president of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League, “who whenever he gets an opportunity creates hurdles in the working of MQM in Punjab,” the sources said. “The MQM is going to break its alliance with the govt soon over the Women’s Protection Bill or whatever issue it can exploit against the ruling PML,” said a senior MQM official.
Courtesy: PT
Courtesy: PT
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Thousands protest in Pakistan over firing of top judge
About 4,000 people rallied in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad on Tuesday to protest against a decision by President General Pervez Musharraf to fire the country's chief justice.
The crowd, which included lawyers and political activists, gathered outside the Supreme Court building during a hearing of the case against chief justice Ifitkhar Mohammed Chaudhry.
Police and government troops kept a close eye on the crowd.
Musharraf removed the judge on March 9 after the government said it received several complaints about his alleged misconduct.
But critics of Musharraf said the firing was an attempt to intimidate the court and make certain it does not cause any trouble for the president in the event he seeks another term.
"Everyone should support the chief justice, it is our moral duty," Makhdoom Amin Fahim, vice-president of the opposition Pakistan Peoples Party, said at the rally.
Courtesy: CBC
The crowd, which included lawyers and political activists, gathered outside the Supreme Court building during a hearing of the case against chief justice Ifitkhar Mohammed Chaudhry.
Police and government troops kept a close eye on the crowd.
Musharraf removed the judge on March 9 after the government said it received several complaints about his alleged misconduct.
But critics of Musharraf said the firing was an attempt to intimidate the court and make certain it does not cause any trouble for the president in the event he seeks another term.
"Everyone should support the chief justice, it is our moral duty," Makhdoom Amin Fahim, vice-president of the opposition Pakistan Peoples Party, said at the rally.
Courtesy: CBC
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Pakistani lawyers decide to keep intact campaign momentum
Lawyers from all over Punjab have resolved not to ease momentum of their movement against Gen. Pervez Musharraf or allow black sheep in their ranks to divert its path.
At a convention here, the Punjab Bar Council (PbBC) announced a full-day strike every Thursday as part of their protest against the ‘unconstitutional suspension’ of Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, besides staging protest rallies, holding meetings and setting up hunger strike camps throughout the province.
The participants also enhanced the duration of the daily strike by lawyers from one to three hours during which time they would stage protests at their respective bars. The convention announced a strike and boycott of courts on April 3 when lawyers from all over the province will gather in Islamabad on the occasion of the hearing in the reference against the chief justice.
Bar Associations across the province were authorised to formulate their own protest schedules and programmes. It also said the lawyers' movement will remain unflinching till such time their goal has been achieved and lawyers will gather in Karachi if the venue for their assembly is shifted there.
The convention was attended by all the 113 bar associations, including representatives of the Supreme Court Bar Association and High Court Bar Association who demanded immediate ouster of Gen. Pervez Musharraf and reconstitution of the Supreme Judicial Council and demanded an open court trial of Justice Chaudhry.
The convention has demanded prosecution of Gen. Pervez Musharraf under Article 6, (high treason) for unconstitutionally holding office of president while in uniform of an army general and that a national government should be formed and elections held under an independent election commissioner.
The lawyers called for the removal of chief ministers of Punjab and Sindh for torturing lawyers and keeping Justice Chaudhry in detention allegedly for six hours to force him to resign.Paying glowing tribute to the boldness and courage of Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, the convention saluted judges and law officers who resigned to protest the reference. The convention also adopted a resolution demanding resignation of Information Minister Mohammad Ali Durrani for ‘lying to the nation’. The resolution flayed Law Minister Wasi Zafar, Dr Khalid Ranjha, Arif Chaudhry and Raja Abdul Rahman for supporting what they said, illegal and unconstitutional acts of President Musharraf.
Courtesy: KT
At a convention here, the Punjab Bar Council (PbBC) announced a full-day strike every Thursday as part of their protest against the ‘unconstitutional suspension’ of Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, besides staging protest rallies, holding meetings and setting up hunger strike camps throughout the province.
The participants also enhanced the duration of the daily strike by lawyers from one to three hours during which time they would stage protests at their respective bars. The convention announced a strike and boycott of courts on April 3 when lawyers from all over the province will gather in Islamabad on the occasion of the hearing in the reference against the chief justice.
Bar Associations across the province were authorised to formulate their own protest schedules and programmes. It also said the lawyers' movement will remain unflinching till such time their goal has been achieved and lawyers will gather in Karachi if the venue for their assembly is shifted there.
The convention was attended by all the 113 bar associations, including representatives of the Supreme Court Bar Association and High Court Bar Association who demanded immediate ouster of Gen. Pervez Musharraf and reconstitution of the Supreme Judicial Council and demanded an open court trial of Justice Chaudhry.
The convention has demanded prosecution of Gen. Pervez Musharraf under Article 6, (high treason) for unconstitutionally holding office of president while in uniform of an army general and that a national government should be formed and elections held under an independent election commissioner.
The lawyers called for the removal of chief ministers of Punjab and Sindh for torturing lawyers and keeping Justice Chaudhry in detention allegedly for six hours to force him to resign.Paying glowing tribute to the boldness and courage of Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, the convention saluted judges and law officers who resigned to protest the reference. The convention also adopted a resolution demanding resignation of Information Minister Mohammad Ali Durrani for ‘lying to the nation’. The resolution flayed Law Minister Wasi Zafar, Dr Khalid Ranjha, Arif Chaudhry and Raja Abdul Rahman for supporting what they said, illegal and unconstitutional acts of President Musharraf.
Courtesy: KT
Pakistan's ex-PMs Benazir Bhutto & Nawaz Sharif seek US help for fair polls
Former Pakistan prime ministers Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto have stepped up their overtures to the Bush administration, apparently in the belief that that the US alone can nudge President Pervez Musharraf towards holding free and fair elections.
The political rivals, engaged in forging opposition unity from their exile in Dubai and London, have also toured the US in the last month.
After a recent meeting in London, they had chided the West in general and accused it of 'hypocrisy' for being keen on democracy in neighbouring Afghanistan, but not in Pakistan.
Sharif, whom Musharraf deposed in 1998, told a US House of Representatives team in London last week: '2007 is a defining year for Pakistan. If elections are rigged, the country will plunge into deeper political crisis. The opposition parties are committed to restoring supremacy of constitution, rule of law, and ensuring fair and free elections in the country.'
Sharif lamented the continued US support to Musharraf at the meeting with the delegation of US House of Representatives subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs, led by its Chairman John Tierney, at his residence in central London, The Nation reported.
He complained that Musharaf had played the extremists' threat only to perpetuate his rule whereas the people of Pakistan had always supported moderate parties and ideas.
The US delegation, on its way to Pakistan on a three-day visit, expressed strong support for restoration of democracy and holding of fair and free elections in Pakistan.
They said: 'Congress is considering proposals to link Pakistan's economic assistance with progress on fighting terrorism and restoration of democracy. In this connection the delegation will meet with the representatives of the government, political parties, and civil society to formulate its recommendations.'
The American legislators assured Sharif that they would stress upon the Bush administration the need to hold free and fair elections and the participation of the entire political leadership in the process.
The US has also indicated its readiness to let Musharraf seek a second term in the presidency after which he might be confident enough to hold general elections.
Outgoing US envoy to Pakistan Robert C. Crocker told reporters here last week that it was 'for the people of Pakistan' to choose the type of democracy they desire. The US was not prescribing anything.
But the opposition says Musharraf's attempt would be patently illegal and even unconstitutional since the present parliament and provincial legislatures that form the electoral college have already elected him once in 2002.
The political rivals, engaged in forging opposition unity from their exile in Dubai and London, have also toured the US in the last month.
After a recent meeting in London, they had chided the West in general and accused it of 'hypocrisy' for being keen on democracy in neighbouring Afghanistan, but not in Pakistan.
Sharif, whom Musharraf deposed in 1998, told a US House of Representatives team in London last week: '2007 is a defining year for Pakistan. If elections are rigged, the country will plunge into deeper political crisis. The opposition parties are committed to restoring supremacy of constitution, rule of law, and ensuring fair and free elections in the country.'
Sharif lamented the continued US support to Musharraf at the meeting with the delegation of US House of Representatives subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs, led by its Chairman John Tierney, at his residence in central London, The Nation reported.
He complained that Musharaf had played the extremists' threat only to perpetuate his rule whereas the people of Pakistan had always supported moderate parties and ideas.
The US delegation, on its way to Pakistan on a three-day visit, expressed strong support for restoration of democracy and holding of fair and free elections in Pakistan.
They said: 'Congress is considering proposals to link Pakistan's economic assistance with progress on fighting terrorism and restoration of democracy. In this connection the delegation will meet with the representatives of the government, political parties, and civil society to formulate its recommendations.'
The American legislators assured Sharif that they would stress upon the Bush administration the need to hold free and fair elections and the participation of the entire political leadership in the process.
The US has also indicated its readiness to let Musharraf seek a second term in the presidency after which he might be confident enough to hold general elections.
Outgoing US envoy to Pakistan Robert C. Crocker told reporters here last week that it was 'for the people of Pakistan' to choose the type of democracy they desire. The US was not prescribing anything.
But the opposition says Musharraf's attempt would be patently illegal and even unconstitutional since the present parliament and provincial legislatures that form the electoral college have already elected him once in 2002.
Top Pakistan Islamist under house arrest
Pakistani authorities placed a top Islamist MP under house arrest on Monday ahead of planned protests against President Pervez Musharraf's removal of the country's top judge, officials said.
Qazi Hussain Ahmed, the chief of Pakistan's main coalition of fundamentalist parties, said he had been detained for two days at his residence in Islamabad.
"The government decision to detain me is undemocratic, unconstitutional and illegal. It appears they are in a complete panic," Ahmed said.
"It's difficult to say at the moment whether I will try to violate the detention order or not, but the protest will be held as per our decision."
"The government has confined our leader but our workers will take part in Tuesday's protest with full vigour. If the government stops us, the law and order situation will be its responsibility," said coalition spokesman Shahid Shamsi. Our protest is against the president's action against the chief justice and the military dictatorship in the country," he said. Interior minister Aftab Sherpao said he had "no knowledge" about Ahmed's arrest. But a senior security official confirmed on condition of anonymity that the leading Islamist was under detention.
Military ruler Musharraf suspended Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on March 9 over allegations of misconduct and abuse of power, sparking a political crisis and a series of nationwide protests against his rule.
The Islamic coalition, known as the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal or United Action Front, called Tuesday's rally to coincide with the next sitting of a panel of top judges who are hearing the charges against Chaudhry. Chaudhry denies the allegations.
Ahmed -- regarded as a rabble-rouser by the government -- was also arrested on March 16 in Islamabad when he tried to break through a security cordon at protests in the capital, which later turned violent.
Lawyers and opposition parties loyal to exiled former prime ministers Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif have also called for separate but simultaneous demonstrations against Musharraf on Tuesday.
Courtesy: DNA-I
Qazi Hussain Ahmed, the chief of Pakistan's main coalition of fundamentalist parties, said he had been detained for two days at his residence in Islamabad.
"The government decision to detain me is undemocratic, unconstitutional and illegal. It appears they are in a complete panic," Ahmed said.
"It's difficult to say at the moment whether I will try to violate the detention order or not, but the protest will be held as per our decision."
"The government has confined our leader but our workers will take part in Tuesday's protest with full vigour. If the government stops us, the law and order situation will be its responsibility," said coalition spokesman Shahid Shamsi. Our protest is against the president's action against the chief justice and the military dictatorship in the country," he said. Interior minister Aftab Sherpao said he had "no knowledge" about Ahmed's arrest. But a senior security official confirmed on condition of anonymity that the leading Islamist was under detention.
Military ruler Musharraf suspended Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on March 9 over allegations of misconduct and abuse of power, sparking a political crisis and a series of nationwide protests against his rule.
The Islamic coalition, known as the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal or United Action Front, called Tuesday's rally to coincide with the next sitting of a panel of top judges who are hearing the charges against Chaudhry. Chaudhry denies the allegations.
Ahmed -- regarded as a rabble-rouser by the government -- was also arrested on March 16 in Islamabad when he tried to break through a security cordon at protests in the capital, which later turned violent.
Lawyers and opposition parties loyal to exiled former prime ministers Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif have also called for separate but simultaneous demonstrations against Musharraf on Tuesday.
Courtesy: DNA-I
Monday, April 2, 2007
Missing in Pakistan, found in jehadi ranks: Musharraf
Hitting out at jehadi groups for bringing bad name to Islam, Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf today said a number of missing persons, believed to have been abducted by intelligence agencies, actually joined militant outfits like the banned Jaish-e-Mohammad to create trouble in different parts of the world.
In his address to a religious conference here on the occasion of Eid Milad-un Nabi, Musharraf said he has conducted a thorough investigation into the allegations by relatives of missing persons and found that a number of them had joined jehadi groups.
He mainly referred to the campaign conducted by Amana, wife of one Janjua who has gone missing. Musharraf said Amana's husband, who was the son of an officer of Pakistan's special commando forces, went missing in Peshawar after attending the conference of an Islamic propagandaorganisation. Investigations revealed that Janjua had joined the Jaish-e-Mohammad.
Musharraf said his investigations have revealed that of the 45 persons missing, 35 have been traced.
Three of them, captured in Afghanistan, were found at Guantanamo. The remaining 10, including Janjua, have not been traced so far.
Referring to the girls of a madarsa here capturing two police and abducting three women, allegedly brothel runners, Musharraf appealed to the people present to prevail on such students not to indulge in militant acts.
He said young men and women joined jehadi groups and brought bad name to Islam by trying to impose their philosophy on others.
Musharraf said under Islam no one has the right to declare jehad except the government, which was the central authority. Jehad is just not about fighting and dying but it should be launched against illiteracy and poverty.
Courtesy: IE
In his address to a religious conference here on the occasion of Eid Milad-un Nabi, Musharraf said he has conducted a thorough investigation into the allegations by relatives of missing persons and found that a number of them had joined jehadi groups.
He mainly referred to the campaign conducted by Amana, wife of one Janjua who has gone missing. Musharraf said Amana's husband, who was the son of an officer of Pakistan's special commando forces, went missing in Peshawar after attending the conference of an Islamic propagandaorganisation. Investigations revealed that Janjua had joined the Jaish-e-Mohammad.
Musharraf said his investigations have revealed that of the 45 persons missing, 35 have been traced.
Three of them, captured in Afghanistan, were found at Guantanamo. The remaining 10, including Janjua, have not been traced so far.
Referring to the girls of a madarsa here capturing two police and abducting three women, allegedly brothel runners, Musharraf appealed to the people present to prevail on such students not to indulge in militant acts.
He said young men and women joined jehadi groups and brought bad name to Islam by trying to impose their philosophy on others.
Musharraf said under Islam no one has the right to declare jehad except the government, which was the central authority. Jehad is just not about fighting and dying but it should be launched against illiteracy and poverty.
Courtesy: IE
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