4:26 AM
Syed Muneer
Jobless plus Hopeless
An interesting thing one executive said was that there is no shame in work, but there's plenty of shame in waiting for charity.
The Ultimate Currency War
After the 2008 financial crisis, the liquidity trap induced policymakers to venture in unconventional endeavors. On the fiscal front, much has been discussed regarding the effectiveness of fiscal policy to pull developed countries out of the sluggish recovery.
Not giving Gold Medals in KU Annual convocation 2011 -A very good Decision
Its a very good decision by KU Administration to not giving gold medals to the position holders because everyone knows how they got positions in their respective discipline. Karachi University administration said that due to unavailability of sponsors we are unable to give gold medals to position holders.The main cause behind no interest of sponsors in giving sponsorship for gold medal might be they knows about checking system in KU.They have seen that what KU's gold medalist do in market after passing out.
A mighty question mark on PML-N " Merit Laptop Scheme"
All Pakistan knows better that what is the main motive behind these "SASTI ROTI" and "MERIT LAPTOPS" schemes.Just "1" vote from every individuals.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Pakistan military makes iPads
Kamra: After building jet fighters, submarines and other weapons, Pakistan’s military has built a homegrown version of the iPad named PACPAD 1.
It all comes together at an air force base in Kamra in northern Pakistan, where Pakistani engineering and Chinese hardware assembled the PACPAD 1 and it is available in the market.
The device runs on Android 2.3, an operating system made by Google and given away for free. At around $200, it’s less than half the price of Apple or Samsung devices and cheaper than other low-end Chinese tablets on the market, with the bonus of a local, one-year guarantee.
Supporters say it will boost the economy as well as a troubled nation’s self-esteem.
The PAC in the name stands for the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, where it is made. The PAC also makes an e-reader and small laptop.
Only a few hundred of each products has been made so far, though a new batch will be completed in the next three months.
PAC’s website at http://www.cpmc.pk says the goal is “strengthening the national economy through commercialization” and lauds the collaboration with China — something that likely resonates among nationalists.
PAC officials say a second-generation PACPAD will be launched in the next three months, able to connect to the Internet via cell phone networks and other improved features. It said the Kamra facility could produce up to 1,000 devices a day.
During a brief test, the tablet with its 7-inch screen appeared to run well and the screen responsiveness was sharp.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Shoaib Akhtar is stalking me: Meera
Meera has lashed out against former cricketer Shoaib Akhtar, accusing him of stalking and harassing her. Revealing that she was in a year-long relationship with Akhtar that ended in 2010, the actor says that he has been making her life hell with repeated phone calls. “Shoaib nihayati badtameez hai. Jabse unko pata chala hai ki mere nikaah ki baat ho rahi hai, wo mujhe phone kar ke pareshan kar rahe hain. Unko sharam aani chaiye (Shoaib is extremely ill-mannered. Ever since he came to know that talks were on for my wedding, he’s been calling and disturbing me. He should be ashamed of himself),” Meera told an Indian daily over phone from Lahore. The alleged affair came into limelight last week when Pakistani media quoted Meera as saying: “Shoaib and I had an intimate affair and he proposed to me. Sadly, he also proposed to my cousin at the same time, which reflected that he wasn’t a balanced person.” In response, Akhtar has said, “I never had any affair with Meera. The problem is that if a well-known cricketer even smiles at a girl, she thinks he is in love with her.” A shocked Meera reacts by saying, “He is lying, seeking publicity through my name. He insults everyone around him. Unke isi attitude ki wajah se unka career khatam ho chuka hai. He is nowhere. He calls me daily and asks me to come back into his life but I will not repeat the mistake.” She further says, “Shoaib doesn’t respect women, wo sirf unhe physically use karna jaante hain. He abused me on phone last night when I refuse to give him a second chance.” Confirming reports that both she and Akhtar were offered Rs 5 crore to take part in reality show, Bigg Boss, she said, “I refused. I can’t be in a house with B-grade people. I’m a big celebrity in Pakistan.” Déjà vu? In 2010 Veena Malik, accused Pakistani cricketer Mohammad Asif of physically abusing her after a failed relationship. She even filed a complaint against Asif for threatening her. Later, when Asif got embroiled in a match-fixing scandal, Veena even deposed before the International Cricket Council.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Bill on Balochistan lands in US congress
WASHINGTON: A bill has been tabled in the US House of Representatives calling upon Pakistan to recognize the right of self-determination for Balochistan.
Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) introduced a House Concurrent Resolution that the Balochi nation has a historic right to self-determination.
The bill states that the Balochi people “have the right to self-determination and to their own sovereign country; and they should be afforded the opportunity to choose their own status.”
“The Balochis, like other nations of people, have an innate right to self-determination,” says Rohrabacher. “The political and ethnic discrimination they suffer is tragic and made more so because America is financing and selling arms to their oppressors in Islamabad.”
Reps. Louie Gohmert (R-TX) and Steve King (R-IA) have also signed on as original co-sponsors of the bill.
Rep. Rohrabacher is Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Telenor Gets Majority Stakes in VimpelCom, Drops Arbitration Claims
Telenor Group, in a latest development, has bought 234,000,000 VimpelCom preferred shares from Weather Investments for US$374,400,000, to increase its voting rights at VimpelCom from 25.01 percent to 36.36 percent and to become majority stake holder in VimpelCom, said a statement issued by the Telenor Group.Just to recall, Mr. Naguib Sawiris and his family last year bought 29.63 percent stakes in VimpelCom through Weather Investments in exchange of Orascom Telecom.
Weather’s shares in VimpelCom, after this transaction, will come down to 18.28 percent.
In connection with this new buyout of shares, Telenor has withdrawn all its claims against Altimo Holdings & Investments Ltd., Altimo Cooperatief U.A. and VimpelCom in the pending arbitration proceeding, and will work to expand the VimpelCom Board to eleven members.
Check below the previous and present voting rights of various groups in VimpelCom:
It merits mentioning here that Mobilink is currently fully managed by VimpelCom, which is now majorly owned by Telenor Group, also the parent group of Telenor Pakistan, creating a potential situation for conflict of interest in Pakistan and Bangladeshi markets.
To put in simpler words, 5 out of 11 directors at VimpelCom board (who directly manages Mobilink) come from Telenor International, a group that also controls Telenor Pakistan.
This translates into a proposition according to which Mobilink and Telenor Pakistan will be owned by same group (Telenor International) at a parent group level.
The outcome can potentially form a cartel in Pakistan which may not be favorable for competitors such as Ufone, Warid Telecom and CMPak.
Though Competition commission of Pakistan had approved the deal, but this new transaction may arise new situation for the industry, especially when 3G auction is round the corner.
In a related news, Telenor wants to drop its Indian joint-venture partner Unitech after the Supreme Court revoked their mobile licences in the country and is seeking a new local partner. Telenor said it would seek indemnity and compensation from Unitech.
And Unitech has replied by threatening counter legal action.
Electricity projects on top of Ahmadinejad’s agenda
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| “Pakistan attaches high priority to its relations with Iran,” said Minister for Water and Power Syed Naveed Qamar, add-ing that the three projects would help ease energy crisis. - File photo |
ISLAMABAD: Talks between Pakistan and Iran during the forthcoming visit of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will mainly focus on cooperation in energy sector.
“Pakistan and Iran have agreed to complete at fast pace projects for importing electricity to enhance bilateral relations in the field of trade, energy and economy,” Iranian Ambassador Alireza Highighlian told Minister for Water and Power Syed Naveed Qamar here on Tuesday.
At present three electricity import projects are under way, the first of them is of 35MW which will be enhanced later to 70MW.
While matters relating to importing 100MW have been finalised and the project is ready for groundbreaking, the two countries have moved forward on another 1,000MW project.
The issue of tariff for the projects is in negotiations stage.
The ambassador said he was satisfied with the pace of progress, adding that Iran was keen to invest in various other projects.
The minister said that cooperation in various fields of economy would enhance bilateral relations.
The minister said that cooperation in various fields of economy would enhance bilateral relations.
“Pakistan attaches high priority to its relations with Iran,” he said, add-ing that the three projects would help ease energy
crisis.
crisis.
“Pakistan is also encouraging Iranian investment in infrastructure projects,” he said.
The visit by the Iranian president would open up new avenues of cooperation, he added.
Ambassador of Tajikistan Zubaidullu Zabaidov also called on the Minister for Water and Power and discussed Casa-1000 project about import of 1,000MW electricity from that country through Afghanistan.
The Tajik ambassador stressed the need for introducing direct flights from Pakistan to Tajikistan in order to boost trade and tourism.
He invited the minister to participate in the Regional Economic Conference for Afghanistan to be held in Tajikistan next month.
Ahmadinejad leaves Tehran for Islamabad’s trilateral meeting
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| Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad |
Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has departed for Pakistan to take part in a tripartite summit on regional cooperation and developments.
The two-day Islamabad summit will open on Friday with the participation of the Iranian president and his Afghan and Pakistani counterparts Hamid Karzai and Asif Ali Zardari.
We hope that the Islamabad meeting would take bigger steps toward the promotion of regional cooperation and the restoration of peace and stability in the region, President Ahmadinejad told reporters before departure on Thursday.
He said that all solutions put forward by extra-regional countries failed to contribute to the restoration of stability in the region.
Iran’s chief executive said that foreign interference and military presence have aggravated the situation and called for a regional solution to re-establish security in the region.
Ahmadinejad said that the people of Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan need to join hands to confront insecurity, terrorism as well as plots hatched by enemies to sow division among regional countries and dominate the region.
The two previous trilateral meetings were held in the Iranian capital, Tehran.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Pakistan, India sign three trade agreements
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and India Wednesday signed three trade agreements with pledges to adhere to all the accords in letter and spirit and build bridges of understanding to lead the two countries towards prosperity and stability.
The two sides signed agreements including Customs Cooperation Agreement, Mutual Recognition Agreement and Redressal of Trade Grievances Agreement to build confidence of the business community on both the sides.
The agreements were signed at the conclusion of bilateral trade talks between the Commerce Ministers of Pakistan andIndia.
Through the implementation of these agreements, the two countries will systematically address the issues related to non- tariff barriers.
Addressing a press conference Minister for Commerce Makhdoom Amin Fahim flanked by his visiting Indian Counterpart Anand Sharma said that Pakistan and India after their deliberations have agreed to continue the process of the normalization of trade relations between the two countries.
Indian Commerce Minister Anand Sharma said that India offers Pakistan a market of 1.2 billion people and both the countries can take benefit from each others' opportunities.
"We are here to build bridges between Pakistan and to India generate more resources", Sharma remarked.
Both the sides also reiterated to adhere to the roadmap drawn up by the Commerce Secretaries for full normalization of trade relations.
It has also been agreed that Pakistan will move from a Positive List to a small Negative List by February 2012 while the negative list is to be phased out and the timing for this will be announced in February at the time the list is notified.
Four names for new DG ISI under consideration
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| PM Gilani, COAS Gen. Kayani and ISI Chief Lt. Gen. Ahmed Shuja Pasha during a meeting at Prime Minister House in Islamabad.—AP/File photo |
ISLAMABAD: The government mulls over assigning a new director general of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) as its current chief Lt-Gen Shuja Pasha’s tenure ends on March 18, DawnNews reported on Wednesday.
According to sources, the four names under consideration for the post are Maj-Gen Mohammad Asif, Maj-Gen Naushad Kiyani, Lt-Gen Zaheerul Islam and Lt-Gen Javed Iqbal.
Extending Pasha’s tenure is also on the cards, it added.
It is important to note that the tenure of the current DG ISI has been extended twice by the government.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani will decide about the new intelligence chief after consultating military leadership.
Earlier, US Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter had shown his concern over the retirement of Pasha.
Munter had said appointment of the new ISI chief can affect bilateral ties of the war allies.
On the other hand, the US embassy in a statement hoped to maintain good relations with the next ISI chief.
Pakistan Wins International Cyber Drill between 28 countries
Pakistan Wins International Cyber Drill
Ammar Jaffri, President at Pakistan Information Security Association ” Pakistan took part in this cyber drill for the first time and won”.
President at Pakistan Information Security Association was founded in 2005 to educate people on immediate response on hacking attacks. Four members from Pakistan Information Security Association and four students from National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST) took part in the drill and successfully blocked hacking attacks from different hackers.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
US citizen released in Peshawar
Peshawar: The US citizen William Charleswho was arrested from Peshawar airport after Airport Security Force (ASF) found17 rounds of 9mm in his custody has been handed over to US Consulate.
Police said the detainee was an an employee of US Consulate, enjoying diplomatic immunity against any lawsuit.
Mr Charles was arrested while travelling to Islamabad via PIA flight PK-218 and shifted to Cantonment Police Station. Shortly after his arrest US Consulate was contacted to prove the statement of Charles of being a diplomat.
Monday, February 13, 2012
US citizen arrested at Peshawar Airport
A US citizen was held at Peshawar Airport after 17 live bullets were recovered from his luggage. According to sources, an American citizen, traveling from Peshawar to Islamabad was arrested at the Peshawar Airport after 17 live bullets were recovered from his luggage. The arrested man, identified as William Arthur Charles, was shifted to Police Station Gharbi for further investigation.
The horrible plight of seven ISI-held suspects brought to SC
ISLAMABAD: Heavens did not fall on Monday when the ISI-held seven human skeletons were produced before the Supreme Court. They wore the bare minimum dress in the freezing weather; their ghastly looks drew fears and tears of the family members; one was limping and another carried a urine bag.
Detainee Dr Niaz had lost 42kg weight in the agency’s custody. The detainees’ brown skins had turned dark and caught multiple skin diseases, among others. Their horrible condition was reminiscent of the inhumane treatment given by US soldiers to Iraqis at Abu Ghraib Jail.
Even Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, heading a three-member bench, felt alarmed at this sorry sight: “Look at them. They don’t have warm clothing; no jackets even. I feel ashamed to see a detainee with a urine bag at this young age. Humanity means something.”
“Just imagine, you and we also have children,” Justice Chaudhry tried to shake the conscience of the ISI-MI lawyer Raja Irshad and Chief Secretary Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa/ FATA Ghulam Dastgir.
These seven detainees have been made horrible examples since May 29, 2010, when abducted from Adiyala Jail by the agency’s officials, the day they were to be released after an anti-terrorist court bailed them out on terrorism charges.
Four out of seven detainees have already died in the agency’s custody, the killings that will not go unaccounted as the chief justice did not forget to remind the department concerned.
“We will also question the circumstances surrounding their death,” Justice Chaudhry told the ISI-MI lawyer and the chief secretary. It will also be investigated where they were kept, in what condition and if any trial was conducted under the Army Act, he remarked; it was also mentioned in the directive issued later.
The agency and army were directed to produce the entire record from the day they were detained. When the apex court directed the chief secretary to take the detainees in custody, have them examined from the best doctors to determine the diseases they have caught in detention, the ISI-MI lawyer intervened.
The court will have to take responsibility, the lawyer warned, that they don’t indulge in terrorist activity during this period—a point that earned him the fury of the learned bench. “What are you talking about? They can’t walk on foot, let alone committing subversive acts. We will hold to account each and every body.”
You can’t arrest terrorists, Justice Chaudhry told the agency’s lawyer and only pick up sitting ducks. The court also reprimanded the chief secretary for taking no notice of the arbitrary acts of the agencies under his watch, directing him to produce the record of the internment centre where three detainees were kept, how four prisoners that died, and the medical condition of another four admitted to Lady Reading Hospital.
After the proceeding adjourned till March 1, the detainees were surrounded by the agency’s officials, only to be dispersed through a protest from the families citing the court’s directives of granting a meeting opportunity.
There were harrowing accounts to witnesses outside the courtroom.
The families and the detainees were caught in disbelief to see each other alive, in bad shape and some family members were no longer alive. Zainul Abideen, father of Basit and Majid, has already expired waiting for his sons’ release.
His widow, Rohaifa, 70, is not living a happy life. Her three sons—Abdul Saboor, Abdul Majid and Abdul Basit—were picked up. The first one has already been killed and his body was dropped in January at an abandoned place for the family to collect for burial. Majid, 24, now wears a urine bag and Basit, 26, can’t walk without limping.
“They (ISI) have destroyed my life. I’m shattered. They have invited the wrath of God,” she said, crying without any let-up. Hanzala, the son of Basit, has met his father for the first time in his life. He was only 40 days old when Basit was picked up.
Upon seeing his son, Basit broke into tears. “I could not have dreamed of meeting my son in my life,” he said thanking to the court for intervention. He was in my thoughts throughout, Basit further explained.
Asked about his crime, Basit counter-questioned what the crime of Chief Justice Chaudhry was, a reference to the latter’s sacking in 2007 by the then military ruler, Pervez Musharraf, on fabricated charges that were proven false by the Supreme Court, resulting in his reinstatement.
“We would beg our captors many a time: either kill us or leave us; don’t give us a slow death through trauma and torture,” he told the widowed mother who was about to faint facing tragedy after tragedy.
Amina Masood Janjua, who has been leading the movement against forced disappearances since her husband was picked up in July 2005, still not found, was also there, along with other affected families. She was carrying Hadia, daughter of Majid.
Like his elder brother, Majid was to get the first sight of his daughter on Monday. He was picked up a week before her birth. As he took Hadia into his arms kissing her madly, his urine bag was in the hands of Abdul Shakoor, his brother, who was kissing the bag at that time. Asked why he is doing this, Shakoor replied: “It belongs to my detainee brother and remains with him all the time, unlike me.”
Basit and Majid came to know about the killing of the third detainee brother, Saboor, only during the appearance before the court, a news that played havoc with them.
Dr Niaz, another detainee in his late 40s, registered a significant weight loss in imprisonment. He was 82 kg when in Adiyala jail and is now 40 kg. When asked about the diet they received in detention, he said they would get one piece of bread with a plate of lentils followed by a cup of tea.
They were not allowed to stay in the washroom, he disclosed, for more than three minutes. “One has to come out within that time. Staying longer means one will be pulled out, no matter in what condition.”
Another three detainees continued to be in trauma. Every word from them was followed by the advice ‘not to be quoted’ as they feared a backlash. One of them said they would not get any warm clothing or blankets in the freezing cold at the internment centre. Once, a detainee was suffering from serious disease, and he asked for help. A low-ranking official passed the information to his officer who replied: “Let him die first.”
Detainee Dr Niaz had lost 42kg weight in the agency’s custody. The detainees’ brown skins had turned dark and caught multiple skin diseases, among others. Their horrible condition was reminiscent of the inhumane treatment given by US soldiers to Iraqis at Abu Ghraib Jail.
Even Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, heading a three-member bench, felt alarmed at this sorry sight: “Look at them. They don’t have warm clothing; no jackets even. I feel ashamed to see a detainee with a urine bag at this young age. Humanity means something.”
“Just imagine, you and we also have children,” Justice Chaudhry tried to shake the conscience of the ISI-MI lawyer Raja Irshad and Chief Secretary Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa/ FATA Ghulam Dastgir.
These seven detainees have been made horrible examples since May 29, 2010, when abducted from Adiyala Jail by the agency’s officials, the day they were to be released after an anti-terrorist court bailed them out on terrorism charges.
Four out of seven detainees have already died in the agency’s custody, the killings that will not go unaccounted as the chief justice did not forget to remind the department concerned.
“We will also question the circumstances surrounding their death,” Justice Chaudhry told the ISI-MI lawyer and the chief secretary. It will also be investigated where they were kept, in what condition and if any trial was conducted under the Army Act, he remarked; it was also mentioned in the directive issued later.
The agency and army were directed to produce the entire record from the day they were detained. When the apex court directed the chief secretary to take the detainees in custody, have them examined from the best doctors to determine the diseases they have caught in detention, the ISI-MI lawyer intervened.
The court will have to take responsibility, the lawyer warned, that they don’t indulge in terrorist activity during this period—a point that earned him the fury of the learned bench. “What are you talking about? They can’t walk on foot, let alone committing subversive acts. We will hold to account each and every body.”
You can’t arrest terrorists, Justice Chaudhry told the agency’s lawyer and only pick up sitting ducks. The court also reprimanded the chief secretary for taking no notice of the arbitrary acts of the agencies under his watch, directing him to produce the record of the internment centre where three detainees were kept, how four prisoners that died, and the medical condition of another four admitted to Lady Reading Hospital.
After the proceeding adjourned till March 1, the detainees were surrounded by the agency’s officials, only to be dispersed through a protest from the families citing the court’s directives of granting a meeting opportunity.
There were harrowing accounts to witnesses outside the courtroom.
The families and the detainees were caught in disbelief to see each other alive, in bad shape and some family members were no longer alive. Zainul Abideen, father of Basit and Majid, has already expired waiting for his sons’ release.
His widow, Rohaifa, 70, is not living a happy life. Her three sons—Abdul Saboor, Abdul Majid and Abdul Basit—were picked up. The first one has already been killed and his body was dropped in January at an abandoned place for the family to collect for burial. Majid, 24, now wears a urine bag and Basit, 26, can’t walk without limping.
“They (ISI) have destroyed my life. I’m shattered. They have invited the wrath of God,” she said, crying without any let-up. Hanzala, the son of Basit, has met his father for the first time in his life. He was only 40 days old when Basit was picked up.
Upon seeing his son, Basit broke into tears. “I could not have dreamed of meeting my son in my life,” he said thanking to the court for intervention. He was in my thoughts throughout, Basit further explained.
Asked about his crime, Basit counter-questioned what the crime of Chief Justice Chaudhry was, a reference to the latter’s sacking in 2007 by the then military ruler, Pervez Musharraf, on fabricated charges that were proven false by the Supreme Court, resulting in his reinstatement.
“We would beg our captors many a time: either kill us or leave us; don’t give us a slow death through trauma and torture,” he told the widowed mother who was about to faint facing tragedy after tragedy.
Amina Masood Janjua, who has been leading the movement against forced disappearances since her husband was picked up in July 2005, still not found, was also there, along with other affected families. She was carrying Hadia, daughter of Majid.
Like his elder brother, Majid was to get the first sight of his daughter on Monday. He was picked up a week before her birth. As he took Hadia into his arms kissing her madly, his urine bag was in the hands of Abdul Shakoor, his brother, who was kissing the bag at that time. Asked why he is doing this, Shakoor replied: “It belongs to my detainee brother and remains with him all the time, unlike me.”
Basit and Majid came to know about the killing of the third detainee brother, Saboor, only during the appearance before the court, a news that played havoc with them.
Dr Niaz, another detainee in his late 40s, registered a significant weight loss in imprisonment. He was 82 kg when in Adiyala jail and is now 40 kg. When asked about the diet they received in detention, he said they would get one piece of bread with a plate of lentils followed by a cup of tea.
They were not allowed to stay in the washroom, he disclosed, for more than three minutes. “One has to come out within that time. Staying longer means one will be pulled out, no matter in what condition.”
Another three detainees continued to be in trauma. Every word from them was followed by the advice ‘not to be quoted’ as they feared a backlash. One of them said they would not get any warm clothing or blankets in the freezing cold at the internment centre. Once, a detainee was suffering from serious disease, and he asked for help. A low-ranking official passed the information to his officer who replied: “Let him die first.”
Prisoners’ sight invoked fear of God in me: CJ
ISLAMABAD: As intelligence agencies produced before the court seven missing prisoners who had been picked up after their release from Adiyala Jail in 2010, Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry Monday said the condition of the prisoners had invoked the fear of God in him.
The Supreme Court on Monday sought records from the intelligence agencies about the whereabouts prior to January 26 of seven prisoners who went missing from Rawalpindi’s Adiyala Jail in 2010.
A three-member bench of the apex court comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Khilji Arif Hussain and Justice Tariq Pervez was hearing the constitutional petition. In compliance with the court’s earlier order, the intelligence agencies produced seven missing prisoners picked up from Adiyala Jail in 2010.
Raja Muhammad Irshad, counsel for the intelligence agencies, produced the detainees including Mazharul Haq, Shafiqur Rehman, Muhammad Shafiq, Dr Niaz Ahmed, Abdul Majeed, Gulroze and Abdul Basit.
The court directed Attorney General Maulvi Anwarul Haq and Raja Irshad to procure records to satisfy the court about their detention prior to January 26, 2012 and explain whether they were proceeded against under any provision of the law and if so, with what results.
The court also directed KP Chief Secretary Ghulam Dastagir to collect relevant records to satisfy the court about the circumstances under which the detainees were allowed to be admitted to the Internment Centre by the internment authority.
During the hearing, the chief secretary, on behalf of the internment authority/ KP governor, pointed out that the detainees were in detention with effect from January 26 and had been kept at the FC Fort, Parachinar, a notified Internment Centre.
Irshad submitted that the first three persons had been brought from the Internment Centre, Parachinar, whereas the latter four persons had been brought from the Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar. He told the court that on February 10, when the case was taken up by the court, arrangements were being made to shift the detainees from Parachinar to Islamabad.
“But on account of poor visibility due to snowfall, the helicopter was not in a position to operate. When conditions improved, the prisoners were brought to Islamabad along with four other persons who were admitted in Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar. By that time, however, court proceedings had ended,” Irshad said.
The court then directed him to give this explanation in writing. The court was informed that four of the detainees had been brought from the hospital, where they were under treatment and reports in this regard had also been placed on record.
Based on the report, the court noted that the detainees were not in good health. Similarly, the three persons brought from the Internment Centre, Parachinar also required examination by medical authorities, since the learned counsel for the petitioners had said all seven persons were kept in illegal detention and not provided proper food and medical care/treatment.
In this regard, the KP chief secretary told the court that the persons would be admitted in hospital and a medical board would be constituted to examine their health and proper medical treatment as well as food provided to them. “They will not be shifted to the Internment Centre, Parachinar as long as the matter is pending before this court.”
The chief secretary further assured the court that meetings between the prisoners and their families would be arranged in accordance with rules and regulations, subject to their security and safety.
At the previous hearing, the court had directed the chief secretary to submit whether an oversight board had been constituted in terms of Article 14 of the Actions (in Aid of Civil Power) Regulation, 2011.
On Monday, the chief secretary placed on record a notification dated August 12, 2011, according to which a board had been constituted. However, he said as per his knowledge, since the detainees were brought to the Internment Centre on January 26, 2012, therefore, the oversight board had neither examined their cases nor visited them.
The court directed the chief secretary to submit his reports about the health and general conditions of the seven detainees every four days to the registrar of the court. The case was adjourned for further hearing till March 1.
NATO supply resumption: Parliament to make final decision, says Kayani
JACOBABAD: Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani has categorically said for the first time that parliament reserves the right to decide on resumption of Nato supplies.
Speaking to reporters at the Shamsi Airbase on Monday, he said that the final decision on whether Nato supplies will be allowed to pass through Pakistan for forces based in Afghanistan will be made by the Parliamentary Committee on National Security.
Kayani and Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman, chief of air staff, took members of the media to airbase in Jacobabad to formally announce that the Shamsi Airbase is now under the control of the Pakistan Air Force. The US, which used the airbase for drone attacks in Afghanistan and possibly those in Pakistan, was told to vacate the base by Pakistan in the aftermath of the November 26 Salala checkpoint attack.
The army chief said that Pakistan and US are cooperating on defence operations and Pakistani officials are taken into confidence whenever bordering areas are to be attacked.
Asked if the F-16 aircraft that Pakistan recently received from the US can down American drones, Suleman said that the PAF does not want any such situation to arise where this capability will have to tested. “Pakistan is manufacturing its own unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV drones) at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex in Kamra and we will soon be able to prepare UAVs equipped with missile technology.”
He said that 14 used F-16s were provided to Pakistan by the US free of cost while 18 other have been bought.
Finances
The army chief said that 18% of Pakistan’s total budget had been allocated for the armed forces, which included the army, navy and air force. Of this, eight to nine per cent is reserved for the use of Pakistan Army.
Talking about the Coalition Support Fund, which was set up by the US Congress after the September 11, 2001, attacks to reimburse allies for costs in supporting the US-led war on militancy, Kayani said that Pakistan was yet to receive 1.5 billion dollars from the US.
an,� � o X�� � ‘ ate the base by Pakistan in the aftermath of the November 26 Salala checkpoint attack.
The army chief said that Pakistan and US are cooperating on defence operations and Pakistani officials are taken into confidence whenever bordering areas are to be attacked.
Asked if the F-16 aircraft that Pakistan recently received from the US can down American drones, Suleman said that the PAF does not want any such situation to arise where this capability will have to tested. “Pakistan is manufacturing its own unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV drones) at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex in Kamra and we will soon be able to prepare UAVs equipped with missile technology.”
He said that 14 used F-16s were provided to Pakistan by the US free of cost while 18 other have been bought.
Finances
The army chief said that 18% of Pakistan’s total budget had been allocated for the armed forces, which included the army, navy and air force. Of this, eight to nine per cent is reserved for the use of Pakistan Army.
Talking about the Coalition Support Fund, which was set up by the US Congress after the September 11, 2001, attacks to reimburse allies for costs in supporting the US-led war on militancy, Kayani said that Pakistan was yet to receive 1.5 billion dollars from the US.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
MQM delegation attend wedding ceremony of Arif Alvi's daughter, met PTI Chairman Imran Khan
A delegation of MQM attended wedding ceremony of PTI Secretary General Arif Alvi's daughter, today. The delegation includes Member of MQM Coordination Committee Waseem Aftab, Minister Health Sindh Dr. Sagheer Ahmed and its MNA Waseem Akhtar. The delegation also met Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Imran Khan and its senior leader Javed Hashmi. Leaders of both the parties exchange good will messages.
