On this occasion, renowned journalist Majeed Nizami and Central Leader of PML-Q, Mehnaz Rafi and other were also present. About the country nuclear assets, he said nuclear program was not under the control of civilian government but it is control by secret services and there is no need to fear about the security of the program.

He said Pakistan’s nuclear program was trust of the nation and its credit goes to Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Shaheed. He said the government had decided to include India in Pak-Afghan transit trade which is very dangerous. Riaz Khokar said he was supporting Pak-India better ties but the national interest should not be ignored at any cost. “Pak army and secret agencies are strongly opposing this step”, he said.

“President Zardari says that Pakistan has no threat from India then he should explain it before the nation how the country has no threat from India as it is our enemy since the independence of the country”, he said. About Pak-US relations, he said the US was not the friend of Pakistan as it wants bloodshed and to capture country’s nuclear assets.

He further said US wants to shift Afghan war to Pakistan’s tribal area in order to get rid of the danger it faces in Afghanistan from several years. Riaz Khokar said Pakistan will not get any advantage of Pak-Afghan joint force but it will also be use for the US interest. NNI

For the first time, a top Pakistani leader like Zardari has said that India is not a threat to Pakistan and terrorists inside the country is the worst threat for Pakistan. “Well, I am already on record. I have never considered India a threat,” Zardari told an interview on the PBS news channel’s popular show “News hour With Jim Lehrer” in Washington DC Saturday.

“I have always considered India a neighbor, which we want to improve our relationship with. We have had some cold times and we have had some hard times with them. We have gone to war thrice, but democracies are always trying to improve relationships,” he said.-SANA

About Punjab government, he said Punjab government had no vision and Sharif brothers were standing on that position which was 9 years ago. He said doctors, farmers, teachers and students are protesting on roads due their wrong policies. He alleged that the government neither buy wheat from the farmers nor provide them empty sacs but only facilitate their own people. NNI

He said the government has started inhuman operation in the name to defeat Taliban on the US directives.
Qazi said this operation will turn the people of Malakand against the country and Pakistan will get no positive results but destruction and people casualties. “We should unite the people to get up against such operations”, he said.

He said the Prime Minister has announced a war against his own people. Qazi further said no country can displace its own people with his own hands. He said all the political parties should break this silence to play their positive role in this precarious situation. NNI

He said army at the western border is capable to meet any eventuality. He said there is no need to withdraw troops from eastern borders as India has deployed four time more troops. To a question, the President said Pakistan wants to have good relations with its neighbours particularly India and hoped that after the elections, an elected government in India will respect our gesture.

The President said the drone attacks are against our sovereignty and US should transfer this technology to Pakistan. NNI

Meanwhile the convener, Hurriyat Conference (G) and chairman J&K Peoples League, Muhammad Farooq Rehmani has expressed satisfaction over the election boycott in Srinagar Parliamentary constituency. In an e-mailed statement, he said, “Despite a war like situation for the last several weeks by the Delhi-backed government, the voters of Kashmir rejected the pro Indian parties’ call to cast their votes, which should open eyes of those who supported a constitutional solution of Kashmir dispute with India.”

He said the situation would in no way be different in Varmul and Kargil on May 13. Chairman Salvation Movement, Zaffar Akbar Bhat, complimented people of Srinagar Parliamentary constituency for boycotting elections. “By boycotting polls people of the constituency have emboldened the morale of separatist forces in Kashmir,” Zaffar said in a statement. While lashing at New Delhi, he said, “Government of India should accept the ground reality now and solve Kashmir dispute once for all.” NNI

The Senator noted that every government in Pakistan had so far resisted this Indian move for direct access to Afghanistan at Pakistan’s cost. “Under the cloak of transit trade, arms will be supplied to Afghanistan, which is against Pakistan’s strategic interests and enhancing the threat from India”, he observed.

Prof. Khurshid said this assumes dangerous proportions in the context of Karzai’s outburst that Afghanistan is free to choose its friends. He further said the US is not giving access to our goods to itself and is forcing Zardari to surrender to Indian interests at the cost of Pakistan’s economy and security. The Senator, therefore, warned the Government and the people of the dangers of this move and called for its repeal. NNI

“Indus Commissioner Pakistan wrote a letter to India in March but Pakistan has not received satisfactory answer to the question and now considering other options,”

The Spokesman said Pakistan would approach World Bank to appoint arbitrator to resolve the water dispute with India. He said peaceful resolution of longstanding issue of Jammu Kashmir between Pakistan and India was vital for ensuring peace and security in the region.

The Spokesman said besides many other issues between Pakistan and India, Kashmir was the most important issue that needs to be settled as early as possible.

Referring to some statements from Indian leaders about intentions and capacity of Pakistan to counter terrorism, the Spokesman said such statements emanating from India are ‘irresponsible’. He said it is non?serious attitude from New Delhi. Commenting on the drone attacks, the Spokesman said Pakistan had conveyed the concern of government and people of Pakistan about these attacks and issue would be discussed again in trilateral meeting between the heads of Pakistan, US and Afghanistan being held in Washington in first week of May.

He said Pakistan has repeatedly said the drone attacks are counterproductive and do have difference of opinion on these attacks. Replying to a question, the Spokesman said,

“We do have courage to present our point of view on drone attacks and conveyed the sentiments and concerns of people and government of Pakistan to US administration on many occasion.”

About delaying tactics from US to extend help to Pakistan for capacity building like helicopters and night vision, the Spokesman said there has been progress in the cooperation in the war against terror. He said there is realization in the US administration to expedite the process for giving assistance to Pakistan for capacity building.

Replying to a question, the Spokesman said, “We are determined and have the resolve to fight extremism and terrorism.” He said Pakistan has been engaged with the international community based on mutual respect and honour.

He said although Pakistan has the resolve but there is not enough capacity as it did not have sufficient helicopter and nigh vision equipment. He said Pakistan has been engaged with US for capacity building. Commenting on the statement of British Prime Minister, the Spokesman said Pakistan has been examining the statement and would give comprehensive response shortly.

Replying to another question regarding Pakistan?Iran relations, the Spokesman said Pakistan has been making efforts for establishing permanent kind of framework to fight extremism and terrorism. He said next trilateral meeting, between leaders of Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan, will be held in Tehran in the third week of May and Pakistan is looking forward for making Pak?Iran relations more effective.

The 50-hour strike call by the Hurriyat (G) chairman, Syed Ali Geelani, to enforce a boycott of Thursday’s polls in south Kashmir, coupled with massive restrictions by authorities, paralyzed life in the valley as commercial activities remained suspended and transport services ground to a halt.

Schools, government offices, banks and private businesses throughout Kashmir stayed shut, and streets and markets wore a deserted look during the strike that came into force on Tuesday. Violence had broken out in the city soon after the strike began, and continued today as well in a number of places where groups of youth defied heavy police presence to come out and launch stone-pelting attacks.

Thousands of police and paramilitary troopers had been moved into various parts of the city in anticipation of trouble, and roadblocks and obstructions erected on main streets curbed movement between Srinagar areas extensively.

Contingents of the police took over Lal Chowk, the commercial hub of the city, early this morning directing commercial vehicles parked there to move off, and erected barricades on the Radio Kashmir crossing, blocking access to the central and lower Srinagar.

Police and paramilitary men deployed throughout the city created a curfew-like situation with frisking and questioning at frequent checkpoints and curbs on vehicular movement. Street battles broke out in the lower city, Rambagh, Chanpora, and Bandipur where stone-pelting youth clashed with the police amid slogans in favour of azadi and poll boycott.

Groups of masked slogan-shouting youth took to the streets in Kawdara, pelting stones on the police when the latter tried to disperse them, but disappeared after brief skirmishes. A large number of youth came out in Rambagh in support of freedom and boycott, and marched to the Rambagh bridge where they clashed with the police that blocked their way.

The police used lathi-charge to break up the stone-pelting demonstration, and the situation returned to normal. Reports from Bandipur said that violent youth pelted stones on vehicles passing through the main market this morning to enforce a shutdown, leading to total suspension of business activities and vehicular movement in the town. Meanwhile, the authorities placed heavy restrictions on the movements of separatist leaders in a bid to foil their poll boycott campaign.

Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, Agha Syed Hassan, Muhammad Yasin Malik, Nayeem Ahmad Khan, Javed Ahmad Mir and Farida Behenji were placed under house arrest, while Dr. Ghulam Muhammad Hubbi, Hakeem Muhammad Altaf, Hakeem Abdul Rasheed and others were taken into custody along with scores of activists.

Senior Hurriyat (M) leaders, Zaffar Akbar Bhat and Yasmeen Raja, were arrested near Pampore, and several raids were conducted on the house of Muhammad Salim Zargar of the Tehreek-e-Mazahamat, but to no avail, as he was not present at home. Reports also speak of a large-scale police drive to round up separatist leaders and activists all over Kashmir.

input fromAgencies

“BLA was raised and funded by Russia during Soviet-Afghan war when Pakistan was supporting Afghanis and now India is backing its activities,”

he said, winding up debate on an adjournment motion, to discuss the Balochistan situation emerging out of recent killing of three Baloch leaders in Turbat.

“BLA remained dormant since the Afghan war ended but it was reactivated after killing of Nawab Akbar Bugti, whose grandson Barhamdagh Bugti has openly sought Indian and American support for independence of Balochistan in a recent interview,”

He said that Indian consulate in Iranian city, bordering Balochistan, was also involved in activities other than visa granting to people. The BLA Chief Barhamdagh Bugti, in his recent interview to a Pakistani channel has openly sought Indian support for independence of Balochistan, he added. “Barhamdagh Bugti is residing in Kabul just five kilometer away from President Karzai’s palace and Pakistan has continuously been asking the Afghan government for access to Barhamdagh,” he said.

However, he said, the Afghan Government has been denying Bugti’s presence in Afghanistan, though Pakistan repeatedly raised it with Afghanistan that their soil was being used against Pakistan. Rehman Malik said the law and order situation in Balochistan is a very serious issue and the government is engaged in sincere efforts to defuse the tension. “We have taken all the Parliament members onboard and assure to implement recommendations of the Parliament in true spirit.”

“There is a realization, on every part, that something should be done to redress the problems; to address the concerns and satisfy our Baloch brethren,” the advisor said. He said that the grievances of Balochs as well as Pakhtoons need to be identified and discussed to reach to a concrete solution. “Therefore, I want to sincerely brief the house on the facts on ground as we do not want to hide anything and want to clear the doubts, which people have in their minds,” Malik said.

Pakistan Peoples Party’s government, he said, from the very first day, has made efforts for redressing concerns of Balochs and undertake development projects in the province.“All cases against Mengals and Harbyar Marri were withdrawn in a bid to provide relief. Similarly, the negotiations with Bugti tribe were also held and I am in close contact with every son of Nawab Akbar Bugti,” Malik informed the House.

Earlier, he elaborated details of his meetings with Baloch Nationalist Leaders including former Chief Minister Akhtar Mengal in Balochistan and Harbayar Khan in London respectively. Malik said the government had also extended legal support to Harbyar Khan Marri for defence of case registered by the British government in London.

Meanwhile; he said, the demands of Balochs for share in the resources is genuine and the government; including President Asif Ali Zardari has agreed to take all steps according to aspirations of Balochistan people.

Similarly; another major demand for removal of 36 Frontier Constabulary (FC) checkposts, from different parts of the province was also fulfilled. “In addition, the federal government has directed FC to work under supervision of Police,” said the advisor. Besides President Zardari, the Prime Minister was personally interested in redressing concerns of Baloch people and he daily seeks update over the issue.

PM Yusuf Raza Gilani has approved Rs 70.5 billion loan grant for Balochistan on recommendations of the provincial chief minister, he added. “Recent visit of President Asif Zardari to province was landmark as he announced Rs. 46 billion development package for the province,” Malik said. The package announced by President Asif Ali Zardari was widely welcomed across the Balochistan.

The government was following three-pronged policy of Dialogue, Development and Deterrence and all maximum possible steps were ensured peace and stability, said the advisor. Rehman Malik said that there was no military operation in Balochistan since PPP took over reins of the country after February 18 general polls last year.

“I can say with authority and I am saying, neither there is military operation in Balochistan nor it would be launched,” repeated the advisor.

He said that Rs.7 billion were allocated for conversion of A areas into B areas and Rs. 5.1 billion have been spent for the purpose. However, the locals were demanding for restoration of Sardari system in the areas, he added.

Rehman Malik said all political prisoners except 36 were released. The cases of those 36 are under scrutiny at a special committee, as they are alleged to be involved in murder crimes.

Subsequently, employment, rehabilitation of displaced people and allocation of National Finance Commission (NFC) award were under consideration for Balochistan, he added. The martyrdom of former governor and chief minister Nawab Akbar Bugti aggravated the situation and created enormous problems for the country. Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) was reactivated by enemies of Pakistan in the mean time, he said.

BLA consists of 1,000 Baloch students, trained in Russia and spread in various parts of the province. They are demanding for independence of Balochistan, said the advisor. BLA chief Barhamdagh Bugti is present in Afghan capital Kabul just at distance of five miles from President Hamid Karzai’s palace but Afghan government was denying the fact despite proofs, Malik disclosed.

Barhamdagh, in his recent interview to a Pakistani TV channel, has sought Indian, American and UNO support for independence of Balochistan. “BLA chief denies provincial autonomy and 1973 constitution. He is pressing for complete freedom,” said Malik, adding, “had our ancestors achieved Pakistan for this purpose….No…None patriotic Pakistani can support such demand.”

Regarding missing persons, Malik informed that figure presented by various sources was inconsistent when the PPP government. “However; 6, 000 men and 140 women were reported missing on occasion of UN representative John Solecki’s abduction,” he said.

Meanwhile, the final figure of people missing from across the country is 831 including 270 from Balochistan. “220 people from missing 270 of Balochitsan, 20 out of 50 in Punjab and 45 out of 55 in Sindh, were traced; respectively,” he said, adding that 36 people were missing in NWFP out of which 23 have been recovered. Malik said that adduction of John Solecki, on the occasion when UN Secretary General was scheduled to arrive, harmed reputation of Pakistan globally.

He said that the abductors of Solecki had links with people in Afghanistan as telephone call from Kabul was traced. He said that the seven number used for calling were traced and the information was shared with President Karazi by Pakistan but he denied it as true. Later, Secretary General UNO appealed Karzai for efforts to release Solecki.

Malik said that Pakistan has repeatedly asked Afghanistan to stop supporting Barhamdagh and asked to hand over him to Islamabad under security for negotiations. “We conveyed through ministry of foreign affairs that we want to talk to Barhamdagh and know his grievances,” he added.

He said that India is enemy of Pakistan and involved in creating unrest in Balochistan. The government and people of Pakistan could not close the eyes from the reality. “None true Pakistani could support the independence of Balochistan and see repetition of incident like fall of Dhaka. Every Pakistani is ready to devote life for the homeland,” he maintained.

He said that killing of three Baloch people took place soon after visit of President Asif Ali Zardari and announcement of development package for the province. “At the time when Baloch people were praising package of President Zardari, the killing of political workers was grave conspiracy against Pakistan,” said Malik.

Condemning the killings, he informed the Upper House that a high-powered committee, headed by IGP Balochistan, was probing into the matter. “Three intelligence agencies are assisting the committee and those involved in the heinous act would be taken to task,” he added.

The advisor said the ministry of interior welcomed the guidelines of parliamentarians and he was ready to give the investigation committee under supervision of Senate; if they had reservations. He said that the killings were a big conspiracy as 14 settlers were killed, four bomb killings and three bomb blasts took place during the law and order situation created in wake of the incident.

He said people of Balochistan are peaceful and they could not carry bombs in their pockets, thus those involved were miscreants.

Malik requested the Baloch parliamentarians for cooperation to redress the problems and vowed that the government was ready for negotiations at all forums. He gave undertaking on behalf of the government for implementation of Senate committees’ and individual members recommendations regarding Balochistan too.

Meanwhile, the advisor disclosed that two of the murdered political workers Ghulam Muhammad and Sher Muhammad were Iranian nationalists. “Ghulam Muhammad was involved in terror activities in Iran and his name was third on the list for extradition of terrorists, sent by Tehran on March 16, 2009,” Malik said. Similarly, Sher Muhammad migrated from Charbihar area of Iran and got Pakistani nationality, he added.

Meanwhile, some Senate members including Raja Zafar-ul-Haq advised for in-camera briefing instead of disclosing confidential information as, they argued, it could create problems for sovereignty of the country. Later, the Chairman gave ruling for in-camera briefing to all members of the Upper House, which is scheduled tomorrow.-APP

Moments after the high-profile trial kicked off in the top security Arthur Road Prison, the packed courtroom inside the jail was told there could be a conflict of interest as the lawyer defending Qasab had links to a potential prosecution witness.

“We need to give a just and fair trial to Qasab, and it is necessary to appoint a lawyer who can handle a case of this nature properly and with due diligence,” Tahilyani told the court.

The trial was held amidst highest ever security cover, with more than 700 policemen drawn from various departments guarding the prison and surrounding areas. No one without special security pass was allowed to move around the protected areas.

Some 20,000 local resident near the prohibited zone were given special passes. For the first time Qasab appeared in person before the judge. Earlier, he had interacted with the court through video-conferencing.

The sacking of Waghmare on the very first day came as a sever jolt to the police. The judge issued the sacking order after the special government prosecutor, Ujwal Nikam, had brought the discrepancy to the notice of the court. The court said Waghmare should have informed the court about this when she was appointed as Qasab’s lawyer, and removed her as his counsel.

Tahilyani in his order said that in the given circumstances it would not be appropriate for Waghmare to defend Qasab. “I revoke her appointment as Qasab’s lawyer,” the judge pronounced in his order. The judge also said that providing true legal aid is not a charity work but the right of an accused and maintained that K.P. Pawar, the deputy to Waghmare, will continue to work in the case.

According to legal experts, Waghmare would face disciplinary action over her irresponsible professional conduct, with the Maharashtra and Goa Bar Association likely to give her a notice for concealing facts from the court of her representing a witness in the case.

Qasab during the hearing, requested the judge to allow him to engage a lawyer from Pakistan. Nikam told the court that as the accused has the liberty to appoint a lawyer of his choice, his request would be forwarded to the federal government which would take appropriate steps in that direction.

Prior to Nikam’s objection to Waghmare, a city lawyer K. Lam had earlier volunteered to defend Qasab. He had written to the court last week objecting to Waghmare representing Qasab; he stated that there was professional misconduct on the part of Waghmare, as she was also representing a victim of the terror attack in a compensation claim.

Written by Shahid Burney | Arab News

The trouble started when Pakistani journalist Khan Yusufzai (The News) referred to an article which suggested India to attack Pakistan after the Mumbai attacks while speaking at the seminar on the theme ‘Is Media Jingoism fanning Indo-Pak Tensions?’

Reports reveal that around 10 to 30 people sitting inside the main auditorium started shouting slogans like ‘Pakistan Hai Hai’ and ‘Pakistan Murdabad’. They also demanded that the seminar should be immediately wrapped up. However security personnel intervened and the protesters were taken out of the hall.

“The meeting was disrupted for a brief period. It resumed after some time,” Madhur Trehan, one of the organisers and president of the Foundation of Media Professionals, said.

Yusufzai while commenting on this incident said it was unfortunate for some people to disrupt such peaceful discussions. “We were not representing any governments, though I think they wanted to make a point,” he said.

For many it has an attempt to destroy Ind-Pak relation; where tensions have already escalated in wake of Mumbai terrorist Attacks in November; However one website of Tha Indian has said that

Owning responsibility for the act, Sene national general secretary Binay Kumar Singh told IANS:

“Everything was pre-planned as we wanted to disrupt the seminar.” He said around 30 members of the group were present there. Speakers at the seminar were making comments against India and they were relating India with the recent terror attack on a police academy in Lahore. How can one listen to it? Pakistan has become a global problem and war is the only solution,”

Besides this incident is condemned; world should also know that India has also Talibanised elements within its secular and liberal society; that immediately casts away the impressions of Indian Journalists that these activists wanted cheap popularity through media.

Commenting on recent incident; People in Pakistan are saying that so-called reputation of liberal India is diffused with such incidents. Previously Pakistani artists including Shakil Siddiqui and Kashif Khan have been threatened by Hindu extremists. These two artists have been participating in Indian TV channels programes Comedy Circus and Kantay ki Takkar for last several months. They have won the hearts of millions of Indian regardless of Hindus or Muslims with their talents. Similarly Pakistani Cricket players have been asked not to visit India due to threats from Indian extremist elements.

After Mumbai Terrorist Attacks India and Pakistan are facing increased tensions; that have led to serious situation and such incidents beside condemnation from both sides of boarder call for immediate action against such elements. Such incidents add feul to fire in agony of segments of the society who want to disrupt peace efforts.

Malik further said that Pakistan needs more information from India to aid its investigation. India yesterday reiterated that enough evidence had been furnished about the involvement of elements from Pakistan in the Mumbai terror attacks and it was now for Islamabad to act on this.

“We have given enough information to act. It is for them to get their act together,” Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told reporters in New Delhi. Home Minister P. Chidambaram was more forthcoming, even suggesting “tongue in cheek” that if Pakistan were not in a position to interrogate those India has blamed for the Mumbai, it permit India to do so.

“What is the use of a government that keeps on saying that not enough evidence has been furnished? The remaining evidence is in Pakistan. “If Pakistan cannot interrogate those it should, why doesn’t it permit the FBI, which has made a request, to interrogate them,” Chidambaram maintained.

“If I may suggest tongue in cheek, if Pakistan can’t interrogate the suspects, will they allow us to interrogate them?” the home minister wondered. Also yesterday, Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma accused Islamabad of indulging in “diversionary” tactics that raised questions about its sincerity in punishing those behind the carnage.

“We have given sufficient evidence to Pakistan to act against identified masterminds. By delaying action and raising technicalities, Pakistan would be undermining the credibility of its own commitments to take tangible action,” Sharma told reporters in New Delhi.

He said that some of the evidences regarding Indian involvements were found during the investigation of these act of terrorism; however, Rathor said that the security was beefed up in the city to avoid such happening in the future. Earlier, he also inaugurated the 40-bed hospital in the Police Lines Lahore.

It is pertinent to mention that earlier correlation between Commando style Attack on Sri Lankan Cricket team few days back; Manawan Terrorist Attack and Mumbai Terrorist Attacks.

District Police Officer B.A Nasir confirming the death toll said that security had been beefed up across the city and efforts were underway to provide best treatment to the injured. Some of the injured, he added, had been shifted to the Rawalpindi’s hospitals.

Some of those killed were identified as Bashir Matwali, Javed Jadi, Arsalan Haider, Ali Haider , Habib Khan, Sajid Hussain, Ghulam Shabir, Nusrat Hussain, Zulfiqar Hussain, Chaudhry Baqir Ali, Ch Ejaz, Muhammad Jhangir, Haji Tawkal Abbas, Karam Elahi, Mian Khan Tatral, Sher Khan, Ch.Ahmed Khan, Haji Wasif Hussain and Kamran.

The Commissioner and RPO Rawalpindi besides other high officials had reached the site and assured full support to the victims. Workers of political parties also visited the hospitals and inquired after the health of injured.

State Minister Sardar Saleem Haider, MNA Ch. Ayyaz Amir, MPA Begam Iffat Liaquit, Ex? Dco Chakwal Dr. Jamal Yusaf, news DCO Waqar Baksh, IG Punjab Shaukat Javeed and Advisor to Chief Minister Raja Ishfaq Server rushed to the spot and then visited District Head Quarter Hospital Chakwal and supervised the medical treatment.

Later on, talking to the media IG Punjab confirmed that suicide attacker was a single person and this act of terrorism was the continuity of recent waves of terrorism. The IG Punjab told that special investigation teams had been constituted and after the investigation, results would be brought before the media.

Advisor to CM Raja Ishfaq Sarwar announced a compensation of Rs 0.5 million to each person died while Rs 75000 to the injured people. Ashfaq Sarwar further told that Punjab Government was taking serious measures to cope with the terrorism.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani Sunday strongly condemned the bomb blast at a religious gathering in Chakwal. The President deplored the attack and said such acts were being masterminded by people who were against the state and wanted to bring a bad name to the religion. He directed authorities to find the perpetrators to award them exemplary punishment and best possible medical treatment to the injured.

The only hope left with masses is – four of the terrorists are captured alive other than the one who has been identified as Afghan national outside the training center. The building has been cordoned off with intention to keep the forensic evidences intact.

Once Operation was ended up – police started firing; and pumped several shorts in the air; a traditional sign of celebration;flashed “V” signs- to announce victory and shouting “Allah-o-Akbar” for overpowering the terrorists.

The rounds given to police are purchased with the money– common people like us; pay in shape of taxes to government. Despite the fact that police has taken control of terrorists; Firing in air is still prohibited and illegal. Government has made it prohibited firing in air and if common men fire in air- police is liable to arrest them even if the intention is only jubilation.

According to Pakistan penal Court section 337 H-2 is applicable against the crime of Firing in air; it is bailable offense if intention is to celebrate but recently Pakistan Penal Court has incorporated it with anti-terror act. If someone is injured during firing in air; this becomes an un-bailable offense and minimum imprisonment defined is three years.

In wake of today’s incident – Footage on TV indicates that policemen kept firing in the air even after the operation was completed. Single bullet costs approximately 20-26 rupees to government if it is bought from ammunition companies that manufacture bullets in Pakistan. In case of imported bullets this costs increases accordingly. TV footage revealed that policemen kept firing in air for long. I am surprised why police was violating law while it is incumbent upon them to enforce law, If Any of the precious life of any passerby is lost due to firing– who will be accountable for it.

For many people in Pakistan firing in air was important for raising the morale among policemen but still it is advisable not to do such actions that are prohibited. Police is supposed to protect people and enforce law in country rather to violate it.

Policemen were firing as if they have conquered Delhi and celebrating this way. Masses pay taxes to government for their security and to maintain law and order in the country not for fake celebrations of police. Police is incapable of controlling street crimes in country; while it is widely known that attacks on Sri Lankan Cricket team was the failure of Pakistani law enforcement agencies. I would suggest Police forces instead of wasting time in such things they should focus on their duties; This incident would have been impossible without the assistance of rangers where uniformed high ups of police fall in the gutters.

Addressing to a seminar “Water Dispute and Pak-India Relations” he asked the Indian government to follow the Indus Basin Treaty signed by Pakistan and India. He said due to the shortage of water Pakistan is bearing irreparable loss to its agriculture sector, adding that the international community should take the notice of Indian aggression.

Answering a question he said that the judiciary was restored on the tremendous pressure of masses during the long march. He asked the government to chalk out new foreign policy which would help to initiate friendly relations with neighboring countries.-SANA

With the exception of few successes, like Libyan pledge to denounce terrorism and reverse its nuclear program, rest of the Bush policy is fraught with disasters. Iraqi invasion was a direct manifestation of failed Bush Doctrine. The invasion cost America hundreds of billions of dollars and thousands in human lives. Indian nuclear deal is another example of shortsighted Bush foreign policy. It envisioned a one time Soviet and now Russian ally India to be its linchpin.

Now, some pro-India American hawks are aggressively lobbying the Obama Administration for an extension of Bush policy. They argue: to check the rise of China and the common democratic values make India a natural American ally. Though in reality, India is more of a pseudo-socialist democracy; a far cry from the Jeffersonian democracy. The lobbyists go as far as, wanting to share American national security jewels, like nuclear technology and the land-based laser defense system with India.

At the same time, a concerted effort is in full swing to change Obama’s Pakistan policy. They insist on de-hyphenating India from Pakistan; which will remain a pipe dream as long as India and Pakistan remain entangled over one or the other issue. Most experts believe the two will remain in a belligerent relationship till the root cause of their rivalry, the Kashmir issue, is amicably resolved.

India’s huge population with equally impressive middleclass makes it an attractive trade partner. However, neither its humongous population nor its growing economy is meaningful enough to qualify it to become a strategic ally; especially at the cost of its time tested ally Pakistan or its largest trading partner China. In 2008 India imported only $17.4 billion worth of goods from the US. In contrast, China with far better human rights record and business friendly government imported $67.1 billion worth of goods from the US. In addition, American business giants like Walmart and Boeing are impatiently waiting for Obama administration to reverse the restrictive sanctions Clinton administration placed on China.

Even in the 21st century, India is frequently cited for the worst religious persecution and gross human rights abuses by the human rights organizations and US State Department. In fact, Indian record is far worst than what is attributed to China. Indian conservative cum nationalist parties like BJP have been charged for aiding and abetting the religious extremists in caring out communal violence. These parties openly campaign on anti-minority and nationalist slogans. Their ‘akhand Bharat’ (larger India) rhetoric dominates their political ideology. India is one of the few notable countries that still hold border disputes with virtually all of its neighbors. India’s neighbors accuse its intelligence agency RAW for malicious interference in their internal affairs.

The Indio-US nuclear deal was widely criticized even within the Bush Administration. India has a well known nuclear proliferation record, especially in vertical and onward proliferation. In a 2003 interview, the former Secretary of State Colin Powell expressed his reservations over the deal, “We also have to protect certain red lines that we have with respect to proliferation.” However, former Secretary Condoleezza Rice was the driving force behind the hurriedly concocted nuclear deal. It was a brainchild of Secretary Rice’s counselor and longtime colleagues Philip Zelikow and (Bombay-born) Ashley Tellis.

Experts like David Albright, President of Institute for Science and International Security, in a 2005 testimony before the US House Committee described Indian proliferation, “India’s extensive military and civil nuclear programs are often connected, sharing personnel and infrastructure. In addition, some facilities currently have both a military and civilian purpose.” Indian scientist Raja Ramanna also confirmed, India diverted plutonium from the American-Canadian supplied civilian nuclear reactor (CIRUS) for its first nuclear device.

Again, in an October 26, 2005, testimony before the House Committee Dr. Albright warned,

“This [nuclear deal] could pose serious risks to the security of the United States. If fully implemented, it could catapult India into a position as a major supplier of both nuclear and nuclear-related materials, equipment, and technology. With a weak and poorly enforced export control system, [Indians] could become major suppliers [of] the nuclear weapon programs [for the] adversaries of the United States.”

Why India will not violate its obligations this time around should be a matter of great concern for the Nuclear Supplier Group, especially for the Obama Administration.

Simple facts like dubious Indian nuclear proliferation record and its substandard democratic credentials hardly justify seamless continuation of Bush policy. On the other hand, it would be a colossal mistake to unwind American alliance with its nuclear armed strategic partner of 60 years. Pakistan sits on the crossroads of Middle East and the future Middle East, the landlocked Central Asian States; which is sitting on larger oil reserves then the Middle East. Historically, Pakistan had shown greater tolerance for the State of Israel than other Muslim states. Pakistan has also played a lynchpin role in establishing ties between the US and China, and between the US and the Muslim world. Pakistan stood shoulder to shoulder with America to defeat and ultimately dismantle the Soviet empire. Time tested alliance speaks for itself.

Despite serve criticism, Pakistan is still the front-line state in war against terror. Pakistan has lost more men and material in the war than rest of the countries put together. World is still trying to recover from the blowback of premature American departure from Afghanistan after the Communist Soviet Union was defeated. The departure left both Afghanistan and Pakistan high and dry to fend for themselves. Consequently, the resulting vacuum was filled by the religious extremists, Taliban; who in-turn provided sanctuaries to the terrorist organizations like Al-Qaeda.

Post 9/11 invasion, instead of filling the Afghan vacuum with a political solution punctuated by military muscle, the Bush Administration chose to stay in Afghanistan with guns blazing. Even worst, instead of seeking Pakistan’s advice or heading to their concerns, the NATO installed an anti-Pakistan and pro-Indian Northern Alliance government in Afghanistan. If that wasn’t bad enough, under the garbs of nation building, NATO permitted massive Indian buildup in Afghanistan. The buildup deepened Pakistani fears of Indian encirclement, which resulted in reassembling of the Pakistani proxy, also known as Taliban. Pakistan viewed the eleven Indian consulates dotting its western border as command-and-control centers to destabilize and possibly fracture Pakistan, yet again. It goes without saying, a fractured Pakistan runs the risk of loose nukes in the hands multiple players. If true, India might be playing an extremely dangerous game of global consequences.

Instead of heeding to shortsighted calls of continuation of failed Bush policy, Obama administration should immediately reverse the Bush policy. To begin with, it needs to advice India in no uncertain terms, hands off Pakistan. America should also cease the arbitrary drone attacks that account for overwhelming civilian casualties and results in a severe anti-American backlash.

Obama policy should add political and monetary dimensions to the strategy of winning the hearts and minds of highly alienated Afghans and Pakistanis. Finally, it needs to bring both India and Pakistan to the table to hammer out a long lasting solution to the satisfaction of Kashmiris too. A Kashmir solution reflecting the true aspirations of Kashmiris will go a long way in confidence building and normalization of overwhelmingly contentious Indo-Pak relationship.

And strangely his anger was not just against the Muslims, but also Sikhs! In fact a 70 year old Sikh veteran of BJP was asked to leave one of the meets that Varun Gandhi addressed.[1]

It must be really tough for this young man of 29, to carry a name that symbolizes power but with no rewards. All the rewards have gone to the heirs of the most unlikely son – Rajiv Gandhi! While heirs of Sanjay, who was called the heir apparent of Indira Gandhi, are languishing as rank “outsiders”.

I find Varun Gandhi’s actions sad, pitiful and also ironic!

Ironic because:

there have been enough stories doing the rounds of internet which explain how (i) Feroze Gandhi was a Muslim – who was “represented” as a Parsi, after Nehru hypocritically refused to accept a Muslim as his son-in-law and Gandhi eventually “adopted” him and gave his last name.. and (ii) that Sanjay’s main feud with Indira was because he was going to let out that his real father was NOT Feroze but Mohammad Yunus! So, if that were so, then Varun Gandhi is after all, at least partly a Muslim if not completely!

and even if all that is indeed just imaginative thinking, then still, Feroze Gandhi was really a Parsi. So there is a strong minority blood stream running in Varun Gandhi.

And now lets go closest to him – his Mother – Maneka Gandhi. She is a Sikh! That means Varun Gandhi has more minority blood running in him than “Hindu blood”.

What would make such a young man – with strong bonds to minority communities start spewing venom against the minorities? And he is not an uneducated and stupid young kid – he has been educated at London School of Economics (just as Feroze Gandhi had been). Therefore he knows exactly what he is upto!

In any case, BJP will do well to get such unstable characters who cannot perform on the National stage out of the party, if it has to be a long term alternative. BJP as a whole does have lots to offer as an alternative to Congress and Communists, and I feel it should be able to demostrate that strength. Not the imbalanced minds in its ranks.

It was a close holiday on Sunday in Islamabad. Covered with grey clouds Margallah hills which over look ‘Judges Colony’, appeared as a national salvation day. Every one was walking towards the residence of Chief Justice facing Sindh House. All the tv channels had installed their Digital Satellite Newsgathering Systems and cameramen and reporters were waiting for the moment which the nation of Pakistan had waited for long.

Pakistan’s leading jurist and a PPP leader Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan was the master of ceremony. He had invited those PPP leaders who either had given sacrifices during Lawyers’ movement or were supportive of slain prime minister Benazir Bhutto’s promise,

“A day will dawn when we will hoist national flag at the residence of Chief Justice Iftkhar Chaudhry”,

Bhutto had made this pledge while addressing a rally in front of Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry’s house a month before her assassination. Political Secretary of Benazir Bhutto Nahid Khan, her husband Senator Dr. Safdar Abbasi, Dr. Israr Shah, a member of PPP’s CEC who had lost his two legs during a blast at District courts of Islamabad in July 2007 when Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry was to address members of local Bar Association, too was present though he is close to President Asif Ali Zardari. He hoisted the national flag.

“Benazir Bhutto has today honoured her pledge”, Nahid Khan said while talking to emotionally charged crowd. She said we waited for this moment after crossing a bloody journey which even cost life of our great leader.

People were rejoicing but the man, for the traditions and values of his office, Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry did not appear in the balcony. His son Balach kept appearing in the main balcony. Aitzaz Ahsan conducting the ceremony said that this would be the last of the series of restoration of judiciary functions, while Chief Justices of Pakistan would not participate in this function. Aitzaz thanked Qazi Hussain Ahmad and Imran Khan especially for their unflinching support to the lawyers’ movement.

The man for whom bells kept tolling Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry has many a challenges ahead to face. His challenges are very complicated. What he would decided about the period between November 3, 2007 to March 22, 2009. What will be fate of those judgments which were made by outgoing Chief Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar, face of NRO Ordinance which provided indemnity to President Asif Ali Zardari in several graft cases and will he take up any appeal, writ or petitions against for military president Pervez Musharraf. Time in its maturity alone will answer these questions.