According to details, on Monday five persons were shot dead in Raees Amrohe Colony, Orange Town while as many as a dozen houses and shops were set on fire after looting them in Raees Amrohe Colony, 1-D bus stop and Ali Ghar areas by unknown rioters. 30 injured of the fresh assaults on Monday were rushed to the Qatar hospital; three out of them were stated seriously injured and were referred to Abbasi Shahid Hospital.

Meanwhile, two dead bodies of young men riddled with bullets were found under the Garden X-ray Bridge, who was tortured to death. Unknown assailants opened indiscriminate fire on the tents, resulting in the killing of one person while another got serious injuries. One watchman Juma Gul was burnt to death as two bike riders set him on fire after tiding his hands and feet in Choragi No.6-C-51. The brutal wave of killing raised the death toll at 40, while the police officials in these three days remained limited to the police stations and offices.-SANA

keeping current tense situation prime Minister had telephonic conversation with various leaders of political parties and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani called All Parties Conference for National Security in Islamabad on December 2. The decision to convene the All Parties Conference is to discuss the situation created after Mumbai terror attacks and Indian allegations against Pakistan.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) “This is high time we set aside all differences and stood united to protect the country from the nefarious designs of enemies,”

He has also directed the law enforcement agencies to strictly deal with the miscreants and ensure protection of lives and properties of the people. Ebad also welcomed the contacts among all political parties, particularly among Pakistan Peoples Party, Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Awami National Party and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam.

He said that all coalition parties in Sindh government were working in the province with harmony and making integrated efforts to maintain peace in city. He urged the coalition parties to develop further effective coordination among them.

President Awami National Party (ANP) Sindh, Shahi Syed had demanded of Sindh Home Minister to establish writ of the government in Karachi and action against the miscreants. Talking to private TV channel on Sunday, he said those sitting outside the government were trying to sabotage the peaceful environment of the city. Shahi Syed said that Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and ANP asked Sindh Home Minister, Zulfiqar Mirza to deal strictly with those involved in carrying out violent incidents in the city.

All the exams have been postponed for quite some time and date for the exams will be announced later on. Pillion riding has been stopped for three days to control the situation in Karachi.

He said this is the first anniversary of the founding day of the party after the martyrdom of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. He said let this anniversary be a day of reawakening of the people to their destiny of democratic empowerment, end of militancy and economic opportunity for all as envisioned by Shaheed Benazir Bhutto and for which she laid down her life.

The Prime Minister in his message called for continuing the mission of Late Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto for socio-economic revival of downtrodden segment of the society and for justice, democratic tradition and social development. He said PPP gave the nation a consensus constitution, nuclear capability, freedom of press, rights to the labour class and rights to minorities, agricultural reforms and big industrial projects like Steel Mills.

A number of events are being organized at the Divisional, District and Tehsil levels throughout the country to mark the day.-SANA

Some 77 citizens, including 11 women, were reportedly injured in the ethnic violence erupted Saturday noon, while 17 vehicles, one marriage hall and six shops were also torched by angry mobs in various areas. Streets were deserted and deprived off public transport on Sunday morning as citizens preferred to stay at homes owe to fear and tension gripped the city after Saturday’s incidents. Major markets and shops in affected areas were also remained shut.

On late night Saturday, a security-guard of a car showroom was shot dead at Jauhar Morr, while two men were killed by unknown miscreants in North Nazimabad and Nishter Park areas. Two dead bodies were recovered from near New Memon Masjid and Radio Pakistan building at M. A. Jinnah road.

Airports nationwide had been put on red alert and the airports’ special passes were cancelled for security purposes following the situation, ARY OneWorld reported. The incidents of violence took place mainly at Banaras, Orangi Town, Quaidabad, North Karachi, Nazimabad and Sohrab Goth areas. Police sources said that at least 17 vehicles were set ablaze in various parts of the city on Saturday. Police also arrested 30 suspects from various areas, says CCPO Karachi Waseem Ahmed.

Twelve station house officers (SHOs) have been reshuffled in the metropolis on Sunday. The police officials, however, clarified these transfers were not made over violence that left 14 people dead in Karachi on Saturday.

Sources told that SHO Khuda Bakhsh was transferred to Guddap City, Asif Jakhrani in Maripur, Ghaffar Jamani in Gizri, Suheel Akhtar in Alfalah, Rana Sadiq in Ferrier, Noor-ul-Haq in Sukhun, Muhammad Akram in Saudabad, Shaukat Raza in Docs, Aijaz Rajpar in Gulshan Maimar, Shabbir Hussain in Mobina Town, Zulqarnain Akhtar in Gulberg, Tanvir Murad in Sohrab Goth, Manzoor Siddiqi in Memon Goth and Ghulam Mustafa has been transferred to the KPT police station. Karachi Police Chief Wasim Ahmed said that it was a routine reshuffle which had no connection with Karachi situation

While Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Awami National Party (ANP) have condemned in strongest terms the violent incidents in Karachi and termed them part of a conspiracy to trigger ethnic riots in the city. In a joint communiqué the MQM and ANP leaders said those playing with lives and property of innocent citizens are neither the friends of Pukhtoons nor of Urdu speaking people. Actually they are the common enemies of both.

The MQM and ANP leaders said they are making joint efforts for maintaining peace in the city.
They stressed on their respective representatives and workers in their areas to maintain a strict vigil on evil elements and play their effective role for protection of life and property of people.-SANA

He said a meeting of provincial ministers has been convened on the sixth of next month to give final touches to the draft policy. He said the policy will soon be placed before the cabinet for approval during the current fiscal year. Outlining some key features of the policy, The Minister said it will focus on the provision of conducive environment and employment opportunities to the youth.

He said the policy envisages increased delegation level contacts among the youth of all the provinces with the aim to promote national cohesion and integration. He said increased youth to youth contacts will also abreast them about the rich culture and heritage of the country. He said the policy will also emphasize upon resolving the problems being faced by the youth in their daily lives.

Shahid Hassan Bhutto said the draft policy has been prepared in consultation with all the stakeholders including the Parliamentarians, NGOs and recommendations coming out of this Youth conference will also be accommodated after due consideration.

The Federal Minister said Pakistan Peoples Party under its manifesto is committed to work for the welfare of youth and provide them better job opportunities. He said the PPP Chairperson Shaheed Benazir Bhutto had special love and affiliation for the youth and therefore she had created a youth group within the party.

He said the PPP government will launch youth specific programmes and various steps in this regard have already been taken. He said the Youth Development programme has been launched for the technical training of about 2.5 million young people. He said during the training period, the trainees will be given a handsome apprenticeship.

Shahid Hassan Bhutto noted the skill development of the youth will help them earn jobs in the foreign markets and build a better image of the country in the world. He said the government is particularly focusing on the wellbeing of rural youth who have less opportunity to groom as compared to the urban youth. He said it has been decided to provide maximum representation to the rural youth in the youth specific foreign trips.

Participants of the conference called for pro-youth policies for the country’s better tomorrow. They said the government should end the status quo by ending social injustice, unemployment, gender biasness besides providing better education and entertainment facilities, which they said, would go a long way in preparing the future leadership of the country.-SANA

To a question, he said that Pakistanis who were living abroad more enthusiastic than who were living in the country; however, he said that he felt very happy after meeting with them. He expressed his hope that the country would be going ahead and the government should fulfill the expectations of the people in order to increase their pride on the country.

When asked, he said that he would be coming in London in future. It is pertinent to mention that he had doffed off his uniform exact one year back on Nov 29, 2007.-SANA

Currently Pakistan was working on enhancing tax-to-GDP ratio in order o meet domestic economic policy requirements. Pakistan has finalized its homegrown economic stabilization programme that has been endorsed by IMF and appreciated by Friends of Pakistan. Pakistan was working hard to gear up its domestic economic policies in a manner that (firstly) imbalances in domestic economy are addressed and (secondly) it is placed on a fast-tracked development pace, Mr. Shaukat Tarin added.

GOP was putting in place an indigenous revenue generation plan that brings all sectors of economy into tax net to increase the revenue earnings, simultaneously paying attention to education, health, and infrastructure development. Stabilization of macro-economic indicators was GOP’s another priority area. We are also bringing 7 million households into social safety net by providing them income support, health and education cover. Human resource development and skill development is another priority area. An integrated energy generation plan to meet energy requirements of commercial, domestic and industrial sectors was being put in place, Adviser added.

The discussion also focused on revamping of Planning Commission in Pakistan with an Overarching Policy Board that dynamically speeds up the implementation of all economic, development and social sector planning. Ambassador of France appreciated GOP’s political vision in fast-tracking its development agenda in sync with all stakeholders, adding that MOF may plan to meet its foreign development partners based in Islamabad in order to brief them on GOP’s ongoing economic development agenda, adding that MOF may make a presentation to zealous Pakistani investors based in Canada who were willing to be potential investors in Pakistan as he learnt it during his stay in Canada.

Adviser to PM on Finance agreed to go ahead with the proposal in weeks to come after necessary homework. Mr. Shaukat Tarin also briefed French Ambassador on rightsizing of state institutions in corporate sector in order to make them profitable units – a step that would help beef up domestic economy. Efforts were underway to shore up Pakistan’s forex reserve levels besides bringing the fiscal deficit down. Moreover, Pakistan has introduced a set of domestic policy framework to build its macro-economic indicators, Adviser explained.

Project financing was the major area wherein Pakistan and Friends of Pakistan are working together. The idea was to put in place a sustainable system of project-based development that was bilaterally beneficial to foreign investors and domestic partners, and ensure a system of development that was not lopsided. People of Pakistan, on 18th February, 2008, have mandated liberal political leadership into power that clearly reflects that people of Pakistan want to see their country, amongst comity of nations, as a liberal, progressive and fastly-developing Islamic state that pursues policies consistent with globally-accepted political norms. This was a key to Pakistan’s progress, Mr. Shaukat Tarin concluded.-SANA

Nawaz Sharif on this occasion said the success of present political set-up and government is necessary for stabilizing democracy in the country. He alleged some elements were busy in hatching conspiracies against the two parties.

On the other hand, Babar Awan said that government would foil any conspiracy being hatched to destabilize the Punjab government. President Asif Ali Zardari wants to take the opposition along to fulfill people mandate and other state affairs, he said.-SANA

A unanimous resolution which was passed here in a meeting held here under the aegis of Pakistan Intellectual Forum ( PIF), Islamabad saying ” a campaign of continual attacks by planting flimsy stories in the newspaper and comments with ” spirit of arrogance” reported by a private TV channel in its prime time bulletins and Talk Shows on November 25,26 and 27 against the Hon’ble Chief Justice of Pakistan is designed to denigrate the judiciary so that it may toe their line.”

Saying “writers community is extremely disappointed with the ongoing biased media campaign waged by a leading Urdu daily and its channel against the down to earth and God fearing Chief Justice of Pakistan.”

” This Forum categorically condemns the media trial of Hon’ble Chief Justice Pakistan, who is patient, fair, objective, even tempered and deeply committed to the following of the Constitution and laws, considers this ‘disturbing trend”of media against the Journalistic ethics and morality.

The writers who attended the meeting include: Dr. Hyder Sindhi, Prof. Dr. Qasim Rind, Dr. Mumtaz Hussain, Khadim Hussain, Usman Ali, Hashim Abro, Nisar Ahmed G. Abro and others, says the press release issued by Hashim Abro of the PIF.-SANA

Previous recipients of the UN Prize in the Field of Human Rights have included Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King, Eleanor Roosevelt, Jimmy Carter and Amnesty International in recognition of their contribution to the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

This year’s winners are Louise Arbour, Ramsey Clark, Carolyn Gomes, Denis Mukwege, and Human Rights Watch, as well as Benazir Bhutto and Dorothy Stang, who are being honoured posthumously.

“As we mark the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we acknowledge the tireless work and invaluable contribution of these individuals and organizations that have fought to see the rights and freedoms embodied in this historic document become a reality for people in all corners of the world,” said Assembly President Miguel D’Escoto.

Sr. Stang of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur defended the human rights of the poor, landless and indigenous populations of the Anapu region of Brazil for nearly 40 years, despite numerous death threats. She worked with farmers to help rebuild their livelihoods, cultivate their land and defend their rights from loggers and ranchers, becoming a symbol of the fight to preserve the rainforest before being murdered in 2005.

“These awardees constitute symbols of persistence, valour and tenacity in their resistance to public and private authorities that violate human rights. They constitute a moral force to put an end to systematic human rights violations,” Mr. D’Escoto said in a press release issued today.

The human rights prize was first awarded on 10 December 1968 on the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and is awarded every five years to coincide with the date. This year’s award winners will receive their prize at a plenary meeting of the General Assembly 60 years after the landmark document was signed.-SANA

He vowed to increase attacks on NATO and US forces in Afghanistan and block their supply lines through Pakistan’s tribal areas. “We will increase attacks on the NATO and US forces based in Afghanistan and the supply of goods from Pakistan to these forces,” Hakeemullah told reporters taken on a rare trip to the group’s stronghold in Orakzai tribal region.

“We will not lay down arms as long as Pakistan’s army does not stop operations against us,” Hakeemullah said, adding that his chief, Mehsud, head of the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) movement, was in good health.

Hakeemullah said his fighters would target political leaders in Pakistan. “We will also carry out attacks against the Pakistan People’s Party (led by Zardari) and Awami National Party leadership,” he said, referring to two of the parties that comprise Pakistan’s fragile coalition government.-SANA

The bill also allowed the government to appoint the Commissioner of a Division and Collector of a district. And the government may assign such functions and confer such powers upon the Commissioners as it deems appropriate, while the collector shall exercise the powers and discharge the duties of the collector under this Act.

Under the bill, the government may appoint an Additional Commissioner of a division, who shall, subject to the general control of the Commissioner, exercise all or any of the powers and discharge all or any of the duties conferred or imposed on the Commissioner.

Similarly, the government may appoint an Additional Collector of a district, who shall, subject to the general control of the Collector, exercise all or any of the powers and discharge all or any of the duties conferred or imposed on the collector.-SANA

The PC board was informed that the signing ceremony for the Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) of Hazara Phosphate Fertilizers (Pvt) Limited (HPFL) is being scheduled on November 28, 2008 at Privatization Commission secretariat after receiving the remaining payment and it will be handed over to the successful buyer.

The meeting also reviewed the status and progress of various ongoing and upcoming transactions. However, the meeting was presided over by Syed Naveed Qamar. Meanwhile, the PC Board members, senior representatives of the respective ministries/ departments and PC officials attended the meeting.-SANA

Earlier, senior advocate Supreme Court of Pakistan Ahmed Raza Qasoori said that some critics exaggerated the deposed CJ US visit but actually he (deposed CJ) was awarded by “clearance chit” saying he knows why deposed CJ was invited by Washington George Town University as his (Qasoori’s) children were studying over there. Earlier only politician used to get clearance for US but now the judges also started getting clearance form there” he added. However, the FBISE scandal was the conspiracy against Chief Justice of Pakistan Abdul Hameed Dogar, he also stated.

Responding on his statement, while talking to SANA on phone, he strongly rejected Qasoori’s statement terming it as “extremely irresponsible statement”; however he said that being a puppet he had been playing in the hands of others throughout the life.

He said that Qasoori should sweep before his own door before pointing at honorable deposed Chief Justice as he was allegedly involved in the conspiracy against the country by becoming a tool in the execution of a democratic prime minister. He said that deposed CJ was invited by US judiciary and he addressed different bar associations, colleges and universities that he termed as honor for the whole nation.

One “NO” of deposed CJ Iftikhar Chaudhry had arisen Pakistan’s stature all over the world saying he never compromised on the principles as he rejected the invitations of many US officials, congress members and the politicians; however, he said that deposed CJ did not need of approval of the any body.

He said that those people who were trying to convey negative message of his US visit actually they were conspiring against the country since long saying they were trying to degrade the honorable deposed CJ. However, he vowed that the lawyers’ movement would be continued terming it as embodiment of the country’s honor.-SANA

He directed all Ministries to maintain close liaison with media to ensure proper projection of government policies for the socio-economic uplift of the people. A team of economic experts gave a briefing to the cabinet on the approval of the IMF loan to Pakistan. The cabinet was informed that three point five billion dollars will be received within the next two to three days.

The Special Committee set up to review the cases of employees sacked from 1996 to 1998 on political ground, submitted its recommendations to the cabinet. The Cabinet also approved MoUs concluded with some friendly countries for cooperation in different fields. The Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervez Ashraf briefed the cabinet about the energy situation in the country.-SANA

Air Force chief Air Marshal Tanvir Mahmood Ahmed said it was up to the government to decide whether to stop such strikes through diplomatic and political means or by force. “The Air Force is ready for any type of air defense,” Tanvir told reporters, referring to various types of unmanned aircraft.

“First this nation, you people, our Parliament, our government, has to debate how we have to engage the foreign UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles). Whether we have to engage them diplomatically and politically to resolve it or engage them militarily,” he said.

Meanwhile, officials said that gunmen have kidnapped a Pakistani working on a US-funded aid project in the country’s volatile northwest. Police yesterday said the attackers seized the man from a convoy of relief vehicles in the Dir region on Monday. Other aid workers escaped after villagers fired on the attackers.

The UN’s World Food Program said the victim was distributing wheat and cooking oil on its behalf. WFP spokesman Amjad Jamal said the food was paid for by the US government.

Jamal said yesterday it’s unclear if Taleban militants were behind the kidnapping and that the WFP had received no demands. A spate of attacks and kidnappings have cast doubt on Western plans to flood the region with development aid to undermine support for Taleban militants.

In another development, at least six Taleban militants were killed overnight as the Pakistani Army moved close to rebel hide-outs in a restive tribal region bordering Afghanistan, an official said yesterday.

The six were killed in Bajaur, where Pakistani troops have been engaged in fierce clashes with militants linked to Taleban and Al-Qaeda since an operation was launched in the region in August. “Pakistani artillery pounded militant hideouts and underground bunkers, killing six rebels and wounding four others,” local administration official Mohammad Jamil told AFP. Jamil added that intense firing continued until yesterday morning.
Courtesy : Arab News

While Punjab Governor Salman Taseer has said that the flag-bearers of law do not know the law itself. Talking to media after attending a ceremony held under the aegis of University of Central Punjab here on Tuesday, he said that Sharif Brothers should not hold him responsible for everything occurring in the province.

Salman said Asif Ali Zardari is a democratically-elected president and an experienced politician. Punjab Governor said that it was his legal right to write a letter to the CM and if someone employs abusive language against him, then it is weakness on their part of the abuser, adding, ‘I am not among those who could be browbeaten into doing things.’-SANA

Responding on the issue, he said that it is not surprising the CJ had such weakness because of them he was made CJ of Pakistan saying that there were already complaints about him regarding bank lone. He said that the board could not take the step without any pressure; however, if the CJ is not involved in the case then he must take Suo Moto action against the responsible.

Earlier, senior advocate Supreme Court of Pakistan Ahmed Raza Qasoori termed “the FBISE scandal as the conspiracy against Chief Justice of Pakistan Abdul Hameed Dogar saying that some critics exaggerated the deposed CJ US visit but actually he (deposed CJ) was awarded by “clearance chit” saying he knows why deposed CJ was invited by Washington George Town University as his (Qasoori’s) children were studying over there. Earlier only politician used to get clearance for US but now the judges also started getting clearance form there” he added.

Whereas Deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry’s spokesman Atharminallh Advocate on Monday said that some forces wanted to attach FBISE scandal with Iftikhar Chaudhry’s US visit negatively.

Responding on his statement, he strongly rejected Qasoori’s statement terming it as “extremely irresponsible statement”; however he said that being a puppet he played in the hands of others throughout the life. He said that deposed CJ was invited by US judiciary and he addressed different bar associations, colleges and universities that he termed as honor for the whole nation.

One “NO” of deposed CJ Iftikhar Chaudhry had arisen the heads of Pakistanis all over the world saying he never compromised on the principles as he rejected the invitations of many US officials, congress members and the politicians; however, he said that deposed CJ did not need of approval of the any body.

He said that those people who were attaching deposed CJ with FBISE sandal actually they are conspiring against the country since long saying they were trying to degrade the honorable deposed CJ. However, he vowed that the lawyers’ movement would be continued terming it as embodiment of the country’s honor.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has expressed grief over awarding of extra marks to the daughter of Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar.

He said that it is an open violation of rules and regulation apart from being extremely discriminatory against other deserving students and the case should be referred to supreme judicial council immediately as deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry had to under go from the same process when he was accused of influencing the authorities in his son’s CSS exam.

Talking to various delegations during nationwide membership campaign of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Imran Khan said that FBISE Chairman took unusual interest that apparently reelected that he was influence by some authorities; however, he termed it as a shameful act.-SANA