Sonagachi is located in North-Kolkata at near the intersection of Chittaranjan Avenue, Sova Bazar and Beadon Street, just north of the Marble Palace. This Red Light District accommodates more than 10,000 prostitutes and so it is one the biggest Red Light Area in South Asia. The area was used by the Bengali Babus for maintaining concubines and mistresses in the 1700s and 1800s. Several mansions in this district have their roots in history in the early days of British Raj. Legends say that even the famous courtesans and patrons of Paris knew of the fame of the Golden district of Kolkata.

There are lots of organizational efforts, made to improve the day-to-day life of these prostitutes. Personally I am associated with the welfare of these women and associated with lots of prestigious organizations who are working for their rehabilitation. We as a group use to visit them to organize various awareness camps like AIDS awareness camp, basic education and physical health etc.

I can still recollect the memories of the day when I first visited that place. I can still remember those innocent faces that were ready to tell their stories. Number of women was just trapped in that hell and few of them are there because of their family lineage. Whatever would have been the reason for those women to be there something was common and that was every woman wanted ….”FREEDOM”. Freedom from Pimps who sell them to dirty Harsh Clients, freedom from an unscure and unsafe life.

During my visit I meet lots of women. I meet Putul, I met Rani I met Laila, Farha, Gauri, Shakeela….to name a few. Putul or Putul Masi (Masi…..in Bengali means Mother’s Sister); she was in her mid fifties. I visited her in her room. There was nothing special except one thing i noticed. I saw a big picture of Goddess Kali (Kali is the most respected goddess in Bengal) with a big Garland of Jaba Flower (Hibicus) over the photo frame. She cordially invited me in her room. I entered and touched her feet. She offered me a cup of tea and some sweets. She is known as Putul Masi to all women over there. Masi Maa doesn’t practice prostitution recently. She is now associated with the welfare of these girls. I heard about the dark part of our city from her mainly. How the poor innocent girls in this profession of prostitution are being treated…how much they are restricted and forced to do these filthy things they perform…I heard everything from her and was bewildered to know the plight of these deprived women. I was startled to hear that forced prostitution is encouraged by the Police, Politicians, Industrialists, Players and all upper level people.

She told me her own story. She bore in a poor village of Dhaka district to a farmer family. Her father expired when she was 6 years old. Her mother was working as maid in houses to rear her children respectfully. Putul masi was the eldest child of her mother and she had six other siblings including four brothers and two sisters. Maasi grew up in very poor and miserable condition. When she was 16 years of age a boy came to her life. He assured her to marry and told her to move to Kolkata from Dhaka. But she told that guy that if she moved from Dhaka…there will be no one to look after her family. But the boy allured her with job offer and a improved lifestyle where she would be in position to look after her family in better manner. With lots and lots of assurances she moved to kolkata. On her very first day in the City Of Joy (Kolkata is also known by this name)…that guy took her to a person and introduced him as his Uncle. This Fake uncle took her to a house and she was told her that guy would be visiting her in an hour. But that hour never came and she was forced to prostitution. She tried to escape from that mess but it was not that easy. She cried but no one came. After hearing her story; I felt really bad by my heart and told her “Kedo Na Maa…..aaj theke ami tomar pola”. (Don’t Cry Mother…..from today consider me as your son”). I was thinking that she probably would have dreamt for a family; a house; a husband who pampered her cared her and loved her. But this cruel world never allowed her dreams come true. She has been sleeping with her clients instead of her husband. What would have been her emotional plight where she was forced to sleep with unwanted people and raped by people whom she never thought of even meeting.

During my visit; I was also introduced to Shakeela Bano. She came from Murshidabad district of West-Bengal. Shakeela came to Kolkata for studies. Back in home she had an Alcoholic father. One day a guy came to her hostel and told her that her father was waiting for her. She went with him and she saw her father was there waiting for her with the drastic news of selling her; he disclosed that he has sold her in the hands of Dalal just for 10,000 rupees. This is how she was trapped and forced to be a prostitute. She was crying… and begging.. I was thinking this cruel world has deprived a doctor or engineer or may be a pilot who could have served nation.. She was sold just for a bottle of whisky.. I was helpless. I disappointed her by telling that her brother was helpless. She then took me to her house and served Fish and rice. She also tied me a Rakhi(thin thread sisters tie to the wrists of their brothers in Hindus and brothers owe them their security). I felt she was very nice and decent girl. But no one came to help her… and there is not a single guy to marry this 24 year old girl.

I was just about to leave that Hell when I noticed a girl playing with her dolls. She was barely 14 years old. I heard that she came here a few days ago. Her mother sold her. She hardly knew what prostitution is. She innocently kept on playing with her dolls, without knowing the fact that her life is going to be a hell. I called her and asked her name. She told me her name is Rupa. I asked about her family; she told me that her father was expired. But she is having a very “Loveable” mother. She was expecting her mother in few days to take her away to her home. I asked her whether she is studying or not. She nodded her head positively saying that she wanted to be a doctor in future. Just imagine a 14 years old girl in brothel; playing with her dolls and never knows what prostitution is?

Usually I never cry. But on that day I rush to a bathroom a cried severely …and questioned myself is this the world we made it and is this what we expect from it? Gautam Buddha left his empire and became a sanyasi (ascetic). I always laughed over his decision that he just left a lavished life but now I can empathize with him; I am sure he would have visited one of the brothels like this or may be something less then this.

Woman was eve hence respectful and belong some man either as a mother or sister. They are someone’s wife or some ones love. They are the version of Power or “Shakti”(strength)
Maa Kali the most Respectable goddess in Bengal is also a female. She is considered the source of Power. In Hindu mythology every girl is considered as Version of Kali. I was wondering is this the way we worship our Kalis?

Every women over that place dreams of a family of their own. Their desire to have their own children is very high. It is very much visible when they offer Pujas to “God Kartik” considering him as their own son. They take the idol to their home. They bath the idol, changes clothes and offer chocolates….They treat Kartike as their own son. These were the signs showing their strong desire to have their own children.

Social taboos do not allow people to like these prostitutes and
In Kolkata people use to hate these prostitutes considering them malicious and stigma on society without knowing the fact what and why they are prostitutes and who has compelled them to be in this profession. Everybody has abhorrence in their hearts for them even in my house. When I came back from there my mother scolded me badly and ordered me to
take bath with “Ganga Jal”. How lots and lots of families are broken in this way no one ever thought about it. Did anyone ever pay attention towards this grave issue; who is responsible for their conditions? Answer echoed within me …

We; and we are responsible; who else can be other than us. They fulfill the greed and desires of people and in this service they are infected with AIDS. They die in pain and even destiny gives them bad names. But no one is there to help them. They are “Dayan”(witches) in people’s eyes…but when it comes to bloody desire fulfillment …they make them their victim. Their pseudo omens are left far behind when they knock at their doors to satisfy their hunger.

Today several government organizations and NGOs operate here for preventing Sexually Transmitted Disease(STD) and AIDS. Local NGO like Sanlaap etc are working towards the betterment of these prostitues lives. The “Sonagachi Project” is responsible for keeping 5% AIDS rates among the prostitutes. This is the most promising figure as compared to other Red Light Districts in India. Organization like “Durbar Mahila Samanwaya” currently runs this project along with some 65,000 prostitutes and children. They work for the legalization of this profession calling it as “Sex Work is Real Work: We Demand Workers Rights”. The documentary Born into Brothels: Calcutta’s Red Light Kids won the Oscar for best documentary feature in the year 2005. It depicts the lives of children born to prostitutes in Sonagachi.

Coming to the solution and its effects on the society; AIDS is spreading rapidly; there are people who encourage this profession and make hell out of heavens. These hells in return are destroying them also because this disease is increasing in India and reaching to neighboring countries also. On governmental level a campaign is needed to diffuse he image about these women who are spending their lives in extreme misery. Public awareness programs to create understanding about these women is very important.. At this very time; if we are unable to understand the situation and its outcome…… our generations probably would never forgive us for leaving them in hells.

The Prime Minister highlighted that Pakistan with population of 160 million has potential with growth rate of 2% per annum having high young/medium segment. Hence, Pakistan telecom market provides enough opportunities of investment in the sector, he added. The Prime Minister appreciated the confidence of the group by investing in the Banking and Telecom sectors in Pakistan.

The Prime Minister also told the delegation that Pakistan also offers best investment opportunities in the agriculture and energy sectors. He ensured the delegation of his government’s full support in this regard. The Prime Minister encouraged the Abu Dhabi and SingTel Group to establish software centers and also business process outsourcing in Pakistan. The Abu Dhabi Group is one of the largest business groups of UAE and the largest foreign investor in Pakistan. Mr. Qamar-uz-Zaman Kaira, Federal Minister for Information Technology was also present in the meeting.-SANA

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Under this partnership, the BMA Capital Protected Fund (BCPF) will be made available for distribution by Citi on a non-exclusive basis. It may be noted that Citibank’s role will be limited to the extent of performing the distribution function without providing any advice to the prospective investor in respect of the investment products.

The BCPF is a Capital Protected Fund, and will be an open end fund with a 3-year maturity period. The BCPF seeks higher returns than bank deposits, while providing easy access to cash and offers tax advantages to both individuals and institutions and, in particular, retirement funds.-SANA

Reports suggest that People in the far-flung areas of NWFP, Punjab and Balochistan congratulated each other as Musharraf announced his decision to step down. The news of the President’s resignation also had a salutary effect on the stock market and exchange rate. The former general’s opponents rejoiced nationwide after he announced his resignation, which many hope will bring an end to a year of political fighting that has largely paralysed Pakistan. In the northwestern city of Peshawar, near the country’s tribal areas where Pakistani forces have been battling Taliban and al-Qaeda fighters, some people opened fire into the air and chanted anti-Musharraf slogans.

President Supreme Court Bar Association, Aitzaz Ahsan Monday said that lawyers bravely been struggling the cause of the judiciary and suffered a lot. Now when President Pervez Musharraf has resigned they along with the nation should rejoice and celebrate the change, the SCBA leader told a private television channel. He advised the legal fraternity to pull down black flags from the offices of Bar Associations countrywide and start rejoicing and commemorate it a day of deliverance.

Musharraf should stay in the country and face the legal course to prove him self innocent because he has claimed that all the charges leveled against him were unfounded, he said. The SCBA president said an example should be set to eliminate the practice of adventurism in politics and for this purpose President Musharraf should not be given a safe passage. He hoped the leadership of coalition parties would adhere to its commitments with the nation and the deposed judges would be restored without delay.

Hundreds of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) workers gathered outside Zardari House here started jubilations as the President announced to step down. The jubilant workers distributed sweets while raising slogans in favour of democracy, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto and party co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari. “Its all result of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto’s sacrifice for democracy that the dictator has stepped down,” a senior worker commented.

Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE), hoping for a come back of political stability in the country, reacted positively on the announcement of Musharraf’s resignation, as it went jolly briskly trading, which saw the KSE-100 index shooting up by 450 points. KSE 100 index closed at 10719 points with increase of 461 points at the end of trading. Trade volume was 15 crore shares, five crore more than yesterday.

Musharraf’s resignation end to a critical period: Miliband
London: Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf’s resignation ends a “critical period in Pakistan’s history,” British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said Monday. Miliband called on Pakistan’s political leaders to “come together” to ensure the new government stays on course with economic and security policy, and called for the “early” election of a successor to Musharraf. “The announcement… by President Musharraf that he is standing down as president brings to a close a critical period in Pakistan’s history and its relations with the UK and other countries,” he said in a statement. “Pakistan is a vital friend of the UK and it is essential… that it has a strong and democratic government with a clear mandate and programme for thoroughgoing reform of its social, political and economic structures.”

He praised the “significant dividends” of Musharraf’s time in office, including on the economic front, in fighting terrorism, tackling corruption and promoting dialogue with long-time foe India. “But reform depends above all on legitimacy, and that is why the UK has been at pains to stress the importance for Pakistan of strong institutions rather than strong individuals, and why we believe a strong democracy is key. “The responsibilities on political leaders in Pakistan are now significant. They need to come together to ensure that the recently elected government carries forward an economic and security agenda consistent with the long-term interests of the Pakistani people.” He added that Britain, the former colonial power in Pakistan, would remain “strongly committed” to the country, notably through aid but also through stronger security cooperation with the new government. “And we will be clear about the essential nature of a new partnership between Pakistan and Afghanistan,” said. “I look forward to the early election of a new president in Pakistan to take forward the important shared work that binds our two countries together,” he added.

Bangladesh wishes Pakistan well
DHAKA: Bangladesh wishes its beleaguered neighbour Pakistan well after its president Pervez Musharraf, under pressure over impending impeachment charges, resigned Monday. “We wish Pakistan well,” foreign adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury told bdnews24.com in his initial reaction to the rather anticipated resignation. He said there would be no change in the relations between the two countries. “Bangladesh strongly believes that the people of Pakistani will determine their political destiny,” said Dr Iftekhar. General Musharraf , who unseated a democratically elected Prime Minister Newaz Sharif in a bloodless coup in 1999, resigned in the face of impeachment threat by the two biggest political parties of Pakistan.

Japanese PM sees no change in “US-led war on terror” after Musharraf
TOKYO Japan’s Prime Minister, Yasuo Fukuda, said he expected no immediate change to the US-led “war on terror” after Mr. Musharraf announced his resignation. When asked what kind of changes this brings to the ‘war-on-terror’ and the Afghan situation, he said: “I don’t expect any significant change for now”. “I would expect different things would occur later. But it is not a time for us to make predictions and share them with you,” he told Japanese journalists.

Musharraf’s resignation Pak’s internal matter: Indian PM
NEW DELHI: Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee Monday described the resignation of the Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf as an “internal matter” of that country. “It is an internal matter of Pakistan,” Mukherjee said when reporters sought his reaction on the resignation of President Musharraf. Recalling his recent visit to Pakistan, Mukherjee said a process has been initiated to improve bilateral ties between the two countries and foreign secretary-level talks would be held shortly. “During my visit to Pakistan, I had, in fact, developed a personal relationship with the leaders of that country.

From Nawaz Sharif to Asif Ali Zardari and Yousuf Gilani, I have cordial discussions with all of them and it seems to me that a positive approach could be made in improving our relations,” Mukherjee said on the sidelines of a seminar on nuclear deal. The External Affairs minister said apart from bilateral issues, international issues too figured in the “talks”. “When I had met with a car accident in Murshidabad district last year, Nawaz Sharif personally telephoned me from London to enquire about my health,” he said.

Zardari terms Musharraf’s resignation as masses’ victory
PPP co-chairman, Asif Ali Zardari has described resignation of the President as victory of the people. In a statement here Monday, he said this would strengthen the democracy and the country.

Imran hails Musharraf’s resignation
Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, (PTI) Imran Khan on Monday hailed the resignation of President Pervez Musharraf, describing it as favour of national interest. In his comments about Musharraf’s resignation, he said after this move, the coalition government should not further delay the reinstatement of the deposed judges. Imran Khan said the speech of Pervez Musharraf was not based on facts, adding that he tried to misguide the people. “Everyone knows what he has done to this nation during his nine-year tenure,” he remarked. Imran reiterated his party’s demand for restoring the deposed judges including deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry immediately.

Democracy succeeds after long struggle: Sherry
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sherry Rehman while commenting on the resignation by President Pervez Musharraf, said it is victory of the democratic forces after a long struggle. She said it was not easy and the government has reached the stage to initiate the process of impeachment against the President. She said with the resignation of the President, the chapter of dictatorship has been closed. The Minister said all the credit to end the dictatorship goes to Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto who sacrificed her life for the sake of democracy. Replying a question regarding the reinstatement of deposed judges, the Minister said the matter will be decided in consultation with the coalition partners.

President proved his slogan correct: Dr. Sattar
The Central leader of Muttahida Qaumi Movement, MQM Dr. Farooq Sattar said Monday President Pervez Musharraf had proved his slogan “Pakistan First” right with his resignation. Talking to private TV channel after president’s resignation, he said President Musharraf played his part to overcome the political instability prevailing in the country. “President Musharraf always gave importance and priority to the country’s interests”, he added. Dr. Sattar further said, “President Musharraf has responded to the charges of ruling coalition with dignity.” The process of national reconciliation initiated by the president should be continued, added Sattar. He said that the responsibility to get the reconciliation process going lies on the shoulders of present leadership during such critical phase.

Musharraf had no option except resignation: Qazi
Jamaat-e- Islami Amir Qazi Hussain Ahmad said on Monday that the out-going President Pervez Musharraf had no option left except to resign in the prevailing circumstances. Talking to media, he said that the outgoing President will try to have political exile in some country, adding that it was the responsibility of the government to hold him accountable for violating the constitution. “He should face trial as per aspirations of the people,” he added.

CM Sindh terms Musharraf’s resignation as people’s victory
Sindh Chief Minister, Syed Qaim Ali Shah Monday described the tendering of resignation by the President Pervez Musharraf as the victory of the people. Addressing the party workers here outside Bilawal House after the stepping down of the president, he said Pervez Musharraf is not the first person to tender resignation. “Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto also made the general Yahya Khan to resign and now Co-chairman Pakistan People’s Party Asif Ali Zardari along with the coalition partners completed the mission of Ms Benazir Bhutto,” he said. The Chief Minister said the government will resolve the issue of unemployment in collaboration with the democratic forces. The PPP workers on the occasion danced to the PPP songs and distributed sweets.

Musharraf’s resignation to ensure Parliament supremacy: Naek
The Law Minister, Farooq H Naek said that the resignation of President Musharraf would ensure the supremacy of the parliament and rule of law and democracy in the country. He said it is the materialization of the sacrifices of PPP leader Benazir Bhutto and others who struggled for democracy. About restoration of judiciary, Law Minister said the coalition parties would decide the modalities about the reinstatement of the deposed judges. He made it clear that PPP has never opposed the restoration of judges.

Musharraf’s resignation result of PPP’s struggle: Qureshi
Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi termed the resignation of embattled President Pervez Musharraf a result of the continuous struggle by slain PPP leader Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and party workers. In a statement issued here on Monday, he noted that the stepping down of Musharraf would pave the way for a stronger parliament and country. “Today was a historic day for the PPP,” Qureshi said.

Hoti terms President’s resignation as democracy victory
NWFP Chief Minister, Amir Haidar Khan Hoti has termed the resignation of President a success of the democracy and has expressed the hope that this historic decision would leave a far reaching impact on the development and security of the country. In a statement issued by the CM’s secretariat on Monday, the Chief Minister while calling it a historic day has said that the decision would pave way for supremacy of constitution and parliament. He said that people had given a clear mandate to the democratic forces in the February 18 general elections that included removal of the President adding that the elected political forces have lived up to the people’s expectation by forcing the President’s exit from his office. Hoti expressed the hope that with the resignation of the President the politics of vested interests would end in the country and divert the attention of the government towards real issues faced by the masses. He assured the people that government would fulfill all its promises and restore peace so as to put the country back on the developmental path.

President’s resignation not an end: Asfandyar
Awami National Party’s (ANP) President Asfandyar Wali Khan on Monday said that had President Musharraf resigned on Feb. 19 after the election results, the people would have appreciated him. Talking to a private television channel the ANP President said that resignation of the president is not solution of the problems the country was facing. “It is not winning the war rather it will be winning the battle”, he said adding the real war would continue against issues of price hike, law and order, unemployment etc. When asked to comment on reports of his possible candidature for the post of future president the ANP leader said, these are just rumours.

Kaira terms Musharraf’s resignation as democracy victory
Punjab Minister for Finance, Planning and Development Tanvir Ashraf Kaira has said that the resignation of Pervez Musharraf is the voice of the whole nation and is a huge victory for democracy. In a statement issued here on Monday the minister said that this is a momentous day in the democratic and political history of Pakistan which would be celebrated all over the country. He said that Musharraf’s resignation marks the end of a dark era, and from now onwards no dictator would dare to use unconstitutional means to sabotage the democracy. “The resignation is the defeat of dictatorship,” he added.

Sadiqul Farooq, a spokesman for the Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N), headed by Nawaz Sharif, a former prime minister, whom Musharraf ousted in a 1999 coup, said legal guarantees were out of the question. Sharif’s party is the second largest in the coalition, and has said Musharraf should be tried for treason - which carries a maximum punishment of death. There was speculation that Musharraf might go into exile, but close aides to Musharraf said he had no plans to go into exile - as several of Pakistan’s former leaders have done.

Aitzaz asks people, legal community to rejoice over Musharraf ouster
President Supreme Court Bar Association, Aitzaz Ahsan Monday said that lawyers bravely been struggling the cause of the judiciary and suffered a lot. Now when President Pervez Musharraf has resigned they along with the nation should rejoice and celebrate the change, the SCBA leader told a private television channel. He advised the legal fraternity to pull down black flags from the offices of Bar Associations countrywide and start rejoicing and commemorate it a day of deliverance.

Musharraf should stay in the country and face the legal course to prove him self innocent because he has claimed that all the charges leveled against him were unfounded, he said. The SCBA president said an example should be set to eliminate the practice of adventurism in politics and for this purpose President Musharraf should not be given a safe passage. He hoped the leadership of coalition parties would adhere to its commitments with the nation and the deposed judges would be restored without delay.

Raza Rabbani, a leading member of the Pakistan People’s party, said: “This is the first time in Pakistan’s political history where you have the people winning against establishment institutions.”

Nawaz Sharif has arrived here from Lahore to attend the meeting. Sources said that post Musharraf resignation scenario of the country would be the top agenda of meeting along with the selection of new president of the country. It was expected that leaders will express their suggestion over the issue. Talking to media Chaudhry Nisar said president resignation was the victory of coalition, lawyers’ movement and whole nation. Coalition would now focus on the restoration of deposed judges, he added.-SANA

Mr. Munir Orakzai welcomed the development on behalf of members from FATA and said now full attention should be paid to resolution of the problems facing the country especially the situation in tribal areas. He demanded that displaced people of Bajaur should be provided all possible assistance.

Mr. Sher Muhammad Baloch said the dictatorship inflicted damage on the country and credit goes to the coalition partners for forcing the President to resign through democratic struggle. Mr. Ghulam Ahmad Bilour said we can prevent recurrence of the situation by strengthening our institutions. He asked the coalition parties to remain united to face the challenges ahead. Sardar Bahadur Ahmad Sehar said that sovereignty of the parliament and rule of law have been restored. He said end of the dictatorship was the collective demand of the nation.

Rising on points of order, Dr. Abdul Qadir Khanzada and Syed Asif Hussain condemned attack on MQM leader Haider Abbas Rizvi and thanked the Prime Minister, Mr. Asif Ali Zardari and Interior Minister for taking notice of the incident. Federal Minister Syed Khurshid Shah assured the members that this unfortunate incident would investigated. He said it is duty of the government to provide security to every citizen.

Mr. Muhammad Safdar said Pervez Musharraf toppled the elected Government of the then Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif and imposed martial law. He demanded initiation of proceedings under article-6 of the constitution against the former President. Mian Abdul Sattar said after resignation of the President, the coalition Government has a comprehensive agenda ahead including restoration of judges, abolition of 17th amendment in the constitution, autonomy for provinces and price hike.

Ms. Shahnaz Sheikh said we should play politics of maturity in the interest of Pakistan. She said the opposition sided with the Government on positive points and it would continue to do so in future. She also complimented the President for his policies. Ms. Tehmina Daultana said a drama was enacted on 12th of October 1999 on the pretext of hijacking of the plane to dismiss an elected Government. She said family members of Nawaz Sharif and Muslim Leaguers were persecuted by the military ruler.

Mr. Zafar Beg Bitani said resignation of the President is decidedly a landmark event but his departure from the scene is a test for the coalition Government, which has to deliver as per expectations of the people. Engineer Amir Muqam paid tributes to the outgoing President and said he did not exercise the option of article-58/2(B). He said now the Government will have to prove that it is better than the previous Government otherwise people would also become tired of it.

Makhdoom Javed Hashmi said it is for the first time that the civil society has forced a dictator to quit. He said different sections of the society offered sacrifices for the purpose especially Shaheed Benazir Bhutto. He said we should look forward for the sake of the country.-SANA

The Prime Minister said he was jailed during the tenure of the last government but he is not bitter and wants beginning of reconciliation. He said we want to have Truth and Reconciliation committee. He said democracy is far better than dictatorship. Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani declared that they never considered the outgoing President as legal, legitimate and with constitutional authority. Similarly, he said they were against 17th amendment and article 58-2(B) of the constitution and would not accept them.

He said they want balance of powers between presidency and the parliament. He said there is parliamentary form of government in Pakistan and authority should vest in the Assembly. He said the Prime Minister and his cabinet are answerable to the assembly. The Prime Minister said there should be accountability but not victimization. Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani said he has instructed the Law Minister initiate legislation to make National Accountability Bureau a neutral and fair institution.

The Prime Minister asked Speaker of the National Assembly to strengthen the Public Accounts Committee and Standing Committees of the house and members should be answerable to them. He said there is also need for a neutral and independent election commission capable of conducting transparent and fair elections. He said the Election Commission should be strong enough to challenge even the election of the Prime Minister in his constituency if need be.

The Prime Minister said the President being symbol of the federation he should not be aligned with any political party. Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani pointed out that the country was facing serious challenges like that of economic difficulties and law and order problems and appealed to the opposition and other democratic forces to joint hands with the government in tackling them effectively.

The Prime Minister thanked political leaders, political parties, media and other sections of the society for their struggle for restoration of democracy. In her remarks Speaker National Assembly Dr. Fahmida Mirza said it is a momentous occasion in the history of Pakistan.

She said now special responsibility devolves on parliamentarians and politicians to prove that they can handle the problems facing the country and can deliver. She said we can produce better results through collective efforts. The Speaker said both the treasury and the opposition will have to work hard for sovereignty and supremacy of the parliament. The house will now meet tomorrow morning at ten.-SANA

Chairman Dr. Naseem said, “I have sent my resignation to the president’s secretariat and told them I can’t continue performing my duties. After the president resigned I didn’t think it would be ethically right to continue,” former chairman PCB told a foreign news agency. Ashraf said his resignation would not have any effect on the Champions Trophy one-day tournament which would be held on schedule from September 12. “The tournament will go on because the board is an institution and it will continue working. I will continue performing my duties till the resignation is accepted,” he added.

A large numbers of paramilitary troops were deployed on the meeting venue as the gathering was held by the people in sensitive area. The resolution was presented to the UN mission by some Hurriyat’s youths at 9: 45 am. It is worth mentioning that the collective demand for UN intervention was decided after the start of “Muzaffarabad Chalo Tehreek”. This movement was started after the blockade of Jammu and Kashmir Muslim community by the Hindus.

The economic blockade of the Kashmir valley by fanatic Hindus in Jammu area of held has forced the economists to set up an economic forum to work for Valley’s economic self-reliance. The forum would look at ways and means for achieving sustainable sovereign economic growth for the Valley. Many Valley-based economists said that Kashmir could be financially self-sufficient provided the people support. “The economic blockade by hooligans has compelled economists to look for self-sufficient economy for the Valley,” said an economist.

A noted economist and dean of Social Science Department of Kashmir University, Professor Nissar Ali is for mobilizing internal resource within the territory. “Jammu and Kashmir has enough potential to mobilize internal resources and make the state economical independent”, he added. “There should be an economic forum, which would work out the modalities for financial autonomy of the Valley,” Nissar said.

Most of the political economists said, “We must try utmost to manufacture most items locally.” The Jammu and Kashmir is a consumer territory as most of consumable items are imported from other states, he added. Head of Economics Department of Kashmir University Professor G M Butt said that for achieving economic sovereignty, the Valley has to transform its present status of consumer to a producer state. “We need to produce more and more so as to reduce outside dependence,” he said.-SANA

Initially, he suspended assemblies and later dissolved them. The then Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif was detained and tried in plane hijacking case and eventually sentenced to life imprisonment. He was later sent into exile to Saudi Arabia. Pervez Musharraf first assumed the newly created office of the Chief Executive and retained the then President Muhammad Rafiq Tararr. However, in 2001, Musharraf himself took over the mantle of the Presidency as well.

He organized a highly controversial referendum in 2002 to get for himself some sort of legitimacy.
After 2002 general elections, he cobbled together heterogeneous political elements to form a Government which drew strength from Musharraf-created PML(Q), defecting parliamentarians of the PPP called Peoples Party Patriots, MQM and independents. This government was initially headed by Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali, then for a while by Ch. Shaujaat Hussain and then by Shaukat Aziz.

In 2003 at the time of securing indemnity from the parliament for his unconstitutional acts of 1999, Pervez Musharraf made a public commitment to doff the uniform as a quid-pro-quo for MMA’s support for passage of the 17th amendment in the constitution. Later, he reneged on his pledge and relinquished the charge of army chief in November 2007 only after getting himself re-elected in a highly controversial elections in October.

Trouble for General Musharraf began when he autocratically dismissed the country’s Chief Justice on March 9, 2007. This triggered a country-wide protest movement by the lawyers’ community supported by political parties and civil society. The reference against the Chief Justice was heard by a full bench of the Supreme Court and rejected, leading to resumption of duties by Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhary.

However, the President General Pervez Musharraf, who was also Army Chief, issued proclamation of emergency and PCO on November 3 last year resulting into dismissal of about sixty judges of the Supreme Court and the four high courts including Chief Justice of Pakistan. He did so at a time when the Supreme Court was seized with the case of determining his eligibility as presidential candidate in uniform.

It was in this background that people voted overwhelmingly against the King’s party patronized by Pervez Musharraf in February 18 general elections, which were construed by all as a verdict against policies of Pervez Musharraf.

The retired General, however, remained unconcerned and pressure continued to mount on him to quit as President because of his anti-democratic moves. The coalition partners on the 7th of this month decided to bring impeachment motion against Musharraf for violation of the constitution and misconduct. As a prelude to the impeachment process, the four provincial assemblies passed resolutions demanding of the President to seek vote of confidence from his electoral college or face impeachment.-SANA

The party won the most seats in elections in February and now leads a coalition government that also includes the party of Nawaz Sharif, the prime minister ousted by Musharraf in 1999. Asif Ali Zardari, his father and party co-chairman is the effective chief of the PPP and reports have said that he is in the running to replace Musharraf, although he would be a divisive choice.-SANA

He said General Musharraf was responsible for all crises and the people had rejected his policies during the February 18 elections. The PML-N leader said that Pakistani currency gained strength and bullish trend was observed in the stock markets of the country soon after Musharraf’s resignation. Now the country’s economy would grow, he said.

Ahsan Iqbal said that PML-N does not want to give safe exit to a person who two times violated the constitution, sacked the judges and put curbs on media, but a decision would be taken by coalition partners collectively. PML-N parliamentary leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said the credit for Musharraf’s resignation goes to all political parties, civil society and lawyers.

He said restoration of the sacked judges is the top priority of the coalition government. “First we would restore the deposed judges and then decide about who is going to be the next head of state.” To a question, Nisar Ali Khan said that Musharraf must be brought to the court of justice because it was the demand of the people as he had violated the Constitution and sacked the judges.-SANA

Let’s have a look how impeachment proceedings started in political history of nations and how many government officials worldwide were convicted due to which reasons.
Britain
Impeachment is a British invention that started from England in the 14th century.

Warren Hastings: The impeachment (1787) and trial (1788-95) of Warren Hastings was among the last of the English cases. Warren Hastings was a British colonial administrator & governor-general in India. He worked for the English East India Company from 1750. In 1786 Edmund Burke introduced an impeachment process against him on charges of corruption; after a trial that lasted from 1788 to 1795, Hastings was acquitted. However, impeachment has not been used for over two hundred years (the last impeachment trial was of Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville in 1806).

Henry Dundas was a British political figure and a member of the India Board of Control. As its president in 1785, he was accused of abusing his powers of patronage by promoting sons of the Scottish gentry to lucrative colonial positions.

Tony Blair: Tony Blair Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2 May 1997 to 27 June 2007 from Labour Party. On 25 August 2004, Plaid Cymru MP Adam Price announced his intention to move for the impeachment of Tony Blair for his role in involving Britain in the 2003 invasion of Iraq under allegedly false justification. In response Peter Hain, the Commons Leader, insisted that impeachment was obsolete, given modern government’s responsibility to parliament.
In 2006, General Sir Michael Rose revived the call for the impeachment of the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister, Tony Blair.

USA
US Congress regards impeachment as a power to be used only in extreme cases. There have been 16 impeachments tried by the Senate and seven convictions. The House has initiated impeachment proceedings only 62 times since 1789 (most recently President Bill Clinton), and only the following 16 federal officers have been impeached.Three of the best-known cases, which did not result in conviction, were those of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Chase, President Andrew Johnson, and President Bill Clinton.

Andrew Johnson, 17th President of the United States from April 15, 1865 – March 4, 1869 was impeached in 1868 after violating the then-newly created Tenure of Office Act. President Johnson was acquitted of all charges by a single vote in the Senate.

Richard Nixon 37th president of USA from January 20, 1969 – August 9, 1974. In 1974 the Judiciary Committee of the House of Representatives voted to bring impeachment charges against President Richard Nixon due to Watergate scandal, but Nixon resigned before the House took action.

Bill Clinton, 42nd President of the United States from January 20, 1993 – January 20, 2000, the third-youngest president, was impeached on December 19, 1998 by the House of Representatives on grounds of perjury to a grand jury and obstruction of justice. President Clinton was acquitted of the obstruction charge by a 50 to 50 vote in the Senate.

William W. Belknap 30th United States Secretary of War (September 22, 1829 – October 13, 1890) was a Army general, government administrator, and United States Secretary of War. He is the only Cabinet secretary ever to have been impeached by the United States House of Representatives for allegedly having received money in return for post tradership appointments. He resigned before his trial, and was later acquitted.

William Blount was a United States statesman and Democratic-Republican Senator from Tennessee (1796–1797). He was the first U.S. Senator to be expelled from the Senate and the only Senator expelled outside of the Civil War.

Associate Justice Samuel Chase Samuel Chase (April 17, 1741 – June 19, 1811) was an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court and was impeached in 1804 for allegedly letting his partisan leanings affect his court decisions. Chase was acquitted.

Twelve other federal judges including Alcee Hastings a lawyer and judge in Florida and a member of the House of Representatives since 1993. In 1988, he was impeached was impeached and convicted for taking over $150,000 in bribe money in exchange for sentencing leniency and removed from office for corruption and perjury. He is only the sixth federal judge to be impeached and removed from office in American history.

Dick Cheney, the Vice President of the United States: Dennis Kucinich introduced articles for the impeachment against Dick Cheney, 46th and current Vice President of the United. He charges Cheney with manipulating the evidence of Iraq’s weapons program, deceiving the nation about Iraq’s connection to al-Qaeda, and threatening aggression against Iran in violation of the United Nations charter

George Bush: Dennis Kucinich, also brought proceedings to impeach George Bush, the forty-third and current President of the United States for orchestrating the invasion of Iraq. On July 10, 2008, Kucinich introduced one article of impeachment against President George W. Bush for misleading Congress into war.

It is highly noteworthy that polls in 2007 have shown public support ranging between 39% and 45% in favor of impeaching Bush, and between 46% and 55% opposed. The House of Representatives Judiciary Committee has not considered the impeachment of President Bush, and the House of Representatives has taken no action to do so. The Democratic Party leadership has indicated that they have no intention of resolving to impeach him.

Russia
Boris Nikolayevich Yeltsin was the first President of the Russian Federation, serving from 1991 to 1999.In 1995-1999, the Duma made several attempts to impeach then President Boris Yeltsin due to launching war in Chechnya, ordering shelling parliament in 1993, ruining the armed forces, waging genocide against Russian people through economic policies, but Communist opponents never had a sufficient amount of votes for the process to reach the Federation Council. President Yeltsin has easily survived an attempt by Communist opponents in the lower house of the Russian parliament to unseat him.

Brazil:
Fernando Collor de Mello, president of Brazil from 1990 to 1992 was impeached in 1992on the ground for confiscating money from bank accounts from the people and froze their savings accounts. This was viewed by many Brazilians as violation of their civil rights. Congress rejected his resignation letter when he resigned to avoid being impeached.
India: No Indian President has faced impeachment proceedings. Hence, the provisions for impeachment have never been tested.

Iran:
Abolhassan Banisadr, was the first President of Iran, following the 1979 Iranian Revolution and the abolition of the monarchy. Banisadr was impeached on June 21, 1981 by the Majlis (the Iranian Parliament), allegedly because of his moves against the clerics in power specifically Mohammad Beheshti, the head of the judicial system at the time and removed from office. Banisadr fled to France and lives in Versailles, near Paris, in a villa closely guarded by French police.

Romania:
President Traian B?sescu is the current President of Romania, inaugurated on December 20, 2004 and former Merchant Navy officer. He was recently impeached by the Parliament. A referendum was held on May 19, 2007. A large majority of the electorate voted against removing the president from office. B?sescu is the first president in the history of Romania who has been officially suspended.

Venezuela:
Andrés Pérez Rodríguez was 55th President of Venezuela from 1974 to 1979 and again from 1989 to 1993. He was the first Venezuelan president to be forced out of the office on May 20, 1993 by the Supreme Court, for the misappropriation of 250 million bolivars belonging to a presidential discretionary fund.

Lithuania :
Rolandas Paksas is a well known politician in Lithuania and currently heads the Liberal Democrats Party in Lithuania. Paksas was convicted in 2005 by a District Court of Vilnius for disclosing classified information (state secrets) during his time in office as a president of the Republic. He is the first European head of state to have been impeached.
Later on, the Supreme Court, on December 13, 2005, acquitted Paksas and overturned the verdict of the District Court. Paksas and his party are currently looking for ways to annul the Constitutional Court’s ruling since it prevents him from holding major public office again.

Pakistan
Two giant powerbrokers Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif are in efforts to collect ammunition for the impeachment of President Pervez Musharraf on the ground that he “eroded the trust of the nation”. The Pakistan Supreme Court has previously declared the Yahya Khan and Zia ul-Haq dictatorships illegal. On both occasions, however, the decisions occurred after the two men had relinquished power.
Political gains might be behind the impeachment drama but it would be a step farther towards establishing the rule of law in Pakistan that is ruled by military generals more than three times in its total life span.

The President dismissed the “false allegations” being leveled against him by the coalition government and said he was neither afraid of the charges against him, nor shy to face these through impeachment. “For me it is always Pakistan first”, Musharraf said and added that politics of confrontation must come to an end and instead a policy of reconciliation be pursued. The charges against the president include violation of the constitution and gross misconduct.

He said it was not a time to show bravado, but to get serious as country’s dignity was at stake if he considers impeachment option, the office of Presidency would bear the brunt. He said that “For 44 years I have safeguarded the country and will continue to do so.” Mr Musharraf said his appeals for reconciliation with his opponents had not seen any success.

He has been one of the United States’ strongest allies in its war on terror. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Sunday that Musharraf has been a “good ally”, but she declined to say whether he would receive U.S. asylum if he stepped down. Musharraf seized power in a 1999 coup but has been isolated since his allies lost a February election. His political rivals swept to power and made government last February in national and provincial elections after months of political confrontation and worsening militant violence. After he disposed judges including Chief Justice of Pakistan and imposed emergency on November 3 last year. After the lawyers movement against disposed judges all political parties in ruling government offered him a safe passage. But on refusal from President Musharraf ruling coalition decided to impeach him for several criminal activities. A week after threatening to impeach Musharraf, the four-month-old coalition government was finalizing its “charge sheet” against the President. All four provincial assemblies passed resolutions in recent days pressing him to resign and several old allies have joined the campaign against him. The verdict of the legislators of the vast and restive Baluchistan province follows the resolution passed unanimously in Sindh and by over 90% of the votes cast in the other two provinces, Punjab and the North-West Frontier.

Army and Officials from Saudi Arabia, as well as the United States and Britain, have been involved in negotiations aimed at ending the confrontation between Musharraf and the government. There were news that he would be indemnified for that several Ambassadors have been maneuvered with government. Even it was expected he can use the 58-2B and could have dissolve the assemblies. Instead of any extreme step he decided to step down un-conditionally today in his last address with nation.

It is expected he will leave pakistan for quite sometime and return after some time to face the people of Pakistan, but when Ms rice has said that US is not considering to offer him an exile what country would he be considering to be in.

Chairman Senate Mian Muhammad Somroo will take the charge of acting president of Pakistan. There are several non-controversial names for the presidency are echoing

Whole Pakistan is expected coalition government not to commit more mistakes and face the challenges of terrorism, economic disorders, and political instability in the country. Pakistan is hoping that Judges will be resorted in next few days as per promised to nation by the current ruling allience.

HRW called the Ambassador “a diplomatic liar” is because she had falsely claimed, without any legal evidence or lawful proof, in her letter to the Pakistani news papers. However, HRW revealed that Ms. Joanne Mariner Director, Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism Program (HRW) told US President George W. Bush, through her letter of 26 February 2007, that Pakistani citizen Dr. Aafia Siddiqui was illegally detained by Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) after she was illegally kidnapped in March 2003 from Karachi.-SANA

In the Arabic language, however, the day is known as Lailatul Bara’at, meaning the night of emancipation. Shab-e-Baraat is observed 15 days before the beginning of Ramazan. Shabaan is the eighth month of the Hijri calendar and falls between the two sacred months of Rajab and Ramazan.-SANA

The decision of the Management was welcomed by all employees and their representatives and will further strengthen its continued industrial harmony. Apart from Employees, also Officers and Executives upto Senior Vice President (SVP) level were given increase of 15 percent on their basic pay.

The decision of the Management and particularly, of the President of the Bank Syed Ali Raza was over whelming hailed on the 61st Independence Day of Pakistan. All employees of the Bank have greatly appreciated the good-will gesture of the Management and expressed their full satisfaction.-SANA