ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani formally invited the PML (N) to rejoin the federal cabinet as both democratic parties have a common objective to strengthen the democratic institutions and to steer the country out of its present challenges. He extended this invitation to President PML (N) and Chief Minister Punjab, Mian Mohammad Shahbaz Sharif, who met him at the Prime Minister here this afternoon.
Stressing the need for cooperation between the two major mainstream political parties in the greater national interest, the Prime Minister said that one of the major preconditions in the way of PML (N) to rejoin the federal cabinet have been fulfilled with the restoration of judges.

The parliamentary process for the implementation of the CoD has already been initiated, he added. The meeting discussed overall political situation and internal and external security threats to the country. The two sides resolved that the country needs a united response from all the political parties by making parliament the most important forum for the formation of all national policies to meet these challenges.

There was a consensus in the meeting to show mutual respect for each other’s mandate and that the future cooperation will be based on the principles of good governance, safeguarding of national interest, ensuring of rule of law and strengthening of the national and democratic institutions.

Both leaders had unanimity of views about the restoration of 1973 Constitution and Supremacy of the Parliament as envisioned in the Charter of Democracy (CoD), signed by the two former Prime Ministers Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed and Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif. They further agreed that ultimate destination of the two major political parties is to make Pakistan peaceful, strong and prosperous and every effort would be made to meet these objectives.

During the meeting modalities pertaining to the implementation of CoD came under discussion and it was decided that all the political forces in the country would be taken on board to achieve broader consensus on CoD and repealing all those clauses which are contrary to the democratic spirit of the constitution.

The Prime Minister said that the political forces of the country now should join hands to thwart the evil designs of its enemies. He said that only remedy to make Pakistan a forward looking and progressive democratic state is to empower the masses and curb the menace of extremism and militancy. The 1973 constitution is the only document which guarantees the rights of all the federating units thus making the country united and strong, he added.

President PML (N), Mian Mohammad Shahbaz Sharif while reciprocating, thanked the Prime Minister for the invitation and said that his party attached high consideration to the goodwill expressed by the PPP on this account.

However, he said that the final decision would be communicated after consultations with the party Quaid, Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif on his return from abroad and the party. He praised the efforts of the President, the Prime Minister and the PPP in defusing the recent political impasse.

Strongly dispelling the impression expressed by certain quarters that PML (N) is supporting the move for the midterm elections, President PML (N), Mian Shahbaz Sharif said that the country could not afford midterm elections and any such move would be jointly resisted.

Welcoming the initiative on the formation of Parliamentary Committee, President PML (N) assured the Prime Minister that his party would support every effort of the federal government for the implementation of CoD. He said that PML (N) shares PPP’s vision for evolving a joint mechanism and policy to address the serious issues confronting Pakistan.

During the meeting the Prime Minister was assisted by the Senior Minister and Federal Minister for Commerce Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Federal Minister for Water & Power Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira. Mian Mohammad Shahbaz Sharif was assisted by the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly Ch. Nisar Ali Khan. The meeting was followed by lunch.-APP

A suspected US missile strike killed at least four militants in a tribal region of Pakistan near the border with Afghanistan, officials said Thursday.The strike took place in the Essokhel area, around 30 kilometres (19 miles) east of Mir Ali town in the North Waziristan tribal region, early Thursday morning. Confirming the strike, another official said the nationality of those killed in the strike was not immediately known.

Yesterday a missile strike launched by a U.S. drone aircraft has killed at least seven militants, including six foreigners, in a tribal region of northwest Pakistan, intelligence officials and Taliban sources said. The strike occurred in Makeen, an area of South Waziristan known as a stronghold of Pakistan Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud.

U.S. drones have carried out more than 30 strikes since early 2008 when the United States, frustrated by an intensifying Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan getting support from the Pakistani side of the border, began attacking with greater frequency. Last week, the New York Times reported that the Obama administration was considering broadening its covert strike in Pakistan’s southwestern Baluchistan province bordering Afghanistan.

Meanwhile Wall Street Journal has reported that Washington is planning new drone attacks on militant targets in Pakistan as part of its overall review of military strategy there and in Afghanistan. That has raisd several question marks on the integrity of US-Pak relations. For long cooperation between the two allies has become complicated; it is generally believed by US officials that Pakistan’s top intelligence agency officials are “directly supporting the Taliban and other militants in Afghanistan, even as the US target”

Government Reaction
Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Qamar Zaman Kaira commented on terrorism as government’s three pronged strategy to deal with terrorism is gaining support at home and abroad. While talking to a private TV channel, he said that PPP-led coalition government has been condemning the US drones attacks from day one because they were not achieving positive results. The drone attacks were promoting hatred against US, he said and added Pakistan government has also been facing domestic criticism in this regard. He said the government is endevouring to convince its partners in war on terror that drones attacks were not yielding the desired results, rather they were further complicating the situation.

Input from Agencies

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamaruz Zaman Kaira has urged the media to create awareness among masses about the polio immunization campaign for the complete eradication of the contagious disease from the country.

During his visit to the National Polio Control Cell at the PTV News Islamabad on Wednesday, he also appealed to the parents to administer polio drops to their children for the success of the campaign.-SANA

ISLAMABAD: Information Minister Qamar-uz-Zaman Kaira has said that the restoration of judges has ended a political deadlock and created conducive atmosphere for national reconciliation. Addressing a news conference in Islamabad on Monday, he said now all the political forces should joint hand to work for the betterment of the country.

He said by ending the political deadlock the PPP government has taken step forward. He said all the four pillars of state should play their role while remaining with their parameters. He said all the political forces should go forward by forgetting their past bitterness to address the other challenges facing the country.

The Minister said the judges have been restored after consulting all the concerned quarters. He rejected any foreign pressure or third party pressure in this regard. He said by restoring the deposed judges, the government has fulfilled the promises made in this regard by Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani.

He said it is a historic society. He said all segments of society including lawyers, civil society, and political workers took part in the movement for restoration of judges. He congratulated the national and also paid tribute to the PPP workers who sacrificed their lives in the struggle.

He pointed out that President and Prime Minister were committed to restore the judges. However, he said there is some delay in the decision because the PPP government does not want to remove any sitting judge before their tenure is completed. The Information Minister said the PPP government believes in freedom of press and will continue to pursue this policy in future. He suggested that media elders should themselves evolve a code of conduct for themselves.

To a question, Mr. Kaira said the government will take other political forces on board on Charter of Democracy to take the process the forward. Answering a question, he said notification for restoration of judges will be issues after completing the procedure in due course of time.

Replying to a question, the Minister said the issue of Governor Rule in Punjab will be resolved soon. Replying to a question the Information Minister said that Chief Justice Iftikhar Ahmed Chaudhry does not need to take fresh oath, because he has been restored on his post. To another question he expressed his regrets over the loss of property of some people during the course of the long march in different cities and said all arrangements were made to protect the life of the people.-SANA

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamaruz Zaman Kaira has said that the government wants to resolve the ongoing political crisis through dialogue. According to a private TV channel, addressing a press conference here Sunday, he said that President and Prime Minister have given a road-map for restoration of judiciary and to file review petition regarding the Sharif brothers’ case verdict.

Kaira said that long march and sit-in is disturbing the life of common persons in the country. “It is the right of the politicians and every citizen to protest. Freedom of expression, speech and gathering is also the right of everyone. But we have to avoid confrontation in present scenario.”

Kaira said that the government believed in the independence of media and freedom of expression.

“I assured that the government believed in freedom of media and it will not dictate anything to media. Media is free and should remain free as it was the policy of the PPP in the past and will remain the same in future too.”

He said the government is not pressuring the media. However, he urged the media to play a positive and constructive role. Kaira said it will be unjustified to blame President Asif Ali Zardari on the verdict of Supreme Court. The Minister said the government will soon file review petition after receiving detailed verdict of the court.

The government is ready to review whole judicial system under charter of democracy signed by Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, he added. To a question he said the government is ready to form independent commission to review judiciary under Charter of Democracy (CoD).The recommendation of the independent commission will be accepted to the government, he added. To a question he said President Asif Ali Zardari will address the nation if it is required.-SANA

ISLAMABAD: The resignation of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Sherry Rehman from the office of Federal Minister for Information and Broadcast has been accepted. According to private TV, Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Qamar Zaman Kaira has been given an additional charge of Ministry of Information and Broadcast, the channel said.

The decision to accept Sherry’s resignation was decided at a meeting between Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and President Asif Ali Zardari held here Saturday. However, a spokesman of PM House told that channel that the resignation of Ms Rehman has not been accepted and PM Gilani has asked her to continue her services as Minister for Information and Broadcast till further orders.

It is pertinent to mention here that Sherry Rehman formally tendered her resignation in her meeting with PM held early today in protest of blockade of some news channels by the government that is widely being termed as crackdown against the media.-SANA