KARACHI: President Awami National Party (ANP) Sindh, Shahi Syed Saturday expressed sympathy with the MQM over the killing of their MPA Raza Haider. He was talking in Geo News programme Crsis Cell. He was of the view that the reason behind this was to destabilize the city and instigate violence. He demanded stern action against the culprits.
MULTAN: Inspector General of Police Punjab Tariq Saleem Dogar said there was no need for conducting operation in South Punjab and there was no ”no go” area. He was holding an open kutchery here. He was of the view that no seminary in South Punjab was providing training to the militants and if someone has concrete evidences he should provide us. Terrorism was a universal problem and should not be associated with any particular area, he said. About Benazir Bhutto assassination he said UN probe report and FIA report were closer to each other.
When was the last time an out-of-form player said something like “there’s no doubt the selectors will need to have a look at my performances”?
LAHORE: Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry said the Supreme Court would make sure its verdicts are implemented. He was talking to officials of Lahore High Court Bar Association at SC’s Lahore registry. He was of the view that SC was playing its due role for quick dispensation of justice. ‘Bar and bench are necessary for each other and without their cooperation justice could not be provided to common man.’ Bar officials assured CJ of their cooperation.
LAHORE: PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif in his May Day message stressed the government for fulfilling its commitment after the approval of the 18th Amendment. He was of the view that government’’s policies could not be called people friendly until masses are not provided relief. Equal employment opportunities, education and health are basic rights and struggle to achieve will continue, he said
ISLAMABAD: President Pakistan Muslim League-Q Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has called for making new provinces wherever needed. He was addressing a party meeting here today. Backing Southern Punjab’s demand for separate province, he was of the view that Hazara Division must be given provincial status. ‘Punjab should not grab others’ rights,’ he added.
ISLAMABAD: Parliamentarians on Wednesday hailed the Eighteenth Amendment Bill and the role of Chairman of Constitutional Committee and its members and expressed confidence that it would be passed soon from both the Houses for early resolution of the masses problems. They termed it an historic day in the constitutional history, as with the approval of the bill, 1973 Constitution would be restored in its real shape. Taking part in the debate on the Bill further to amend the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan (Eighteenth Amendment 2010) in the National Assembly, the members were optimist that the Bill would provide autonomy to provinces. During the debate, Awami National Party (ANP) chief Asfandyar Wali Khan expressed fears that Swat like situations might arise in Balochistan. ANP leader Haji Ghulam Ahmed Bilour extended gratitude to the Prime Minister, Chairman of the Constitutional Committee Raza Rabbani and all political parties for supporting provincial autonomy and accepting the name of Khyber-Pakhtunkhaw for NWFP. PML Chief Whip Riaz Hussain Pirzada said the amendments were a result of collective wisdom and it was good to have consensus on all the amendments. He called for making Hazara Division a province in wake of the strong demand and complete strike in the division for the last three days. Pirzada called Khursheed Ahmed Shah “Darling of the Parliament” for his active role in the House. PML-N leader Abdul Qadir Baloch said Balochistan must be given full rights over its seashore and natural resources. He was of the view that the Balochistan issue was not presented before the constitutional committee in its true spirit. He said foundation for the 18th Amendment was laid on the day Charter of Democracy (CoD) was signed by Shaheed Benazir Bhutto and Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. Qadir said the constitutional committee proposed 95 amendments in total 270 Articles, which meant that 1973 Constitution had several weaknesses. Syed Nasir Ali Shah congratulated the whole parliament and the nation for restoration of the 1973 constitution in its real shape. “Power sharing had been the biggest issue since 1947 but President Zardari has fulfilled his promise by handing over powers to the Prime Minister and the Parliament.” He said it is a good omen that the longstanding demand of provincial autonomy by Balochistan has been met. Sahibzada Fazal Karim while appreciating the 18th Amendment said “power sharing is the most difficult thing in the world as no person wants to sacrifice his powers for others”. He said the 18th amendment was the outcome of Charter of Democracy (CoD) signed by twelve parties of the country. Maulvi Asmatullah said, “the constitution is a document which should represent the expectations of the people”. He said the restoration of 1973 Constitution, which was made with consensus, was the main demand of the people and it should be implemented in true spirit for strengthening of democracy and democratic institutions. Sardar Bahadar Ahmed Khan said before giving provincial autonomy, reservations of any segment of the society should be addressed and equal distribution of resources should also be ensured. He suggested that the government should concentrate on the problems of southern Punjab while announcing provincial autonomy. He said the prime minister should immediately summon the meeting of Council of Common Interest so that the issues relating to regional autonomy could be addressed. Sardar Muhammad Israr Tarin said a referendum should be held before changing the name of any province. MQM leader Haider Abbas Rizvi while taking part in the debate said that the Concurrent List could have been abolished in 1983 but no step was taken and with the untiring efforts of the constitutional committee it would be abolished now. He was of the view that their party had written a note of reiteration on quota system as it was against the merit system. Rizvi expressed the resolve that if they get time, they would work to remove all the clauses of eighth amendment from the constitution. He urged the government and all the political parties to work for the solution of problems, as it should not be end of their efforts after passing the eighteenth amendments. Nadeem Afzal said,” time has come to bring democratic thinking in our lives and the democratic norms inside parties are a start in this regard”. He said most of the issues including the construction of Kalabagh Dam were politicized during past and the time would prove their importance as the country cannot afford such type of disasters. He appreciated the role of constitutional committee, political parties and above all President Zardari who voluntarily handed over his powers to parliament. Zaffar Baig Bhittani was of the view that issues of FATA have been ignored, which is playing a frontline role in the war against terror. He appreciated the historical work done by the committee under the leadership of Raza Rabbani. Khawaja Muhammad Khan Hoti said Pakhtoons got identity for the first time in the country’’s history and added that with the addition of new provinces Pakistan would be strengthened. He appreciated the abolishment of Concurrent List but said that it should reach to its logical end. Marvi Memon while taking part in the debate said their party has shown reservations on renaming of NWFP province in addition to make Saraiki province. She was of the view that PML would fully support the amendment bill but they have reservations on Khyber-Pukhtoonkhwa name. Marvi demanded to give Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) provincial status and asked to create seats in National Assembly and Senate for GB.
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has called upon the people to observe the Earth Hour on Saturday along with the international community by voluntarily switching off extra lights for one hour between 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm. He also urged people to optimally utilize essential commodities like energy for the greatest good of greatest number of people. In a message on the occasion, he said, “The Earth Hour 2010 is being observed for the first time throughout the world on Saturday, 27th March, 2010 between 8:30pm to 9:30pm to impress upon the need to save energy and preserve environment for a better future.” He expressed pleasure that the Ministry of Environment has also decided to join the international community in observing Earth Hour at the appointed time. “Conservation of natural resources and essential commodities is critical to creating a sustainable environment. It is important that we conserve and use wisely essential commodities like energy particularly electricity so as to make it available for other worthwhile uses,” he added.
LAHORE: Quaid Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) Mian Mohammed Nawaz Sharif has said the news regarding early presentation of constitutional package in National Assembly triggered panic and tension, Geo news reported. He said the 17th amendment should be repealed first of all while consensus upon selection of a new name of NWFP province will soon be reached. In an interview, he said he pays respect to ANP and Pakhtoon people. He linked dispense of provinces’ autonomy through consent of all provinces. My party and I believe in provincial autonomy, he said. “Democracy is the solution to all plights”, he added.
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani on Friday dismissed any crisis following PML-N leader’’s voice of dissent and said he was ready to meet anyone in this regard to resolve the matter. “Let the committee take decision. I am ready to meet Mian Sahib,” Gilani said while talking to reporters after inaugurating the Aiwan-e-Quaid at F-9 Fatima Jinnah Park here. “There can be no crisis in the way of democracy,” said Gilani when asked about PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif’’s point of view. He said he had talked to Chairman of Parliamentary Committee on Constitution Reforms Raza Rabbani and it was up to them to decide the future course of action. Regarding Nawaz Sharif’’s complaint that he was not taken into confidence over the Pak-US strategic dialogue, he said it was already planned and the nation would be taken into confidence. When asked whether the strategic dialogue would put Pakistan under lots of pressure, he said his was a democratic government and would do everything that was in the interest of the country without compromising national integrity and sovereignty. “We are answerable to the people of Pakistan and not to the United States of America,” Gilani said. With regard to the Pak-US and Indo-US ties he said Pakistan believed in composite dialogue and desired stronger bilateral relations. He said the address of the President to the Parliament was a constitutional requirement and referred to the past when a dictator did not do so. “We will not take any unconstitutional step and will take every step after taking opposition into confidence,” he added. To a question he said like always he has very good terms with the judiciary. About the energy crisis, he said,” power projects take lots of time for completion” and regretted that had the governments in the past done their part things would have been different now. Earlier while addressing the ceremony, Prime Minister said the country was at the crossroads of history. “It is time that we need to strengthen the foundation of the country and transfer the ideology of Pakistan to our next generation,” Gilani said. He said it was vital that all state institutions function independently within their own respective spheres, where they can gain strength and make the country stronger to face all challenges.