ISLAMABAD: Shahbaz Bhatti, Federal Minister for Minorities Affairs and head of All Pakistan Minorities Alliance, was shot dead by armed assailants in Islamabad soon after he left his mother’s house in his car to attend the Federal Cabinet meeting on Wednesday morning, Geo News reported. Tehreek-e-Taliban Punjab has claimed responsibility of the assassination. The Federal Minister for Minorities left his home in Sector I-8 and went to his mother’s house to pay her a visit. It was the minister’s practice not to be escorted by his security when traveling to see his mother who, like her son, had no idea that it would be their last meeting. As Shahbaz Bhatti left his mother’s home in his car and was headed to attend the Federal Cabinet meeting, he did not know that death awaited him near I-8 Markaz Chowk. Armed men riding a white Mehran intercepted his car near this Chowk, and after identifying the Minister they opened fire with sophisticated guns and fled from the scene. The seriously wounded Minister was rushed to Al-Shifa hospital where he was pronounced dead. Later, Tehreek-e-Taliban Punjab accepted responsibility of the assassination. The driver of Shahbaz Bhatti said that the police security squad was not escorting the Minister’s car at the time when the attackers struck. He said the Minister’s security was waiting for him at his office. He also said that the gunmen only attacked the Minorities Minister. According to sources, threats were being issued to Shahbaz Bhatti for quite some time and, in view of this, he had also demanded bullet-proof vehicle and government residence in the Minister’s Enclave but all in vain. Meanwhile, police authorities have said that the Minister himself had refused provision of security squad. Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani Prime Minister Gilani visited the local Al-Shifa hospital and ordered inquiry into the incident and said such acts would not deter the government’s resolve to fight terrorism and extremism. He expressed deep sorrow and grief over the murder of Shahbaz Bhatti and prayed to Allah Almighty to bless the departed soul and grant courage to his family to bear this loss. strongly condemned the killing of Federal Minister for Minorities Affairs Shahbaz Bhatti. President Asif Ali Zardari also condemned the incident in strongest terms besides members of the Federal Cabinet and representatives of political and religious parties.
Written on March 2, 2011 | Posted in
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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday strongly condemned the killing of Federal Minister for Minorities Affairs Shahbaz Bhatti. Prime Minister Gilani visited the local Al-Shifa hospital where the body of Shahbaz Bhatti had been transferred soon after he was shot dead by unknown assailants. The prime minister ordered inquiry into the incident and said such acts would not deter the government’’s resolve to fight terrorism and extremism. He expressed deep sorrow and grief over the murder of Shahbaz Bhatti and prayed to Allah Almighty to bless the departed soul and grant courage to his family to bear this loss. (APP)
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ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday condemned the murder of Minister for Minorities Affairs Shahbaz Bhatti in strongest terms and vowed that such acts would not deter the government from eliminating extremism and terrorism. The president who is in Karachi immediately sought report of the incident. He condemned, what he termed as a “heinous act” and said government would continue to stand firm in its stance and would not bow to the extremists and terrorists. The president in a message to the family conveyed his heartfelt condolences and said the extremist elements were trying in vain to destabilise the country. However he expressed the resolve that such attempts would fail. He prayed to Allah Almighty to bless the departed soul and for courage to the family to bear this loss with courage. (APP)
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ISLAMABAD: Law enforcement agencies have arrested a high-profile terrorist, who wanted to hit Islamabad with rocket launchers from the Margallah Hills, Interior Minister Rehman Malik told media here on Tuesday. The importance of the terrorist can be gauged from the fact that he was operating in different areas of the country, including the Federal Capital, the minister added. He said that the arrested terrorist might be described as a handler or an operator because his past record depicted his involvement in subversive activities. The security agencies have arrested almost all the members of his gang, while the remaining one or two criminals would be nabbed soon, he added. The minister hoped that thorough investigation of the arrested terrorists would reveal more facts about the gang and its operation. The security in Islamabad has been further strengthened, Rehman said, following the arrest of the gang members. He said there had been indications that some external powers wanted to destabilize the country.
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MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court Monday confirmed death sentence of Ajmal Kasab who watched the proceedings via a video link and did not react after the judges delivered the verdict. The court was to give its verdict in the appeal of the sole surviving gunman from the 2008 Mumbai attacks against his conviction and death sentence. Kasab, now 23, was convicted and sentenced to death last May for his part in the wave of attacks on India’’s financial capital by 10 militants which killed 166 people and injured more than 300 others. State prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam said on Sunday that he was “very confident” that the death sentence would be upheld. One of Kasab’’s lawyers, Farhana Shah, added: “Inshallah (God willing), we hope for the best but it’’s up to the discretion of the honourable court.” Kasab was found guilty of a string of offences including waging war against India, murder, attempted murder and terrorist acts after a high-profile trial at a maximum security prison court in Mumbai. The appeal, which began last October, saw Kasab’’s legal team ask for a retrial, arguing that his trial lawyer was not given sufficient time to wade through the 11,000-page charge sheet before the case began. They also claimed that prosecution evidence and witnesses were manipulated. Under Indian law, death sentence cases have to be referred to the local state high court. The judges can uphold the sentence, reduce it, order a retrial or overturn the conviction. If a death sentence is upheld in the high court, there is a further right of appeal to the Supreme Court in New Delhi and as a last resort to India’’s president for clemency. The court upheld the acquittal of two Indians Fahim Ansari and Sabahuddin. The state had appealed against the acquittal of the pair who was accused of providing hand-drawn maps of potential targets to the gunmen. The trial judge rejected the prosecution evidence against them as flimsy. Kasab has been held in solitary confinement since his arrest in a shoot-out with police just hours after the attacks began. He has not attended the appeal for security reasons but has been able to follow proceedings via video link. He was found to have been one of the two gunmen responsible for the bloodiest episode in the three-day attacks, when 52 people were killed at Mumbai’’s main railway station on November 26, 2008. Three luxury hotels, a popular tourist restaurant and a Jewish centre were also attacked.
Written on February 21, 2011 | Posted in
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MUMBAI: Two Indian judges are Monday to give their decision in the appeal of the sole surviving gunman from the 2008 Mumbai attacks against his conviction and death sentence, lawyers said. Prosecution and defence lawyers said the judgement in the case of Ajmal Kasab was due to be handed down from 10:30 am PST (0530 GMT) at the Bombay High Court. Kasab, now 23, was convicted and sentenced to death last May for his part in the wave of attacks on India’’s financial capital by 10 militants which killed 166 people and injured more than 300 others. State prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam said on Sunday that he was “very confident” that the death sentence would be upheld. One of Kasab’’s lawyers, Farhana Shah, added: “Inshallah (God willing), we hope for the best but it’’s up to the discretion of the honourable court.” Kasab was found guilty of a string of offences including waging war against India, murder, attempted murder and terrorist acts after a high-profile trial at a maximum security prison court in Mumbai. The appeal, which began last October, saw Kasab’’s legal team ask for a retrial, arguing that his trial lawyer was not given sufficient time to wade through the 11,000-page charge sheet before the case began. They also claimed that prosecution evidence and witnesses were manipulated. Under Indian law, death sentence cases have to be referred to the local state high court. The judges can uphold the sentence, reduce it, order a retrial or overturn the conviction. If a death sentence is upheld in the high court, there is a further right of appeal to the Supreme Court in New Delhi and as a last resort to India’’s president for clemency. A decision is also expected on Monday in the state’’s appeal against the acquittal of two Indian nationals who were accused of providing hand-drawn maps of potential targets to the gunmen. The trial judge rejected the prosecution evidence against them as flimsy. After the case, the men’’s defence teams said a Pakistani-American man, David Coleman Headley, conducted the reconnaissance. He was arrested in 2009 and has confessed to scouting out targets. Kasab has been held in solitary confinement since his arrest in a shoot-out with police just hours after the attacks began. He has not attended the appeal for security reasons but has been able to follow proceedings via video link. He was found to have been one of the two gunmen responsible for the bloodiest episode in the three-day attacks, when 52 people were killed at Mumbai’’s main railway station on November 26, 2008. Three luxury hotels, a popular tourist restaurant and a Jewish centre were also attacked. (AFP)
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JERUSALEM: Israel on Friday called for the Palestinians to return to the negotiating table without preconditions after the United States vetoed a UN Security Council vote condemning Jewish settlements. “It’’s a short way between Ramallah and Jerusalem, and all the Palestinians should do is to return to the negotiating table without preconditions,” foreign ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor said in a statement. “Only thus, and not through seizing the Security Council, will it be possible to advance the peace process so as to benefit both parties and to serve the cause of peace and security throughout the region.” Fourteen of the 15 Security Council members voted in favour of the resolution which condemned Israel’’s settlement activity in the Palestinian territories and called for a halt to it. But Washington imposed its veto power, effectively killing the resolution, in the first time the administration of President Barack Obama has wielded such power at the United Nations. (AFP)
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KARACHI: Leaders of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) visited the headquarter of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) here on Friday. PPP leaders, Federal Interior Minister A. Rehman Malik, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Sindh Home Minister Dr. Zulfiqar Mirza, Sindh Minister for Local Government, Agha Siraj Durrani visited MQM’’s headquarter at Azizabad here and met with members of the party’’s Rabita Committee. They held a meeting with MQM leaders whose party Chief Altaf Hussain also talked to them via telephone from London. Deputy Convener MQM Rabita Committee, Dr. Farooq Sattar, Sindh Governor, Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan and members the Rabita Committee were also present on the occasion. Later, the leaders of both the political entities jointly briefed the media persons about their meeting. Speaking on the occasion, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said unity is need of the hour and we will jointly serve the people. He said our leadership will take the country on path of progress and prosperity and we will succeed by the grace of Almighty Allah. The Federal Interior Minister said the provincial government of Sindh and the Federal government are working jointly to resolve the problems of the people and bring about betterment of the country. He recalled that when Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto was alive, she had directed him to develop coordination with the MQM leadership. President Asif Ali Zardari is pursuring the same vision, he added. He said various elements created problems to disturb the process of democracy in the country. MQM Chief Altaf Hussain has always supported us, he said. Rehman Malik said when rumours about break-up of ties between the MQM and PPP were spread a few days ago, Altaf Hussain telephoned him and assured his support. Deputy Convener MQM Rabita Committee, Dr. Farooq Sattar said “Altaf Hussain has talked to the PPP leaders via telephone and we and our Chief Altaf Hussain welcomed them to headquarter of our party.” He said the visit of the PPP leaders to “nine-zero” is the result of the vision of the leaderships of both the parties. He said we have renewed the committment, which had been made by us about three years ago. Dr. Farooq Sattar said the objective is bringing stability in the country, for which stability in Sindh is imperative. He said we have decided to continue the meetings erase the distances and settle all matters mutually. He said we will serve the masses through mutual cooperation and unity. Dr. Farooq Sattar said Altaf Hussain has directed the MQM-associated Sindh Ministers to consider themselves as the members of the team of Sindh CM. He said Provincial Home Minister, Dr. Zulfiqar Mirza is also present here which will have far reaching effects. Speaking on the occasion, Sindh CM, Syed Qaim Ali Shah thanked the MQM leaders for giving them a welcome. He said we will resolve all the problems through our joint efforts.
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DALLAS:The Texas mawild celebration team (Minhajul quran) has decided to organize a Millad Mella hear on Saturday, Feburary 19th 2011, at fair park in Dallas, Texas at 5:00PM which is scheduled to continue till 10:00pm. The event will mark Eid Millad-e-Mustafa (PBUH): the celebrations linked to the birth of Holy Prophet Mustafa (PBUH). As per program organizer, Dr. Mansoor Mian, hundreds of people from various walks of life will be participated in this occasion. People will be carrying placards and banners inscribed with writings relating to respect and message of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). The event will be organized by multiple social and religious organizations with the different communities. The event will include active participation from the youth of the community. Organizer will be given awards. Award will be based on their performance. The celebration will also include reciters of qassedas, naats, devotional praising of Allah and the Holy Prophet (PBUH). The keynote speakers were Zarin Gilani and Hujat-ul-Islam Maulana Irtiza Naqvi, a renowned scalar of Islamic center of IQA. Also qaseed, naats (devotional vocals and songs) by Noor Muhammad Jarar and Fez Maghani and famous youth from Minhaj-ul-Quran intentional UK, Mohammad Milad Mustafa Raza Quadri will be reciting. This event is not only aimed at celebrating the life and birth of Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) but will be a catalyst to unite Muslims from every background and specifically the whole of human kind to be a service to the greater local, national and global communities. Dr Mansoor Mian said we are hopeful for unity amongst Muslims and cooperation and goodwill with other religions and communities as it will make a richer and more harmonies society within the U.S, and with the blessing of Allah almighty and the Holy Prophet’s guidance, we will bring peace to our society. It is a religion and faith which enables people to work toward the betterment of humankind.
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DHAKA: Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi on Saturday warned World Cup rivals not to underestimate his team, saying the players had turned a new leaf after the match-fixing scandal. Afridi admitted Pakistan had been blown away by the scandal, which saw former captain Salman Butt and two leading pacemen, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer, punished for their alleged involvement. All three were banned for a minimum of five years by the International Cricket Council, which ruled them out of the World Cup, and also face criminal proceedings in England. “I think we”re really going through a very tough situation,” Afridi told reporters in the Bangladeshi capital ahead of the marquee tournament opening on February 19. “But I am very happy because we are trying to rebuild the team and keep the morale high. I am confident the team is in very good shape now. Afridi’’s team will play practice matches against Bangladesh and England in Dhaka over the next few days, before their first Cup match against Kenya in the Sri Lankan town of Hambantota on February 23. The Pakistan captain said his team was “focussed and united” under his leadership. “They feel hungry to win a big event and want to play good cricket,” he said, adding recent wins in New Zealand had bolstered the team’’s morale. Afridi said fans would see a vastly improved Pakistan in the World Cup. “Inshallah (God willing), we will achieve our goal,” he said. Afridi paid tribute to manager Intikhab Alam and coach Waqar Younis for keeping the team in good spirits amid the controversy. Pakistan was initially due to co-host the tournament with India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, but were stripped of hosting rights after gunmen attacked the Sri Lankan team in March, 2009. Pakistan, World Cup winners in 1992, have been drawn with reigning champions Australia, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Kenya, Zimbabwe and Canada in group A of the preliminary league. Four teams from the group will advance to the quarter-finals. Afridi said he wanted Pakistan to meet India in the April 2 final at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai. “That would be the perfect final for the cricket-loving people in both countries,” he said.
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