WASHINGTON - A group of U.S. senators on Thursday will call on the Bush administration to use its leverage with OPEC to increase oil supplies or risk Congress holding up multimillion-dollar arms deals with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and other members of the cartel.
"As Americans are paying more than ever to fill up their cars at the gas station, it is clear that oil production by OPEC members is below the capacity at which they could be producing," the lawmakers said in an advisory announcing a press conference in which they will release a letter to President George W. Bush asking him to pressure OPEC for more oil.
The Bush administration has notified Congress it plans to sell Saudi Arabia bomb-guidance kits worth about $120 million. The administration also wants to sell the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait advanced antimissile systems, as part of a potential $10 billion arms package to Gulf Arab states.
"The Bush administration has refused to be tough with so-called OPEC allies and in fact continues to provide huge arms deals, despite the economic pains taxpayers are feeling," the senators stated in the advisory.
The senators sending the letter were Democrats Charles Schumer of New York, Byron Dorgan of North Dakota, Bob Casey of Pennsylvania and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and independent Bernie Sanders of Vermont.
The price of crude oil futures hit a record of almost $120 a barrel this week on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
The U.S. average retail price for gasoline reached a record $3.56 per gallon on Thursday, according to travel group AAA.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
F-16s order halved: report
ISLAMABAD — Financial constraints have forced Pakistan to halve to 18 the number of F-16 combat jets it is buying from the US, a media report said yesterday.
Pakistan had earlier sought to buy 36 F-16 Block 50/52 aircraft for $5.1 billion, which included associated weapons, spares and upgrading of an earlier fleet purchased in the 1980s.
“The decision to reduce the order by half would also halve the cost of the aircraft and that of the weapons associated with them,” Dawn reported yesterday in a dispatch from Washington.
Pakistan, however, will still have to spend $1.3 billion on the mid-life update and modification of the F-16A/B aircraft purchased earlier. Engine modifications and purchase of equipment for the old fleet will cost another $151 million.
Quoting sources, Dawn said the new aircraft will be fully equipped with weapons and facilities that come with a F-16 Block 50/52 aircraft. The planes will be capable of carrying nuclear and non-nuclear weapons.
Pakistan had earlier sought to buy 36 F-16 Block 50/52 aircraft for $5.1 billion, which included associated weapons, spares and upgrading of an earlier fleet purchased in the 1980s.
“The decision to reduce the order by half would also halve the cost of the aircraft and that of the weapons associated with them,” Dawn reported yesterday in a dispatch from Washington.
Pakistan, however, will still have to spend $1.3 billion on the mid-life update and modification of the F-16A/B aircraft purchased earlier. Engine modifications and purchase of equipment for the old fleet will cost another $151 million.
Quoting sources, Dawn said the new aircraft will be fully equipped with weapons and facilities that come with a F-16 Block 50/52 aircraft. The planes will be capable of carrying nuclear and non-nuclear weapons.
Five more NWFP ministers take oath
PESHAWAR — Five more ministers took oath here yesterday, raising the strength of NWFP cabinet to 27.
NWFP Governor Awais Ahmad Ghani administered the oath to new ministers of whom three were affiliated to the ANP, one belong to the PPP-Sherpao, while one is independent from Mansehra. NWFP Chief Minister Amir Haider Khan Hoti was also present on the occasion.
The new ministers included Qazi Mohammad Asad from Haripur, Amjad Afridi from Kohat, Haji Hidayatullah Khan from Lower Dir, Pervez Khattak from Nowshehra and Habibur Rehman Tanoli from Mansehra. The first three are affiliated to the ANP, while Both Pervez Khattak and Habibur Rehman Tanoli belong to the PPP.
With the induction of five ministers, representation of Mansehra, Nowshehra and Dir in the cabinet has further enhanced. Now four out of six MPA’s from Mansehra are part of the cabinet whereas representation from Nowshehra has raised to three and Lower Dir to two.
The oath taking ceremony was also attended by Senior Ministers Rahim Dad Khan and Bashir Ahmad Bilour.
NWFP Governor Awais Ahmad Ghani administered the oath to new ministers of whom three were affiliated to the ANP, one belong to the PPP-Sherpao, while one is independent from Mansehra. NWFP Chief Minister Amir Haider Khan Hoti was also present on the occasion.
The new ministers included Qazi Mohammad Asad from Haripur, Amjad Afridi from Kohat, Haji Hidayatullah Khan from Lower Dir, Pervez Khattak from Nowshehra and Habibur Rehman Tanoli from Mansehra. The first three are affiliated to the ANP, while Both Pervez Khattak and Habibur Rehman Tanoli belong to the PPP.
With the induction of five ministers, representation of Mansehra, Nowshehra and Dir in the cabinet has further enhanced. Now four out of six MPA’s from Mansehra are part of the cabinet whereas representation from Nowshehra has raised to three and Lower Dir to two.
The oath taking ceremony was also attended by Senior Ministers Rahim Dad Khan and Bashir Ahmad Bilour.
PPP-MQM talks today
KARACHI — The next round of talks between the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) will be held today, officials of both parties confirmed yesterday. The next round is likely to be held in Karachi.
After a pause of more than a week, the two political parties met in Islamabad on Tuesday where it was agreed that it would be in the best interest of the province and the country to continue negotiations. Though the meeting remained inconclusive, leaders of both parties sounded confident that progress was made in the right direction. MQM leader Dr Farooq Sattar later described the talks as ‘fruitful’.
After a pause of more than a week, the two political parties met in Islamabad on Tuesday where it was agreed that it would be in the best interest of the province and the country to continue negotiations. Though the meeting remained inconclusive, leaders of both parties sounded confident that progress was made in the right direction. MQM leader Dr Farooq Sattar later described the talks as ‘fruitful’.
Karachi faces acute wheat, flour shortage
KARACHI — Already reeling under hours of load-shedding, Karachi, the main contributor to country’s exchequer, is now faced with another crisis. This time the 16 million hapless citizens are encountering acute shortages of wheat and flour as their stocks in city’s grain market have exhausted.
Shopkeepers of the city yesterday blamed the shortage to the non-arrival of fresh stocks from up-country for the past three days due to a ban imposed by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet on inter-provincial movement of the wheat. Taking into consideration and protest from the Sindh government the ban was lifted on Tuesday night.
City’s needs stand around 6,500 tonnes daily, but due to the ban on its transportation, wheat stocks in the open market have virtually exhausted and the situation could worsen in the next few days
Fresh stocks from Punjab could take several days to reach the city. Besides, the shopkeepers who had limited stocks of the commodity were demanding exorbitant prices to make quick money.
The new government has blamed the previous PML-Q government for the crisis.
Shopkeepers of the city yesterday blamed the shortage to the non-arrival of fresh stocks from up-country for the past three days due to a ban imposed by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet on inter-provincial movement of the wheat. Taking into consideration and protest from the Sindh government the ban was lifted on Tuesday night.
City’s needs stand around 6,500 tonnes daily, but due to the ban on its transportation, wheat stocks in the open market have virtually exhausted and the situation could worsen in the next few days
Fresh stocks from Punjab could take several days to reach the city. Besides, the shopkeepers who had limited stocks of the commodity were demanding exorbitant prices to make quick money.
The new government has blamed the previous PML-Q government for the crisis.
Another political activist gunned down in Karachi
KARACHI — Killing of political activists is continuing in the city when a unit in-charge of a religious party, Sunni Tehreek (ST), Aamir Abul Hassan, was gunned down on Tuesday night by two men riding a motorbike. Police were making raids to arrest the culprits.
Korangi police said that Aamir, 25, was was shot dead from a close range at Bilal Colony. The deceased was taken to the Jinnah Hospital where he was pronounced dead due to excessive bleeding.
Police said that the deceased’s brother Amir Hussain has got an FIR registered nominating two men — Rambo, Wali Mohammed Pathan — and their accomplices for the murder.
The victim’s brother claimed that Aamir Abul Hassan had been receiving threats asking him to dissociate himself with the ST. The threats were reported to the Korangi police, but no attention was paid by the security personnel.
Politically-motivated killings in Karachi have increased alarmingly since the February 18 general elections with more than 30 activists belonging to Pakistan People’s Party, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Mohajir Qaumi Movement, ST and ANP have reportedly been murdered. Police have so far failed to arrest anyone for the killings.
Korangi police said that Aamir, 25, was was shot dead from a close range at Bilal Colony. The deceased was taken to the Jinnah Hospital where he was pronounced dead due to excessive bleeding.
Police said that the deceased’s brother Amir Hussain has got an FIR registered nominating two men — Rambo, Wali Mohammed Pathan — and their accomplices for the murder.
The victim’s brother claimed that Aamir Abul Hassan had been receiving threats asking him to dissociate himself with the ST. The threats were reported to the Korangi police, but no attention was paid by the security personnel.
Politically-motivated killings in Karachi have increased alarmingly since the February 18 general elections with more than 30 activists belonging to Pakistan People’s Party, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Mohajir Qaumi Movement, ST and ANP have reportedly been murdered. Police have so far failed to arrest anyone for the killings.
Crackdown ordered on criminals in Shujaat’s city
LAHORE — The new Punjab cabinet in its maiden meeting here yesterday decided to start a crackdown in Gujrat, the city of former chief minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, alleging that it has become a haven for proclaimed offenders.
Law Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan told reporters after the meeting that to bring the law and order situation under control the cabinet had decided to arrest proclaimed offenders across the province. And since the POs were clustered in Gujrat, the city would be the focus of the operation, he said.
The minister said that honest police officials would be encouraged and favourites of the past rulers would be shown the door. Already a number of senior police officials have been transferred and replaced by those the present government thinks are competent and honest. These new officials have taken to task such subordinates who are allegedly involved in corrupt practices.
The cabinet also decided to launch a special audit of the local government institutions. Alleging that irregularities had been committed over the past eight years, Rana Sanaullah Khan said, the records of all institutions had been seized and sealed.
He did not say how long would the process take to complete. However, he made it clear that all development activities would continue uninterrupted. The special audit of the local government institutions means that many corrupt people would be taken to task.
The law minister said the government was setting up a new institution for transparent and impartial accountability of the corrupt. Ostensibly, this means that the National Accountability Bureau set up by President Pervez Musharraf after overthrowing the PML-N government in 1999 would be disbanded. Both the PPP and the PML-N leaders say that the NAB was used as a tool by the previous rulers to victimise their opponents.
The NAB had constituted a number of cases against PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari that are being withdrawn one by one under the national Reconciliation Ordinance.
The Punjab cabinet also devoted a good deal of time on discussing the causes for flour shortage and rising prices of the commodity all over the province. While the district governments have already been directed to stop inter-district movement of wheat and wheat flour, the cabinet has asked the relevant authorities to ensure that the commodity was not smuggled.
Taking cognizant of the hardships being caused by the power load-shedding, the cabinet also decided to set up new dams. The law minister said funds would be allocated for dams in the next budget to be presented in June. Although he did not identify the projects the government would undertake, Rana Sanaullah Khan said details would come to light when the budget was presented.
Law Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan told reporters after the meeting that to bring the law and order situation under control the cabinet had decided to arrest proclaimed offenders across the province. And since the POs were clustered in Gujrat, the city would be the focus of the operation, he said.
The minister said that honest police officials would be encouraged and favourites of the past rulers would be shown the door. Already a number of senior police officials have been transferred and replaced by those the present government thinks are competent and honest. These new officials have taken to task such subordinates who are allegedly involved in corrupt practices.
The cabinet also decided to launch a special audit of the local government institutions. Alleging that irregularities had been committed over the past eight years, Rana Sanaullah Khan said, the records of all institutions had been seized and sealed.
He did not say how long would the process take to complete. However, he made it clear that all development activities would continue uninterrupted. The special audit of the local government institutions means that many corrupt people would be taken to task.
The law minister said the government was setting up a new institution for transparent and impartial accountability of the corrupt. Ostensibly, this means that the National Accountability Bureau set up by President Pervez Musharraf after overthrowing the PML-N government in 1999 would be disbanded. Both the PPP and the PML-N leaders say that the NAB was used as a tool by the previous rulers to victimise their opponents.
The NAB had constituted a number of cases against PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari that are being withdrawn one by one under the national Reconciliation Ordinance.
The Punjab cabinet also devoted a good deal of time on discussing the causes for flour shortage and rising prices of the commodity all over the province. While the district governments have already been directed to stop inter-district movement of wheat and wheat flour, the cabinet has asked the relevant authorities to ensure that the commodity was not smuggled.
Taking cognizant of the hardships being caused by the power load-shedding, the cabinet also decided to set up new dams. The law minister said funds would be allocated for dams in the next budget to be presented in June. Although he did not identify the projects the government would undertake, Rana Sanaullah Khan said details would come to light when the budget was presented.
Militant commander orders cease fire in Pakistan
PESHAWAR, Pakistan - An al Qaeda-linked militant commander has ordered his followers to stop attacks in Pakistan after the new government began "secret" peace talks, a government official said on Thursday.
Pakistan's new government that emerged from a February general election has promised to pursue negotiations in a bid to end a tide of militant violence in which hundreds of people have been killed since the middle of last year.
But the prospect of peace pacts with militants based in lawless tribal areas along the Afghan border has raised concern as critics say deals only give militants the opportunity to regroup and intensify their attacks in Afghanistan.
Pakistan's new government that emerged from a February general election has promised to pursue negotiations in a bid to end a tide of militant violence in which hundreds of people have been killed since the middle of last year.
But the prospect of peace pacts with militants based in lawless tribal areas along the Afghan border has raised concern as critics say deals only give militants the opportunity to regroup and intensify their attacks in Afghanistan.
Militants kill ‘US spy' in Pakistan tribal area
MIRANSHAH, Pakistan - Islamic militants shot dead a shopkeeper in a Pakistani tribal region, accusing him of spying for US forces across the border in Afghanistan, an official said on Thursday.
The bullet-riddled body of the tribesman, who ran a grocery store in a town near the Afghan border, was dumped in Miranshah, the main city in the Taliban and Al-Qaeda heartland of North Waziristan district.
"This man has met his fate because he was spying for the American and Afghan forces and giving them help," a note left on the body said.
"Whoever helps American forces will meet the same fate."
The victim, who was in his 20s, was picked up at a bus stop last week just outside Miranshah, residents said.
Militants have killed several tribesmen in recent months, accusing them of spying for the US-led coalition forces across the border.
The rugged tribal region is a known hub of Al-Qaeda and Taliban militants who are accused by US and Afghan governments of using the area to launch cross border attacks on international coalition troops deployed in Afghanistan.
The bullet-riddled body of the tribesman, who ran a grocery store in a town near the Afghan border, was dumped in Miranshah, the main city in the Taliban and Al-Qaeda heartland of North Waziristan district.
"This man has met his fate because he was spying for the American and Afghan forces and giving them help," a note left on the body said.
"Whoever helps American forces will meet the same fate."
The victim, who was in his 20s, was picked up at a bus stop last week just outside Miranshah, residents said.
Militants have killed several tribesmen in recent months, accusing them of spying for the US-led coalition forces across the border.
The rugged tribal region is a known hub of Al-Qaeda and Taliban militants who are accused by US and Afghan governments of using the area to launch cross border attacks on international coalition troops deployed in Afghanistan.
India, Pakistan renew talks on gas pipelines
ISLAMABAD - The Indian oil minister was in Pakistan on Thursday for talks on two major cross-border gas pipelines, the first formal contact between the two rivals since a new coalition government took power in Islamabad last month.
Oil Minister Murli Deora has first focused on a project to build a gas pipeline from Turkmenistan, running through Afghanistan and Pakistan to India. Officials from all four countries were involved in the talks that began on Wednesday.
Deora and Pakistani officials will turn their attention on Friday to an on-off scheme to construct a gas pipeline from Iran, through Pakistan to India.
'We are interested in both the projects as we need gas,' Deora told Reuters late on Wednesday.
While the United States supports the concept of a pipeline from Turkmenistan that would help Afghanistan, Washington has tried to discourage Pakistan and India from dealing with Iran because of Tehran's suspected ambition to become a nuclear weapons state.
Both India and Pakistan are under pressure to secure energy supplies needed to fuel economies that rank among the fastest growing in the world.
There has been little economic integration between the two neighbours, who have fought three wars since Pakistan's formation following the partition in 1947, though there is growing recognition business ties will strengthen mutual interest.
The idea of piping gas from Turkmenistan has been little more than a dream for over a decade, because of the turmoil in Afghanistan.
Negotiations are more advanced for a multi-billion dollar deal to pipe Iranian gas to India via Pakistan, although pricing is one of the critical issues still to be resolved.
'Pakistan and India will hold discussions on Friday on transit fees and transportation tariff,' said an Indian official, who did not rule out chances of a 'breakthrough' on past sticking points.
The proposed pipeline from Iran is known as the 'Peace Pipeline'. Ideas for such a pipeline have been floating for years, but support for the project only revived after India and Pakistan began a peace process in 2004 to end decades of enmity.
Energy cooperation between Iran and India will top the agenda when Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad visits India next week for his first official visit, a government official told Reuters in New Delhi on Wednesday.
STICKING POINTS
Last October, Pakistani and Iranian officials reached an agreement on details of the project, including provisions for a price review, but India has yet to settle on price.
India dropped out of trilateral meetings on the Iranian pipeline since mid-2007, saying it first wanted to resolve the issues of transit fees and transportation costs with Pakistan.
The proposed pipeline would initially carry 60 million cubic metres (2.2 billion cubic feet) of gas daily to Pakistan and India, half for each country.
The capacity would be raised to 150 million cubic metres at a later stage.
Iran says it would still sign a deal with Pakistan if India decides not to join.
Iran has the world's second-largest gas reserves after Russia. But sanctions, politics and construction delays have slowed its gas development and analysts say Iran is unlikely to become a major exporter for a decade.
Oil Minister Murli Deora has first focused on a project to build a gas pipeline from Turkmenistan, running through Afghanistan and Pakistan to India. Officials from all four countries were involved in the talks that began on Wednesday.
Deora and Pakistani officials will turn their attention on Friday to an on-off scheme to construct a gas pipeline from Iran, through Pakistan to India.
'We are interested in both the projects as we need gas,' Deora told Reuters late on Wednesday.
While the United States supports the concept of a pipeline from Turkmenistan that would help Afghanistan, Washington has tried to discourage Pakistan and India from dealing with Iran because of Tehran's suspected ambition to become a nuclear weapons state.
Both India and Pakistan are under pressure to secure energy supplies needed to fuel economies that rank among the fastest growing in the world.
There has been little economic integration between the two neighbours, who have fought three wars since Pakistan's formation following the partition in 1947, though there is growing recognition business ties will strengthen mutual interest.
The idea of piping gas from Turkmenistan has been little more than a dream for over a decade, because of the turmoil in Afghanistan.
Negotiations are more advanced for a multi-billion dollar deal to pipe Iranian gas to India via Pakistan, although pricing is one of the critical issues still to be resolved.
'Pakistan and India will hold discussions on Friday on transit fees and transportation tariff,' said an Indian official, who did not rule out chances of a 'breakthrough' on past sticking points.
The proposed pipeline from Iran is known as the 'Peace Pipeline'. Ideas for such a pipeline have been floating for years, but support for the project only revived after India and Pakistan began a peace process in 2004 to end decades of enmity.
Energy cooperation between Iran and India will top the agenda when Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad visits India next week for his first official visit, a government official told Reuters in New Delhi on Wednesday.
STICKING POINTS
Last October, Pakistani and Iranian officials reached an agreement on details of the project, including provisions for a price review, but India has yet to settle on price.
India dropped out of trilateral meetings on the Iranian pipeline since mid-2007, saying it first wanted to resolve the issues of transit fees and transportation costs with Pakistan.
The proposed pipeline would initially carry 60 million cubic metres (2.2 billion cubic feet) of gas daily to Pakistan and India, half for each country.
The capacity would be raised to 150 million cubic metres at a later stage.
Iran says it would still sign a deal with Pakistan if India decides not to join.
Iran has the world's second-largest gas reserves after Russia. But sanctions, politics and construction delays have slowed its gas development and analysts say Iran is unlikely to become a major exporter for a decade.
Militant commander orders ceasefire in Pakistan
PESHAWAR, Pakistan - An al Qaeda-linked militant commander has ordered his followers to stop attacks in Pakistan after the new government began peace talks, a government official said on Thursday.
Pakistan's new government that emerged from a February general election has promised to pursue negotiations in a bid to end a tide of militant violence in which hundreds of people have been killed since the middle of last year.
But the prospect of peace pacts with militants based in lawless tribal areas along the Afghan border has raised concern as critics say deals only give militants the opportunity to re-group and intensify their attacks in Afghanistan.
With talks under way, Baitullah Mehsud, a militant leader accused of organising the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in December, has put out word to his followers to cease attacks in Pakistan.
"All members of Tehrik-e-Taliban are ordered by Baitullah Mehsud that a ban is imposed on provocative activities for the sake of peace," the Tehrik-e-Taliban, or Movement of Taliban, said in a leaflet distributed in the South Waziristan region and nearby towns close to the Afghan border.
The group is a umbrella organisation, formed last year, of various militant groups based in Pakistan's ethnic Pashtun border lands, and led by Mehsud.
A military spokesman declined to comment on the ceasefire or the talks, but he denied a militant claim that government troops had begun pulling back from positions in South Waziristan.
The top Interior Ministry official, Rehman Malik, welcomed the ceasefire: "If he's said it, we welcome it," Malik told reporters, adding that Mehsud had denied killing Bhutto.
STRUNG UP IN PUBLIC
The militant group said in the leaflets anyone who defied the ceasefire order would be strung up in public, according to a copy obtained by Reuters.
The new coalition government, led by Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party, has started negotiations in a bid to break with the policies of President Pervez Musharraf, whose strategies, ranged from military action to appeasement.
Musharraf's support for the U.S.-led campaign against terrorism is deeply unpopular and many Pakistanis say it has only incited militant violence.
Authorities have struck pacts with militants before. The deals brought a temporary decline in violence in some parts of Pakistan, but were also meant to stop attacks into Afghanistan and lead to the expulsion of foreign fighters.
However, critics, including U.S. commanders in Afghanistan, said the deals let al Qaeda and the Taliban regroup and plot on the Pakistani side of the border and intensify their attacks across it into Afghanistan.
Information minister in North West Frontier Province, Iftikhar Hussain, acknowledged U.S. and other Western concerns, given the failure of previous pacts, but said he was sure this one would succeed.
"It'll take time, they must trust us," he said.
Donald Camp, U.S. principal deputy assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asian Affairs, said the Pakistani government was aware it might have to use force.
"If the agreement doesn't work, the government understands that military action is necessary," he told reporters in Berlin.
Earlier, Mehsud's spokesman, Maulvi Omar, said the talks with the government were making progress and he welcomed the release of Sufi Mohammad, a radical cleric who sent thousands of militants to Afghanistan to fight U.S.-led forces who overthrew the Taliban in 2001. Detained in 2002, he was freed on Monday.
A security analyst was sceptical talks would bring lasting peace.
"They can bring a lull but they are unlikely to work unless the militants agree to lay down their arms," said Mahmood Shah, a former government security chief in the border areas.
Pakistan's new government that emerged from a February general election has promised to pursue negotiations in a bid to end a tide of militant violence in which hundreds of people have been killed since the middle of last year.
But the prospect of peace pacts with militants based in lawless tribal areas along the Afghan border has raised concern as critics say deals only give militants the opportunity to re-group and intensify their attacks in Afghanistan.
With talks under way, Baitullah Mehsud, a militant leader accused of organising the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in December, has put out word to his followers to cease attacks in Pakistan.
"All members of Tehrik-e-Taliban are ordered by Baitullah Mehsud that a ban is imposed on provocative activities for the sake of peace," the Tehrik-e-Taliban, or Movement of Taliban, said in a leaflet distributed in the South Waziristan region and nearby towns close to the Afghan border.
The group is a umbrella organisation, formed last year, of various militant groups based in Pakistan's ethnic Pashtun border lands, and led by Mehsud.
A military spokesman declined to comment on the ceasefire or the talks, but he denied a militant claim that government troops had begun pulling back from positions in South Waziristan.
The top Interior Ministry official, Rehman Malik, welcomed the ceasefire: "If he's said it, we welcome it," Malik told reporters, adding that Mehsud had denied killing Bhutto.
STRUNG UP IN PUBLIC
The militant group said in the leaflets anyone who defied the ceasefire order would be strung up in public, according to a copy obtained by Reuters.
The new coalition government, led by Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party, has started negotiations in a bid to break with the policies of President Pervez Musharraf, whose strategies, ranged from military action to appeasement.
Musharraf's support for the U.S.-led campaign against terrorism is deeply unpopular and many Pakistanis say it has only incited militant violence.
Authorities have struck pacts with militants before. The deals brought a temporary decline in violence in some parts of Pakistan, but were also meant to stop attacks into Afghanistan and lead to the expulsion of foreign fighters.
However, critics, including U.S. commanders in Afghanistan, said the deals let al Qaeda and the Taliban regroup and plot on the Pakistani side of the border and intensify their attacks across it into Afghanistan.
Information minister in North West Frontier Province, Iftikhar Hussain, acknowledged U.S. and other Western concerns, given the failure of previous pacts, but said he was sure this one would succeed.
"It'll take time, they must trust us," he said.
Donald Camp, U.S. principal deputy assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asian Affairs, said the Pakistani government was aware it might have to use force.
"If the agreement doesn't work, the government understands that military action is necessary," he told reporters in Berlin.
Earlier, Mehsud's spokesman, Maulvi Omar, said the talks with the government were making progress and he welcomed the release of Sufi Mohammad, a radical cleric who sent thousands of militants to Afghanistan to fight U.S.-led forces who overthrew the Taliban in 2001. Detained in 2002, he was freed on Monday.
A security analyst was sceptical talks would bring lasting peace.
"They can bring a lull but they are unlikely to work unless the militants agree to lay down their arms," said Mahmood Shah, a former government security chief in the border areas.
Afghan violence could worsen in 2008: US general
KABUL - Afghanistan could see higher levels of violence this year with many Taliban attacks in the east of the country originating from across the border in Pakistan, a top U.S. military commander said on Thursday.
Afghanistan saw the worst bloodshed last year since U.S.-led and Afghan forces toppled the Taliban in 2001, with around 6,000 people killed, about a third of them civilians, and some 140 Taliban suicide bombs across the country.
"This year won't be different," said Major General Jeffrey Schloesser, the new commander of international forces in eastern Afghanistan.
"I would predict that we will see some level of increasing incidences of violence just as there has been every year and they may well reach a higher level than they did in 2007," he told a news conference in the Afghan capital, Kabul.
Most of the international troops in eastern Afghanistan are American and U.S. military commanders say they have brought down the level of Taliban violence in the rugged mountainous region that borders Pakistan.
Analysts say that if Taliban attacks have gone down in eastern Afghanistan in recent months it may be due to the Pakistani army's increased activity in fighting the Islamist militants who are active on both sides of the porous border.
But the new Pakistani government is now seeking peace agreements with militant groups on its side of the border and that may free up Taliban fighters to cross into Afghanistan and intensify their fight to topple the pro-Western Afghan government and eject foreign troops.
More civilian attacks
"When I look at the map ... my area of interest, the area that I'm concerned about is on the other side of the border as well as on the Regional Command East," Schloesser said.
"A large number of the enemy cross that border to attack the Afghan people."
Asked if most attacks in eastern Afghanistan originated in Pakistan, Schloesser said: "Potentially, yeah. I think, yes. There is a good amount of enemy that come across the border."
The Taliban would likely increase attacks on softer civilian targets, he said.
"I think that this is an enemy tactic that we're going to see more of. I think that they are afraid to attack ... coalition forces and so they are going for what is an easier target."
Taliban suicide attacks killed at least 200 civilians last year, undermining public faith in the ability of the government and international troops to bring security to a country that has seen more or less continual civil war for the last 30 years.
"It's clearly they are trying to stop, curtail and destroy an improving Afghan quality of life," Schloesser said. "I'm outraged about it and I think the international community ought to be outraged about it."
The deployment of 700 French troops to eastern Afghanistan would help to stabilise the situation there, he said.
"They are going to allow us to do some things in some areas where we have not had as high a concentration of coalition forces," Schloesser said.
Afghanistan saw the worst bloodshed last year since U.S.-led and Afghan forces toppled the Taliban in 2001, with around 6,000 people killed, about a third of them civilians, and some 140 Taliban suicide bombs across the country.
"This year won't be different," said Major General Jeffrey Schloesser, the new commander of international forces in eastern Afghanistan.
"I would predict that we will see some level of increasing incidences of violence just as there has been every year and they may well reach a higher level than they did in 2007," he told a news conference in the Afghan capital, Kabul.
Most of the international troops in eastern Afghanistan are American and U.S. military commanders say they have brought down the level of Taliban violence in the rugged mountainous region that borders Pakistan.
Analysts say that if Taliban attacks have gone down in eastern Afghanistan in recent months it may be due to the Pakistani army's increased activity in fighting the Islamist militants who are active on both sides of the porous border.
But the new Pakistani government is now seeking peace agreements with militant groups on its side of the border and that may free up Taliban fighters to cross into Afghanistan and intensify their fight to topple the pro-Western Afghan government and eject foreign troops.
More civilian attacks
"When I look at the map ... my area of interest, the area that I'm concerned about is on the other side of the border as well as on the Regional Command East," Schloesser said.
"A large number of the enemy cross that border to attack the Afghan people."
Asked if most attacks in eastern Afghanistan originated in Pakistan, Schloesser said: "Potentially, yeah. I think, yes. There is a good amount of enemy that come across the border."
The Taliban would likely increase attacks on softer civilian targets, he said.
"I think that this is an enemy tactic that we're going to see more of. I think that they are afraid to attack ... coalition forces and so they are going for what is an easier target."
Taliban suicide attacks killed at least 200 civilians last year, undermining public faith in the ability of the government and international troops to bring security to a country that has seen more or less continual civil war for the last 30 years.
"It's clearly they are trying to stop, curtail and destroy an improving Afghan quality of life," Schloesser said. "I'm outraged about it and I think the international community ought to be outraged about it."
The deployment of 700 French troops to eastern Afghanistan would help to stabilise the situation there, he said.
"They are going to allow us to do some things in some areas where we have not had as high a concentration of coalition forces," Schloesser said.
Pakistan considers mercy plea for Indian spy
ISLAMABAD - Pakistan said on Thursday it was actively considering an Indian plea for clemency for an Indian man condemned to death for spying and carrying out bomb blasts in Pakistan.
President Pervez Musharraf last month rejected a mercy plea from the man, Sarabjit Singh, but deferred his execution until April 30 after a request from the Indian government.
"The issue is under active consideration," Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesman Mohammad Sadiq told a weekly news conference.
"We have received a request from the Indian government ... and a decision will be taken in due course," he added.
His comments came as members of Singh's family were visiting Pakistan to meet him in a prison in the eastern city of Lahore.
Singh was sentenced to death in 1991 for spying and carrying out four bomb blasts that killed 14 people, but his family said he was innocent and had crossed the border into Pakistan accidentally in 1990 while he was drunk.
Pakistani officials said Singh was arrested while trying to slip back into India after the bomb blasts.
Nuclear-armed India and Pakistan have fought three wars since the partition of British-ruled India in 1947. They began a peace process in 2004.
But despite better relations, the neighbours remain deeply suspicious of each other.
In March, Pakistan freed an Indian man who spent 35 years on death row in a Pakistani jail on spying charges.
A Pakistani national, who went to India to watch a cricket match in 2005, was arrested and died in an Indian prison in February this year.
Pakistan has asked India to explain the death of the man, whose family said had lost his passport, after being detained and tortured in prison.
President Pervez Musharraf last month rejected a mercy plea from the man, Sarabjit Singh, but deferred his execution until April 30 after a request from the Indian government.
"The issue is under active consideration," Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesman Mohammad Sadiq told a weekly news conference.
"We have received a request from the Indian government ... and a decision will be taken in due course," he added.
His comments came as members of Singh's family were visiting Pakistan to meet him in a prison in the eastern city of Lahore.
Singh was sentenced to death in 1991 for spying and carrying out four bomb blasts that killed 14 people, but his family said he was innocent and had crossed the border into Pakistan accidentally in 1990 while he was drunk.
Pakistani officials said Singh was arrested while trying to slip back into India after the bomb blasts.
Nuclear-armed India and Pakistan have fought three wars since the partition of British-ruled India in 1947. They began a peace process in 2004.
But despite better relations, the neighbours remain deeply suspicious of each other.
In March, Pakistan freed an Indian man who spent 35 years on death row in a Pakistani jail on spying charges.
A Pakistani national, who went to India to watch a cricket match in 2005, was arrested and died in an Indian prison in February this year.
Pakistan has asked India to explain the death of the man, whose family said had lost his passport, after being detained and tortured in prison.
Afghanistan wary of Pakistan-Taleban peace deal
KABUL - Afghan Foreign Minister Rangeen Dadfar Spanta said Thursday that any peace deal between Pakistan and Taliban fighters would only fail and terrorism should instead be tackled globally.
The United States has also expressed concern about a possible deal after representatives of both sides said Wednesday the new government in Islamabad had drafted an agreement with rebels along the Afghan border.
"We believe that any efforts by any country in our region to have a separate peace deal with international terrorism, such efforts will fail," Spanta told reporters.
"Past experiences have proved that such efforts will only result in those who make such efforts becoming the victims," he said.
A peace deal between Pakistan and pro-Taliban tribes in the semi-autonomous tribal regions of North Waziristan in September 2006 was criticised in Kabul, where officials said it resulted in an increase in attacks in Afghanistan.
That deal was broken after Pakistani troops stormed Islamabad's Red Mosque to evict militants, leaving 100 dead.
Spanta said the countries needed to work together with their international partners in a "clear, continued and coordinated fight against terrorism."
"Finding a peaceful way to decrease terrorism in all countries, not only in one place, is an issue that all sides should act upon," he said.
The United States has also expressed concern about a possible deal after representatives of both sides said Wednesday the new government in Islamabad had drafted an agreement with rebels along the Afghan border.
"We believe that any efforts by any country in our region to have a separate peace deal with international terrorism, such efforts will fail," Spanta told reporters.
"Past experiences have proved that such efforts will only result in those who make such efforts becoming the victims," he said.
A peace deal between Pakistan and pro-Taliban tribes in the semi-autonomous tribal regions of North Waziristan in September 2006 was criticised in Kabul, where officials said it resulted in an increase in attacks in Afghanistan.
That deal was broken after Pakistani troops stormed Islamabad's Red Mosque to evict militants, leaving 100 dead.
Spanta said the countries needed to work together with their international partners in a "clear, continued and coordinated fight against terrorism."
"Finding a peaceful way to decrease terrorism in all countries, not only in one place, is an issue that all sides should act upon," he said.
Turkey says Israel ready to swap Golan for peace: Assad
DOHA - Turkey has told Syria that Israel is prepared to swap the Golan Heights for peace, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was quoted as saying on Thursday, a day after reports emerged of a Turkish peace mediation.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan "informed me of Israel's readiness to withdraw from the Golan in return for peace with Syria," Assad was quoted by the Qatari daily Al-Watan as saying.
In excerpts from an interview to be published in full on Sunday, the paper quoted Assad as saying Ankara has been mediating between Israel and Syria since April 2007.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert assured Erdogan of his readiness to return the Golan, and this was relayed to Syria a week ago, Assad said.
"What we now need is to find common ground through the Turkish mediator," he said, adding that any negotiations with Israel would be conducted via Ankara.
Direct negotiations may become possible under the next US administration, the Syrian president said.
He said the issue would be discussed during a visit by Erdogan to Damascus on Saturday.
Assad's remarks follow reports in Syria that Erdogan has assured Damascus that Israel is ready to return all of the Golan Heights in return for peace.
Israel captured the Golan in the 1967 Middle East war and annexed it in 1981 in a move never recognised by the international community.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan "informed me of Israel's readiness to withdraw from the Golan in return for peace with Syria," Assad was quoted by the Qatari daily Al-Watan as saying.
In excerpts from an interview to be published in full on Sunday, the paper quoted Assad as saying Ankara has been mediating between Israel and Syria since April 2007.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert assured Erdogan of his readiness to return the Golan, and this was relayed to Syria a week ago, Assad said.
"What we now need is to find common ground through the Turkish mediator," he said, adding that any negotiations with Israel would be conducted via Ankara.
Direct negotiations may become possible under the next US administration, the Syrian president said.
He said the issue would be discussed during a visit by Erdogan to Damascus on Saturday.
Assad's remarks follow reports in Syria that Erdogan has assured Damascus that Israel is ready to return all of the Golan Heights in return for peace.
Israel captured the Golan in the 1967 Middle East war and annexed it in 1981 in a move never recognised by the international community.
PM Gilani for new, balanced relationship between civil, military institutions
ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Thursday stressed the need for a new and balanced relationship between the civil and military institutions of the state.“The modern world of today calls for a new and balanced relationship between the civil and military institutions of the state. A relationship based on mutual respect and dignity,” the Prime Minister stated at a dinner hosted by him in honour of the participants of the 61th Formation Commanders Conference here at the PM House.
President Pervez Musharraf, Chairman Joint Chiefs of the Staff Committee, Services Chiefs, Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, a number of Federal Ministers of the ruling alliance and senior officials attended the dinner.
The Prime Minister called for joint effort to achieve the objectives of peace and prosperity in the country. “Let us march together, hand in hand and shoulder to shoulder towards peace, prosperity, and equality within the fold of democracy”, he stressed.
The Prime Minister also expressed the hope that the country will be able to formulate a new social contract despite all odds and constraints.
“Nothing is insurmountable when support of the hundred and sixty million people is behind us. Let’s turn the tide before it wipes us from the surface of history”, he added.
The Prime Minister said the basic objective of the 1973 Constitution, unanimously accepted by all the public representatives, the Judiciary, the Armed Forces and now the Media is the service of the people of Pakistan.
“The ultimate need of time is a coordinated and well thought out joint action plan. Such a plan has not been so strong in the past. We cannot afford to waste time to argue about the reasons for colossal mistakes of the past because not much is left with us.”
The Prime Minister said there was a need to join hands to provide a decent life, a peaceful society and friendly administrative system for the people “who have again provided us with a chance to prove our intentions and the claims we so loudly make.”
The Prime Minister called for moving towards freedom from ignorance, bigotry, disease, and poverty, and “let us build together a democratic republic based on rule of law, justice and fair play, to all the citizens across the board.”
“It is imperative upon us to give up our individual and organizational interests to provide a secure and harmonious country to the future generations where democratic and civil rights of the citizens which conform to the internationally recognized principles,” he added.
Prime Minister Gilani said for most of the people in the present government, and specially for him personally, it has really been an arduous path for the democracy to have reached here.
“A journey painted with sweat and blood; with toils and labours; and with pain and anguish. Yet the journey was worth taking. And the long walk to freedom seems finally to be over”, he remarked.
The Prime Minister expressed gratitude to all those stakeholders of the state who facilitated this process of democratic transition, especially the armed forces of Pakistan for their judicious and prudent approach to the unfolding political realities.
“Unlike other armies of the world, Pakistan Army carries a unique and delicate responsibility. It has to defend the ideological boundaries along with the geographical boundaries of this country”, he added.
The Prime Minister said the nation has welcomed the recent remarks by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and his call regarding the strict adherence to the oath taken under the constitution, in discharging their duty.
“Adherence to the structural command by concentrating strictly on the professional matters alone; has also greatly enhanced the respect of the forces in the eyes of the people at large”, he added.
The Prime Minister also appreciated the COAS decision to withdraw the military personnel serving in the civil and corporate sector.
The Prime Minister recalled the saying of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah during his address at 5th and 6th Ack Ack Regiments in Malir on February 21, 1948 where he stated: “You have fought many a battle on the far-flung battle-fields of the globe to rid the world of the Fascist menace and make it safe for democracy. Now you have to stand guard over the development and maintenance of Islamic democracy, Islamic social justice and the equality of manhood in your own native soil”.
The Prime Minister lauded the professional capabilities of the commanders Pakistan Army and said, “It is the organization, experience and the self confidence of commanders such as you which makes an army superior. And I do believe that you excel in freedom of spirit and in taking decisions.”
“Any self respecting nation will take pride in a strong defence force”, he said and assured that the present government will continue to support, and provide the best for army, with arms, equipment and finances.
“It will help advance your defence capability to guard our frontiers and never to covet any aggressive design”, the Prime Minister added.
PML (Q) to support resolution on judges reinstatement
ISLAMABAD : Pakistan Muslim League (Q) has finally decided to support the parliamentary resolution over the restoraion of deposed judges, the APS has learnt through reliable party sources.
This move would be an 180-degree turn from the party’s earlier stated stance over the judges restoraion.
The PML (Q)-led government not only had supported the filing of a reference against Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on March 9, 2007, but also its ministers and legislators had enthusiastically defended the reference in the parliament and also on the national and international media.
Later, the party had also endorsed the imposition of emergency and the PCO through a parliamentary resolution soon after the incidents of Novermber 3, 2007. This step had resulted into sacking of around 60 judges of superior courts.
The sources claimed that Parliamentary Party meeting of PML (Q) observed three consecutive sittings at the residence of Party President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain to discuss the judges issue.
“During the sittings, most of the MNAs of the party blasted the party leadership for tailing the ‘anti-masses’ policies of ‘others’ and asked the party President to ‘pay heed to the aspirations of the nmasses in the larger interest of the party,” said the sources.
Senator S.M. Zafar also breiefed the meeting on Tuesday over the possible features of the parlimanetary resolution for judges reinstatement.
Party sources claimed that most of the MNAs who spoke over the judges issue at the parliamentary meetings were of the view that the party should support the parliamentary resolution to restore the deposed judges.
The legislators called for “shift in the party stance” over the judges issue saying that “the party should represent the public sentiments and not of those who have relationship with establishment”, said the sources.
Mostly young MNAs including Sheikh Waqas Akram, Malik Nouman Lengriyal, Raza Hayat Heraj, Marvi Memon, Dr. Donia Aziz, Nasrullah Bajarani and Israr Tareen were vocal in this regard while some senior and seasoned politicians including Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada, Bahadur Khan Seehar, Riaz Fatyana and others also endorsed the idea, added the sources.
“Let us return to the true democratic course. Being a political party, the PML should uphold the public aspirations over the issues of national significance. It would not only strengthen the party but also would enable it to represent the public in the parliament,” said the sources.
When contacted, MNA from Layyah Sardar Bahadur Khan Seehar confirmed that the party had finally decided to support the parliamentary resolution for the judges restoration.
“On Wednesday, the parliamentary party had its final sitting whether or not to support the parliamenatry resolution and almost all the MNAs gave their input over the issue. Though some legislators thought that any decision should be taken once the resolution is tabled, the party finally decided to support the resolution,” he said.
When asked what would be the party’s decision if the resolution also carries a constituitional package to curtail the term of Chief Justice, Seehar said the party would take any decision once such a package is tabled in the House.
PML President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain had hinted at the development at a press conference on Tuesday saying that the party would not oppose judges restoration.
“We do not oppose judges restoration and rather want resolution of the judges issue in line with the public sentiments and aspirations,” he had said after chairing the PML (Q) Parliamentary Party meeting.
Ch. Shujaat had also made it clear that he was never opposed to the judges restoration and it was upto the ruling coalition to decide how many judges would be restored and when.
No intention to block or coerce electronic media: Sherry Rehman
ISLAMABAD : Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ms Sherry Rehman told the National Assembly on Thursday that the government has no intention to block or coerce the electronic media. Answering a question by Mian Abdul Sattar during the question hour, she said that a bill to withdraw and nullify the effects of the amendments made in the PEMRA Ordinance 2002,on November 3,2007 has been moved in the National Assembly.
Replying to a supplementary question she said, “I want to assure the House that the government has no intention of blocking or coercing the electronic media and coercive powers of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) have been removed.”
She said in the past the channels were either blocked through PEMRA or cable operators.”Now the private channels are running whatever they like to air, even PTV is airing criticism of the government”,she added.
Sherry Rehman said that some ten days back two channels were blocked in Karachi and after an inquiry it was admitted by the operators that they blocked the channels as they were forced to do so by some unknown persons.
She said the government needs cooperation of the cable operators and asked them to not to succumb to any pressure.The minister further said that now the government has provided hot lines to the Cable operators and they have been asked to call in case of any threat.
Pakistan to send formal request to probe BB’s assassination by UN after completing internal process
ISLAMABAD : Internal process within the Government of Pakistan is still continuing to take up the case of Benazir Bhutto’s assassination to the United Nations for probe, said Foreign Office Spokesman Muhammad Sadiq on Thursday.In his weekly briefing the spokesman said further action to take up the case of probe of Benazir Bhutto’s assassination to UN will be taken as soon as this process is completed.
The spokesman said Foreign Office is part of the government and as such it will implement all decisions of the government.
He said National Assembly and Provincial Assemblies have also adopted resolutions in support of taking the matter to the UN.
He said internal process within the government in this regard is still continuing and it will be taken as soon as the process is completed.
PM constitutes six members committee to examine FCR
ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani has constituted a six-member cabinet committee headed by Federal Minister for Law, Justice and Human Rights Division, Farooq H. Naek to examine FCR and make suitable recommendations.
According to a press release issued by the Law Ministry here on Thursday, this committee has been constituted according to the decision as taken in a meeting held on 31st march, 2008 which was presided over by the Prime Minister.
Federal Minister for Law, Justice and Human Rights Division, Farooq H.Naek will be chairman of the Committee and Syed Khursheed Amed Shah, Minister for Labour, Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis, Najamuddin Khan, Minister for States and Frontier Regions, Sardar Mehtab Ahmed Khan, Minister for Railways, Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi, Minister for Environment and Nawabzada Khawaja Muhammad Khan Hoti, Minister for Social Welfare and Special Education will be members of the committee.
In addition to the above mentioned members, the Chairman Farooq H.Naek has included Senator Mian Raza Rabbani, Leader of the House in the Senate, Justice (Retd) Mian Muhammad Ajmal and Zafar Baig Bhattani, MNA from NA-47 as special members of the committee.
Pakistan committed to support just cause of Kashmiris: PM
ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Thursday said Pakistan is committed to extend moral, political and diplomatic support to its Kashmiri brethren in their just struggle for self determination.Talking to Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Sardar Atique Ahmad Khan at PM Secretariat, Prime Minister Gilani said the government would continue to support Kashmiris’ cause till the resolution of the dispute. He said peace, stability and development in the region could only be achieved through the resolution of all outstanding issues including the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Prime Minister reiterated the government’s commitment and fullest support to the people of Kashmir for their right to self-determination.
He said the dispute needs to be resolved in accordance with the aspirations of Kashmiri people as enshrined in the United Nation Resolutions.
The Prime Minister said the government of Pakistan despite economic constraints would extend all possible help to AJK for its infrastructure and other social development projects in order to improve the living standard of people.
Sardar Atique Ahmad Khan congratulated the Prime Minister on assuming charge of his office. He appreciated the support by the people and the government of Pakistan towards resolution of long standing Kashmir dispute.
He also lauded the government of Pakistan’s support for the development projects in AJK and also for the reconstruction efforts.
Relief to common man to be ensured despite economic constraints: PM
ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Thursday said that despite economic constraints the government is converging all its efforts to ensuring relief to the common man.A number of short term and long term measures are being adopted to help improve the living conditions of the people, the Prime Minister added.He was talking to the delegation from different walks of life which called on him here at the PM Secretariat to congratulate him on assuming the responsibilities as Prime Minister of Pakistan.
The Prime Minister said that in order to address the Atta crisis the government has decided to import 1.5 million tons of wheat and has accelerated the domestic wheat procurement process which would help ease the situation.
He said the government would ensure sufficient stocks in all provinces to ensure availability of Atta to the consumers.
The law enforcement agencies have been directed to check smuggling of wheat and atta, for which strict discipline will be followed to avoid possibility of shortage as well as to restrict price increase, he added.
The Prime Minister said the government is simultaneously focusing on provision of basic facilities like clean drinking water, education and healthcare to the people in all areas of the country. He said the government is also formulating a poverty alleviation strategy which would increase employment and income opportunities particularly in the underdeveloped regions of the country.
The Prime Minister said the major challenges confronting the country could only be resolved through good governance and the 100 days agenda is first step in this direction.
He said the government would take measures to improve the performance and efficiency of its functionaries so that the problems of the people are solved in the shortest possible time and preferably at their doorsteps.
The members of the delegation apprised the Prime Minister of the problems of their respective areas. They also thanked the Prime Minister for taking immediate measures to improve the supply of Atta as well as electricity shortage in the country.
Government wants to take all political forces along: PM
ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Thursday said the government wants to take all political forces along because its believes that the challenges which the nation confronts today need popular national support.
He was talking to MNAs belonging to MQM here at his Parliament House chamber this evening.
The Prime Minister said that in the recent general elections the nation has given mandate to moderate and progressive forces in all the provinces, which has improved the country’s image among the comity of nations.
The Prime Minister told the delegation that he is interacting with every member of the assembly in order to benefit from his/her views and experience.
Commenting on the wheat situation the Prime Minister said that crisis arose because of deficient policies of the previous government.
He said the support price of wheat was not increased when it should have been done. Secondly, he added incorrect assessment was presented before the nation and huge quantities of wheat was allowed to be exported to other countries.
As a result, he said, the country had to import wheat at higher price to meet the domestic requirement. The Prime Minister while deliberating upon the steps being taken by the government to overcome the wheat and Atta crisis said the support price of wheat has been increased to encourage the farmers and support procurement efforts.
Simultaneously, he said strict measures are being taken to control smuggling.
The Prime Minister said that in order to overcome the power crisis the government is following a two-pronged approach of encouraging conservation and setting up plants for electricity generation.
He said the foundation stone of one power plant has already been laid while a comprehensive energy policy is being formulated in the context of long-term strategy.
The MNAs apprised the Prime Minister of various issues relating to urban areas of Sindh particularly Karachi including load-shedding, Atta shortage.
They assured him that MQM would support every positive step of the government. They appreciated the Prime Minister’s announcement of allocating Rs. 10 million for every MNA.
They also appreciated the reconciliatory approach of the government and expressed the confidence that the government would be able to successfully meet the challenges which confront the nation today.
کفیلہ صدیقی کیس ، سابق وزیر مملکت شاہد جمیل کی ضمانت مسترد
اسلام آباد۔ اسلام آباد کیپٹل ٹیرٹری ہائی کورٹ کے چیف جسٹس سردار محمد اسلم نے جمعرات کو پاکستانی نژاد کینڈین شہری کفیلہ صدیقی کے قتل کے الزام میں گرفتار ہونے والے مواصلات کے سابق وزیر مملکت شاہد جمیل کی ضمانت مسترد کر دی ہے۔شاہد جمیل قریشی کو 22 جون2007 ء کو گرفتار کیا گیا تھا۔واضح رہے کہ پاکستانی نژاد کینیڈین شہری کفیلہ صدیقی نو جون کو پراسرار حالات میں مردہ حالت میں پائی گئی تھیں اور شاہد جمیل قریشی کے خلاف ان کو حبس بے جا میں رکھنے اور ایسے حالات پیدا کرنے کا مقدمہ درج کیا گیا تھا جس میں ان کی موت واقع ہوئی۔پولیس نے بعد میں ایف آئی آر میں شبہ قتل عمد کی دفعہ کا بھی اضافہ کر دیا تھا۔ اس مقدمے کے تفتیشی افسر نے چالان عدالت میں پیش کر دیا ہے جس میں شاہد جمیل کو کفیلہ صدیقی کیس میں قصوروار ٹھہرایا گیا ہے۔اس واقعہ کی وجہ سے شاہد جمیل قریشی کو اپنی وزارت سے مستعفی ہونا پڑا تھا۔ اٹھارہ اپریل کو ملزم کی درخواست ضمانت پر دلائل دیتے ہوئے سابق وزیر مملکت کے وکیل وسیم سجادنے کہا کہ کفیلہ صدیقی اور ان کے شوہر کے درمیان مالی معاملات پر تنازعہ چل رہا تھا، جس کی وجہ سے کفیلہ ذہنی دباؤ کا شکار تھیں۔ انہوں نے کہا کہ ذہنی دباؤ کی وجہ سے کفیلہ صدیقی نے خود کو سب سے الگ تھلگ کر لیا تھا اور کسی سے بھی نہیں ملتی تھیں۔ضمانت کی درخواست کی مخالفت کرتے ہوئے استغاثہ کے وکیل محمد بابر نے کہا کہ ملزم نے کفیلہ صدیقی کو حبس بے جا میں ایک چھوٹے اور تنگ کمرے میں رکھا ہوا تھا جہاں گھر کا فالتو سامان رکھا جاتا ہے۔ انہوں نے کہا کہ کفیلہ کو سونے کے لیے ایک ٹوٹی ہوئی چارپائی دی گئی تھی۔ استغاثہ کے وکیل کے مطابق ملزم کی نیت اس بات سے عیاں ہوتی ہے کہ وقوعہ کے روز ملزم کفیلہ صدیقی کو ہسپتال لے جانے کی بجائے لاہور لے جانے کی کوشش کرتے رہے۔ انہوں نے کہا کہ کفیلہ صدیقی منڈا ڈیم اور لواری ٹنل کی کنسلٹینسی کر رہی تھیں اور ملزم ان کے کاروبار پر قبضہ کرنا چاہتا تھا۔ انہوں نے کہا کہ مقتولہ کفیلہ صدیقی کی قبر کشائی کے بعد جب ان کا دوبارہ پوسٹمارٹم کیا گیا تھا ا٘س میں بھی یہ کہا گیا ہے کہ مقتولہ کے سر اور جسم کے دوسروں حصوں پر تشدد کے نشانات ہیں۔ واضح رہے کہ ملزم جب اس مقدمے کی تفتیش کے سلسلے میں پولیس کی تحویل میں تھا تو ا٘س کو دل کی تکلیف ہوئی تھی جسے ہسپتال میں داخل کروادیا گیا تھا۔ بعدازاں ڈاکٹروں کی ہدایت کی روشنی میں پولیس کی تفتیش کے دوران ایک ڈاکٹر ہر وقت وہاں موجود رہتا تھا۔ شاہد جمیل نو دن تک پولیس کی تحویل میں رہے جبکہ عمومی طور پر قتل کے ملزم کو چودہ دن تک پولیس کی تحویل میں رکھا جاتا ہے۔ ادھرپولیس نے عدالت میں ایک اور درخواست دی ہے جس میں یہ استدعا کی گئی ہے کہ اس مقدمے کی سماعت جیل میں ہی کی جائے۔ اس مقدمے کے تفتیشی افسر منشاہ شاہ کے مطابق یہ درخواست برطانیہ طیارہ سازش کیس کے مبینہ ملزم راشد رؤف کے پولیس کی تحویل میں فرار ہونے کے واقعہ کو پیش نظر رکھتے ہوئے دی گئی ہے۔ عدالت نے اس درخواست کو منظور کر لیا ہے اور آئندہ اس مقدمے کی سماعت جیل میں ہی ہوا کریگی۔ ادھر ملزم کے وکیل کا کہنا ہے کہ وہ سپریم کورٹ میں ضمانت کی درخواست دائر کریں گے۔
ججوں کی بحالی کے حوالے سے قرارداد اور آئینی پیکج سامنے آنے پرآئندہ کے لائحہ عمل کا فیصلہ کیا جائے گا۔ چوہدری اعتزاز حسن
ججوں کی بحالی کے حوالے سے لانگ مارچ کو مسترد نہیں کرتے ۔
سپریم کورٹ بار ایسوسی ایشن کے لیے دس کروڑ روپے کی گرانٹ دی گئی جو ملک عبدالقیوم نے غبن کر لی قانونی چارہ جوئی کریں گے
3 نومبر کے بعد کیے گئے تمام اقدامات غیر آئینی ہیں امید ہے فیڈرل ہائی کورٹ ججوں کی بحالی کے حوالے سے مجوزہ قراد دار کے خلاف مولوی اقبال حیدر کی درخواست پر فیصلہ نہیں دے گی
سپریم کورٹ بار ایسوسی ایشن کے صدر کی سپریم کور ٹ بارایسوسی ایشن کی ایگزیکٹوکمیٹی کے اجلاس کے بعدصحافیوں سے گفتگو
اسلام آباد۔سپریم کورٹ بار ایسوسی ایشن کے صدرچوہدر ی اعتزاز احسن نے کہا ہے کہ ججوں کی بحالی کے حوالے سے قرارداداورآئینی پیکج سامنے آنے پرآئندہ کے لائحہ عمل کا فیصلہ کیا جائے گا۔ججوں کی بحالی کے حوالے سے لانگ مارچ کو مسترد نہیں کرتے ۔سپریم کورٹ بار ایسوسی ایشن کے لیے دس کروڑ روپے کی گرانٹ دی گئی جو ملک عبدالقیوم نے غبن کر لی۔3 نومبر کے بعد کیے گئے تمام اقدامات غیر آئینی ہیں امید ہے فیڈرل ہائی کورٹ ججوں کی بحالی کے حوالے سے مجوزہ قراد دار کے خلاف مولوی اقبال حیدر کی درخواست پر فیصلہ نہیں دے گی ۔وہ اسلام آباد میں سپریم کور ٹ بارایسوسی ایشن کی ایگزیکٹوکمیٹی کے اجلاس کے بعدصحافیوں سے گفتگوکر رہے تھے ۔اعتزازاحسن نے کہا کہ آئینی پیکج سامنے آنے کے بعد وکلا ء اورججوں سے مشاورت کے بعد آئندہ کالائحہ عمل ترتیب دیں گے۔چوہدری اعتزاز احسن نے لانگ مارچ کے امکان کومسترد نہیں کیا۔ججوں کی بحالی کے حوالے سے پارلیمنٹ میں ممکنہ طور پر پیش کی جانے والی قراددار کو چیلنج کرنے کے حوالے سے ایک سوال کے جواب میں چوہدری اعتزاز حسن نے کہا کہ 3 نومبر کے بعد اٹھائے گئے تمام اقدامات غیر آئینی ہیں جن کی کوئی قانی یا آئینی حیثیت نہیں اس لیے وہ امید کرتے ہیں اور فیڈرل ہائی کورٹ سے توقع رکھتے ہیں کہ وہ مولوی اقبال حیدرکی درخواست پرفیصلہ نہیں دے گی۔ اعتزازاحسننے مزید کہ سپریم کورٹ بارایسوسی ایشن کیلئے دس کروڑ روپے کی گرانٹ دی گئی تھی جواٹارنی جنرل ملک قیوم نے غبن کرلی ۔انہوں نے کہا کہ اس حوالے سے اٹارنی جنرل کے خلاف قانونی چارہ جوئی کیلئے غورکیا جارہاہے ۔ضمنی انتخابات میں حصہ لینے کے سوال پرچوہدری اعتزازا حسن نے کہا کہ وہ ٹکٹ کیلئے دی گئی درخواست واپس نہیں لیں گے۔انہوں نے کہا اس حوالے سے میری درخواست پارٹی کے پاس موجود ہے اورفیصلہ بھی پارٹی ہی نے کرنا ہے ۔اس سیٹ پر مجھے میاں نواز شریف کی بھی حمایت حاصل ہے اعتزاز حسن نے کہا کہ این اے پچپن سے انتخاب لڑکروہ لاہورکی سیٹ پرپیپلز پارٹی کوواپس کرنا چاہتے ہیں ۔
حکومت سندھ نے وفاق سے بلدیاتی نظام میں تبدیلی کی سفارش کردی
لاڑکانہ۔ حکومت سندھ نے وفاق سے بلدیاتی نظام میں تبدیلی کی سفارش کردی ۔صوبائی وزیرقانون نے کہاہے کہ نئے نظام نے ریاست میں ریاستیں قائم کردی ہیں ۔صوبائی وزیرقانون محمد ایاز سومرو نے لاڑکانہ میں ذرائع ابلاغ سے بات چیت میں کہا کہ سندھ حکومت نے وفاق کوتجویز دی ہے کہ موجودہ بلدیاتی نظام کوکنٹرول کرنے کیلئے قوانین میں ترمیم کی جائے اور1973 ء کے دستور کے تحت سابقہ لوکل باڈیز سسٹم کوبحال کیا جائے ۔صوبائی وزیرنے کہا کہ موجودہ نظام حکومت سے ریاست کے اندرریاست قائم کرکے شخصی حکومتیں قائم کردی گئی ہیں ان حکومتوں سے عوام کے مسائل حل نہیں ہونگے بلکہ کرپشن میں اضافہ ہوگا اس لئے ضلعی وتحصیل حکومتوں پرچیک اینڈبیلنس رکھنے کیلئے بلدیاتی نظام میں تبدیلیاں لاکرصوبوں کواختیارات دئے جائیں۔
ایوان صدر میں ججوں کی بحالی کے خلاف سازشیں کی جارہی ہیں ۔ منیر اے ملک
کراچی۔ سپریم کورٹ بار ایسوسی ایشن کے سابق صدر منیر اے ملک نے کہا ہے کہ ججوں کو اعلان مری کے مطابق فی الفور بحال کیا جائے، وکلاء جمہوری قوتوں کو کمزور کرنا نہیں چاہتے، عدلیہ کی بحالی کا معاملہ آئینی پیکیج سے علیحدہ ہے ۔ جمعرات کو سندھ ہائی کورٹ بار ایسوسی ایشن کے جنرل باڈی اجلاس سے خطاب کرتے ہوئے منیر اے ملک نے کہا کہ ہم جمہوری قوتوں سے تصادم نہیں چاہتے اور نہ ہی جمہوری قوتوں کا آپس میں تصادم ہونے دیں گے کیونکہ اس کا فائدہ سازش کرنے والوں کو ہو گا۔انہوں نے کہا کہ وکلاء تحریک کا مقصد انصاف پر مبنی معاشرے کا قیام ہے تا کہ آنے والا کل آج سے بہتر ہو۔ انہوں نے کہا کہ عدلیہ میں اصلاحات کی بات کی جا رہی ہے اور پارلیمنٹ کو آئین میں ترامیم کا حق ہے مگر اصل مسئلہ نیتوں کا ہے۔ انہوں نے کہا کہ پارلیمنٹ آئین میں ترمیم تو کر سکتی ہے مگر اس کا بنیادی ڈھانچہ تبدیل نہیں کر سکتی تا ہم ججوں کے معاملے پر پارلیمنٹ میں بحث کرنا ارکان اسمبلی کا حق ہے۔انہوں نے کہا کہ الٹی گنتی ہم نے نہیں سیاستدانوں نے خود شروع کی ہے لہذا اعلان مری کے مطابق فی الفور ججوں کو بحال کیا جائے اور حکومت اس ڈیڈ لائن کے اندر ہی ججوں کو بحال کر دے تو ہمارے خدشات دور ہو جائیں گے۔ انہوں نے کہا کہ یہ صرف وکلاء کی نہیں سب کی مشترکہ جدوجہد ہے اور بھرپور تحریک چلانے پر وکلاء سول سوسائٹی، مزدور، کسان، عام شہری اور سیاستدانوں کے مشکور ہیں جنہوں نے وکلاء کا بھرپور ساتھ دیا۔ منیر اے ملک نے الزام لگایا کہ ایوان صدر سازشوں کا گڑھ بن چکا ہے اور ججوں کی بحالی کے خلاف وہاںسازشیں کی جارہی ہیں۔ انہوں نے اس خدشے کا اظہار کیا کہ ایک جمہوری وزیر اعظم کو حلف اٹھائے ایک ماہ سے زیادہ کا عرصہ گزر گیا ہے مگر جمہوریت کے خلاف سازش کرنے والا اٹارنی جنرل آج بھی حکومت کا وکیل ہے۔ انہوں نے کہا کہ وکلاء کسی بیرونی سازش کو کامیاب نہیں ہونے دیں گے۔ منیر اے ملک نے کہا کہ منزل بہت قریب ہے مگر ججوں کی بحالی سے جدوجہد ختم نہیں ہو گی بلکہ اس کی شکل بدل جائے گی۔
مسلم لیگ (ن) نے اعلان مری کے مطابق ججز کی بحالی کے بارے مجوزہ قرار داد کا مسودہ جاری کر دیا
مجوزہ قرار داد میں ٣ نومبر کے تمام اقدامات کو کالعدم قرار دے دیا گیا
اسلام آباد ۔ پاکستان مسلم لیگ (ن) نے اعلان مری کے مطابق ججز کی بحالی کے حوالے سے پارٹی کی جانب سے وضع کی گئی مجوزہ قرار داد کے مسودے کو جاری کر دیا گیا ہے قرار دادمیں تین نومبر 2007ء کے تمام اقدامات واپس لئے جانے کا مطالبہ کیاگیا ہے۔ قرار داد کا مسودہ جمعرات کو پاکستان مسلم لیگ (ن) کے سنیئرنائب صدر ظفر علی شاہ کی پارٹی سیکرٹریٹ میں پریس کانفرنس کے دوران تقسیم کیاگیا۔ قرار داد میں کہاگیا ہے کہ قومی اسمبلی کا اجلاس متفقہ طور پر یہ فیصلہ کرتاہے اور اس بات کا اعلان کرتاہے کہ 3نومبر 2007ء کو جبکہ ملک میں آئین بحال تھا پارلیمنٹ موجود تھی اور صدر پاکستان بھی موجود تھے تو اس وقت کے آرمی چیف آف اسٹاف نے جس ایمر جنسی کا نفاذ کیا تھا وہ صریحاً غیر قانونی اور ماورائے آئین فعل تھا لہٰذا اجلاس اس ایمر جنسی کے نفاذ کو کالعدم قرار دیتا ہے۔ مجوزہ قرار داد میں مزید کہاگیا ہے کہ قومی اسمبلی کا اجلاس متفقہ طور پر فیصلہ کرتا ہے کہ تین نومبر 2007ء کو اس وقت کے چیف آف آرمی سٹاف کی طرف سے نام نہاد نافذ کردہ ایمرجنسی کے اعلان اور اس کے طاقت کے بل بوتے پر جو پی سی اونمبر 1- پاکستان 2007کے نفاد ، 3نومبر 2007ء کو ہی ججز آرڈرOath of Officeکے نفاد اور 15نومبر 2007ء کوProvisional Constution (Amendmnt)Order No 1 2007اور مورخہ 20نومبر2007ء کو صدارتی حکم نمبر2007-5ء کے ذریعےConstitution(Amendment Order Of 2007)کے نفاذ کو اور 14دسمبر 2007ء کو صدارتی حکم نمبر 6، 2007ء کے ذریعےConstitution (2nd Amendment Order 2007)کو اور صدارتی حکم نمبر 7، 2007کے ذریعےIslambad High Court Establishment Order 2007)کو اور اسی طرح 14دسمبر کو ہی صدارتی حکم نمبر9،2007ء کے تحتSuperme Court Judges (Pensionary Benefits Order,2007)کو اور پھر بالآخر 15دسمبر 2007 ء کو(Revocation of Pakistan of Emergency Order 2007کو قومی اسمبلی کا اجلاس متفقہ طور پر کالعدم قرار دیتا ہے-مسودہ قرار داد کے مطابق اجلاس تین نومبر 2007ء کی نافذ کردہ غیر آئینی ایمر جنسی کی کوکھ سے جنم لینے والی مندرجہ بالا قانون سازی کو بھی غیر قانونی ، غیر آئینی اور بغیر اختیار کے اس کے نفاذ کو کالعدم قرار دیتا ہے اس بات کا بھی اعلان کرتا ہے کہ 2002ء کے انتخابات کی آئینی مدت پوری ہونے کے بعد 2008ء کے عام انتخابات آئین کے تحت ہیں نیز یہ بھی فیصلہ کیاجاتاہے کہ ان انتخابات کی حیثیت کو کسی بھی فورم ،عدالت ، بشمول ہائی کورٹ یا سپریم کورٹ میں چیلنج نہیں کیاجا سکے گا۔ اجلاس وفاقی حکومت اور پاکستان کے وزیراعظم سید یوسف رضا گیلانی کو سفارش کرتا ہے کہ قومی اسمبلی کی اس قرار داد کی روشنی اور روح کے مطابق تین نومبر 2007ء کو سپریم کورٹ اور ہائی کورٹس میں کام کرنے والے ججز کو ان کے عدالتی فرائض سرانجام دینے کیلئے انتظامات و سہولیات مہیا کی جائیں ۔ اجلاس حکومت پاکستان سے اس بات کی بھی سفارش کرتا ہے کہ تین نومبر 2007ء سے لے کر آج کے دن تک عدالتوں میں ہونے والے عام عوام کے درمیان ہونے والے مقدمات کے فیصلوں کو تحفظ بھی فراہم کیاجائے جبکہ اس دوران قومی اور سیاسی اہمیت کے ہونے والے فیصلوں کو تعصب سے بالا تر ہو کر بحال ہونے والی عدالتوں کو Reviewکرنے کا اختیار حاصل ہو گا۔ 3نومبر 2007 ء کی نام نہاد ایمر جنسی کے بعد ملک ایک بدترین آئینی ،عدالتی اور سیاسی بحران کا شکار چلا آرہاہے اٹھارہ فروری 2008ء کے عام انتخابات میں ملک کو جمہوریت کی پٹڑی پر چڑھانے کی کوشش کی گئی ہے اور مختلف پارلیمانی سیاسی جماعتوں بالخصوص پاکستان مسلم لیگ (ن) ، پیپلز پارٹی اور عوامی نیشنل پارٹی نے اور ان کی قیادت میاں نواز شریف ، آصف علی زرداری اور اسفند یار ولی خان نے قومی مفاہمت کے فارمولے کے پیش نظر مرکز میں ایک اتحادی حکومت بھی تشکیل دے دی ہے اور جو اس وقت کلی طور پر اقتدار کی غلام گردشوں میں گھوم پھر رہی ہے ۔ مجوزہ قرار داد میں کہاگیا ہے کہ قوم اور وکلاء برادری جو 3نومبر 2007ء کی نام نہاد ایمر جنسی کے خلاف ایک مضبوط اور آئینی تحریک چلائے ہوئے ہیں مسلسل تذبذب کا شکار ہیں اور آئے دن’’ مختلف آپشنز پر عمل ہو رہا ہے‘‘ کی خبروں کی وجہ سے پوری قوم بمعہ وکلاء کے ایک عجیب کرب میں مبتلا ہے ۔
اسلام آباد ۔ پاکستان مسلم لیگ (ن) نے اعلان مری کے مطابق ججز کی بحالی کے حوالے سے پارٹی کی جانب سے وضع کی گئی مجوزہ قرار داد کے مسودے کو جاری کر دیا گیا ہے قرار دادمیں تین نومبر 2007ء کے تمام اقدامات واپس لئے جانے کا مطالبہ کیاگیا ہے۔ قرار داد کا مسودہ جمعرات کو پاکستان مسلم لیگ (ن) کے سنیئرنائب صدر ظفر علی شاہ کی پارٹی سیکرٹریٹ میں پریس کانفرنس کے دوران تقسیم کیاگیا۔ قرار داد میں کہاگیا ہے کہ قومی اسمبلی کا اجلاس متفقہ طور پر یہ فیصلہ کرتاہے اور اس بات کا اعلان کرتاہے کہ 3نومبر 2007ء کو جبکہ ملک میں آئین بحال تھا پارلیمنٹ موجود تھی اور صدر پاکستان بھی موجود تھے تو اس وقت کے آرمی چیف آف اسٹاف نے جس ایمر جنسی کا نفاذ کیا تھا وہ صریحاً غیر قانونی اور ماورائے آئین فعل تھا لہٰذا اجلاس اس ایمر جنسی کے نفاذ کو کالعدم قرار دیتا ہے۔ مجوزہ قرار داد میں مزید کہاگیا ہے کہ قومی اسمبلی کا اجلاس متفقہ طور پر فیصلہ کرتا ہے کہ تین نومبر 2007ء کو اس وقت کے چیف آف آرمی سٹاف کی طرف سے نام نہاد نافذ کردہ ایمرجنسی کے اعلان اور اس کے طاقت کے بل بوتے پر جو پی سی اونمبر 1- پاکستان 2007کے نفاد ، 3نومبر 2007ء کو ہی ججز آرڈرOath of Officeکے نفاد اور 15نومبر 2007ء کوProvisional Constution (Amendmnt)Order No 1 2007اور مورخہ 20نومبر2007ء کو صدارتی حکم نمبر2007-5ء کے ذریعےConstitution(Amendment Order Of 2007)کے نفاذ کو اور 14دسمبر 2007ء کو صدارتی حکم نمبر 6، 2007ء کے ذریعےConstitution (2nd Amendment Order 2007)کو اور صدارتی حکم نمبر 7، 2007کے ذریعےIslambad High Court Establishment Order 2007)کو اور اسی طرح 14دسمبر کو ہی صدارتی حکم نمبر9،2007ء کے تحتSuperme Court Judges (Pensionary Benefits Order,2007)کو اور پھر بالآخر 15دسمبر 2007 ء کو(Revocation of Pakistan of Emergency Order 2007کو قومی اسمبلی کا اجلاس متفقہ طور پر کالعدم قرار دیتا ہے-مسودہ قرار داد کے مطابق اجلاس تین نومبر 2007ء کی نافذ کردہ غیر آئینی ایمر جنسی کی کوکھ سے جنم لینے والی مندرجہ بالا قانون سازی کو بھی غیر قانونی ، غیر آئینی اور بغیر اختیار کے اس کے نفاذ کو کالعدم قرار دیتا ہے اس بات کا بھی اعلان کرتا ہے کہ 2002ء کے انتخابات کی آئینی مدت پوری ہونے کے بعد 2008ء کے عام انتخابات آئین کے تحت ہیں نیز یہ بھی فیصلہ کیاجاتاہے کہ ان انتخابات کی حیثیت کو کسی بھی فورم ،عدالت ، بشمول ہائی کورٹ یا سپریم کورٹ میں چیلنج نہیں کیاجا سکے گا۔ اجلاس وفاقی حکومت اور پاکستان کے وزیراعظم سید یوسف رضا گیلانی کو سفارش کرتا ہے کہ قومی اسمبلی کی اس قرار داد کی روشنی اور روح کے مطابق تین نومبر 2007ء کو سپریم کورٹ اور ہائی کورٹس میں کام کرنے والے ججز کو ان کے عدالتی فرائض سرانجام دینے کیلئے انتظامات و سہولیات مہیا کی جائیں ۔ اجلاس حکومت پاکستان سے اس بات کی بھی سفارش کرتا ہے کہ تین نومبر 2007ء سے لے کر آج کے دن تک عدالتوں میں ہونے والے عام عوام کے درمیان ہونے والے مقدمات کے فیصلوں کو تحفظ بھی فراہم کیاجائے جبکہ اس دوران قومی اور سیاسی اہمیت کے ہونے والے فیصلوں کو تعصب سے بالا تر ہو کر بحال ہونے والی عدالتوں کو Reviewکرنے کا اختیار حاصل ہو گا۔ 3نومبر 2007 ء کی نام نہاد ایمر جنسی کے بعد ملک ایک بدترین آئینی ،عدالتی اور سیاسی بحران کا شکار چلا آرہاہے اٹھارہ فروری 2008ء کے عام انتخابات میں ملک کو جمہوریت کی پٹڑی پر چڑھانے کی کوشش کی گئی ہے اور مختلف پارلیمانی سیاسی جماعتوں بالخصوص پاکستان مسلم لیگ (ن) ، پیپلز پارٹی اور عوامی نیشنل پارٹی نے اور ان کی قیادت میاں نواز شریف ، آصف علی زرداری اور اسفند یار ولی خان نے قومی مفاہمت کے فارمولے کے پیش نظر مرکز میں ایک اتحادی حکومت بھی تشکیل دے دی ہے اور جو اس وقت کلی طور پر اقتدار کی غلام گردشوں میں گھوم پھر رہی ہے ۔ مجوزہ قرار داد میں کہاگیا ہے کہ قوم اور وکلاء برادری جو 3نومبر 2007ء کی نام نہاد ایمر جنسی کے خلاف ایک مضبوط اور آئینی تحریک چلائے ہوئے ہیں مسلسل تذبذب کا شکار ہیں اور آئے دن’’ مختلف آپشنز پر عمل ہو رہا ہے‘‘ کی خبروں کی وجہ سے پوری قوم بمعہ وکلاء کے ایک عجیب کرب میں مبتلا ہے ۔
وزیراعلی پنجاب سردار دوست محمد کھوسہ نے نصابی کتب سے صدر پرویز مشرف اور چوہدری پرو یز الہی کی تصاویر ہٹانے کے احکامات جاری کردئیے
چکوال ۔ وزیراعلٰی پنجاب سردار دوست محمدکھوسہ نے تمام اضلاع کے ڈی سی اوز کو سرکلر جاری کیا ہے کہ پنجاب حکومت کی طرف سے طلباء و طالبات کو فراہم کی جانے والی مفت کتابیں جن کے اوپر صدر مشرف اور سابق وزیراعلٰی پنجاب چوہدری پرویز الہی کی تصاویر شامل ہیں ان کو فوری طور پر کتابوں سے ہٹاد یا جائے ۔ ڈسٹرکٹ مانیٹرنگ آفیسر چکوال کاشف منظور نے اس ضمن میں مختلف ٹیمیں تشکیل دیدی ہیں جنہوںنے جمعرات کے روز مختلف سکولوں میںخود جا کر اپنی نگرانی میں مذکورہ درسی کتابوں سے تصاویر ہٹانے کا عمل شروع کردیا ہے مذکورہ تصاویروںکو ہٹا کر ان کا تمام ریکارڈ وزیراعلی سیکرٹریٹ لاہور بھیجا جائے گا۔محکمہ تعلیم ضلع چکوال کے ذرائع نے بتایا کہ ضلع چکوال میں اس وقت ایسی 70 ہزار کتابیں موجود ہیںجن کے اوپر صدر مشرف اورسابق وزیر اعلی چوہدری پرویز الہی کی نمایاں تصاویر موجود ہیں
سونے کی قیمتوں میں اضافے سے سونے سمیت دھاتی گروپ کی درآمدات حجم ١.٩٣ ارب ڈالر تک پہنچ گیا
سونے کی قیمتوں میں اضافے سے درآمدات میں 86 فیصد سے زائد کمی
اسلام آباد۔ رواں مالی سال کے پہلے 9 ماہ کے دوران دھاتی گروپ کی درامدات ایک ارب 93 کروڑ 47 لاکھ سے زائد سے تجاوز کر گئی ہیں۔ جو گزشتہ مالی سال کے اسی عرصے کی نسبت معمولی اضافہ ہے ۔ سرکاری اعداد و شمار کے مطابق رواں مالی سال کے دوران اب تک 2 کروڑ 9 لاکھ 79 ہزار ڈالر مالیت کا 907 کلوگرام وزنی سونا 46 کروڑ 82 لاکھ 41 ہزار ڈالر مالیت کا 1.669 ملین ٹن سے زائد اندرونی لوہا اور سٹیل سکریپ 92 کروڑ 66 لاکھ 77 ہزار ڈالر مالیت کا 1.518 ملین ٹن لوہا اور سٹیل ‘ 10 کروڑ 91 لاکھ 65 ہزار ڈآلر مالیت کا ایلومینیم راوٹ اینڈ ورلڈ ‘ جبکہ 40 کروڑ 97 لاکھ 16 ہزار ڈالر مالیت کی دیگر دیہاتی مصنوعات درآمد کی گئیں ۔ ان اعداد و شمار کے مطاق سونے کی درآمدت گزشتہ سال کے اس عرصے کی نسبت 86.51 اور ایلومینیم کی درآمدات میں 18.07 فیصد کمی ریکارڈ کی گئی ہے ۔
اسلام آباد۔ رواں مالی سال کے پہلے 9 ماہ کے دوران دھاتی گروپ کی درامدات ایک ارب 93 کروڑ 47 لاکھ سے زائد سے تجاوز کر گئی ہیں۔ جو گزشتہ مالی سال کے اسی عرصے کی نسبت معمولی اضافہ ہے ۔ سرکاری اعداد و شمار کے مطابق رواں مالی سال کے دوران اب تک 2 کروڑ 9 لاکھ 79 ہزار ڈالر مالیت کا 907 کلوگرام وزنی سونا 46 کروڑ 82 لاکھ 41 ہزار ڈالر مالیت کا 1.669 ملین ٹن سے زائد اندرونی لوہا اور سٹیل سکریپ 92 کروڑ 66 لاکھ 77 ہزار ڈالر مالیت کا 1.518 ملین ٹن لوہا اور سٹیل ‘ 10 کروڑ 91 لاکھ 65 ہزار ڈآلر مالیت کا ایلومینیم راوٹ اینڈ ورلڈ ‘ جبکہ 40 کروڑ 97 لاکھ 16 ہزار ڈالر مالیت کی دیگر دیہاتی مصنوعات درآمد کی گئیں ۔ ان اعداد و شمار کے مطاق سونے کی درآمدت گزشتہ سال کے اس عرصے کی نسبت 86.51 اور ایلومینیم کی درآمدات میں 18.07 فیصد کمی ریکارڈ کی گئی ہے ۔
تبت کی علیحدگی کی حمایت نہیں کر رہا ، دلائی لامہ
واشنگٹن ۔ دلائی لامہ نے ان چینی دعوؤں کی تردید کی ہے کہ وہ تبت کی علیحدگی کی حمایت کررہے ہیں ۔ انہوں نے کہا کہ وہ صرف اس کے منفرد کلچر اور روایات کے تحفظ کے لیے خود اختیاری کے خواہاں ہیں جو بیجنگ کے اقتدار کے تحت صرف کاغذ پر باقی رہ گئی ہے۔ ساری دنیا جانتی ہے کہ ہم علیحدگی کا مطالبہ نہیں کر رہے ہیں ۔ دلائی لامہ نے زور دے کر کہا کہ جو مطالبہ کیا جارہاہے وہ صرف تبت کے لیے حقیقی اور مکمل خود اختیاری ہے جو چین کے دستور میں فراہم کردہ ہے لیکن صرف کاغذ پر باقی رہ گئی ہے ۔ تبت کے جلا وطن روحانی رہنما نے ہیملٹن نیویارک میں کولگیٹ یونیورسٹی میں ایک اجتماع سے کہا کہ ہم کو در حقیقت تبت کی زبان اور ثقافت کے مکمل تحفظ کے لیے ایک انتظام کی ضرورت ہے۔ انہوں نے کہاکہ میرے وطن میں ہر چیز کمیونسٹ ملک میں اکثریتی قوم ان چینیوں کے زیر کنٹرول ہے۔ اس دوران سانفورڈ فیلڈ ہاوس کے باہر مظاہرین نے تبت کے لیے خود اختیاری اور تبتی بدھ عقیدہ کے ایک علمبردار ڈورجے شگڈن کی عبادت پر پابندی کے مسائل پر دلائی لامہ کے موقف کے خلاف نعرے لگائے
سری لنکا ، خونریز لڑائی میں ١٠٠ تامل باغی ، ٧٦ فوجی ہلاک
تامل باغیوں نے 100 سے زائد سرکاری فوجی ہلاک اور 500 زخمی کرنے کا دعویٰ کیا ہے
کولمبو ۔سری لنکا میں تامل باغیوں اور سرکاری فوج کے درمیان دس گھنٹے کی خونریز لڑائی میں ١٠٠ باغی اور ٧٦ فوجی ہلاک یا لاپتہ ہو گئے ہیں باغیوں کے ترجمان رسیاہ الینٹریان نے دعویٰ کیاہے کہ ان خونریز جھڑپوں میں تامل باغیوں نے ١٠٠ سے زائد فوجیوں کو ہلاک اور ٥٠٠ کو زخمی کر دیاہے جبکہ ٣٠ لاشیں قبضے میں لے لی ہیں ۔ انہوں نے کہاکہ اس لڑائی میں صرف ١٦ جنگجو ہلاک ہوئے ہیں۔ الینٹریان نے الزام لگایا کہ سرکاری فوج نے ہمارے ٹھکانوں پر حملے کر کے جنگ کو ہوا دی جس کی وجہ سے یہ خونریز لڑائی چھڑ گئی ادھر فوج نے 43 فوجیوں کی ہلاکتوں اور 33 کے لا پتہ ہونے کی تصدیق کی ہے اور کہاہے کہ 120 فوجی زخمی ہوئے ہیں ۔ سرکاری فوج اور تامل باغیوں کے درمیان گزشتہ دو سال کے زائد عرصہ میں یہ سب سے زیادہ خونریز لڑائی اور حالیہ مہینوں میں فوج کو شدید جانی نقصان اٹھانا پڑا اس تازہ لڑائی میں سرکاری فوج ہلکے ہتھیار ، مارٹرز اور ٹینک کا استعمال کر رہے ہیں ۔ فوجی ترجمان بریگیڈئر یودایا نانا پکارا نے بتایا کہ سرکاری فوج تامل ٹائیگرز کے زیر قبضہ علاقے میں 500 گز تک اندر گھس گئی ہے واضح رہے کہ اس سے قبل حکومت نے تامل ٹائیگرز کی شمالی ریاست پر قبضہ کرنے کا دعوی کیا تھا ۔
کولمبو ۔سری لنکا میں تامل باغیوں اور سرکاری فوج کے درمیان دس گھنٹے کی خونریز لڑائی میں ١٠٠ باغی اور ٧٦ فوجی ہلاک یا لاپتہ ہو گئے ہیں باغیوں کے ترجمان رسیاہ الینٹریان نے دعویٰ کیاہے کہ ان خونریز جھڑپوں میں تامل باغیوں نے ١٠٠ سے زائد فوجیوں کو ہلاک اور ٥٠٠ کو زخمی کر دیاہے جبکہ ٣٠ لاشیں قبضے میں لے لی ہیں ۔ انہوں نے کہاکہ اس لڑائی میں صرف ١٦ جنگجو ہلاک ہوئے ہیں۔ الینٹریان نے الزام لگایا کہ سرکاری فوج نے ہمارے ٹھکانوں پر حملے کر کے جنگ کو ہوا دی جس کی وجہ سے یہ خونریز لڑائی چھڑ گئی ادھر فوج نے 43 فوجیوں کی ہلاکتوں اور 33 کے لا پتہ ہونے کی تصدیق کی ہے اور کہاہے کہ 120 فوجی زخمی ہوئے ہیں ۔ سرکاری فوج اور تامل باغیوں کے درمیان گزشتہ دو سال کے زائد عرصہ میں یہ سب سے زیادہ خونریز لڑائی اور حالیہ مہینوں میں فوج کو شدید جانی نقصان اٹھانا پڑا اس تازہ لڑائی میں سرکاری فوج ہلکے ہتھیار ، مارٹرز اور ٹینک کا استعمال کر رہے ہیں ۔ فوجی ترجمان بریگیڈئر یودایا نانا پکارا نے بتایا کہ سرکاری فوج تامل ٹائیگرز کے زیر قبضہ علاقے میں 500 گز تک اندر گھس گئی ہے واضح رہے کہ اس سے قبل حکومت نے تامل ٹائیگرز کی شمالی ریاست پر قبضہ کرنے کا دعوی کیا تھا ۔
٣٠ اپریل تک جج بحال نہ ہوئے تو حکومت کو مزید مہلت نہیں دیں گے
٭۔ ۔ ۔ زرداری آمر کو تحفظ دینے والے جج کو الٹا لٹکانے کی خواہش رکھتے ہیں تو عوام اور وکلاء کو آمر کے اقدامات کی توثیق کرنے والے سیاستدانوں کو بھی الٹا لٹکانے کا استحقاق ہے
٭۔ ۔ ۔ مائنس ون کا فارمولہ نا منظور، حکومت چیف جسٹس کی معیاد کم کرنے کا اقدام نہ دہرائے ورنہ خمیازہ بھگتنا پڑے گا ۔ وکلا ء ریلی سے حامد خان انور کمال اور منظور قادر کا خطاب، سیاسی رہنماؤں و کارکنوں کی شرکت
لاہور ۔ پیپلز پارٹی کے شریک چیئرمین آصف علی زرداری معزول ججوں کی بحالی کیلئے الٹی یا سیدھی گنتی کو مانے یا نہ مانے 30 اپریل تک جج بحال نہ ہوئے تو حکومت کو مزید مہلت نہیں دیں گے ۔ آمر کو تحفظ دینے والے جج کو آصف علی زرداری الٹا لٹکانے کی خواہش رکھتے ہیں تو آمر کے غیر آئینی اقدامات کی توثیق آنے والے سیاستدانوںکو الٹا لٹکانے کا حق عوام اور وکلاء کو بھی ہے ۔ اس امر کا اظہار عدلیہ کی آزادی کیلئے جاری وکلاء تحریک کے سلسلہ میں وکلاء کی ہفتہ وار ریلی کے اختتام پر وکلاء رہنماؤں نے ریلی کے شرکاء سے خطاب کرتے ہوئے کیا ۔ وکلاء ریلی میں سیاسی جماعتوں مسلم لیگ (ن) جماعت اسلامی ، خاکسار تحریک ، تحریک انصاف اور دیگر سوک تنظیموں کے قائدین و کارکنوں نے بھی بڑی تعداد میں شرکت کی ۔ سیاسی کارکنوں کی کارکنوں کی قیادت ڈپٹی سیکرٹری جماعت اسلامی فرید احمد پراچہ ، خاکسار تحریک کے سربراہ حمید الدین المشرقی ، یو پی نفاذ شریعت کے سربراہ انجینئر سلیم اللہ خان اور تحریک انصاف کے رہنما شبیر سیال نے کی جبکہ شرکاء سے سپریم کورٹ بار ایسوسی ایشن کے سابق صدر حامد خان ، لاہور ہائیکورٹ بار ایسوسی ایشن کے صدر انور کم ال ، لاہور بار ایسوسی ایشن کے صدر منظور قادر اور دیگر نے خطاب کیا ۔ قبل ازیں وکلاء کی بڑی تعداد نے ایوان عدل سے اپنے قائد منظور قادر اور سیکرٹری لطیف سرا کی قیادت میں ریلی کا آغاز کیا ۔ سیاسی جماعتوں کے کارکن بھی ریلی کے ہمراہ تھے ۔ ریلی کے شرکاء اپنے مخصوص روٹ سے ہوتے ہوئے جی پی او چوک پہنچا تو لاہور ہائیکورٹ سے وکلاء کی کثیر تعداد بھی اپنے رہنماؤں کی قیادت میں ریلی میں شامل ہو گئی ۔ ریلی کے شرکاء ’’ گو مشرف گو ، چیف تیرے جانثار بے شمار بے شمار ، مائنس ون کا فارمولا نا منظور نا منظور ،لگاتے ہوئے پنجاب اسمبلی کے سامنے فیصل چوک پہنچے ۔ جہاں وکلاء رہنماؤں نے شرکاء سے خطاب کیا ۔ ریلی سے خطاب کرتے ہوئے حامد خان نے کہا کہ کچھ عناصر جمہوریت کی گاڑی کو ڈی ریل کرنے کی کوشش کر رہے ہیں ۔ انہوں نے کہا کہ عدلیہ کی 30 دن کی بحالی کا اعلان خود آصف علی زرداری اور میاں نواز شریف نے کیا تھا ۔ یہ الٹی یا سیدھی گنتی 30 اپریل کو مکمل ہو رہی ہے اس سے آگے حکومت کو مہلت نہیں دی جائے گی ۔ وکلاء پہلے ہی 14 ماہ سے انتظار کر رہے ہیں ۔ مری ڈیکلریشن سے کسی کو بھی بھاگنے نہیں دیں گے ۔ عام نے ان جماعتوں کو ججوں کی بحالی کا مینڈیٹ دیا ہے ۔ انہوں نے کہا کہ چیف جسٹس کی مدت ملازمت کم کر نے کی کوشش 1976 میں بھی آئین میں پانچویں ترمیم کے موقع پر کی گئی جس کا خمیازہ حکومت کو بھگتنا پڑا ۔ موجودہ حکمران اس غلطی کو نہ دوہرائیں ۔ انہوں نے حکومت میں شامل جماعتوں سے مطالبہ کیا کہ وہ مشرف اور اس کے مشیروں کو فارغ کرنے پر توجہ دیں ۔ عوام ان کا بھرپور ساتھ دیں گے ۔ انور کال نے کہا کہ پاکستان بار کونسل کی ایگزیکٹو کونسل کا اجلاس تین مئی کو اسلام آباد میں ہو گا ۔ جس میں حالات کا جائزہ لینے کے بعد آئندہ کا لائحہ عمل طے کیا جائے گا ۔ انہوں نے کہا کہ معزول ججوں کی بحالی کیلئے کسی کمیٹی کی ضرورت نہیں ہے کل ہی قومی اسمبلی میں قرار داد پیش کی جائے اور ججوں کو ان کے منصب پر بٹھانے کا اہتمام کیا جائے ۔ انہوں نے کہا کہ عدلیہ کی آزادی کیلئے جن وکلاء نے اپنے خون کا نذرانہ دیا ہے ان کی اس قربانی کو کسی بھی صورت رائیگاں نہیں جانے دیا جائے گا ۔ منظور قادر نے کہا کہ ججوں کی بحالی کیلئے صرف سات روز باقی رہ گئے ہیں اس میں مزید تاخیر برداشت نہیں کی جائے گی ۔ انہوں نے کہا کہ اگر کسی کو طاقت کا گھمنڈ ہے تو ذہن سے نکال دے ۔ وکلاء نے مشرف کو بھی وردی اتارنے پر مجبور کردیا تھا ۔ اگر جج بحال نہ ہوئے تو حکومت بھی باقی نہیں رہ سکے گی ۔
٭۔ ۔ ۔ مائنس ون کا فارمولہ نا منظور، حکومت چیف جسٹس کی معیاد کم کرنے کا اقدام نہ دہرائے ورنہ خمیازہ بھگتنا پڑے گا ۔ وکلا ء ریلی سے حامد خان انور کمال اور منظور قادر کا خطاب، سیاسی رہنماؤں و کارکنوں کی شرکت
لاہور ۔ پیپلز پارٹی کے شریک چیئرمین آصف علی زرداری معزول ججوں کی بحالی کیلئے الٹی یا سیدھی گنتی کو مانے یا نہ مانے 30 اپریل تک جج بحال نہ ہوئے تو حکومت کو مزید مہلت نہیں دیں گے ۔ آمر کو تحفظ دینے والے جج کو آصف علی زرداری الٹا لٹکانے کی خواہش رکھتے ہیں تو آمر کے غیر آئینی اقدامات کی توثیق آنے والے سیاستدانوںکو الٹا لٹکانے کا حق عوام اور وکلاء کو بھی ہے ۔ اس امر کا اظہار عدلیہ کی آزادی کیلئے جاری وکلاء تحریک کے سلسلہ میں وکلاء کی ہفتہ وار ریلی کے اختتام پر وکلاء رہنماؤں نے ریلی کے شرکاء سے خطاب کرتے ہوئے کیا ۔ وکلاء ریلی میں سیاسی جماعتوں مسلم لیگ (ن) جماعت اسلامی ، خاکسار تحریک ، تحریک انصاف اور دیگر سوک تنظیموں کے قائدین و کارکنوں نے بھی بڑی تعداد میں شرکت کی ۔ سیاسی کارکنوں کی کارکنوں کی قیادت ڈپٹی سیکرٹری جماعت اسلامی فرید احمد پراچہ ، خاکسار تحریک کے سربراہ حمید الدین المشرقی ، یو پی نفاذ شریعت کے سربراہ انجینئر سلیم اللہ خان اور تحریک انصاف کے رہنما شبیر سیال نے کی جبکہ شرکاء سے سپریم کورٹ بار ایسوسی ایشن کے سابق صدر حامد خان ، لاہور ہائیکورٹ بار ایسوسی ایشن کے صدر انور کم ال ، لاہور بار ایسوسی ایشن کے صدر منظور قادر اور دیگر نے خطاب کیا ۔ قبل ازیں وکلاء کی بڑی تعداد نے ایوان عدل سے اپنے قائد منظور قادر اور سیکرٹری لطیف سرا کی قیادت میں ریلی کا آغاز کیا ۔ سیاسی جماعتوں کے کارکن بھی ریلی کے ہمراہ تھے ۔ ریلی کے شرکاء اپنے مخصوص روٹ سے ہوتے ہوئے جی پی او چوک پہنچا تو لاہور ہائیکورٹ سے وکلاء کی کثیر تعداد بھی اپنے رہنماؤں کی قیادت میں ریلی میں شامل ہو گئی ۔ ریلی کے شرکاء ’’ گو مشرف گو ، چیف تیرے جانثار بے شمار بے شمار ، مائنس ون کا فارمولا نا منظور نا منظور ،لگاتے ہوئے پنجاب اسمبلی کے سامنے فیصل چوک پہنچے ۔ جہاں وکلاء رہنماؤں نے شرکاء سے خطاب کیا ۔ ریلی سے خطاب کرتے ہوئے حامد خان نے کہا کہ کچھ عناصر جمہوریت کی گاڑی کو ڈی ریل کرنے کی کوشش کر رہے ہیں ۔ انہوں نے کہا کہ عدلیہ کی 30 دن کی بحالی کا اعلان خود آصف علی زرداری اور میاں نواز شریف نے کیا تھا ۔ یہ الٹی یا سیدھی گنتی 30 اپریل کو مکمل ہو رہی ہے اس سے آگے حکومت کو مہلت نہیں دی جائے گی ۔ وکلاء پہلے ہی 14 ماہ سے انتظار کر رہے ہیں ۔ مری ڈیکلریشن سے کسی کو بھی بھاگنے نہیں دیں گے ۔ عام نے ان جماعتوں کو ججوں کی بحالی کا مینڈیٹ دیا ہے ۔ انہوں نے کہا کہ چیف جسٹس کی مدت ملازمت کم کر نے کی کوشش 1976 میں بھی آئین میں پانچویں ترمیم کے موقع پر کی گئی جس کا خمیازہ حکومت کو بھگتنا پڑا ۔ موجودہ حکمران اس غلطی کو نہ دوہرائیں ۔ انہوں نے حکومت میں شامل جماعتوں سے مطالبہ کیا کہ وہ مشرف اور اس کے مشیروں کو فارغ کرنے پر توجہ دیں ۔ عوام ان کا بھرپور ساتھ دیں گے ۔ انور کال نے کہا کہ پاکستان بار کونسل کی ایگزیکٹو کونسل کا اجلاس تین مئی کو اسلام آباد میں ہو گا ۔ جس میں حالات کا جائزہ لینے کے بعد آئندہ کا لائحہ عمل طے کیا جائے گا ۔ انہوں نے کہا کہ معزول ججوں کی بحالی کیلئے کسی کمیٹی کی ضرورت نہیں ہے کل ہی قومی اسمبلی میں قرار داد پیش کی جائے اور ججوں کو ان کے منصب پر بٹھانے کا اہتمام کیا جائے ۔ انہوں نے کہا کہ عدلیہ کی آزادی کیلئے جن وکلاء نے اپنے خون کا نذرانہ دیا ہے ان کی اس قربانی کو کسی بھی صورت رائیگاں نہیں جانے دیا جائے گا ۔ منظور قادر نے کہا کہ ججوں کی بحالی کیلئے صرف سات روز باقی رہ گئے ہیں اس میں مزید تاخیر برداشت نہیں کی جائے گی ۔ انہوں نے کہا کہ اگر کسی کو طاقت کا گھمنڈ ہے تو ذہن سے نکال دے ۔ وکلاء نے مشرف کو بھی وردی اتارنے پر مجبور کردیا تھا ۔ اگر جج بحال نہ ہوئے تو حکومت بھی باقی نہیں رہ سکے گی ۔
وکلاء کی تحریک کسی فرد کے مفاد کیلئے نہیں قوم کو انصاف فراہمی کیلئے ہے ‘جسٹس افتخار محمد چوہدری
لاہور ۔ معزول چیف جسٹس آف پاکستان افتخار محمد چوہدری نے کہا ہے کہ وکلاء کی تحریک کسی فرد کے مفاد کے لئے نہیں بلکہ قوم کو انصاف فراہمی کیلئے ہے اور ایسی تحریک کی پوری دنیا میں مثال نہیں ملتی ‘جب تک ملک میں انصاف آئین اور قانون کی حکمرانی نہیں ہو گی ڈکٹیٹر شپ اور آمریت کا راستہ رک سکتا ہے نہ ہی حقیقی جمہوریت کا تصور ممکن ہے ۔ پی سی او کے تحت حلف نہ اٹھا کر اپنے ضمیر اور قومی امنگوں کے مطابق فیصلہ کیا اور اپنے اس اقدام پر فخر ہے ۔ ان خیالات کا اظہا رانہوں نے لاہور ہائیکورٹ بار ایسوسی ایشن کے صدر انور کمال کی قیادت میں ملنے والے وفد سے گفتگو اور وکلاء کے نام اپنے پیغام میں کیا جو آج لاہور بار کے صدر منظور قادر نے وکلاء کو پڑھ کر سنایا ۔ جسٹس افتخار محمد چوہدری نے کہا کہ وکلاء کی تحریک جلد رنگ لائے گی اور وہ وقت دور نہیں جب ملک میں ایک مرتبہ پھر آئین ‘ انصاف اور قانون کی حکمرانی ہو گی اور غیر آئینی اقدامات کرنے والے سزا سے نہیں بچ سکیں گے ۔ انہوں نے کہا کہ وکلاء نے نو مارچ سے اب تک مسلسل تحریک چلا کر جو قربانی دی ہے اسے نظر انداز نہیں کیا جا سکتا اور یہ پوری دنیا کے لئے ایک مثالی تحریک بن چکی ہے جسے تاریخ میں سنہری حرف میں لکھا جائیگا ۔ انہوں نے کہا کہ پی سی او کے تحت حلف اٹھانا غیر آئینی تھا کیونکہ دو نومبرکو سپریم کورٹ کے سات رکنی بنچ نے میری سربراہی میں فرد واحد کے پی سی او کو غیر آئینی قرار دیا تھا جن ججز نے پی سی او کے تحت حلف نہیں اٹھایا وہ آج بھی آئینی طور پر جج ہیں اور انہیں کوئی بھی طاقت عدالتوں میں بیٹھنے سے نہیں روک سکتی ۔
آرٹیکل ٦٨ اور ٦٩ کے تحت ججوں کا معاملہ پارلیمنٹ میں زیر بحث نہیں لایا جا سکتا
مولوی اقبال حیدر کی اسلام آباد ہائی کورٹ میں پٹیشن ، سپیکر ، ڈپٹی سپیکر اور وزارت قانون کو فریق بنا دیا
اسلام آباد ۔ مولوی اقبال حیدر نے اسلام آباد ہائی کورٹ میں پٹیشن دائر کی ہے کہ ججوں سے متعلق کوئی معاملہ پارلیمنٹ میں زیر بحث نہیں لایا جاسکتا ۔ مولوی اقبال حیدر نے آئین کے آرٹیکل 199 کے تحت رٹ پٹیشن اسلام آباد میں داخل کی ہے جس میں انہوں نے سپیکر ، ڈپٹی سپیکر اور وزارت قانون کو فریق بنایا ہے۔ پٹیشن میں عدالت عالیہ سے درخواست کی گئی ہے کہ ججوں کے حوالے سے معاملہ آئین کے آرٹیکل 68 اور 69 کے تحت پارلیمنٹ میں زیر بحث نہیں لایا جا سکتا ۔ انہوں نے موقف اختیار کیا کہ سپریم کورٹ آف پاکستان کے فیصلے کی رو سے پی سی او اور ججز کی برطرفی کو جائز قرار دیا ہے اور یہ اس فیصلے کی بھی خلاف ورزی ہو گی۔ یہ درخواست بھی کی گئی ہے کہ اگر اس قسم سے ججز کے حوالے سے کوئی قرار داد پارلیمنٹ میں پیش کی جائے گی تو اس میں لا محالہ ججوں کے حوالے سے بھی بحث ہو گی ۔اس لیے پارلیمنٹ کا قرار داد پاس کرنا آئین سے متصادم ہو گالہذا سپیکر کو یا اجلاس کو چےئر کرنے کرنے والے شخص کو ایسا کرنے سے روکا جائے اور اگر سپیکر ایسی قرار داد پاس کرنے کی اجازت دیتے ہیں تو سپیکر کو نا اہل قرار دینے کے حوالے سے احکامات جاری کئے جائیں
۔۔۔۔مزید تفصیل ۔۔۔۔۔
ججوں کی بحالی کے حوالے سے پارلیمنٹ میںپیش کی جانے والی مجوزہ قرار داد اسلام آباد ہائی کورٹ میں چیلنج کر دیا گیا
پیٹشن مولوی اقبال حیدر نے آئین کے آرٹیکل 199کے تحت دائر کی
درخواست میں اسپیکر ، ڈپٹی اسپیکرقومی اسمبلی اور سیکرٹری قانون کو فریق بنایا گیا
چوہدری اعتزاز حسن نے 3 نومبر کے اقدامات کے نتیجے میں بننے والی اسلام آباد ہائی کورٹ کو غیر آئینی قرار دے دیا ہ
ججوں کی بحالی کے حوالے سے پارلیمنٹ میںپیش کی جانے والی مجوزہ قرار داد اسلام آباد ہائی کورٹ میں چیلنج کر دیا گیاہے جبکہ چوہدری اعتزاز حسن نے 3 نومبر کے اقدامات کے نتیجے میں بننے والی اسلام آباد ہائی کورٹ کو غیر آئینی قرار دے دیا ہے ۔جمعرات کو مولوی اقبال حیدر نے اسلام آباد ہائیکورٹ میں ایک رٹ پٹیشن دائرکی ہے جس میں انہوں نے موقف اختیار کیا ہے کہ ججز سے متعلق کوئی معاملہ پارلیمنٹ میں زیر بحث نہیں لایا جا سکتا اور عدالت عالیہ اسپیکر ، ڈپٹی اسپیکر کو قرارداد قومی اسمبلی میں پیش کرنے سے روکے۔مولوی اقبال حیدر نے آئین کے آرٹیکل 199کے تحت پٹیشن دائر کی ہے جس میں انہوں نے اسپیکر ، ڈپٹی اسپیکرقومی اسمبلی اور سیکرٹری قانون کو فریق بنایا ہے۔ انہوں نے اپنی پٹیشن میں موقف اختیار کیا کہ ججز سے متعلق کوئی بھی معاملہ آئین کے آرٹیکل 68اور 69کے تحت پارلیمنٹ میں پیش نہیں کیا جاسکتااس کے علاوہ یہ اقدام 3 نومبر کے بعد تشکیل پانے والی سپریم کورٹ کے فیصلے کی بھی خلاف ورزی ہوگی جس میں پی سی او اور ججز کی برطرفی کو جائز قرار دیا گیا ہے۔انہوں نے مطالبہ کیا کہ اگر قرارداد اسمبلی میں پیش کی جائے تو اسپیکرکونااہل قرار دیا جائے۔مولوی اقبال حیدر کی درخواست پر سماعت کل ہوگی۔تاہم ادھر اسلام آباد میں صحافیوں سے بات چیت کرتے ہوئے چوہدری اعتزاز حسن نے کہا ہے کہ 3 نومبرکے غیر آئینی اقدامات کے نتیجے میں تشکیل پانے والے تمام ادارے غیر آئینی ہیں،چونکہ اسلام آباد ہائی کورٹ تین نومبر کے پرویز مشرف کے اقدامات کے نتیجے میں سامنے آئی ہے اس لیے یہ غیر آئینی ہے ۔
اسلام آباد ۔ مولوی اقبال حیدر نے اسلام آباد ہائی کورٹ میں پٹیشن دائر کی ہے کہ ججوں سے متعلق کوئی معاملہ پارلیمنٹ میں زیر بحث نہیں لایا جاسکتا ۔ مولوی اقبال حیدر نے آئین کے آرٹیکل 199 کے تحت رٹ پٹیشن اسلام آباد میں داخل کی ہے جس میں انہوں نے سپیکر ، ڈپٹی سپیکر اور وزارت قانون کو فریق بنایا ہے۔ پٹیشن میں عدالت عالیہ سے درخواست کی گئی ہے کہ ججوں کے حوالے سے معاملہ آئین کے آرٹیکل 68 اور 69 کے تحت پارلیمنٹ میں زیر بحث نہیں لایا جا سکتا ۔ انہوں نے موقف اختیار کیا کہ سپریم کورٹ آف پاکستان کے فیصلے کی رو سے پی سی او اور ججز کی برطرفی کو جائز قرار دیا ہے اور یہ اس فیصلے کی بھی خلاف ورزی ہو گی۔ یہ درخواست بھی کی گئی ہے کہ اگر اس قسم سے ججز کے حوالے سے کوئی قرار داد پارلیمنٹ میں پیش کی جائے گی تو اس میں لا محالہ ججوں کے حوالے سے بھی بحث ہو گی ۔اس لیے پارلیمنٹ کا قرار داد پاس کرنا آئین سے متصادم ہو گالہذا سپیکر کو یا اجلاس کو چےئر کرنے کرنے والے شخص کو ایسا کرنے سے روکا جائے اور اگر سپیکر ایسی قرار داد پاس کرنے کی اجازت دیتے ہیں تو سپیکر کو نا اہل قرار دینے کے حوالے سے احکامات جاری کئے جائیں
۔۔۔۔مزید تفصیل ۔۔۔۔۔
ججوں کی بحالی کے حوالے سے پارلیمنٹ میںپیش کی جانے والی مجوزہ قرار داد اسلام آباد ہائی کورٹ میں چیلنج کر دیا گیا
پیٹشن مولوی اقبال حیدر نے آئین کے آرٹیکل 199کے تحت دائر کی
درخواست میں اسپیکر ، ڈپٹی اسپیکرقومی اسمبلی اور سیکرٹری قانون کو فریق بنایا گیا
چوہدری اعتزاز حسن نے 3 نومبر کے اقدامات کے نتیجے میں بننے والی اسلام آباد ہائی کورٹ کو غیر آئینی قرار دے دیا ہ
ججوں کی بحالی کے حوالے سے پارلیمنٹ میںپیش کی جانے والی مجوزہ قرار داد اسلام آباد ہائی کورٹ میں چیلنج کر دیا گیاہے جبکہ چوہدری اعتزاز حسن نے 3 نومبر کے اقدامات کے نتیجے میں بننے والی اسلام آباد ہائی کورٹ کو غیر آئینی قرار دے دیا ہے ۔جمعرات کو مولوی اقبال حیدر نے اسلام آباد ہائیکورٹ میں ایک رٹ پٹیشن دائرکی ہے جس میں انہوں نے موقف اختیار کیا ہے کہ ججز سے متعلق کوئی معاملہ پارلیمنٹ میں زیر بحث نہیں لایا جا سکتا اور عدالت عالیہ اسپیکر ، ڈپٹی اسپیکر کو قرارداد قومی اسمبلی میں پیش کرنے سے روکے۔مولوی اقبال حیدر نے آئین کے آرٹیکل 199کے تحت پٹیشن دائر کی ہے جس میں انہوں نے اسپیکر ، ڈپٹی اسپیکرقومی اسمبلی اور سیکرٹری قانون کو فریق بنایا ہے۔ انہوں نے اپنی پٹیشن میں موقف اختیار کیا کہ ججز سے متعلق کوئی بھی معاملہ آئین کے آرٹیکل 68اور 69کے تحت پارلیمنٹ میں پیش نہیں کیا جاسکتااس کے علاوہ یہ اقدام 3 نومبر کے بعد تشکیل پانے والی سپریم کورٹ کے فیصلے کی بھی خلاف ورزی ہوگی جس میں پی سی او اور ججز کی برطرفی کو جائز قرار دیا گیا ہے۔انہوں نے مطالبہ کیا کہ اگر قرارداد اسمبلی میں پیش کی جائے تو اسپیکرکونااہل قرار دیا جائے۔مولوی اقبال حیدر کی درخواست پر سماعت کل ہوگی۔تاہم ادھر اسلام آباد میں صحافیوں سے بات چیت کرتے ہوئے چوہدری اعتزاز حسن نے کہا ہے کہ 3 نومبرکے غیر آئینی اقدامات کے نتیجے میں تشکیل پانے والے تمام ادارے غیر آئینی ہیں،چونکہ اسلام آباد ہائی کورٹ تین نومبر کے پرویز مشرف کے اقدامات کے نتیجے میں سامنے آئی ہے اس لیے یہ غیر آئینی ہے ۔
Abbas back in US seeking peace deal
WASHINGTON - Palestinian Authority chief Mahmud Abbas began talks here Wednesday with the US administration on peace negotiations with Israel that remain stalled five months after Washington-led attempts to jumpstart the peace process.
Abbas, who is to meet President George W. Bush Thursday after talking with US lawmakers, told Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Wednesday it was crunch time for Middle East peace talks and was hoping for intervention from Washington to achieve a breakthrough.
"The president emphasized in the meeting (with Rice) that five months after Annapolis, the gap between the Palestinian and Israeli sides remains wide, and he said it is time for decisions to be made," Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat told reporters. "Time is of the essence."
Abbas also told Rice that "the continuation of Israeli settlements (in the West Bank) are still the main obstacle" of the peace process, Erakat said.
The negotiator added that Rice told Abbas she was preparing a new trip to the Palestinian territories and Israel on May 3 and 4.
During a tour which took him to Russia, Tunisia and Iceland prior to Washington, Abbas told reporters he would inform Bush "about the course of negotiations with Israel and let it be known in all frankness our position on the main negotiated dossiers."
Early Wednesday, Abbas met with King Abdullah of Jordan in Washington -- one of a flurry of meetings aimed to set the stage for a visit by Bush in May to the Middle East.
"A big gap separates our positions from those of Israel," Abbas told reporters, adding that he was not expecting an easy path toward an accord.
"Negotiated questions are not easy. They are difficult, complex, but we should try to find a solution," he said.
Abbas's visit here comes five months after the United States, Israel and key Arab players launched the latest Palestinian-Israeli peace process in Annapolis, Maryland in late November 2007, hoping to create a bulwark against rising Islamist extremism.
Abbas spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina said Abbas has an eye on the clock, and that the Palestinian Authority was looking "toward reaching an accord before the end of the year."
Nevertheless, "the gap between our position and that of Israel is enormous, and Washington will have to play a role to bridge the gap," he said.
Bush aims to conclude a comprehensive agreement by the end of 2008 -- just before he leaves the US presidency.
Abbas discussed plans for a Middle East peace conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a trip to Moscow on Friday.
Russia is a member of the Middle East diplomatic quartet along with the European Union, the United Nations and the United States.
A ministerial meeting of the four is to take place May 1-2 in London, Russia has announced.
Abbas has also confirmed he would again meet Bush at the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh on May 17.
"We would also gladly welcome Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert at the summit," he added, "but we do not know whether this will be the case."
He said as he launched the Annapolis process last year that the peace negotiations would offer the Palestinians "an alternative vision for the future, a vision of peace, a homeland of their own, and a better life."
Meanwhile in the Gaza Strip, Israeli warplanes carried out two air strikes Wednesday evening, killing one Palestinian and wounding three, according to Palestinian doctors and witnesses.
An Israeli military spokesman confirmed the raids, saying they had targeted armed militants.
Also on Wednesday, the Libyan UN ambassador compared the situation in Gaza to Nazi "concentration camps," prompting a walkout by Western diplomats from a UN Security Council meeting.
The incident occurred as the 15-member council was trying to agree on a compromise statement that would have highlighted the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza while also contributing towards efforts to reach an Israeli-Palestinian settlement.
US, UK, France walk out as Libya compares Gaza to Nazi concentration camps
UNITED NATIONS – The United States, Britain, France and other members walked out of a closed meeting of the U.N. Security Council late Wednesday after Libya compared the situation in Gaza to Nazi concentration camps in World War II, council diplomats said.
The walkout was a rare protest by diplomats on the U.N.'s most powerful body against one of their own members. Libya is the only Arab representative on the council.
Council members were meeting privately late in the afternoon to discuss the possibility of issuing a press statement following a briefing on the situation in the Middle East. Assistant Secretary-General Angela Kane had reported on the escalation in violence and growing humanitarian plight in Gaza as well as rocket attacks against Israel.
According to several diplomats, Libya's deputy U.N. Ambassador Ibrahim Dabbashi ended a long speech about the plight of the Palestinians by comparing the situation in Gaza to the concentration camps set up by Nazi Germany to exterminate Jews. Some 6 million Jews and between 220,000 and 500,000 Gypsies were killed during the Nazi Holocaust.
Immediately after Dabbashi mentioned the concentration camps, diplomats said, French Ambassador Jean-Maurice Ripert, U.S. deputy ambassador Alejandro Wolff, Britain's deputy ambassador Karen Pierce, Belgian Ambassador Johan Verbeke and Costa Rica's deputy ambassador walked out of the council's consultation room.
South Africa's U.N. Ambassador Dumisani Kumalo, the current council president, then ended the meeting.
We support the South African presidency's decision to close the meeting," Britain's Pierce said in a statement. A number of council members were dismayed by the approach taken by Libya and do not believe that such language helps advance the peace process."
Kumalo would not confirm the walkout, saying ambassadors always walk in and out" of council meetings.
It was very clear that we weren't going to agree (on a statement), as we haven't on many other occasions when we've tried, so there was no need to keep us in," he said, adding that some members wanted the council to address the humanitarian situation which is horrible" while others insist on including the underlying political and security issues.
Syria's U.N. Ambassador Bashar Ja'afari, who is not a Security Council member, told reporters afterwards that he agreed with Libya's characterization of the situation in Gaza.
We have many times compared this situation _ I mean the one prevailing in the occupied Palestinian territories _ to the situation in Europe during World War II," he said. Unfortunately, those who complain of being victims of some kind of genocide are repeating the same kind of genocide against the Palestinians."
Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki, in a letter to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the situation in Gaza, accused the Israeli military of perpetrating atrocious crimes against humanity ... resulting in the death and injury of hundreds of Palestinians."
In the letter, obtained Wednesday by the Associated Press, he urged Ban to take all necessary measures in order to stop the inhumane actions of the Zionist regime, and to help alleviate the sufferings of the Palestinian people."
There is no doubt that the continuation of this genocide and actual holocaust will bring about dangerous ramifications for the peace, stability, tranquility and security of the volataile region of the Middle East and the whole world at large," Mottaki warned.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has called for Israel to be wiped off the map." Mottaki said the question arises for the nations across the globe as to why the Zionist regime ... has been allowed to continue to be a member of the United Nations."
Israel has greatly restricted the flow of goods into Gaza since Hamas seized control last June. It has further tightened the blockade in recent weeks in response to heavy fighting. Israel considers Hamas, an Islamic group committed to destruction of the Jewish state, a terrorist group.
In her briefing, the U.N.'s Kane said Gaza has witnessed heightened humanitarian distress," citing closed crossings and fuel shortages which impact transportation, water supplies, sanitation and the provision of humanitarian aid.
We are deeply alarmed at the prospect of a further intensification of violence," she said, given the terrible implications for civilians and the threat such conflict would pose to the security of all parties _ the Palestinians, Israel and Egypt." The U.N. supports and encourages Egypt to continue its efforts to achieve calm in Gaza leading to a reopening of crossings," Kane said
Solar Revolution
I’ve expressed my displeasure of the current solar market before. Now the folks at MIT are pleding to revolutionize the technology for the very near future. For me, this is both great news, and not so great news. Supposing MIT is successful and in a few years announces a breakthrough in solar power, making it–as promised–abundant and affordable, the burning of fossil fuels, and potentially even nuclear power, will quickly go bust. That’s a lot of jobs going away, worldwide, including, potentially, mine (Though I’m not in the power generation business myself, the company I work for is owned by a Fortune 500 energy corporation.
On the other hand, it would mean that mankind’s carbon footprint would, what, half? It would shrink astronomically, regardless. And let’s face it, if we all had our own power generation resource, we would be more independent (to me that’s a good thing). If my power went out due to a storm, I’d have the materials and skill to get myself back online and wouldn’t have to wait for the power company to get to my street. Sure, I might still be down for a few days, but I’d have something to keep me busy, right?
So what will our lives be like in 20 years? Speculating that MIT’s pledge is a smashing success and cheap, renewable power is available worldwide, the world will change. Everything will change. Our lives, for better or poorer, will change. This could be the foundation for what will become the Singularity, the dawning of a new civilization. Things are happening rapidly, hold on!
Now I think of it, maybe energy companies need to think about getting into the solar panel installation market. It seems like it would be a conflict of interests, but if solar really becomes the Next Big Thing, they’re going to need something to fall back on, quickly.
Get Shia militia to stop attacks: US general
BAGHDAD- A top American general urged radical Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr to rein in his fighters as a US soldier was killed during a gunbattle in a militia stronghold in Baghdad.
Two bombings also struck the northern city of Mosul on Wednesday within 30 minutes of each other, killing four people and wounding 12 amid concerns that Al Qaeda in Iraq is regrouping.
A US soldier died from a bullet wound in a clash in New Baghdad, a stronghold of al-Sadr's Mahdi Army militia in an eastern section of the capital, according to Lt. Col. Steve Stover, a military spokesman.
A rocket also slammed into a closed school as teenagers were playing soccer outside, killing two youths and wounding three amid sporadic fighting in the sprawling Sadr City district, a predominantly Shia area of Baghdad that is home to 2.5 million people.
Fighting that began a month ago in response to an Iraqi government crackdown on militia violence has put a severe strain on a cease-fire called in late August by al-Sadr. The anti-US cleric threatened this weekend to unleash his militia in open war" if the operations persist.
Despite heightened rhetoric by al-Sadr and his followers, US commanders have been careful not to directly link the cleric to the fighting, instead blaming Iranian-backed Shia fighters who have broken with his movement.
We do not attribute what we've seen to JAM," said the No. 2 US commander in Iraq, Lt. Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III, using the Iraqi acronym for the Mahdi Army.
But he suggested al-Sadr could stop the attacks.
We certainly hope that Sadr will choose the road of peace and responsibility," Austin, who commands day-to-day operations in Iraq, told reporters.
Fierce fighting also broke out overnight in Husseiniyah, another area dominated by Shia militias on the northeastern outskirts of Baghdad as well as in Sadr City, the area that has been the focus of recent fighting.
The American military said 21 suspected gunmen were killed in the two neighborhoods late Tuesday. Iraqi officials said 15 civilians were among the dead, including two women.
The killing of the US soldier raised the American death toll in April to 34, the highest rate of death for troops in Iraq since September, when 65 Americans were killed, according to an Associated Press tally.
In all, at least 4,046 US military personnel have died since the Iraq war started in March 2003, according to the AP count.
Northern Iraq, where Sunni Arab extremists are the main threat, also fa more violence.
The first attack occurred about 11:15 a.m., when a suicide bomber pushing a cart detonated his explosives about 200 yards from the police headquarters, killing two people and wounding six, Brig. Gen. Khalid Abdul-Sattar said.
A parked car bomb exploded about a half hour later as a police patrol passed the vehicle in another part of the city, killing two passers-by and wounding six other people.
The bombings were the latest in a series of attacks that have chipped away at recent security gains.
Austin said more high-profile bombings are likely as Al Qaeda in Iraq tries to regroup after suffering a devastating blow last year when thousands of Sunni tribesmen turned against the terrorist group that is blamed p most car bombings and suicide attacks in Iraq.
Last weekend, the terror network announced a one-month offensive against US troops and US-allied Sunnis.
Austin vowed to work to hold our gains that we've made over the past several months."
The US military also raised the death toll from Tuesday's suicide bombing in Diyala province to 18 _ 11 civilians and seven policemen. It said twouolicemen were wounded.
Iraqi police who received reports at the provincial headquarters gave a lower toll, saying eight policemen were killed and 10 people were wounded when the woman blew herself up at the entrance to a police station in Jalula, 80 miles northeast of Baghdad.
It was the second suicide attack by a woman in as many days in Diyala, which has become a flashpoint in the battle against Al Qaeda.
Two bombings also struck the northern city of Mosul on Wednesday within 30 minutes of each other, killing four people and wounding 12 amid concerns that Al Qaeda in Iraq is regrouping.
A US soldier died from a bullet wound in a clash in New Baghdad, a stronghold of al-Sadr's Mahdi Army militia in an eastern section of the capital, according to Lt. Col. Steve Stover, a military spokesman.
A rocket also slammed into a closed school as teenagers were playing soccer outside, killing two youths and wounding three amid sporadic fighting in the sprawling Sadr City district, a predominantly Shia area of Baghdad that is home to 2.5 million people.
Fighting that began a month ago in response to an Iraqi government crackdown on militia violence has put a severe strain on a cease-fire called in late August by al-Sadr. The anti-US cleric threatened this weekend to unleash his militia in open war" if the operations persist.
Despite heightened rhetoric by al-Sadr and his followers, US commanders have been careful not to directly link the cleric to the fighting, instead blaming Iranian-backed Shia fighters who have broken with his movement.
We do not attribute what we've seen to JAM," said the No. 2 US commander in Iraq, Lt. Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III, using the Iraqi acronym for the Mahdi Army.
But he suggested al-Sadr could stop the attacks.
We certainly hope that Sadr will choose the road of peace and responsibility," Austin, who commands day-to-day operations in Iraq, told reporters.
Fierce fighting also broke out overnight in Husseiniyah, another area dominated by Shia militias on the northeastern outskirts of Baghdad as well as in Sadr City, the area that has been the focus of recent fighting.
The American military said 21 suspected gunmen were killed in the two neighborhoods late Tuesday. Iraqi officials said 15 civilians were among the dead, including two women.
The killing of the US soldier raised the American death toll in April to 34, the highest rate of death for troops in Iraq since September, when 65 Americans were killed, according to an Associated Press tally.
In all, at least 4,046 US military personnel have died since the Iraq war started in March 2003, according to the AP count.
Northern Iraq, where Sunni Arab extremists are the main threat, also fa more violence.
The first attack occurred about 11:15 a.m., when a suicide bomber pushing a cart detonated his explosives about 200 yards from the police headquarters, killing two people and wounding six, Brig. Gen. Khalid Abdul-Sattar said.
A parked car bomb exploded about a half hour later as a police patrol passed the vehicle in another part of the city, killing two passers-by and wounding six other people.
The bombings were the latest in a series of attacks that have chipped away at recent security gains.
Austin said more high-profile bombings are likely as Al Qaeda in Iraq tries to regroup after suffering a devastating blow last year when thousands of Sunni tribesmen turned against the terrorist group that is blamed p most car bombings and suicide attacks in Iraq.
Last weekend, the terror network announced a one-month offensive against US troops and US-allied Sunnis.
Austin vowed to work to hold our gains that we've made over the past several months."
The US military also raised the death toll from Tuesday's suicide bombing in Diyala province to 18 _ 11 civilians and seven policemen. It said twouolicemen were wounded.
Iraqi police who received reports at the provincial headquarters gave a lower toll, saying eight policemen were killed and 10 people were wounded when the woman blew herself up at the entrance to a police station in Jalula, 80 miles northeast of Baghdad.
It was the second suicide attack by a woman in as many days in Diyala, which has become a flashpoint in the battle against Al Qaeda.
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