Obama challenges McCain on offshore oil drilling, national security

WASHINGTON - A defiant Barack Obama challenged his Republican opponent over which presidential candidate would keep the U.S. safer, delivering a sharp rebuke to John McCain's aides who said the Democratic challenger had a naive approach toward fighting terrorism.
Obama and McCain also clashed over energy policies. McCain accused his Democratic opponent of recycling impractical ideas by supporting a tax on windfall oil company profits. Obama criticized his rival's proposed energy plan which called for an end to a federal moratorium on offshore oil drilling.
The rival camps engaged in a war of words on national security Tuesday that echoed the 2004 presidential campaign in which President George W. Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and other Republicans argued that Democratic nominee John Kerry was soft on terror, a claim that resonated with voters and helped propel Bush to re-election. Democrats complained that the Republican Party was using the politics of fear.
The Republican argument proved less effective in 2006 when then Bush adviser Karl Rove said the Democrats had a pre-Sept. 11 view of the world and Republicans had a post-Sept. 11 terror attacks perspective. In November of that year, Democrats captured enough congressional seats to seize control of the House and Senate.
McCain, a longtime senator and war veteran, has touted his national security experience over that of his first-term senator rival. But Obama was not conceding any ground.
These are the same guys who helped to engineer the distraction of the war in Iraq at a time when we could have pinned down the people who actually committed 9/11," Obama told reporters aboard his campaign plane. This is the same kind of fear-mongering that got us into Iraq ... and it's exactly that failed foreign policy I want to reverse."
Obama's remarks came after McCain aides criticized the Democratic candidate for talking about using the criminal justice system to prosecute terrorists, as opposed to resorting to indefinite detention of suspects, as is the case at Guantanamo Bay.
Senator Obama is a perfect manifestation a September 10th mind-set ... He does not understand the nature of the enemies we face," McCain national security director Randy Scheunemann told reporters on a conference call, referring to the 2001 terror attacks.
Former CIA director James Woolsey, who is advising the McCain campaign, concurred, saying Obama has an extremely dangerous and extremely naive approach toward terrorism ... and toward dealing with prisoners captured overseas who have been engaged in terrorist attacks against the United States."
At issue were Obama's comments Monday in an interview with ABC News. Obama was asked how he could be sure the Bush administration's anti-terrorism policies are not crucial to protecting U.S. citizens.
Obama said the government can crack down on terrorists within the constraints of our Constitution." He mentioned Guantanamo Bay detainees, contrasting their treatment with the prosecution of the 1993 World Trade Center bombings.
Obama agreed with the Supreme Court ruling last week that detainees in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, have a constitutional right to challenge their indefinite imprisonment in U.S. civilian courts. McCain derided the ruling as one of the worst decisions in the history of this country."
The Obama campaign countered with its own conference call in which Sen. John Kerry, the 2004 Democratic presidential nominee, and Richard Clarke, a counterterrorism official in Republican and Democratic administrations. Clark accused the McCain campaign of using old, tired tactics ... to, frankly, frighten Americans."
McCain on Tuesday was promoting his energy plan in Texas, a major oil producing state that is Bush's home.
The key to his energy plan is a call to lift the federal ban on offshore oil and gas exploration, a move opposed by Democrats and environmentalists but potentially appealing to Americans weary of soaring gasoline prices.
Echoing McCain's call, Bush planned to make a renewed push Wednesday to get Congress to end the long-standing ban on offshore oil and gas drilling.
McCain's proposal to tap offshore reserves was a reversal from his position in his 2000 bid for the Republican presidential nomination, when he said he favored the existing ban.
Obama was quick to criticize McCain for switching positions on offshore drilling. I think he continues to find himself being pushed further and further to the right in ways that in my mind don't show a lot of leadership," he said.
Obama also said there is no way that allowing offshore drilling would lower gas prices right now. At best you are looking at five years or more down the road."
McCain reserved his harshest words for Obama's proposal to tax the windfall profits of some of the biggest U.S. oil companies.
If that plan sounds familiar, it's because that was President Carter's big idea, too," he said.
But on May 5, campaigning in North Carolina, McCain appeared to say he was willing to consider the same proposal, saying he'd be glad to look" at the windfall profits tax.
Jill Hazelbaker, McCain's communications director said, McCain hasn't changed his mind. He said he is willing to look at all ideas," she said.
McCain also called for greater use of nuclear power, as well as alternative energy sources and greater conservation measures.
While McCain's new proposal on offshore exploration might entice support of hard-pressed consumers who are struggling with record gasoline prices, the benefits of his plan would not be realized for years, given the long lead time needed to bring new supplies on line. And critics have said it is unlikely any oil recovered from those regions would do much to offset U.S. dependence on imports.
Democrats, as well as some Republican senators from coastal states, have opposed lifting the drilling prohibitions, fearful that energy development could harm tourism and raise the risk of oil spills on beaches.
Obama is calling for conservation and an intensive search for alternative energy supplies that could not only ease the price crunch but begin lowering emissions of the greenhouse gases held responsible for global warming. Those programs also will be slow to change American dependence on imported oil.

Pakistani Muslim sentenced to death for blasphemy

ISLAMABAD - A Pakistani man was sentenced to death for blasphemy on Wednesday after he defiled the Muslim holy book and used derogatory language to refer to the Prophet Mohammad, a police official said.
Convictions for blasphemy are fairly common in predominantly Muslim Pakistan, with most cases involving members of religious minorities, but death sentences have never been carried out usually because convictions are thrown out on a lack of evidence.
The convicted man, Mohammad Shafeeq, a Muslim in his early 20s, was arrested in 2006 in a village near the eastern city of Sialkot where the trial was held in the court of Justice Shoaib Ahmad Roomi.
"Judge Roomi sentenced him to death for defiling the Holy Koran and using derogatory language against the Prophet," said Shezada Hassan Ali, a senior official at the jail where Shafeeq has been kept.
"He can appeal the court decision."
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has long demanded he repeal of the blasphemy law which, it says, is misused against religious minorities such as Christians.
The U.S.-based Human Rights Watch group this week urged the abolition of the death penalty in Pakistan where nearly a quarter of 31,400 convicts in the country have been sentenced to death.
In 2007, 309 prisoners were sentenced to death and 134 were hanged, the group said, adding that most of those sentenced to death were poor and illiterate.

Israel confirms agreement to Gaza truce with Hamas

JERUSALEM - Israel said on Wednesday it accepted an Egyptian-brokered truce with Hamas Islamists ruling the Gaza Strip but voiced scepticism the ceasefire involving all Palestinian militant groups in the territory would hold.
Amos Gilad, a senior Israeli defence official, said after returning from talks in Cairo that 'an understanding' had been reached. Egypt and Hamas said on Tuesday a ceasefire would go into effect at 6 a.m. (0300 GMT) on Thursday.
Gilad told Israeli media that Israel was prepared to give a ceasefire a chance -- while continuing preparations for possible military action should it fall apart.
A ceasefire would aim to end frequent rocket and mortar bomb attacks on Israel from the coastal enclave and Israeli raids and air strikes in the territory.
Israeli and Palestinian officials said under the truce, the blockade Israel imposed on the Gaza Strip after Hamas seized the territory a year ago would be loosened gradually and partially.
'Everybody knows the situation in Gaza, where 1.5 million people living there are absolutely miserable,' said Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad. 'Our hope is that (the ceasefire) would lead to an easing of those difficult conditions.'
The United States pressed for calm to remove an obstacle in slow-moving peace talks between Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
A ceasefire could also give Hamas the opportunity to upgrade weaponry and train fighters and boost its popularity among Palestinians if Gaza border crossings reopen.
Meir Sheetrit, Israel's interior minister and a member of its security cabinet, said he was 'very sceptical' that Hamas could enforce a complete ceasefire among the militant groups.
'The idea is a complete ceasefire -- no fire from anyone ... if there is any violation of the agreement, the government is free to return to act with full force,' Sheetrit said.
Hamas leader
In an interview with Reuters in the United Arab Emirates, Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal said a lasting truce would be good for Gazans who have suffered from the Israeli blockade.
The Damascus-based leader also said any Israeli violation of the deal would not go unanswered.
Mark Regev, a spokesman for Olmert, said that after a few days of calm, there would be a 'substantial increase' in the amount of supplies that Israel allows into the Gaza Strip.
Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Arye Mekel said that in the first phase, imports into the territory would be set at approximately one-third of the level before the Hamas takeover.
If the truce held, that percentage would grow gradually, Mekel said.
Israel has allowed in humanitarian aid but has cut back on the supply of non-essential goods, such as construction materials, as well as fuel, saying Gazans could not expect to lead normal lives while Israelis were under rocket attack.
Yossi Mekelberg, an associate fellow at London's Royal Institute of International Affairs, said Israel and Hamas had an interest in making the ceasefire work.
'Hamas ... sustained a lot of losses,' Mekelberg said, referring to casualties and economic conditions in the Gaza Strip, but noting that the group has been able to keep up its cross-border attacks.
'It's obvious (to Israel) that the military solution doesn't work. It provides only a partial solution,' he said.
Israeli officials said the reopening of the Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt -- Gazans' only gateway to the outside world that does not pass through Israel -- was conditioned on a deal to free a captured Israeli soldier.
Meshaal said Gilad Shalit, who was seized two years ago by Gaza gunmen, would not be released unless Israel freed Palestinian prisoners on a list compiled by Hamas.

Pakistan to help establish special economic zone for Chinese investors: PM

ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday said Pakistan will extend all possible help to establish the first-ever Chinese Overseas Economic Zone in the country, which will be yet another landmark in the all-weather friendship between the two countries. The Prime Minister was talking to Lu Keng, Chairman of the Haier Group and Haji Koch Muhammad, Chairman Ruba Group who called on him here at his chamber in Parliament House this morning.

Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Luo Zhao Hui also present on the occasion.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan welcomes the Haier Ruba joint venture and the government would encourage more joint ventures to promote economic cooperation between the two countries.
Joint ventures between the private sectors is the best way to promote trade and investment between our two countries, he added.
The Prime Minister said that foreign investment is fully protected in Pakistan and all economic sectors are open to Foreign Direct Investment.
Pakistan makes no distinction between local and foreign investors, as 100% foreign equity, remittance of royalty, profits and dividends is allowed under Pakistani laws, he said.
The Chairman of the Haier Group informed the Prime Minister that Chinese entrepreneurs are keen to invest in Pakistan and the establishment of the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) would go a long way in facilitating Chinese investment in Pakistan.
He said that the Haier Ruba has already brought in initial investment of $ 35 million.
He also gave an overview of the SEZ to the Prime Minister, which he said will comprise industrial park, science and technology park, supply chain industry, skill development centre and research and development centre.
It may be mentioned that the Special Economic Zone is being established under the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Pakistan and China and all goods manufactured in this zone have tariff-free entry into Chinese market which would boost the country’s exports.
The meeting was also attended by Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar, Special Assistant to PM, Principal Secretary to PM, Secretary Board of Investment and Secretary Industries.

Strong economic fundamentals create enabling environment for private sector: President

RAWALPINDI : President Pervez Musharraf Wednesday said the strong economic fundamentals of country have created an enabling environment for the private sector to become engine of growth and as a result of this as well as due to its liberal and investment-friendly policies Pakistan has become one of the attractive destinations for investment.

The President made these remarks while talking to Jean Jacques Gauthier, Head of Corporate Finance and Member of Central Executive Committee of M/S Lafarge, the world’s largest cement and building materials company based in France, who called on him here.
Gauthier said that due to the stewardship of President Pervez Musharraf Pakistan has become an investment friendly country and they were investing in Pakistan because of the economic buildup in the country which they have witnessed in the last seven years.
He said that the Lafarge group has invested in the cement sector by setting up cement factories and has also purchased a sick unit and transformed it into a profit earning entity.
Gauthier said that the construction industry has enormous potential in Pakistan as a result of the economic boom which the country has achieved during the last seven years.
He said that several new markets have emerged in Pakistan and the demand of the country has risen from 11 million tons to 37 million tons. He said that he was delighted to be here and looked forward to new ventures and ideas in the country.
The President emphasized that Pakistan owing its geo-strategic location was the hub between Middle East, Iran, Afghanistan, Central Asia and South Asia.
Industrial and manufacturing units would have outstanding and excellent opportunities to not only benefit from Pakistan’s requirements but would also be able to supply their products throughout Pakistan and in the region, he added.
The President said Pakistan itself was a large market as it has ambitious public sector development plans which included dams, hydro-power projects, canals, highways and construction activity in the private sector.

Pakistan threatening to put on hold US training programme for FC: NYT

NEW YORK: The Pakistani military is so angry over last week’s nU.S. deadly air strikes that it is threatening to postpone or cancel a U.S. programme to train a paramilitary force in counter insurgency for combating militants, a major American newspaper reported Wednesday, citing two Pakistani government officials.
In a dispatch from Islamabad, The New York Times said some Pakistani officials are convinced that the Americans deliberately fired on their military, killing 11 men from the Frontier Corps the Americans want to train. But, according to The Times, the American deny that conclusion.
The $400 million training programme is intended to combat militancy by fielding the FC, from among the tribes that live in the border areas. Ending or delaying the programme, which is already under way, would deny the United States what little leverage it has in the tribal areas to combat a rising number of cross-border attacks into Afghanistan against American and NATO forces this year, the paper said.
The United States military claimed the air strikes had been carried out in self-defense against militants who had attacked American forces in Afghanistan and then fled into Pakistan. But the Pakistanis continue to dispute the American account.
“This is the first time the United States has deliberately targeted cooperating Pakistani forces,” Jehangir Karamat, a former chief of the Pakistani Army and a former ambassador to the United States, was quoted as saying. There has been no statement by the United States that the intention was not to target Pakistani forces, he said.
“The recriminations have exposed the underlying mistrust in the alliance, which has been held together in large part by the personal relationship between President Pervez Musharraf and President Bush”, the Times said, citing Pakistani officials and diplomats.
As the two men “fade” from power, the alliance is finding it difficult to quell the threat to the United States, Afghanistan and Pakistan from a growing array of Taliban and Qaeda cells, Times correspondent Jane Perlez wrote.
A senior Pakistani government official with long experience in military affairs, one of the two Pakistani officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of diplomatic sensitivities, summed up the feeling of many in the Pakistani military, saying the strikes appeared deliberate despite American denials and intended to “punish” Pakistan for not preventing the militants from crossing into Afghanistan.
Such types of incidents may affect the training programme by the United States for the Frontier Corps, the spokesman for the Pakistani Army, Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas, said Monday.
In Washington, the Pentagon press secretary, Geoff Morrell, expressed regret for the death of the Pakistani soldiers, but did not acknowledge any American culpability pending an investigation by senior Pakistani, Afghan and American officers.
The American, Afghan and Pakistani militaries have agreed to hold a joint investigation into the strikes. That inquiry will now have to sort out the conflicting accounts in an extremely charged atmosphere.
Pakistan vehemently denies the American claim that the raid was in self-defence, saying the bombs were aimed at a Frontier Corps post at Gora Parai, about 100 miles northwest of the town of Ghalanai.
A stone hut and seven of nine bunkers in which the soldiers were seeking cover were destroyed, the Times said, citing Pakistani officials. The coordinates of the post were clearly marked and were known to NATO and American forces, they say.
The senior Pakistani government official with military experience said the strikes were “too accurate and too intense” to have been an accident.
Whatever the case, the fury over the air strikes was such that Army Chief Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani “personally approved an unusually strong statement last week from the Pakistani military, which called the strikes cowardly and unprovoked,” the dispatch said, citing Pakistani officials.
According to the dispatch, American officials have said that General Kayani has refused every suggestion of letting American forces operate in the tribal areas, even on an advisory basis. A plan for American trainers to accompany Pakistani troops on missions to root out insurgents in the tribal areas was ruled out completely, a senior Pakistani military official said.
The plan for American military advisers to instruct Pakistani trainers, who would in turn train Frontier Corps units in counterinsurgency tactics, was accepted by General Kayani as a light-footed alternative, American officials have said.
“Even so, there is considerable skepticism in Washington and among United States military commanders about the value of the training, and the strains caused by the air strikes have now brought into the open blunt expressions of dissatisfaction with the Pakistanis that officials had kept mostly private,” the dispatch said.
A major reason for the distrust of the Americans among the Pakistani military came from the belief that Pakistan was unfairly blamed by Washington for the American and NATO difficulties in the war in Afghanistan, it said.
The struggle against the Taliban in Afghanistan was faltering not only because Taliban were crossing the border into Afghanistan, the Pakistani government official said. “Pakistan thinks you have screwed up in Afghanistan and made Pakistan the fall guy,” the official said.

Haqqani to strive for improving mutual perceptions

WASHINGTON: Emphasizing the importance of long-term relationship for both Pakistan and the United States, the Pakistani ambassador in Washington has said he would endeavor to improve commonly held perceptions about each other in the two countries. Speaking to a gathering of Pakistani Americans, Ambassador Husain Haqqani also vowed to urge the U.S. Congress on forging a broad-based strategic partnership between the two countries.
The envoy told members of Pakistani American Congress ahead of their 16th Conference on the Capitol Hill that Pakistan-U.S. relationship holds out great promise to the benefit of both nations. The two countries should strive for resolving their differences in a friendly manner, he added.
“Pakistan-US relations are vital and cover a range of fields from trade, to economy to defense --- we are for further bolstering these ties to our mutual interests,” he stated.
Haqqani said with the revival of democracy, Pakistan has a tremendous opportunity to move forward as a progressive and forward-looking country and noted that the entire nation is now united for the cause of democracy. He also underscored the need for curbing extremism in the region.
Pakistan, he assured the expatriates, is not facing any kind of political instability but passing through a phase of democratic process when it is strengthening its democratic foundations as has historically been the case with other dynamic nations that now are established democracies.
To the Pakistani Americans, he said they should have unity in their ranks and join hands in efforts aimed at consolidating Pakistan-U.S. relationship.
Khawaja M Ashraf, president of the countrywide organization, lauded Haqqani’s acumen, expressing the confidence that drawing on his wide experience and intimate knowledge of the United States, he would be able to advance Pakistan-U.S. relations.

NA continues budget debate

ISLAMABAD : The Lower House of the Parliament Wednesday continued debate on budget 2008-09. Opening the speech, MNA Liaquat Ali said the government deserved appreciation for presenting the defence budget in the Parliament.
He recommended that the population planning should be re-organised to control the fast increasing population and to cater their needs.
Khalida Mansoor congratulated the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance for presenting best budget in the present circumstances.
She said agriculture is backbone of the country’s economy, and the government has to provide enough support to farmers to make them prosperous.
She said the government should pay heed to organic farming, and it would enable the country in potato, tomato and onion production and there will be no need to import these products from neighbouring country.
She said 15 percent sales tax on ghee should be reduced to five percent to give relief to common man.
The government should also focus on health sector, she said and added unreasonable restriction of media should be removed.
Dr. Nadeem Ehsan said budget 2008-09 is a deficit budget. The country is facing problems like food shortage, lawlessness, poverty, inflation, terrorism and extremism.
He asked the government to address these issues, and added that MQM would continue unconditional support to the government in this regard.
He said PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari is preventing the derailment of democracy and MQM leader Altaf Hussain in his meeting with Asif Zardari pledged that no conspiracy will be waged against PPP.
Riaz Fatiyana said the inflation is raising day by day, foreign exchange has come down and unemployment is on increase.
He demanded uninterrupted power supply at night to give relief to labour class.
He said “I have no objection on increase of number of Supreme Court’s judges,” and recommended that number of High Courts judges should also be raised.
He proposed that before finalising the next fiscal year budget it should be discussed in Standing Committees’ of the Parliament.
He recommended that ‘Zakat’ system must be streamlined, free health and education facilities should further be extended.
He said funds for sports have been reduced, which would also reduce the extra-curricula activities in the country.
He proposed reduction of interest rate on loans and withdrawal of taxes on food items.
Masood Abbas said the country is facing law and order situation while on the other hand the judges issue, which has no end, is aggravating the situation.
He said NWFP is affecting by law and order situation and there is no cooperation between federal and provincial law enforcement agencies to address this issue.
He said the government should give top priority to address the law and order situation in the NWFP and recommended that solution to this effect lies in parleys with the concerned people.
Rai Mujtaba Khalral congratulated the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance for presenting a balanced budget in acute economic crisis.
He said that Benazir Income Support Programme will provide relief to common man.
In order to facilitate the farmers the government should announce subsidized tractor scheme, which was launched by Benazir Bhutto’s previous government, however, he appreciated subsidy on fertilizer.
Khawja Sheraz Mehmood strongly condemned statement of Afghan President Hamid Karzai regarding entering Pakistan, and said that “every child of the country better knows how to protect Pakistan.”
He said food inflation is on increase, petrol and diesel shortage is aggravating the situation, these issues need to be rectified on war footing.
He said district devolution system should be abolished and its budget should be utilized on construction of highways, motorways and dams.
He recommended that special arrangements should be made for skilled workers and government should assist them to get job abroad.
Shahnaz Saleem called for enhancing budget for education and health. She said an industrial zone in southern Punjab along Indus Highway should be constructed as raw material including cement was available there. She said this will provide jobs to the people of the area.
She said funds for Presidency, which have been enhanced in the present budget, should be halved and the money thus saved be spent on those people who sold their kidneys and children due to poverty.
Shahnaz also said that car leasing through banks should be banned as it was bringing people under debt. Mufti Ajmal Khan said Islam was panacea to all the ills confronting this nation and no amount of budgetary allocations can solve economic issues.
He said the people of Karak, from where he belongs, should be provided with clean drinking water. He said two grid stations, already approved, have not yet been constructed and the people were facing shortage of electricity.
Syed Samsaan Ali Shah said the last government left the economy in shambles. He said more incentives are needed to boost the agriculture output which is the backbone of the country.
Fauzia Wahab said in July last year under a sustained campaign, the minds of the people were polluted against Benazir Bhutto who eventually lost her life in December.
She said after March 8, 2007, there were 56 suicide attack all over the country, which polarised the society and also took away Pakistan’s greatest leader.
She said Benazir was a symbol of liberalism, democracy and the world lost a distinguished leader.
The western borders of Pakistan, Fauzia said, have become weak and insecure as a fall out of these suicide attacks which the government must take seriously.
Referring to Afghanistan, she said the leadership of the people of the country whom Pakistan has been helping is now threatening us. She said the government must also take notice of his threats.
She contradicted opposition’s claims that her party was the party of feudals saying PPP in fact put an end to fedualism by introducing land reforms.
The feudal of today, she added, was not the one having vast land holdings, but the capitalists who have formed various cartels and are controlling country’s wealth.
She said one will have to fight these cartels who were stronger than feudals.
Muhammad Hayat Khan Tochi alleged the former government for destroying the country’s economy, judicial system and said it gave nothing to the poor.
He said that the rate of inflation was 11 percent according to the State Bank but actually it was now touching 13 percent and can destroy the country’s economy.
He said the interest on the small farmers’ loans should be written off.
Nighat Perveen Mir said the present budget has been made and presented
by a democratic government. She said the development allocations in the budget should be equal so that the backward areas could also develop.
Taking part in budget debate, MNA Ramesh Lal said, history of PPP is full of struggles against dicta.
MNA Mir Ahmadan Bugti regretted that everybody was talking of welfare of the poor but were indulging in criticism for the sake of criticism instead of bringing to the House, concrete proposals for uplift of the poor.
He described the nation as self-centered, opportunist and selfish and referred to the treatment meted out to the Father of the Nation in his last days, murder of Liaqat Ali Khan and hanging of Z A Bhutto.
He said founder of the nation, the first Prime Minister of Pakistan and the
creator of the consensus constitution, the nuclear plant and land reforms, were all either ignored or killed or hanged.
He held judiciary and generals responsible for it and said, it was only due to sacrifices of politicians that even today people remember them in their hearts.
He urged to uphold the respect of Parliament and said, let the judges be restored but keeping within the parameters of law and the constitution.
Bugti said were those generals not involved in the politics during their times who are today speaking against President Pervez Musharraf.
“Lt the politicians stand by democratic norms.
Bugti appreciated Zardari for promoting reconciliation and urged politicians to join hands for a strong democracy.
He demanded to give Balochistan people their just rights and said, in Dera Bugti, gas is recovered from four places but local people have no gas.
He also demanded upgradation of Dera Bugti hospital, compensation for those injured or killed in blasts in his area, restart Rs 10 billion development programs announced by the President for Dera Bugti and to spend 20% of total income in specific areas from where any natural resources are discovered.
MNA Abdul Qadir Mian Mithoo mentioned to selling of sub-standard pesticides in Ghotki district that were affecting cotton crop, and demanded to get pesticide samples tested from abroad.
He mentioned to poor law and order situation in Sindh as well as kidnapping and looting the people and demanded to issue free arms licenses for the people, enabling them to protect themselves.
He demanded trial of all those judges and generals whose abuse of power resulted in poor law and order situation, disharmony among provinces, confrontation between the forces and masses, and flight of capital.

MNA Mrs Aasia Nasir described the budget ‘most reasonable and balanced’ and congratulated the government for presenting such a budget at this critical juncture.
She termed to presenting defence budget in the House a great achievement and urged opposition to play a constructive role instead of mere criticism.
She appreciated increase in salaries and pension, housing scheme and increase in women quota in employment.
The MNA drew the government attention towards miseries of Balochistan people and thanked Prime Minister Gillani for promising Rs three billion special grant for the province.
She also appreciated efforts of the Prime Minister and interior ministry to improve law and order situation and to settle issues through negotiations.
Aasia condemned coalition forces action in FATA and asked the government to review its foreign policy.
She demanded increase in Rs 10 million development fund for each Balochistan MNA, electrification of rural area, special funds for MPs, increase in grant for minorities and strengthening institutions.
MNA Kishen Chand Parwani regretted that minority community was neglected in development programs, national census lacks their exact figure as in Sindh in some district half of the population is minority community.
He referred to successive governments and said, parties get vote from them but do nothing for their uplift.
“To say, we are their representatives but cannot represent them, as parties nominate us, not our community. We will have to rectify it,” he said.
He proposed true representation of minorities through a constitutional amendment and mentioned to abduction and conversion of minority people, urging the government to pay special heed to this problem.
Parwani demanded minorities representation in Evacuee Property Trust and ensure more employment opportunities and their appointment on higher posts.
He said even being an agriculture country we have to import wheat and cotton and added, price of DAP fertilizer is still beyond the reach of small farmers.
MNA Raja Mohammad Asad Khan said, the most appreciable thing in the budget is presenting defence allocations in the House in detail.
He said, under the constitution the number of judges could only be increased through an act of the Parliament ensuring equal representation from all the provinces. But, bringing the matter to the House in a finance bill is not the proper way.
He alleged the previous government of misappropriation of billions of rupees and said, only from KSE Rs 700 billion of the poor were fleeced and Pakistan Railways land was sold at throw away prices.
He also referred to assurance of the government to constitute a committee to probe it, but expressed fears that those who looted national wealth, had also permeated the ranks and file of the government.
Raja Asad said wheat was first exported and then imported on higher prices and demanded investigation against two former ministers and one other minister, who he added, is part of ruling coalition these days.
He said labour working at Mangla Dam raising project is paid Rs 4000 per month despite announcement to increase per month wages to Rs 6000 per month by the Finance Minister in the budget proposals.
He demanded to ensure increase for these laborers and set up an industrial estate in Jhelum.
About lawyers movement, he said, “our party held a long march. It did not burn the lawyers alive or killed political workers like in Karachi on May 12.”
“We are still committed to restoration of judiciary. There would be no retreat or surrender on it,” he said and demanded a treason case against the person who had deposed the judges.
He also mentioned to a statement of Punjab Governor Salman Taseer and said, a leader of his stature should hold workers integrity in high esteem.
MNA Nazir Ahmed Bhugio appreciated the proposal to recruit LHWs and provision of roti, kapra and makan to the poor, commended Prime Minister and Asif Zardari to bring the defense budget to the House in detail and demanded to restart Larkana villages electrification program.
He said the imported Prime Minister of the previous government had appointed people on contract on hefty salaries who should be terminated immediately and recruit people on less salaries.
He appreciated subsidy on DAP fertilizer and proposed involvement of elected representatives in budget making from next year.
Bhugio condemned ban on Geo TV programs demanding immediate restoration of these programs.
He also demanded resignations from the President and the deposed judges to end the judicial crisis in the country.
Taking part in the debate Asma Arbab Alamgir said that NWFP is in real trouble.
She said, “We condemn acts of bombardments wherever occurred. The people of NWFP deserve the same facilities which are enjoyed by other citizens of the country.”
She lauded the efforts of Prime Minister said Minister of Finance for presenting a “poor friendly budget.”
She expressed thanks to Prime Minister for announcing establishment of industrial zone in tribal areas and other relief measures. She called for revival of burn centre hospital at Peshawar.
Malik Ibrahim termed the budget “pro-poor budget” in shortest time and said that the democratic government took over charge in the jaws of crisis.
“Despite being agricultural country we are fighting with wheat and sugar crisis,” he said and recommended measures for strengthening of agricultural and industrial sectors.
He said regarding Benazir Income Support Programme he said in view of prevailing price hike situation this measure is not enough but it would provide relief to poor people to some extend. He further recommended strengthening of education budget.
Dr. Hayatullah Durrani said called for compensation to the affected people of military operation launched during the previous government.
He said the government should set up medical and engineering colleges in the province.
Meanwhile Faisal Saleh Hayat on a point of order said that despite the ruling of Speaker and assurance of leader of the House the officials of Finance Ministry were not present in the House to note down the recommendations of parliamentarians.
Minister of Labour Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis said that Deputy Secretaries and other officials of CBR and Economic Affairs were sitting in the parliament and noting the recommendations of the House.
Taking part in debate Raza Hayat Hiraj said the government should not repeat the mistakes of the previous government and take measures to provide maximum relief to the common man and address the problems of industrial and agricultural sectors.
Haider Abbas Rizvi said the government has imposed 400 billion rupees taxes on the public which would further increase their miseries.
He proposed the government has to make the country an industrial state as agriculture the backbone of the country’s economy has been broken down as “we are importing basic commodities today.”
He appreciated the decision of dropping Kalabagh Dam project and called for withdrawal of Rs. 1,50 billion from Greater Thal Canal.
He said the government should review interest rate on loans to be given under House Building Finance and sales tax on Ghee.
He said the garments industry was earlier given six percent rebuttal but this has been removed now, it should also be reviewed.
He said the condition of Super Highway is deteriorating it should be repaired on priority.

Shereen Arshad from PML (N) in her speech said that her leader who was forced into exile was an elected prime minister. She urged the prime minister that after their release, the judges should also be restored.
About incentives for women, she said special expo centres need to be established in rural and far flung areas from where their articles and hand-made articles can be exported.
Rubina Saadat Qaimkhani said that mistakes that were committed by the previous government cannot be corrected in short time.
She proposed that the name of under construction airport near Islamabad should be named after Benazir Bhutto as in India and the US they have honoured their leaders in a similar manner.
She said that long march by lawyers was their right and the credit for a successful march goes to Asif Zaradari and the party.
Rubina said the opposition and the ruling coalition should unite otherwise some dictator will take over the government.
Sheikh Aftab from PML (N) said he failed to understand the criticism by MQM over the budget as they are also partners in Sindh government.
He said Shaukat Aziz tried to run the finance ministry as a banker and had little knowledge of the people’s problems.
That is why, he added, he promoted banking sectors and helped them earn billions of rupees profit.
Abdul Qadir Patel paid tributes to Benazir Bhutto and said after her death the party was not ready to come into government. However, he added, that as desired by her late leader, the field could not be left open for usurpers.
He said he also demand incentives for fishermen in the budget as he was their representative in the house.
Waqas Akram Sheikh of PML (Q) said he admit that his government was responsible for a number of ills that the country was facing today but now that coalition had the majority they can correct it.
He said they are talking of restoration of judiciary but the attorney general is still continuing from the past regime.
Waqas said he admits that Lal Masjid operation was wrong but the then interior secretary is still continuing even today and has not been removed.
Dr. Sumaira Yasir congratulated Finance MinisterNaveed Qamar and his team for presenting a “pro-poor budget.”
She also felicitated Chudhary Shahbaz Sharif on his election as Chief Minister Punjab.
She said judiciary plays an important role in strengthening democracy in any country and called for restoration of deposed judges.
She criticised the previous government and said that it drummed up the slogan of ‘Para Likha Punjab’ with no increase in literacy rate.
She appreciated increase in education budget and recommended more steps for increasing the literacy rate.
She said fertilizer prices are going up in the country which is beyond the affordability of farmers, the government should give more subsidy on fertilizer.
She said medical allowance available to the government servants are less than the fee of any doctor it should be raised. Minimum salary should also be increased, she added.
She said turbines should be installed and other alternate energy resources should be explored for increasing the production of electricity.
Dr. Mehreen Bhutto termed the budget “balance and pro-poor.” She proposed that the funds of Kala Bagh Dam and Greater Thal Canal should be diverted to other projects.
She said students from interior Punjab should be given quota in Karachi universities and other educational institutions.
She welcomed 19 billion rupees allocation for health sector but said that there is huge gap between health facilities and growing population, it should be given attention.
Tariq Fazal PML-N leader from Islamabad said that the rural areas of Islamabad is still without basic facilities like provision of gas and clean drinking water.
He said the Capital Development Authority (CDA) is also focusing urban area of the Capital and paying no attention to rural areas.
He said people of rural areas of the Federal Capital should be give quota in jobs.
He said there is discrimination of salaries of Capital police and Islamabad Traffic police. This discrimination should be removed and all police officials should be given equal salary package.
He said the government should trace out the missing people and inform their relatives about them and if they are in jails they should be trailed.
Azim Doltana welcomed the budget and termed it “people friendly budget.” He proposed that education budget should be increased to raise the literacy level.
The budget should be gender responsive, and people should be informed that how much amount was spent for female and for male, he proposed.
He recommended that police system should be computerized to reduce the corruption rate in it.
In order to meet the energy crisis, alternate energy resources should be explored, he said.
Tasneem Saddiqi also termed the budget as a “balance budget.” She said education sector needs more budgetary allocation, adding education curricula should be uniform and there should be a commission to make plans for betterment of education system.
She said budget for sports has been reduced by three percent in this fiscal year, this should not be happened.
She said discrepancy in various police departments should be streamlined for better output.
Syed Ziauddin also hailed the budget saying the government has taken a number of measures to provide the relief to the common man and uplift of ever sector of the life.
He said people of Swat should be given compensatory package and also proposed withdrawal of interest on House Building Finance loans.
Taking part in debate, Iftikhar Cheema proposed to give subsidy to farmers on oil and electricity and proposed to ensure free education and health facilities for the poor.
He demanded to bring back ‘Double Shah’, a character who fleeced billion of rupees from people in the name of doubling money, and ask him to pay back masses money.
The member also demanded to ensure safety of people in his area from flood water that flows over the banks of river Chenab in rainy season.
He appreciated certain measures in the budget like Benazir Support Programme, increase in salaries and pension but declared incentive for farmers as insufficient.
He also demanded to set up a Cadet College in Wazirabad to impart better education to people in the city and adjacent areas.
MNA Syed Ameer Jamot appreciated the budget and congratulated Finance Minister, saying, no other document could be better than it, in present circumstances.
He drew the attention of the government towards providing immediate relief to masses and pinned hopes in Benazir Support Programme for uplift of masses.
He also appreciated measures in agricultural sector but termed them insufficient to bring ‘Green Revolution’ in the country. “We shall have to do more for it.”
He said the economic condition of small farmers is worrisome and those talking of feudalism should know that a plot in a city like is costly than a patch of land in rural areas.
He proposed to promote tourism along the coastal belt in Karachi, in Mohenjodaro and Bhat Shah areas in Sindh.
He mentioned to oil fields in his constituency from where he said 14000 barrel oil is produced daily but least amount is spent on development of the area and local people are denied jobs at the project.
Rana Ishaq Khan said, during previous government the country had bumper wheat crop but it was exported on lower price and later imported on higher rates costing Rs 45 billion to national kitty.
He held former Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz responsible for this and demanded to bring him back and try in the court of law.
He said Rs 75 billion allocated for agricultural sector is insufficient and proposed if the water availability is ensured at tail, the produce can be doubled.
He proposed to widen the net of agricultural loans for farmers on lower interest rate and demanded recovery of written off loans and distribute the recovered amount among the poor.
Rana Ishaq also demanded flat electricity tariff for tubewells, increase in allocations for education and health sectors and install clean drinking water filtration plants in each of village in his constituency.
Nosheen Saeed referred to energy crisis in the country and said imposition of tax on telecommunication sector would deprive youth of their jobs.
She proposed to develop the shipping industry and said, when Pakistani experts can work in foreign shipping companies why we could not develop our own to earn revenue for the country.
MNA Chaudhry Saeed Iqbal appreciated the budget but demanded of the government to ensure levying tax also on plots in Defence Housing Authority schemes.
He said incentives for the agriculture sector were insufficient and demanded to ensure that only the real poor benefit from the Benazir Support Programme.
He proposed to set up a marriage fund for poor and orphan girls and ensure installation of water filtration plants for district Faisalabad residents as only three per cent people in the district had access to clean water.
Ghulam Farid Kathia said instead of cutting down the budget of the Prime Minister House and the Parliament, the government should review the defense budget.
He proposed to enhance the session duration of the House, provide maximum time to members to raise the problems of their respective areas and to live telecast the House proceedings.
He appreciated the conduct of opposition in reposing confidence in the Prime Minister and said, “it was their greatness. They have taken lead.”
He said initiatives announced in the budget can pave way to reduce poverty and mentioned to increase in salaries and pension, regularization of grade 1-15 employees, Benazir Support Programme and low-cost housing schemes.
He also demanded to upgrade the Sahiwal college to the status of university.
Israrullah Tareen said that subsidy should be given on installation of tubewells in Balochistan so that the wheat production can be increased in the province.
He was of the view that subsidy on DAP will not have much benefit for the farmers. He lauded the Rs 13 billion package for Balochistan.
Syed Muhammad Saqlain Bukhari said since October 12, 1999 the economic situation of the country has not improved. He praised his party leader Mian Nawaz Sharif and said the way he faced the dictator, makes him true successor of Quaid-e-Azam.
He said for government employees between grade 1-16, their pay should be increased by 30 percent instead of the present 20 percent along with an increase in their emoluments.
He said mixing of ethanol with petroleum products will help reduce the country’s oil bill.
Saqlain said the provinces should be given their rights and called for encouraging the private sector to help in the setting up of industries in the country.
Kashmala Tariq said that there should be more time for debate on the budget and it should be thoroughly debated upon in the house committees.
She lamented that the opposition has been asked by the government to bring cut-motions on only eight ministries.
She said by producing ethanol, country’s oil bill can be reduced by 20 percent.
Kashmala said the government should give priority to improving the law and order in the country.
Muhammad Qayyum Nara appreciated the government decision to bring the details of the defence budget in the house and said allocations for health and education need to be increased.

Taking part in debate, Faiz Muhammad Khan appreciated speeches of opposition members Raza Hayat Hiraj and Sheikh Waqas Akram and said, had they awaken earlier and supported lawyers movement, it would have been better.
He said the people who talk of constitutional validity of the President should bring an Impeachment Motion in the House instead of passing sheer remarks.
He said instead of cutting the budget of the Parliament and the Prime Minister’s House, the budget of President House should be slashed.
He appreciated winding up of the Kalabagh dam project, demanded promotion of tourism in his area and thanked on allocations for Hasanabdaal-Mansehra expressway.
Murtaza Javed Abbasi proposed to set up Basic Health Units at Union Council level and proposed to improve the education policy in order to bring educational revolution in the country.
He complained of neglecting the Hazara division during every government except Nawaz Sharif tenure and said, allocation to set up university in Hazara division were insufficient.
He demanded more funds for Hasanabdaal-Mansehra road and promote tourism in Galiat areas of his constituency.
He also drew the attention of the government towards hydel power potential in his area.
Nelson Azeem congratulated the government on peaceful Long March and said, it’s main purpose was to remind the coalition partners of their election mandate.
“People voted for the coalition on slogan of restoration of judiciary and impeachment of the President,” he said.
He appreciated the budget as an appropriate document in the prevailing circumstances but regretted meager allocations for minorities.
“Minorities had been neglected in the past and again in present budget, there are no sufficient allocations for their welfare,” Nelson said.
He demanded minorities participation in the development schemes, Benazir Support Programme and sought repatriation of the nationalized Christian institutions.
MNA Shakir Bashir Awan proposed that People’s Programme schemes should be executed in consultation with the elected representatives.
He mentioned to tourism potential in his district Chakwal and demanded electrification of rural areas and provision of clean drinking water to people.
He appreciated incentives in the budget for agriculture sector, increase in salaries and pension as well as continuation of Greater Thal Canal project by allocating more funds for it.

Aitzaz Ahsan says long march galvanized people, achieved objective

ISLAMABAD : Supreme Court Bar Association president Aitzaz Ahsan said Wednesday that last week’s long march galvanized people from all strata of society and demonstrated the nation’s anxiety over the judiciary issue. Speaking at a press conference, he said the massive gathering in the capital demonstrated people’s will for the restoration of judges of the superior judiciary.
He cautioned that people might loose their sangfroid if the matter of restoration of judges was stretched further.
The SCBA leader said they were keeping a vigil and believed that the parliament could restore the deposed judges without any constitutional package.
“The objectives of long march were achieved,” he said and defended the decision not to stage a 24-hour sit-in.
He said there were no two opinions among the leadership of Pakistan Bar Council and Supreme Court Bar Association over the matter of staging a sit-in.
Aitzaz Ahsan said they fully respect the sentiments of young blood who wanted a sit-in but pointed out that it would have created problems for such a big crowd.
He said nobody should have the false notion that after the long march the lawyers’ movement is finished and vowed that the peaceful movement would continue till the restoration of the deposed judges.
The Supreme Court Bar Association and the Pakistan Bar Council would hold meetings on June 21 and 28 respectively to evaluate the situation, he said.
Describing himself a diehard PPP worker he said, “My affiliation with party is totally firm and I will not part ways with party despite my difference over the mechanism for the restoration of judges.”
He expressed gratitude on the part of legal fraternity to all those participants and donors, including from Federally Administered Tribal Areas and Federally Administered Northern Areas, for making the long march a success.
To a question, he said that he would thank the government only when they restore the deposed judges.
He said the six-day long march remained peaceful and it enhanced the country’s image among the comity of nation who no longer want to see turmoil and agitation in Pakistan.
Affirming his loyalty to deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, he said he would continue to fight for his cause.
He flayed certain moves aimed at dislodging him from the office of president of SCBA.
President Islamabad Bar Association Haroon ur Rashid, President Rawalpindi Bar Association Sardar Asmatullah Khan and Athar Minahallah were also present at the press conference.

Senate unanimously approves 76 budget recommendations

ISLAMABAD: The Senate of Pakistan on Wednesday unanimously approved 76 recommendations for onward incorporation in the budget for the fiscal year 2008-09.
The recommendations were formulated by the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue, which was also assisted by the State Bank of Pakistan, Federal Board of Revenue, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources, Federal Bureau of Statistics and Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan.
Explaining the recommendations before the Upper House of the Parliament, Professor Khurshid Ahmed said the committee received 296 recommendations while the committee unanimously formulated 76 recommendations for their incorporation.
He said the recommendations should be thoroughly discussed by the concerned ministries and department; otherwise all the efforts of the committee would go futile.
He also briefed the house about the salient features of the committee report and the recommendations, which were later unanimously approved by the House.
Meanwhile, Anwar Bhinder moved a motion recommending that 17 substantive laws should not be amended through the Finance Bill and as such proposed amendments in different clauses of these Acts should be deleted.
These Acts include The Pakistan Penal Code, 1860, The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, The Provincial Employees’ Social Security Ordinance, 1965, The West Pakistan Industrial and Commercial Employment (Standing Orders) Ordinance 1968, The Securities and Exchange Ordinance 1969, The Minimum Wages for Unskilled Workers Ordinance 1969, The Workers Welfare Fund Ordinance, The Employees’ Old-age Benefits Act 1976, The Modarba Companies and Modarba Ordinance 1980, The Companies Ordinance, The Supreme Court (Number of judges) Act 1997, The Regulation of Generation, Transmission and Distribution of Electric Power Act 1997, The Securities and Exchange Commission Ordinance 2000, The Insurance Ordinance 2000, The Listed Companies Ordinance 2002 and The Federal Board of Revenue Act 2007.
Anwar Bhinder said the irrelevant bills should not be made part of the Finance Bill, which should not be more than two or three pages, adding that the matter should be passed by both the Houses.
Professor Khurshid said the inclusion of irrelevant matters in Finance Bill is immoral and unconstitutional, adding that the Finance Bill should be confined to the matters regarding taxes and increase or reduction in charges.
Leader of the House Mian Raza Rabbani said the Ministry of Finance is already withdrawing five clauses including Clauses 2, 3, 13, 22 and 27 while the withdrawal of another three clauses is under consideration.
He suggested that the relevant matter has already been referred to the Privilege Committee, so it should not be pressed further.
Leader of the Opposition in the House endorsed the viewpoint of Raza Rabbani and said the withdrawal of five clauses shows that the government has supported their stance.

OIC Contact Group on Kashmir meets in Uganda

ISLAMABAD : Secretary General OIC Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu Wednesday reaffirmed OIC’s commitment to the Kashmiri struggle and stressed the need to achieve a just and peaceful resolution of the long standing issue. He was addressing the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir met on the sidelines of the 35th CFM held in Kampala, Uganda.
The meeting was co-chaired by OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, and Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi.
The meeting was attended by Ali Babacan, the Foreign Minister of Turkey, Dr. Nizar Obeid Madani, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, Sam Kutesa, Foreign Minister of Uganda and Ms. Aichatou Mindaoudou, Foreign Minister of Niger.
The delegation of the True Representatives of Kashmiri people was led by Agha Syed Hassan Al Moosvi Al-Safvi, representative of Chairman of All Parties Hurriyet Conference (APHC) and comprised of Kashmiri representatives from both Azad Kashmir and Indian occupied Kashmir.
The Foreign Minister of Turkey, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Saudi Arabia and Foreign Minister of Niger also expressed their support for Kashmiris’ right to self-determination.
In his address to the Contact Group, the Foreign Minister of Pakistan informed the meeting about the latest efforts of the Government of Pakistan for a meaningful, constructive and result-oriented dialogue with India for the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
He emphasized that a final settlement of the Kashmir dispute must be acceptable to all parties - Pakistan, India and the Kashmiri people. He called for expeditious implementation of the recommendations of the report of the OIC Secretary General’s Special Representative on Jammu and Kashmir.
Agha Syed Hassan Al Moosvi Al-Safvi, representative of the Chairman APHC apprised the Meeting of the latest human rights situation in Indian occupied Kashmir and called for regular monitoring of the human rights situation in IoK by the OIC and immediate inquiry into the issue of mass graves discovered in IoK.
Kashmiri people presented a Memorandum to the Contact Group which contained proposals for both the OIC member states as well as the OIC Secretary General in order to peacefully resolve the Kashmir dispute.
Earlier, the Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi opened the 35th Session of OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Kampala and handed over the Chairmanship to His Excellency Sam Kutesa, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Uganda.
In his opening speech at the Council, the Foreign Minister characterized the exercise pertaining to revision of the OIC Charter accomplished under Pakistan’s Chairmanship, as a landmark event.
He said the new Charter will help OIC transform itself into an organization that truly reflects aspirations and potential of the Ummah - comprising over one sixth of humanity in the 21st century.
Highlighting other important accomplishments in the year of Pakistan’s Chairmanship, the Foreign Minister cited OIC’s continued and unstinted support to the Palestinian people.
He characterized the Palestinian issue as the main source of discontent in the Muslim world.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi thanked the OIC for consistent support to the right to self determination of the Kashmiri people and Pakistan’s effort for a settlement of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant UN and OIC resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
The Foreign Minister further briefed the Council on Pakistan’s effort, during the year of Chairmanship, to effectively address important challenges faced by the Ummah.
He particularly mentioned the mandate for the Organisation to work on a legally binding international instrument on discrimination or instigation of hatred against any religion.
He underscored the importance of a unified stance within the Ummah, and a sustained and constructive engagement with the West to address Islamophobia and defamation of Islam.
The three-day Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers, inaugurated today by His Excellency Yuweri Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda, will address wide ranging political, economic and cultural matters on the OIC Agenda, and is expected to adopt Resolutions on important issues including Palestine and Kashmir.

Baluchistan to get Rs.3 billion

ISLAMABAD: Balochistan will get an additional revenue amounting to Rs.3 billion as gas sale agreement between the Oil and Gas Development Corporation Ltd. (OGDCL) and the Uch Power Ltd, in pursuance of the direction of Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani. The gas sale agreement was hammered out on Wednesday by the Committee appointed by Prime Minister a day earlier to resolve the issue of payment of royalty regarding Uch gas field to the Government of Balochistan within twenty-four hours.
The Prime Minister has further ordered immediate payment of this amount to the Balochistan Government.
This amount is in addition to the Rs. 3 billion which the Balochistan Government will receive from the Prime Minister’s own grant which he announced on Tuesday after meeting with a delegation from Balochistan headed by Chief Minister Balochistan.
The gas sale agreement was hammered out on Wednesday by the Committee appointed by Prime Minister a day earlier to resolve the issue of payment of royalty regarding Uch gas field to the Government of Balochistan within twenty-four hours.
The Committee headed by the Law Minister Farooq Naik, included as its members Secretary Petroleum, Secretary Finance and Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister.

Exhibition to display rare photographs of Benazir arranged

ISLAMABAD : A two-day exhibition of photographs of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto was organized here Wednesday, featuring different modes and styles of her life till December 27, 2007. Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Sherry Rehman opened the exhibition in which some rare photographs of the great leader were put on display.
Pakistan Television organized the exhibition at its Headquarters in connection with the birth anniversary of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.
PTV arranged the photographs from its archives, manifesting Benazir Bhutto addressing public gatherings on different occasions, speaking at party meetings, talking to foreigners and carrying children.
The rare family photograph of Mohtarma with her husband Asif Ali Zardari and three children was the main attraction for the visitors who took keen interest in each and every photograph and lauded the collection.
A photograph was also displayed when she visited the house of workers of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), injured in October 18, 2007 blast to sympathize with women.
In other photographs which gathered huge attraction, Benazir Bhutto was praying with raised hands for the progress of the country and prosperity of the people, taking oath as Prime Minister, outside a jail after meeting her imprisoned husband, meeting with PML (N) Leader Nawaz Sharif and laying floral wreath at her father Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s grave.
Paying rich tribute to Benazir Bhutto, Sherry Rehman vowed to complete her mission of democracy and said “we need to highlight shades of Shaheed Benazir’s personality on the occasion of her birth anniversary.”
She said Benazir Bhutto had sacrificed her life for the sake of democracy and she was the chain of four provinces where she was equally popular.
Sherry Rehman said Shaheed Benazir Bhutto was not only popular in the country but in the world as well and added she was the leader who gave identity to Pakistan at the international level.
She said ministers and members of National Assembly would visit the exhibition Thursday and asked the PTV administration to open the exhibition for the general public as well.
Besides, former Minister for Education Zobaida Jalal, Managing Direcotr PTV, journalists and a large number of PTV employees visited the exhibition.

لانگ مارچ کے ثمرات۔۔۔۔اسلامی اورچینی تاریخ سے دو حوالے

سیاست میں”لانگ مارچ“ متعارف کرانے کاسہرا چین کے سر باندھا جاتاہے جہاں کمیونسٹ پارٹی کے چیئرمین مائوزے تنگ (Maotse tung)16 اکتوبر34ءکو جنوبی صوبہ جیانگ ژی(Jiaingxi) سے سفر کرکے مغرب کی طرف مختلف صوبوں سے ہوتے ہوئے19اکتوبر 35ءکو شمال کے صوبے شانگ ژی(Shaanxi) پہنچے۔ اس وقت چین پرنیشنلسٹ پارٹی”کومنتانگ“ کاجاپان نواز حکمران چیانگ کائی شیک حکومت کررہاتھا۔ جاپانی فوجیںچین کے اکثر علاقوں میں داخل ہوکر قبضہ جماچکی تھیں اورچیانگ کائی شیک کی فوجیں ان کے ساتھ مل کر روس نواز کمیونسٹ پارٹی کی ریڈ آرمی کوکچلنے میں مصروف تھیں۔ ریڈ آرمی میںاکثریت کسانوں کی تھی یاپھر نیشنلسٹ پارٹی سے ٹوٹ کرآنے والے شامل تھے جن کی قیادت مائوزے تنگ کے ہاتھ میں تھی جوخود بھی ایک کسان تھے اوران کاماننا تھا کہ چین کوعوامی جمہوریہ دیہات کے کسانوں کی مدد سے بنایا جاسکتاہے جبکہ چیانگ کائی شیک شہروں میںبسنے والے کارخانہ داروںاور سرمایہ داروں کانمائندہ تھا۔ دونوں نظریات میں ٹکرائو کے باعث چین خانہ جنگی کی لپیٹ میںتھا۔ جاپان قوم پرستوں کے ساتھ اورروس کمیونسٹوں کے ہمراہ تھا جبکہ جرمنی کے لوگ مشیروں کے روپ میں دونوں طرف موجود تھے۔ مائوگوریلا جنگ کے قائل تھے اوراس طریق جنگ میں انہوں نے بے سروسامانی،تنگدستی اورکم افرادی قوت کے باوجود قوم پرستوں کوناکوں چنے چبوادیئے مگر پارٹی کے دیگر لیڈر براہ راست جنگ کے حامی تھے۔ لہٰذا انہوں نے مل کرمائو کومعزول کردیا جس کے بعد پارٹی اورپارٹی کے ملٹری کمیشن کی کمانڈ کیلئے3رکنی کمیٹی قائم کردی گئی مگر یہ کمیٹی جس میں چواین لائی بھی شامل تھے ناکام ہوگئی۔ اس وقت کمیونسٹ پارٹی کی فرسٹ ریڈ آرمی کاگڑھ صوبہ جیانگ ژی کاعلاقہ yuduتھا۔ 16اکتوبر 34ءکو یہاں ریڈ آرمی کی تعداد ایک لاکھ30 ہزار کے لگ بھگ تھی جن میں ہزاروں کی تعداد میں ایسے لوگ بھی تھے جن کاکام صرف بار برداری تھا۔یہ وہ وقت تھا جب مائو معزول ہوچکے تھے انہی حالات میں چیانگ کائی شیک کی فوجوں نے فرسٹ ایڈ آرمی کوآلیا اورچاروں طرف سے سخت محاصرہ کرلیا ۔ کمیونسٹ پارٹی کے بڑوں نے کمین گاہ سے نکل کر مقابلہ کرنے کافیصلہ کیا۔ فرسٹ ریڈ آرمی نے چیانگ کی فوجوں سے براہ راست ٹکر تو لے لی مگر سہ نہ سکی۔31 جنوری اوریکم دسمبر کے دو روز دریائے سیانگ کے کنارے گھمسان کا رن پڑا مگر میدان چیانگ کے ہاتھ رہاریڈ آرمی کے 40ہزار آدمی گاجر مولی کی طرح کاٹ کر رکھ دیئے گئے۔ بار برداری والے ان کے علاوہ تھے ان میں سے بھی کوئی مشکل ہی سے بچ سکا۔ اس بدترین شکست نے مائو کی چھاپہ مارپالیسی درست ثابت کر دی لہٰذا پارٹی اورملٹری کمیشن کی کمانڈ دوبارہ ان کے سپرد کردی گئی جودراصل ان کیلئے پہلے سے بڑا اورکڑا امتحان تھا کیونکہ ان کے لشکر کا ایک بڑا حصہ ہلاک ہو چکا تھا ۔ بچ جانے والوں میںبے شمار زخمی تھے اور جوجسمانی طورپر فٹ تھے وہ بھی ذہنی طور پر پژمردہ ہوچکے تھے۔ اس طرح تقریباً86 ہزار کا یہ شکست خوردہ لشکرتھا جس میں مائو کونہ صرف نئی روح پھونکنا تھی بلکہ دشمن سے بچا کردوبارہ جدوجہد اورمنزل کے حصول کی خاطر تیار بھی کرناتھا۔ مائو نے اسی سوچ کے تحت جنوبی چین سے نکل جانے کافیصلہ کیا جہاں قوم پرست چینی اورجاپانی فوجیں باقی ماندہ ریڈ آرمی کو بھی خون میں نہلانے کیلئے بے تاب گھیرا ڈالے کھڑی تھیں۔ مائو اپنی حکمت عملی سے ان کامحاصرہ توڑ کرساتھیوں سمیت مغرب کی طرف چل پڑے۔ مائو کے ساتھ86 ہزار لوگ روانہ ہوئے 370 دن میں12ہزار5سو کلومیٹر(8ہزار میل) سفر کیا۔ ایک سال سے زائد مسافت میںصوبہ صوبہ گزر کرکہیں موسم کا مقابلہ کرکے اورکہیں رستوں کی دشواری کاسامنا کر کے ، کہیں جنگجو سرداروں سے لڑ کر اورکہیں نیشنلسٹ فوجوں سے بھڑ کراورکہیں جاپانیوں سے بچ کرجب وہ منزل مقصود شانگ ژی صوبہ کے مقام Yananپہنچے تو ان کے ہمراہ صرف تقریباً7ہزارلوگ رہ چکے تھے۔ یہاں پہنچ کران کی پارٹی کے مسلح ساتھیوں کے دو دوسرے گروپ سیکنڈ ریڈ آرمی اورفورتھ ریڈ آرمی بھی آن سے آملے۔ یہ ان کے ایسے نظریاتی ساتھی تھے جوچین کے دوسرے علاقوں میںدشمن سے دو دو ہاتھ کررہے تھے مگر جب مائو نے اپنا گڑھ چھوڑ کرشمال کی طرف سفر شروع کیا تو ان کوبھی اسی مقام پرآکر ملنے کی تحریک ہوئی ۔ اس طرح مائو نے چین کے طول وعرض میںطویل اورصبر آزما سفر کرکے چینی عوام میں جہاں ایک طرف یہ شعور اجاگر کیا کہ ان کے مسائل کاحل کمیونزم میں ہے وہیں انہوں نے لوگوں کویہ اعتماد بھی دیا کہ ہم اپنے نظریہ پر کتنے مستحکم ہیں اوراس پر عملدرآمد کی خاطر کتنی مصیبتیں بھی جھیل سکتے ہیں مائو جدھر جدھر سے گزرے ادھر ادھر اپنے اثرات چھوڑتے گئے اوراس طرح جو سفر انہوں نے دراصل پسپائی یا انخلاءکی شکل میں شروع کیاتھا دنیا نے اس کولانگ مارچ یعنی بڑی پیش قدمی کانام دے دیا کیونکہ اس کے اثرات اتنے نتیجہ خیز ہوئے کہ کچھ ہی عرصے میں مائو کے ساتھیوں کی تعداد بڑھنے لگی اورچیانگ کائی شیک کے ساتھی اورفوجی مائو سے آکر ملنے لگے۔ نیشنلزم زوال پذیر ہونے لگا اورکمیونسٹ پارٹی چین کے طول وعرض میں مقبولیت کے جھنڈے گاڑھنے لگی۔1945ءمیں دوسری جنگ عظیم ختم ہوگئی۔ دوشہروں پرایٹم بم سے حملے کے بعد جاپان نے شکست مان لی اور چین سے بھی ہاتھ کھینچ لیا۔ چیانگ کائی شیک اکیلا مائو کی ریڈ آرمی کے سامنے نہ ٹھہر سکا اورفرار ہوکر تائیوان جاچھپا یکم اکتوبر1949ءکو مائو زے تنگ نے چین کوعوامی جمہوریہ بنانے کااعلان کردیا۔بلاشبہ یہ عزم، حوصلے، ارادے اوریقین کی انتہا تھی جس کامظاہرہ مائو اوران کے ساتھیوں نے کیالیکن بطور مسلمان ہم اسلامی تاریخ کاجائزہ لیں تو چین میں مائو کے لانگ مارچ سے بہت بہت پہلے13صدیاں قبل حضور نبی کریم کے دور میں بھی اس کی بڑی مثال موجود ہے ۔جسے ہجرت مدینہ کہتے ہیں جب کفار مکہ نے مسلمانوں پرعرصہ حیات تنگ کردیا اورحضور اکرم کو(خدانخواستہ) شہید کرنے کاارادہ کر لیا تو نبی کریم صحابہ کے ہمراہ مدینہ ہجرت کرگئے جہاں انصار ان کیلئے دیدہ ودل فرش راہ کیے ہوئے تھے۔ آقائے دوجہاں نے مدینہ میں دنیا کی پہلی اسلامی مملکت کی بنیاد رکھی اور اس ہجرت کانتیجہ یہ نکلا کہ مدینہ میں اسلام کوخوب فروغ ملا۔ اسلامی ریاست قائم ہونے سے مسلمان مضبوط ہوئے اور اس پوزیشن میں آگئے کہ مکہ فتح کرسکیں اورپھر کفار کے مظالم کی وجہ سے جوشہر انہیںچھوڑنا پڑا اسی میں بطور فاتح داخل ہوئے اورجوکفار ان پرظلم وستم کے پہاڑ توڑا کرتے تھے وہ انہی مظلوموں کے رحم وکرم کے محتاج ہوگئے۔ مذکورہ بالا بحث کی روشنی میں ہمیں پتہ چلتاہے کہ( اسلام اور کمیونزم کی بحث سے ہٹ کر سیاسی حوالے سے پڑھا جائے )اسلامی تاریخ میںحضور نبی کریم کامکہ سے مدینہ کوچ ہو یاچینی تاریخ میں13صدیاں بعد مائوزے تنگ کاجیانگ ژی سے شانگ ژی کاسفر ہو دونوں صورتوں میں یہ سفرکمزوری کی حالت میں کیے گئے مگر یہ سفر اختیار کرنے والوں کومنزل پرپہنچ کرطاقت ملی۔ مسلمانوں پر مکہ کی زمین تنگ کردی گئی تھی جبکہ مائو کے ساتھیوں کاجیانگ ژی میں رہنا ناممکن بنادیا گیا تھا۔ مکہ سے ہجرت ہوئی تھی اورجیانگ ژی سے انخلاء۔تھی یہ بھی ہجرت کیونکہ انہوں نے بھی اپنے نظریے کی خاطر گھر بار چھوڑا۔ اور دونوں نے دوسری جگہ جاکر پڑائو ڈالا۔ نظریے سے ان کی کمٹمنٹ ،نصب العین سے محبت اوراس کی خاطر کسی قربانی سے دریغ نہ کرنے کے جذبے نے ہراس علاقے کے مکینوں کومتاثر کیاجہاں جہاں سے وہ گزرے اور جدھر جدھر انہوں نے قیام کیا ۔ اورجس جس بستی سے یہ لوگ گزرے اس اس نگر کے باسی ان کے پیچھے ہولیے جبکہ منزل پر پہلے ہی ان کے والہانہ استقبال کی تیاریاں ہورہی تھیں اورلوگ ان کی آواز پرلبیک کہنے کیلئے تیار بیٹھے تھے ۔اورپھر تاریخ نے دیکھا کہ جولوگ کمزوری کی حالت میں گھربار چھوڑنے پرمجبور ہوئے انہوں نے وقت کے سرکش حکمرانوں کے تختے الٹ دیئے۔انہوں نے نئی مملکتوں کی بنیادیں رکھیںاور نظام بدل کررکھ دیئے۔

بلیک مارکیٹ میں ایٹمی ہتھیاروں کے ڈیزائن کی دستیابی سے امریکہ کو تشویش

واشنگٹن ۔ ایک نیو کلیر واچ ڈاگ کی اس رپورٹ نے بش انتظامیہ کو پریشان کر ڈالا ہے کہ سوئز رلینڈ کے اسمگلروں کے کمپیوٹر جدید ترین ایٹمی ہتھیاروں کے ڈیزائن پائے گئے ہیں۔ گزشتہ دنوں سامنے آنے والی اس رپورٹ نے امریکی انٹلیجنس کی گزشتہ سال کی اس دریافت کے بارے میں بطور خاص شکوک و شبہات پید اکیے ہیں کہ ایران نے 2003ء میں ایٹمی ہتھیار ڈایزائن کرنے کا پروگرام ترک کر دیا تھا۔ اس دریافت کے بعد ایران نے لوہا لینے کی بش انتظامیہ کی کوششوں میں کمی آئی تھی۔ اگر سلامتی جمہوریہ کو نیو کلیر بلیک مارکیٹ میں تفصیلی وارہیڈ ڈیزائن مل جائیں تو اسے اپنے ایٹمی پروگرام کے لیے بلیوپرنٹ تیار کرنے کی حاجت نہیں رہ جائے گی۔ ایک سینئر امریکی افسر نے کہا کہ اس سوال پر غور کرنے کی ضرورت ہے۔ یہ تشویش ہمیشہ موجود رہتی ہے کہ کوئی سرپھرا ملک یا گروپ جو ایٹمی ہتھیار حاصل کرنے پر تلا ہوا ہو، وہ معلومات حاصل کر سکتا ہے جس سے ایٹمی ہتھیار بنانے کے عمل میں تیزی آئے۔ سی آئی اے اور محکمہ خارجہ نے اس رپورٹ پر کوئی تبصرہ نہیں کیا ہے۔ دی انسٹی ٹیوٹ فور سائنس اینڈ انٹرنیشنل سیکورٹی کی رپورٹ میں کہا گیا ہے کہ سوئس تفتیش کاروں نے2004ء میں تین سوئس اسمگلروں کے کمپیوٹر وں پر ایٹمی ہتھیاروں کے ڈیزائن پائے تھے ۔ ان اسمگلروں کا تعلق پاکستان کے ایٹمی پروگرام خالق عبدالقدیر خان سے بتایا جاتا ہے۔ عبدالقدیر خان نے 2004ء میں اس بات کا اعتراف کیا تھا کہ انہوں ے غیر قانونی طریقہ سے ایٹمی ٹیکنالوجی ایران، لیبیا، شمالی کوریا کو فروخت کی تھی لیکن گزشتہ ماہ خان نے ایک انٹرویو میں اس کی تردید کی ہے۔ انسٹی ٹیوٹ کی رپورٹ کے مطابق سوئس کمپیوٹروں پر جو ڈیزائن ملے ہیں وہ اس ڈیزائن سے چھوٹے اور جدید ترین ہیں جو لیبیا نے خان سے خریدا تھا۔ پلاسٹک میزائل میں فٹ آسکتا ہے۔ بین الاقوامی ایٹمی توانائی ایجنسی کے ایک سینیئر افسرکا کہنا ہے کہ یہ ڈیزائن ان تین اسمگلروں کے علاوہ بھی کچھ لوگوں کے پاس ہو سکتے ہیں رپورٹ میں یہ نہیں بتایا گیا ہے کہ ایران یا شمالی کوریا کے پاس ایسے ڈیزائن ہیں۔ امریکہ کی انٹلیجنس نے بتایا کہ ایران نے2003ء میں ایٹمی ہتھیار ڈیزائن کرنے کا کام ترک کر دیا تھا۔ اس نے کہا تھا کہ ایران یورانیم کی افزودگی اور میزائل تیار کرنے پر توجہ دے رہا ہے۔ بہرحال امریکی انٹیجلنس کے سینیئر افسران کا کہنا ہے کہ ڈیزائن کا کام دوبارہ شروع کیا جا سکتا ہے۔ ایٹمی ہتھیاربنانے کی اہلیت حاصل کرنے کے راستے میں حائل سب سے بڑی رکاوٹ ایٹمی اینڈھن کا وافر مقدار میں دستیاب نہ ہونا ہے۔ بہرحال اسٹراٹیجک سیکورٹی فاردی فیڈریشن آف امریکن سائنٹسٹس کے نائب صدر آئیوان اوئیلرچ کا کہنا ہے کہ ایٹمی ہتھیاروں کا تفصیلی بلیو پرنٹ حاصل کرنا ایران یا ایٹمی اسلحہ حاصل کرنے کے خواہشمند دوسرے گروپ کے لیے ایک بڑاقدم ہو سکتا ہے۔ وائٹ ہاؤز کے قومی سلامتی کے مشیر اسٹیفن ہیڈلی نے اتوار کو کہا ہے کہ امریکہ کو اس بات پر تشویش ہے کہ عبدالقدیر خا نے یورانیم ذرخیزہ بنانے کی ٹیکنالوجی کے ساتھ ساتھ ایٹمی ہتھیاروں کی ٹیکنالوجی بھی پھیلائی ہو گی۔ آرمس کنڑول ایسوسی ایشن کے ایگزیکٹیو ڈائریکٹر ڈیرل کمبال کا کہنا ہے کہ پاکستان کی نئی حکومت پر دباؤ ڈالنا چاہیے کہ وہ بین الاقوامی ایٹمی توانائی ایجنسی کو عبدالقدیر خان سے پوچھ تا چھ کرنے دے تاہم پاکستان کا کہنا ہے کہ وہ خان کے بارے میں اپنی تفتیش مکمل کر چکا ہے۔

قومی اسمبلی میں بجٹ بحث کے دوران طنزیہ شعروں کی بھر مار

اسلام آباد ۔ قومی اسمبلی میں بجٹ بحث کے دوران اپوزیشن حکومتی اراکین نے شعر و شاعری کی بھر مار کر دی ۔ آج قومی اسمبلی میں بجٹ بحث کے دوران اراکین اسمبلی نے بجٹ پر بحث تو نہ ہوئی تاہم حزب اقتدار اور اپوزیشن کے اراکین ایک دوسرے کی مخالفت میں شعر و شاعری کرتے رہے اور جوشیلی اور طنزیہ نظمیں اور اشعار پڑھتے رہے

سچ کی تلاش میں جان دینے والے صحافیوں کی یادگار واشنگٹن ڈی سی میں قائم ، واشنگٹن کے میوزیم کی دیوار پر کئی پاکستانی صحافیوں کے نام درج ہیں

واشنگٹن ۔ سچ کی تلاش میں جان قربان کرنے والے صحافیوں کی ایک یادگار واشنگٹن ڈی سی میں قائم کی گئی ہے جو اس شہر کے سب سے جدید نیوز میوزیم کا حصہ ہے۔ نیوزیم کے سینئیر ایڈیٹر ڈان راس کے مطابق خطرے سے جان بچا کر بھاگنا ایک فطری رد عمل ہے مگر گوشت پوست کے انسانوں میں چند کردار ایسے بھی ہوتے ہیں جو خطرے سے دور نہیں بلکہ خطرے کی طرف بھاگتے ہیں۔ یہ تین طرح کے لوگ ہوتے ہیں ، پولیس مین ،فائر مین اور جرنلسٹ۔ جرنلسٹ میموریل کی دیوار پر ان ایک ہزار آٹھ سو تینتالیس صحافیوں کے نام درج ہیں جنہوں نے صحافتی اصولوں کو قربان کرنے کے بجائے اپنی جان قربان کرنا مناسب سمجھا۔ یہاں موجود تصویریں صحافت کے پیشے کی حقیقی قیمت ادا کرنے والے انہی صحافیوں کی ہیں۔ جو اس بات کا ثبوت ہیںکہ میڈیا کی ترقی نے سچ کا سفر تیز تر اور صحافیوں کے لئے خطرات میں اضافہ کر دیا ہیڈان راس کے مطابق اس دیوار پر سب سے پہلا نام جس صحافی کا ہے وہ 1837 میں مارا گیا تھا۔ ۔ اس وقت سے 2000 تک کے زمانے کے درمیان جو نام ہیں ان کی تعداد خاصی کم ہے۔ مگر 2000 کے بعد یہ تعدادبہت زیادہ نظر آتی ہے۔جرنلزم میموریل کے سینئیر ایڈیٹرڈان راس کہتے ہیں کہ جب کسی صحافی کو جان بوجھ کر مارا جاتا ہے تو نیوز کے بزنس میں یہ بڑی خبر ہوتی ہے ،اور آج کے زمانے میں چھپ نہیں سکتی۔ ڈان راس مانتے ہیں کہ اٹھارویں صدی سے سن 2000 کے عرصے کیدوران مرنے والے صحافیوں کی کم تعداد اورگزشتہ آٹھ سالوں میں اس تعداد میں اچانک ریکارڈ کئے گئے۔ اضافے کی ایک وجہ خبروں کی ترسیل کے زیادہ برق رفتار اور ترقی یافتہ ذرائع ہوسکتے ہیں مگران کا کہنا ہے کہ عراق جنگ کے آغاز کے بعد سے صحافیوں کا منہ بند کرانے کی خواہش میں اضافہ دیکھا گیا ہے۔ 2007 میں مرنے والے 90صحافیوں میں سے30 عراق جنگ کے دوران ہلاک ہوئے تھے۔ڈان راس کہتے ہیں کہ اس جنگ کا پچھلی جنگوں سے فرق یہ ہے کہ اب صحافیوں کو خاص طور پر ٹارگٹ کیا جا رہا ہیکیونکہ مختلف عناصر نہیں چاہتے کہ سٹوری باہر نکلے۔ ورلڈ وار ٹو اور ویت نام جنگ کے زمانے میں کوئی صحافیوں کی جان کا دشمن نہیں بن گیا تھا مگر اب ایسا کیا جا رہا ہے تاکہ ان کی زبان بند کی جائے۔میموریل کی دیوار پر نام درج کرانے کی شرط بڑی سخت ہے۔ ڈان راس کہتے ہیں کہ اگر آپ صحافی ہوتے ہوئے ہارٹ اٹیک یا ٹرک کی ٹکر سے مرنے کا سوچ رہے ہیں تو میموریل کی دیوار پرآپ کے لئے کوئی جگہ نہیں۔ اس دیوار پر نام درج کرانے کے لئے صحافی کی موت اپنے پیشہ ورانہ فرائض کی انجام دہی کے دوران ہونی ضروری ہے۔ مگر اس میموریل پر اپنی عقیدت کا خراج پیش کرنے والوں کی رائے کچھ ملی جلی سی ہے۔ جبکہ صحافیوں کو غیر ضروری خطرات سے بچنے کی تلقین کرنے والوں کی بھی کمی نہیں۔دو ہزار کے لگ بھگ صحافیوں کی اس یادگار میں پاکستانیوں کا حصہ کتنا ہے ؟کیا پاکستانی صحافی زیادہ خطرناک صورتحال میں کام کر رہے ہیں ؟ ڈان راس کہتے ہیں کہ پاکستان میں1965 کے بعد سے اب تک 29 صحافی مارے گئے ہیں۔ ان میں زیادہ تر پاکستانی صحافی تھے اور شاید ایک دو پاکستانی نہیں تھے۔ لیکن صحافیوں کو درپیش خطرات کے حوالے سے ڈان راس کا کہنا ہے کہ پاکستان ایسا ملک نہیں ہے جہاں پرمیں رپورٹنگ کرنا چاہوں گا۔ 1994 میں پاکستان میں دو صحافی مارے گئے تھے۔ 2000 میں ایک ، 2002 میں دو اور2007 میں چھ پاکستانی صحافی مارے گئے۔ یہ تعداد مسلسل بڑھ رہی ہے۔ اس سال کے دوران بھی کچھ پاکستانی صحافی مارے جا چکے ہیں اور ڈان راس کا کہنا ہے کہ جو ریکارڈ ہمارے پاس ہے اس سے پتہ چلتا ہے کہ وہ اس سال کے آخری صحافی نہیں ہونگے۔میموریل کی دیوار پرجہاں 2007 میں شمالی وزیرستان میں قتل ہونے والے پاکستانی صحافی حیات اللہ خان سمیت کئی ایشیائی صحافیوں کی تصاویر دیکھی جا سکتی ہیں۔ وہاں پاکستانی نیوز چینل اے آر وائے کے کیمرہ مین محمد عارف ،روزنامہ مرکز کے جاوید خان ،فری لانس فوٹوگرافر محبوب خان ،روزنامہ پاکستان کے نور حکیم خان،روزنامہ اسلام کے مسعود محمود ،روزنامہ جنگ کے زبیر احمد مجاہد اورچشتی مجاہد کے نام بھی واشنگٹن ڈی سی کے اس جرنلزم میموریل پردرج ہو چکے ہیں