Plans chalk out for Banazir's birth anniversary

ISLAMABAD: 55th birth anniversary of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto would be celebrated across the country June 21 (Saturday), a comprehensive plan has been chalked out for the anniversary. Pakistan People's Party would organize blood donation and Quran Khawani on the birth anniversary of Benazir Bhutto. The events to be held throughout the country will be low key affairs with no fanfare and cake cutting. The main event in this connection in the twin cities will be held in Rawalpindi at the Liaquat Bagh venue where she was assassinated on December 27 last. The event will start at 6:00 pm. The event at Rawalpindi is being organized by Pakistan Peoples Party Rawalpindi. Large sized portraits of Mohtarma with flowers and candle light around will adorn the venue of all events and Quran Khawani will be held at large of places. The Party leaders and workers will donate blood on the day at special camps to be set up for the purpose. A blood donation Camp will be set up on Saturday at Liaquat Bagh where Party workers will donate blood. Quran Khawani and a vigil will be held to pay homage to Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto in the evening.Federal Ministers, MNAs and Party leaders from the twin cities including Raja Pervez Ashraf Minister for Water and Power, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Minister for Kashmir Affairs will attend the programme.

Shujaat, Pervailz Elahi meet Musharraf

ISLAMABAD: President Pakistan Muslim League-Q Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi called on President Musharraf here on Saturday. The PML-Q leaders discussed national political situation and proposed constitutional package with the president. President Musharraf in the meeting said he would continue his efforts for stability of democracy in the country and will extend full cooperation to the government. The president said he would happily accept amendments in the constitution by the parliament. He said that the process of reconciliation should be continued, which is in greater national interest. Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi informed the president about the parliamentary opposition's positive role during the budget session.

Benazir Bhutto’s death an irreparable loss to Ummah: Fehmida

ISLAMABAD: Speaker National Assembly, Dr. Fehmida Mirza on Friday said that Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto always worked for democracy, strength of Pakistan and prosperity of its people for which she embraced martyrdom. Dr. Fehmida Mirza expressed these views in an interview to a private TV channel in connection with the Birth Anniversary of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.
Dr. Fehmida said that she had a democratic mindset and strongly believed in democratic norms.
She said that Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto was the torch bearer of women rights and always advocated for gender equality.
She allocated quota for women in the services of Pakistan besides establishing women police stations and the First Women Bank in Pakistan during her tenure as Prime Minister.
The Speaker said that Shaheed Mohtarma loved Pakistan and its people and despite threats to her life, she came back to Pakistan.
She further said that it was desire of the masses to see Benazir Bhutto as Leader of the House but her sudden death shattered their dreams.
She said that Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto was the torch bearer of the democratic and social mission of Late Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto for which she made sacrifices. She said that the Martyrdom of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto has created a vacuum which is impossible to be filled.
The Speaker said that it was the desire of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto to see a strong and prosperous Pakistan where its inhabitant can lead an affluent life.
She said that the best way to celebrate the birth anniversary of Benazir Bhutto was to donate blood and hold ceremonies of recitation for the soul of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.

Govt to do all to accomplish Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto’s mission: PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani paying rich tributes to Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed has assured that the present government will make all possible efforts to accomplish Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto’s mission. “Let me assure you on this occasion that the present government, backed by the will of the people, will make all possible efforts to accomplish Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto’s mission for revival of the Constitution in its original form, supremacy of the Parliament, independence of judiciary, freedom of media, provincial autonomy, strengthening of the state institutions to ensure progress, prosperity and wellbeing of the people of Pakistan”, the Prime Minister said in a message on 55th birth anniversary of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed.
He said, on her birthday, the best way to pay homage to the great leader would be to follow her mission in letter and sprit, shun sectarianism and militancy and work wholeheartedly for the betterment and uplift of Pakistan.
The Prime Minister said while commemorating the birth anniversary of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed, she is not amongst us, yet she lives in the hearts and memory of the people of Pakistan.
According to Islamic injunctions, he said, the martyrs are alive and prostrate before Allah Almighty, who in turn showers His choicest blessings on them. “Such sublime is the position enjoyed by a Martyr.”
The Prime Minister said the Birth Anniversary of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto reminds us of her mission to ameliorate the lot of the poor and the downtrodden, and translate the Quaid-e-Azam’s vision of a developed, democratic and stable Pakistan into reality.
She openly denounced extremism and wanted Quaid’s Pakistan to be a centre of intellectual excellence, instead of becoming hostage to narrow identities that lead to extremism and militancy, he added.
The Prime Minister said throughout her political career, Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto endeavoured to uphold the cause of democracy and democratic values, and frustrate evil designs of those petty interests who served dictators and wanted dictatorship to flourish in our land.
Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed was not the first one to lay down her life for the cause of Pakistani people, he said and mentioned that her great father, our ideal and our leader, Quaid-e-Awam Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and other members of her noble family also made sacrifices for the rights of the poor masses and the cause of democracy.
“It is due to her exemplary character, sacrifices and dedication of purpose that people not only in Pakistan but throughout the world hold her in high esteem and reverence’, the Prime Minister added.
Following is the text of the Prime Minister’s
message on 55th birth anniversary of Mohtarma Benazir
Bhutto Shaheed:-
“Today, we are commemorating the birth anniversary of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed. She is not amongst us today, yet she lives in the hearts and memory of the people of Pakistan. According to Islamic injunctions, the martyrs are alive and prostrate before Allah Almighty, who in turn showers His choicest blessings on them. Such sublime is the position enjoyed by a Martyr.
The Birth Anniversary of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto reminds us of her mission to ameliorate the lot of the poor and the downtrodden, and translate the Quaid-e-Azam’s vision of a developed, democratic and stable Pakistan into reality. She openly denounced extremism and wanted Quaid’s Pakistan to be a centre of intellectual excellence, instead of becoming hostage to narrow identities that lead to extremism and militancy.
Throughout her political career, Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto endeavoured to uphold the cause of democracy and democratic values, and frustrate evil designs of those petty interests who served dictators and wanted dictatorship to flourish in our land.
Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed was not the first one to lay down her life for the cause of Pakistani people. Her great father, our ideal and our leader, Quaid-e-Awam Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and other members of her noble family also made sacrifices for the rights of the poor masses and the cause of democracy.
It is due to her exemplary character, sacrifices and dedication of purpose that people not only in Pakistan but throughout the world hold her in high esteem and reverence.
On her birthday, the best way to pay homage to the great leader would be to follow her mission in letter and sprit, shun sectarianism and militancy and work wholeheartedly for the betterment and uplift of Pakistan.
Let me assure you on this occasion that the present government, backed by the will of the people, will make all possible efforts to accomplish Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto’s mission for revival of the Constitution in its original form, supremacy of the Parliament, independence of judiciary, freedom of media, provincial autonomy, strengthening of the State institutions to ensure progress, prosperity and wellbeing of the people of Pakistan.”

No foreigner has any access to Pakistan’s nuclear designs: FO

ISLAMABAD: A foreign office spokesman said on Friday that no foreigner has any access to Pakistan’s nuclear designs, and that Dr. A. Q. Khan’s case is closed. The spokesman was commenting on a news item carried by some sections of media that the nuclear bomb design in digital format, which was in the possession of the Tinners of Switzerland, was similar to Pakistani design provided by Dr. A. Q. Khan.
“This conjecture is surprising as no foreigner has any access to Pakistan’s nuclear designs,” the spokesman said in a statement.
“It is not understood how anyone could reach such a conclusion.”
The spokesman said that the entire story raised a number of questions. “If Tinners files have relevance to Dr. A.Q. Khan, then why where they destroyed? The files should have been shared with Pakistan, if they were genuine and relevant to Dr. A. Q. Khan.”
The spokesman said that Dr. A. Q. Khan’s case is closed as he does not have any official status and in no manner whatsoever he can indulge in nuclear proliferation.
“All relevant information of the case has already been shared with the IAEA and there is no new development in this context,” he added.

Zardari, Nawaz to hold further rounds of talk: PPP Spokesman

ISLAMABAD : Spokesman of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Farhatullah Khan Babar Friday said that meeting between Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari and former Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif will continue until two partners arrived at some decision. Talking to private TV channel, (Dawn News), he said,”The meeting will continue until the two coalition partners arrived at some decisions and a few more round of talks between the two leaders are expected soon.”
PPP spokesman said after every meeting the differences are narrowed down between the two parties adding consensus has been reached on some points.
However, he said both the parties have decided not to talk about the decisions taken in the meeting.
To a question, he said during a meeting between the two leaders, restoration of the deposed judges, constitutional package and impeachment of President were discussed.
Farhatullah Babar said restoration of judiciary, impeachment of president and constitutional package are interlinked.
He said if one issue is resolved remaining two would automatically be solved.

PM names Islamabad Airport as Benazir Bhutto International Airport

ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Friday named Islamabad International Airport as Benazir Bhutto International Airport, Islamabad. The decision has been taken on the occasion of the Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto’s birth anniversary as a mark of respect and reverence for the martyred leader and in recognition of her unparalleled services for the nation, the people of Pakistan and the cause of democracy.
The Prime Minister has also named General Hospital, Rawalpindi as Benazir Bhutto Hospital, Rawalpindi and Murree Road as Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Road in consultation with the Government of Punjab.
The Prime Minister has given an initial grant of Rs. 50 million for upgradation of the Hospital.
The Prime Minister has also decided to build a monument at the site in Rawalpindi where Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto was assassinated.
The design of the monument will be selected through open international competition.

No new list received from US to arrest terrorists: Rehman

ISLAMABAD: Advisor to Prime Minister on Interior A Rehman Malik Friday said that the government of Pakistan has received no new list from United States about the arrest of terrorists.
In a brief interview to a private television channel Rehman Malik said that reports in this regard are totally incorrect.
He said the Pakistani law enforcement and investigation agencies have the ability to deal with the terrorists and they are doing their job efficiently.
“We are probing the things and those arrested in result of investigation will have to undergo trials in Pakistan”, Rehman Malik said.
He said that if found guilty they would be punished according to the law of land and if found innocent they will be acquitted.
Responding to some statements about the presence of Osama Bin Loden in Pakistan’s controlled territory the Advisor said, “in our opinion he is not in Pakistan’s area and those who say about his presence in Pakistan should present the evidence”.
To another question he said as the Afghan President has stated that he has said nothing about pushing Afghan troops into Pakistan’s areas for action the debate in this regard should come to an end.
He said that peace in region is in mutual interests of both Pakistan and Afghanistan.

صدر پرویز مشرف کے مواخذے کی تحریک کے مسودے پر ارکان پارلیمان کی مطلوبہ تعداد نے دستخط کر دئیے ہیں۔صدیق الفاروق

اسلام آباد ۔ پاکستان مسلم لیگ (ن) کے ترجمان صدیق الفاروق نے واضح کیا ہے کہ صدر پرویز مشرف کے مواخذے کی تحریک کے مسودے پر ارکان پارلیمان کی مطلوبہ تعداد نے دستخط کر دئیے ہیں اور اسے سپیکر قومی اسمبلی کے پاس جمع کرانے کیلئے وقت کا تعین باقی ہے ۔ تاہم توقع ہے کہ دونوں بڑی جماعتیں اس بارے میں جلد حتمی فیصلہ کر لیں گی ایک نجی ٹی وی سے گفتگو کرتے ہوئے (ن) لیگ کے ترجمان نے کہاکہ مواخذے کی تحریک کیلئے سینٹ یا قومی اسمبلی کے پچاس فیصد ارکان کی حمایت کی ضرورت ہوتی ہے اور ہم نے پچاس فیصد ارکان کے دستخط حاصل کر لئے ہیں اور اس بارے میں قوم انشاءاللہ جلد خوشخبری سنے گی میاں نواز شریف اور آصف علی زرداری کی لاہور میں ہونے والی حالیہ ملاقات کے بارے میں صدیق الفاروق نے کہاکہ ججز کی بحالی کے بارے میں بہت پیش رفت ہوئی ہے تاہم کوئی حتمی فیصلہ ابھی تک نہیں ہوا توقع ہے کہ قوم بہت جلد اس بارے میں بھی خوشخبری سنے گی انہوں نے کہاکہ قوم مایوس نہیں ہو گی ججز جلد بحال ہوں گے انہوں نے کہاکہ ہم جمہوری طریقے سے قدم بقدم آگے بڑھ رہے ہیں اور تمام معاملات جمہوری طریقے سے ہی طے پائیں گے قوم کو مایوس نہیں کیاجائے گا ان کی توقعات کے مطابق تمام معاملات طے پائیں گے ۔

وزیراعظم یوسف رضا گیلانی کے صاحبزادے سید عبدالقادر گیلانی پی پی ٢٩٥ سے بلامقابلہ منتخب

رحیم یار خان۔ وزیراعظم سید یوسف رضا گیلانی کے صاحبزادے پنجاب اسمبلی کے حلقہ 295کے ضمنی الیکشن میں پیپلز پارٹی کے امیدوار سید عبدالقادر گیلانی غیر سرکاری طور پر بلامقابلہ منتخب ہوگئے۔ آج ان کے مخالف آخری امیدوار نے بھی ریٹرننگ آفیسر کو اپنی الیکشن سے ریٹائرمنٹ کی درخواست دے دی۔ تفصیلات کے مطابق پی پی 295رحیم یار خان XIکے ضمنی الیکشن کیلئے 15امیدواروں نے اپنے کاغذات نامزدگی جمع کرائے۔ 20مئی کو کاغذات کی جانچ پڑتال کے دوران ایم ایم اے ضلع رحیم یار خان کے صدر میاں مظہر نثار کے کاغذات نامزدگی مسترد کردیئے گئے۔ 2جون کو نو امیدواروں نے سید عبدالقادر گیلانی کے حق میں اپنے کاغذات نامزدگی واپس لے لئے۔ جبکہ 4جون کو آزاد امیدوار کنور سعید عمر خان، 11جون کو آزاد امیدوار مشتا ق احمد بھیٹ، 19جون کو آزاد امیدوار سید ذوالفقار شاہ ایڈووکیٹ اور گذشتہ روز 20جون کو باقی رہ جانے والے آخری امیدوار ابوالاعلیٰ عامر گیلانی نے بھی ریٹرننگ آفیسر کو الیکشن سے ریٹائرمنٹ کی درخواست دیدی۔ یہ تمام امیدوار عبدالقادر گیلانی کے حق میں الیکشن سے دستبردار ہوئے۔

جولائی میں بیشتر روزمرہ استعمال کی اشیاء کی قیمتوں میں بجٹ٢٠٠٨-٠٩ء اقدامات کے باعث اضافہ متوقع ہے

کراچی ۔ جولائی میں بیشتر روزمرہ استعمال کی اشیاء کی قیمتوں میں بجٹ2008-09ء اقدامات کے باعث اضافہ متوقع ہے۔کمپنیوں کی جانب سے سیلز ٹیکس، ایکسائیز ڈیوٹی اور انکم ٹیکس کی شرح میں ایک فیصد جبکہ ملازمین کی کم ازکم تنخواہوں میں اضافے اور روپے و ڈالر کے درمیان قدر کے اتار چڑھاؤ کا سنجیدگی سے تجزیہ شروع کردیا گیا ہے۔جنرل سیلز ٹیکس کی شرح 15 سے 16 فیصد کرنے اور ڈیوٹی و ٹیکسوں کی شرح میں اضافہ ہونے سے اشیاء کی نظر ثانی قیمتوں سے ڈسٹری بیوٹرز اور ریٹیلرز کو پہلے ہی آگاہ کیا جاچکا ہے جبکہ ان کا اطلاق جولائی میں ہوگا۔کراچی ریٹیلرز گروسرز گروپ کے ذرائع کے مطابق دودھ کے 25 کلوگرام امپورٹڈ تھیلے کی قیمت ساڑھے 7 ہزار سے8 ہزار روپے کی سطح پر پہنچ گئی ہے جبکہ بجٹ سے قبل یہ 7ہزار روپے میں فروخت کیا جارہا تھا۔روز مرہ استعمال کی بنیادی اشیائے ضرورت سبزیاں، خشک دودھ اور دواؤں کی قیمتوں میں اضافہ حکومت کی جانب سے امپورٹ ڈیوٹی میں اضافے کے باعث ہوا ہے واضح رہے کہ حکومت کی جانب سے امپورٹ ڈیوٹی کی زیادہ سے زیادہ شرح 30فیصد کردی گئی ہے جو اس سے قبل 20 فیصد تھی۔ماہرین کے مطابق صارفین پر قیمتوں کا بوجھ کم کرنے کے لئے حکومت کو سیلز ٹیکس کی شرح16 فیصد سے 15 فیصد کرنے اور غذائی اشیاء کی قیمتوں پر عائد ڈیوٹی کم یا ختم کرنے پر سنجیدگی سے غور کرنا ہوگا۔مارکیٹ میں غیر ملکی صابن کی قیمتوں میں 6فیصد اور سرف کی فی کلو قیمتوں میں11فیصد اضافہ پہلے ہی کیا جاچکا ہے جو خالصتاً سیلز ٹیکس کی شرح میں اضافے سے ہوا ہے۔گھی اور خوردنی تیل کی قیمتوں میں بجٹ2008-09ء سے قبل مئی میں ہی اضافہ کردیا گیا تھا۔5 کلو گھی کے پیکٹ کی قیمت 775روپے سے 785روپے جبکہ تیل کے5 کلو پیکٹ کی قیمت 730روپے سے 750روپے ہوگئی ہے۔خوردنی اشیاء تیار کرنے والی نمایاں کمپنیوں کے ذرائع کے مطابق کمپنیوں میں خوردنی اشیاء کی قیمتوں پر نظر ثانی کا کام شروع کردیا گیا ہے جس میں سیلز ٹیکس کی شرح میں 1فیصد، ایکسائیز ڈیوٹی میں ایک فیصد، انکم ٹیکس میں ایک فیصد جبکہ ملازمین کی کم ازکم تنخواہوں میں اضافے کو مدنظر رکھا جارہا ہے۔ذرائع کے مطابق ڈیوٹی اور ٹیکسوں کی شرح میں اضافے کے مجموعی اثر سے تمام خوردنی اشیاء کی قیمتوں میں 3سے 5فیصد اوسطاً اضافے کا امکان ہے جبکہ خوردنی گھی و تیل کے 5 کلو پیکٹ کی قیمت800روپے کی سطح سے تجاوز کرجائیگی۔کمپنیوں کے ڈائیریکٹرز سیلز کا کہنا ہے کہ جنرل سیلز ٹیکس و ڈیوٹیوں کی شرح میں اضافہ خوردنی اشیاء کی قیمتوں میں اضافے کی چند وجوہات ہیں تاہم ڈالر کے مقابلے میں روپے کی گرتی ہوئی قدر اور خام مال کی قیمتوں میں اضافے سے پیداواری لاگت میں کئی گنا اضافہ ہوگیا ہے۔ماہرین کے مطابق اگر حکومت کی جانب سے خوردنی اشیاء کی قیمتوں میں اضافے کے رجحان کو کنٹرول نہیں کیا گیا تو امسال رمضان گزشتہ برس کی نسبت صارفین کیلئے مزید بوجھ ثابت ہوگا۔جولائی میں اشیاء کی قیمتوں میں بجٹ2008-09ء اقدامات کے باعث پہلے ہی اضافے کا امکان ہے جبکہ دوسری جانب رمضان کے آغاز سے قبل ہی چونکہ قیمتیں بڑھا دی جاتی ہیں لہذا خوردنی اشیاء کی قیمتوں میں رمضان میں مزید10سے 15فیصد اضافے کا امکان ہوگا۔