اولمپک مشعل ایورسٹ کی چوٹی پر پہنچ گئی

بیجنگ ۔ چین کے مشعل بردار اولمپک مشعل لے کر ماؤنٹ ایورسٹ پر پہنچ گئے ہیں۔ مشعل کو مقامی وقت کے مطابق صبح نو بجے روشن کیا گیا۔چین اور نیپال دونوں نے ایورسٹ کی چوٹی کی اپنی اپنی طرف کی راستے بند کر دیئے تھے ۔ ایورسٹ کی چوٹی تک مشعل پہنچانے کی ایک کوشش پہلے بھی کی گئی جو آندھیوں اور برفانی طوفان کی وجہ سے کامیاب نہیں ہو سکی تھی۔ماؤنٹ ایورسٹ پر پہنچ کر مشعل بردار ایک مقام پر کھڑے ہوئے، چین اور اولمپک کے پرچم کو کھولا اور کیمروں کے سامنے خوشی کا اظہار کیا۔ اولمپک مشعل کو چین کے جنوبی شہر گانگزؤ سے ایورسٹ کی چوٹی تک لے جایا گیا۔ اس موقع پر لوگوں نے تالیاں بجائیں اور کسی قسم کا کوئی ناخشگوار واقعہ پیش نہیں آیا۔ مشعل برداروں کی ٹیم پہلے اختتامِ ہفتہ پر ایورسٹ کی چوٹی کی طرف روانہ ہونا چاہتی تھی مگر برفانی طوفان کی وجہ سے یہ پروگرام بری طرح متاثر ہوا۔

DR. FEHMIDA MIRZA STRESSES FOR RAISING PUBLIC AWARENESS FOR PREVENTION OF THALASSEMIA

ASSOCIATED PRESS SERVICE

Dr. Fehmida Mirza, Speaker National Assembly has said that lack of awareness among the masses was the main cause behind the increase in Thalassemia disease in Pakistan. She stressed for raising public awareness for prevention of the dreadful blood disorder. Dr. Fehmida Mirza said this in her message on the World Thalassemia Day being observed today all over the Giobe.
Dr. Fehmida Mirza said that Thalassemia is a genetically blood disorder, which has, affects millions of people around the world and its further proliferation could only be slashed down by avoiding intra-family marriages.
Dr. Fehmida Mirza called upon the Minister of Health to allocate necessary funds for establishment of more Thalassemia Centres to ensure health coverage and blood transfusion services to the deserving patients in both the rural and urban areas of the country. She also appealed to the Non-governmental organizations and philanthropist community to generously donate for establishment of such Centres where deserving Thalassemia patients could undergo clinical care besides having free blood transfusion services. Dr. Mirza also called upon the media to create awareness among masses to stop further proliferation of the blood disorder.

FAVOURITE MAQBOOL CHAUDHRY OF PID

Associated Press Service

Pakistan conducts successful flight test of cruise missile - Ra’ad

ASSOCIATED PRESS SERVICE



ISLAMABAD : Pakistan on Thursday conducted successful Flight Test of the indigenously developed Air Launched Cruise Missile, Hatf-VIII Ra’ad. The indigenously developed Ra’ad with a range of 350 kms, has been developed exclusively for launch from Aerial Platforms, it has enabled Pakistan to achieve a greater strategic stand off capability on land and at sea, said an ISPR news release.
The complex Cruise Missile technology on which Raad is based has been developed by only a few countries of the world, thus enabling Pakistan to join the club of Cruise Missile manufacturing countries.
The state of the art Ra’ad Cruise Missile has special stealth capabilities as it is a Low Altitude, Terrain Following Missile with high maneuverability, and can deliver all types of warheads, with great accuracy.
The missile test is part of a continuing process of validating the design parameters of the weapon system.
In an exclusive message, President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani have congratulated the scientists and engineers on their outstanding success.

Pakistan conducts successful flight test of cruise missile - Ra’ad

ISLAMABAD : Pakistan on Thursday conducted successful Flight Test of the indigenously developed Air Launched Cruise Missile, Hatf-VIII Ra’ad. The indigenously developed Ra’ad with a range of 350 kms, has been developed exclusively for launch from Aerial Platforms, it has enabled Pakistan to achieve a greater strategic stand off capability on land and at sea, said an ISPR news release.
The complex Cruise Missile technology on which Raad is based has been developed by only a few countries of the world, thus enabling Pakistan to join the club of Cruise Missile manufacturing countries.
The state of the art Ra’ad Cruise Missile has special stealth capabilities as it is a Low Altitude, Terrain Following Missile with high maneuverability, and can deliver all types of warheads, with great accuracy.
The missile test is part of a continuing process of validating the design parameters of the weapon system.
In an exclusive message, President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani have congratulated the scientists and engineers on their outstanding success.

Govt. attaches high importance to independence of judiciary: PM

ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Thursday said the government gives priority to the independence of judiciary and the rule of law in the country as per the manifesto of Pakistan Peoples Party. He was talking to Minister for Law, Justice, Human Rights and Parliamentary Affairs, Farooq H. Naek who called on him here at the PM House this evening.
The Prime Minister directed the Ministry of Law, Justice and Human Rights to immediately start working on important national issues like provincial autonomy, accountability, jail and Police reforms.
He said that while formulating police reforms special attention should be paid to the welfare of constables and other low-paid staff.
The Prime Minister said that in this regard the report of the National Commission for Government Reforms should also be consulted and all stakeholders be taken along including all the provinces as well as the civil society organizations.
The Prime Minister said that jails should act as correction facilities and directed that in future jails should be called Reformatory Centers instead of Prisons or Jails.
Farooq H. Naek briefed the Prime Minister about various steps the Ministry of Law, Justice and Human Rights is taking for ensuring independence of judiciary in the country.

National reconciliation to help take country forward; Gilani

APS


ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani Thursday said the new coalition government believes in policy of national reconciliation aimed at taking the nation forward, and has vowed not to repeat mistakes of the past. Addressing participants of the 88th National Management Course under the National School of Public Policy, here at the PM House, the Prime Minister said “we want reconciliation and want to have a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to take our nation on path of progress.”
The Prime Minister said the challenges confronting the country require all political forces to stand united by rising above petty differences and work for a better future of the country.
He cited poor economy, wheat crisis, energy shortage and inflation as some of the most pressing issues that demanded immediate action.
Gilani recalled his five years in jail and around eight years by PPP’s co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari and said despite it they were not bitter and wanted to take along all to secure a better future of the country.
He said the charter of democracy inked by later Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif in London was part of this grand vision of reconciliation.
“We apologized to the nation for our past mistakes and have vowed not to repeat in future ... we have accepted Nawaz Sharif’s mandate in Punjab and he has accepted ours in the center,” he said terming it a sign of political maturity.
The Prime Minister said he believed in the supremacy of the parliament and wanted to maintain relations with all the institutions according to the constitution.
“We have committed to the nation to restore the constitution of 1973, restore the judiciary and ensure independence of judiciary and media.
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said the people of Pakistan were conscientious and have voted in power moderate forces. He said that it was a split mandate and a broad-based government has been formed.
Gilani said in an unprecedented move in country’s parliamentary history, he was given a unanimous vote of confidence only because the people wanted the new government to resolve all the problems.
He said the law and order situation in the country was bad because of extremism and terrorism.
“We lost our great leader Benazir Bhutto, because of an act of terrorism,” Gilani said and vowed that his government will make Pakistan a safe place to live.
He also termed the economic situation of the country bad and mentioned that the shortage of wheat occurred because of wrong policies adopted by the previous government. He said inflated figures were given and on its basis export of wheat allowed, but later expensive wheat had to be imported to avert the crisis.
“However our government does not believe in blaming the previous government,” he said and added that it was committed to bring an improvement in the situation.
Prime Minister Gilani said the energy shortage was a serious matter and had we not set up the Independent Power Producers during late Benazir Bhutto’s tenure, the country would have been in a stone age.
The Prime Minister mentioned the threat of extremism and terrorism and said his government believed in use of force only when necessary as excessive use of force eroded its impact.
Gilani said a three-pronged policy was being pursued to counter the threat and focus was on uplift of the area, provision of health, education, socio-economic development, communication networks, business opportunities and infrastructure development.
The Prime Minister when questioned about the National Finance Commission award said the Pakistan Peoples Party believed in provincial autonomy and will keep in view the needs of the underdeveloped provinces.
He said within a year the concurrent list will be abolished and more provincial autonomy accorded.
Prime Minister Gilani hoped that the nation wants to give more time to the new coalition government to formulate new policies.
“We need the cooperation of the entire nation and the civil servants, who are at the helm of affairs, to help us in our task,” he said.
He said that he believed in strengthening of the institutions and mentioned the recent promotions in bureaucracy that were based on seniority, merit, competence, provincial quota.
He said the country can benefit a great deal from senior civil servants, however he urged them to work selflessly for the country with a committment to serve the people.
To a question about the lifting of the ban on student unions, he said it was aimed at training the new generation in the art of politics, so that they remain busy in social work and stay away from extremists.
However, he pointed that the activities of the student unions will be fully regulated and they will not be allowed to get involved in unhealthy activties.

Recommendations of NCGR to be debated in NA: PM

APS

ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Thursday said all the provincial governments and other concerned organizations should be taken on board and consulted on the report of the National Commission for Government Reforms. Accordingly, he added, the recommendations would be debated in the National Assembly so as to achieve the desired results of good governance and better delivery of services to common man.
The Prime Minister was chairing a high level meeting in which Dr. Ishrat Hussain, Chairman of the National Commission for Government Reforms (NCGR) presented the interim report along with recommendations here at the PM House today.
The Prime Minister said that reforms in any sector need to target the common people who should benefit from the change.
“Redressing the grievances and minimizing the difficulties of the people is our ultimate goal which needs to be kept in view while formulating these reforms”, he added.
The Prime Minister also underlined the need for changing the “Thana” culture by making it people-friendly with focus on resolving the problems of the people.
He said the government is promoting e-government system for ensuring fast delivery of government business and restoring people’s confidence in the elected government in addition to ensuring general public’s access to information.
While talking on provincial autonomy, the Prime Minister said he has already announced the abolition of concurrent list within a year and expressed the confidence that this would lead towards resolving the problems of people at the local level.
The Prime Minister also called for inclusion of jail reforms in the report for addressing the problems being confronted by the inmates.
He underlined the need for replacement of centuries old “Patwari” system by using modern technology and learning from the experiences of developed world aimed at facilitating masses and eradicating corruption.
The Prime Minister said the government is focusing on improving social services across the country and would extend all possible resources for the provision of education and health facilities to people.
The reforms, he said, also need to focus on better management of social sector both administratively and professionally.
Earlier, in his presentation, Dr. Ishrat Hussain briefed the Prime Minister about salient features and recommendations of the report.
The interim report presented to the Prime Minister claimed that it would bring change in governance besides improving the efficiency of government servants towards resolving people’s problems.
The Prime Minister in his remarks said that since parliament is the supreme forum for making policy decisions, therefore, the report should be thoroughly deliberated upon in the National Assembly after due consultation with all the four provinces.
The final approval of the recommendations would later be given by the Federal Cabinet, he added.

Pakistan pursuing comprehensive policy to fight terrorism: FO

ASSOCIATED PRESS SERVICE

ISLAMABAD : Pakistan Thursday said it has been pursuing a comprehensive policy agaisnt terrorism which combines political, socio-economic and military elements.
Foreign Office Spokesman Muhammad Sadiq in his weekly briefing said, “The government believes that military action alone will not be effective in permanently ending the menace of terrorism.”
He said political engagement is an essential part of the policy but it is possible only with those who renounce militancy and violence; do not allow the use of Pakistan’s territory against any other country; and do not help foreign terrorist elements to find hideouts in the country.
The Spokesman said, “The security requirements will not be abandoned or ignored under the policy.”
“Negotiations with tribal leaders and notables are aimed at supporting military efforts with political ones,” he added.
Replying to a question about arrested Pakistanis on charges of terrorism in Spain, the spokesman said, the Spanish Police took into custody 12 Pakistanis on January 18, 2008 in Barcelona on the suspicion of planning terror attacks in Spain and other European countries.
He said authorities claimed to have recovered bomb-making material and timing devices from them.
The spokesman said apparently, the detainees belonged to the Tableeghi Jamaat and some of them had been resident in the country for many years. Three were reported to be illegal migrants, he added.
He said nine individuals were produced in the Madrid Anti-terrorist Court for hearing on January 23 while others were released for insufficient evidence and the next date of hearing is yet to be fixed.
The Spokesman said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Pakistan’s Mission in Spain remained alive to the situation. He said the detainees, who are in three different jails, were met by Pakistan’s consular officials.
He said the embassy also requested the host authorities to allow the families of the detainees to establish contact with them through the embassy in Madrid or the Consulate General in Barcelona.
He said the relatives and lawyers of the detainees have since been permitted to contact them and the detainees are also allowed to make telephone calls to their families.
About the death of a Pakistani Mohammad Akram in Indian custody, the spokesman said, he was under trial Pakistani prisoner in India. He was held at Central Jail Amritsar and died in Guru Nanak Dev Hospital on April 26.
The Spokesman said the information about his death was conveyed to the officials of Pakistan High Commission, New Delhi when they visited the Amritsar Jail for consular access to some other Pakistani prisoners.
He said Pakistan Mission has asked the Indian Ministry of External Affairs for details of the circumstances leading to the death of Mohammad Akram and has sought early repatriation of his dead body.
He said the Foreign Office is also in contact with the Indian High Commission in Islamabad on the issue.
The spokesman said on March 31 this year, Pakistan and India had exchanged lists of prisoners in accordance with the recommendations of the first meeting of Pak-India Judicial Committee on prisoners held in New Delhi on February 26.
He said the Indian side had informed that 133 Pakistani civil prisoners and 14 fishermen were held in India and at that time Indian side had mentioned that further names will be communicated to Pakistan when they are received from various jail authorities.
Additional information from Indian side is still awaited, he added.
On the reports for giving land for Pakistan’s consulate in Mumbai, the spokesman said Pakistan still has not been able to acquire any property to open the Consulate there.
He said a team of officials from Pakistan’s High Commission in New Delhi will visit Mumbai shortly to look at certain properties available for rent or purchase adding that as soon as a suitable property is available Pakistan will open its consulate in Mumbai.
The spokesman said Pakistan’s request to the Indian government to allow the opening of its consulate in Jinnah House remains there. He said in the meantime, Pakistan has continued efforts to find another premise, in Mumbai, however these efforts have not succeeded as yet.
Replying to a question about Pakistan’s foreign policy to solve Kashmir issue, the spokesman said Pakistan is still committed for peaceful solution to the issue in accordance with UN resolutions through mutual consultation.
Answering a question about sending proposal to UN for probing assassination of Benazir Bhutto, the spokesman said, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is still finalizing the modalities on the basis of resolution passed unanimously by the National Assembly in this regard.
Regarding construction of dams by India, the spokesman said Pakistan has been pursuing the policy of “energy security” and added that Indus Basin Treaty is very helpful in solving any such problem.
About Iran-Pakistan-India pipeline project, the spokesman said, it is in final stage of implementation.

Sherry directs govt functionaries to serve public with dedication, honesty

ASSOCIATED PRESS SERVICE

ISLAMABAD : Government functionaries should serve the public with honesty and dedication.The problems of the people should not only be appropriately identified but should be solved swiftly and judiciously. These views were expressed by Ms. Sherry Rehman, Minister for Information and Broadcasting on Thursday during her visit to Press Information Department (PID) here.
Mrs. Rizwan Khan, Principal Information Officer (PIO) briefed the minister on the role, composition and working of the PID. Secretary Information Akram Shaheedi was also present on the occasion.
The PID not only highlights the policies of the government and facilitates the development of media but also serves as link between the government and the public, the minister was told.
The PIO informed the minister that there are 816 employees working in the PID and Regional Information Offices.
The minister issued instructions for improvement of functioning of PID and visited different sections of the department.

UN probe not to pose threat to nuclear assets: Rabbani

ISLAMABAD : The Leader of the House in Senate, Mian Raza Rabbani said on Thursday that probe by the United Nations into the assassination of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto would not pose any threat to the nuclear assets of the country.
Speaking during the debate on Foreign Policy, the Leader of the House rejected the words of Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed who, during his speech feared that the UN probe could have put the nuclear assets on risk.
“Benazir Bhutto was assassinated in Liaqat Bagh, Rawalpindi, not anywhere near Kahuta, so how it could be threatening for the security of nuclear assets of Pakistan,” he commented.
He criticized the foreign policy of the previous government saying that Pakistan had to face tough times during the days when Dr A.Q Khan was implicated in the scam of the nuclear assets.
He said the UN commission is aimed at probing into the intentions and involvement of internal or external hands in the national tragedy, adding that it has nothing to do with the security of nuclear assets.
“The nuclear assets of Pakistan are in safe hands and no one would be given access to them,” Senator Raza Rabbani assured.
He said the terms and conditions of the formation of the commission would revolve around only the investigation of the hands and factors involved in the assassination of the national leader.
He clarified that Pakistan People’s Party is not enjoying the extraordinary friendship of the president rather he said the party is having relationship with him within the constitutional limits.
He said the Foreign Office is devising the policies setting aside all the international influence and every policy would be made to safeguard the national interests.
The senator vowed that Pakistan would never allow any foreign power to make an assault on the soil of Pakistan. “We have always been opposing the intrusion of foreign powers on Pakistan’s soil,” he remarked.
He condemned the abuse of human rights being committed in Guantanamobay Prison and demanded that it should be closed down.
The senator reiterated that he would standby his bill demanding the presentation of any foreign agreement before the Parliament for endorsement.
Senator Professor Khurshid Ahmed said that the foreign policy of the previous government is implanted in practical terms which should be revised.
He said the role of Foreign Office has been remained limited while formulating the foreign policy of Pakistan that is why the policy had been made to safeguard some vested interests ignoring the national interests.
Professor Khurshid said the foreign policy should be initiated from Foreign Office and should not be finalized by the cabinet but the Parliament.
He said the alliance with the US in war on terror has proved war against our own Muslim brethren and was aimed just to address the vested interests of the United States. It was the war on terror which has made our friends our enemies, he added.
The senator urged the government that the phenomenon of terrorism should be resolved through dialogue and the root causes should be addressed and grievances should be redressed.

Five killed, ten injured in a road accident near Sohrab

KALAT : At least five people were killed and ten others sustained injuries, five of them serious in a head on collision between a pickup and a jeep near Sohrab, here Thursday, police said.
The speedy vehicles which belonged to the FC and FWO collided near Kharan Cross at the National Highway. Five people including Muhammad Bakhsh, Nazir Ahmed, Muhammad Ali, Muhammad Ismail and Abdul Rehman died on the spot while Nadim Ali, Saffar Muhammad, Haq Nawaz, Shaukat Ali, Mushtaq Ahmed, Muhammad Ijaz, Saeed Ahmed, Maqbool Ahmed, Rehmatullah and Niaz Ahmed sustained injuries and were shifted to Quetta for treatment via helicopter.

INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE TO STAGE 1968 PHOTOGRAPHY AND FRONT PAGE RETROSPECTIVE AT THE NATIONAL THEATRE

London :Two great institutions are joining together in honour of an extraordinary year in history: At the National Theatre, the International Herald Tribune (IHT) will mount an exhibition of photography and iconic front pages to illustrate and illuminate the historic events of 1968. The exhibit ’68: The news, the stories, the photographs, will offer a rare glimpse into the Paris-based newspaper’s 120 year old archives.
The free exhibition will be open to the London public from May 2 to June 28 as part of the major cultural season All Power to the Imagination! 1968 and Its Legacies, which the IHT is supporting.
Striking photographs, contextualized by front pages, will explain what made 1968 unique. The IHT’s network of journalists, famed for their integrity and balanced perspective reported from every corner of the globe in 1968 – as they continue to do today – making the newspaper the ideal institution to mount this exhibition. From the student rebellion in the streets of Paris to the first ever photographs of planet Earth, the show will evoke memories but also show a younger generation why this year was special, and what messages it still sends us today.
The exhibition is curated by the IHT’s director of photography, Cecilia Bohan: “1968 helped shape the world we live in today and the global political and cultural events we feature will resonate with all those who see it. We wanted to capture the revolutionary spirit of ’68 using images that immortalize fleeting moments. Many of the photographs are rich in detail – fascinating to study – and the International Herald Tribune front pages we selected anchor everything, explaining why the events really mattered.”
For the IHT the exhibition and sponsorship of the All Power to the Imagination season is an opportunity to raise its profile among politically educated, culturally literate readers in a market where its sales are increasing. Jim Clayton, the IHT’s circulation director for UK and Ireland, said: “Our core audience is predominantly international business leaders and high net worth individuals and going against the current trend, UK sales have grown. Through sponsorship of this season and sampling efforts at an impressive network of cultural partners across the city we will reach a new audience of Londoners who perhaps want a more outward looking and balanced perspective than is available from the nationals.”
To accompany the exhibition the IHT’s executive editor, Michael Oreskes, will lead a panel made up of award-winning photographers Ian Berry and John G Morris and author Geoff Dyer to discuss how 1968 shaped the way we illustrate news today. A limited number of free tickets will be available to IHT readers. The event will take place at the Cottesloe Theatre on May 27 and tickets can be purchased via the box office.

First UN aid flights start arriving in Myanmar

YANGON - The first United Nations relief flights started to arrive on Thursday for cyclone victims in military-ruled Myanmar...
...as a U.S. diplomat said that more than 100,000 people may have been killed. The cyclone slammed into coastal towns and villages in the rice-growing Irrawaddy delta southwest of Yangon on Saturday, the most devastating storm to hit Asia since 1991, when 143,000 people were killed in neighbouring Bangladesh.
Witnesses reported that villages were destroyed and people fought for survival by clutching trees as the storm brought walls of water charging inland from the sea.
Aid has been trickling in from other Asian nations, although frustrated governments and relief agencies are putting increasing pressure on Myanmar's reclusive military rulers to throw their borders wide open to as much help as possible.
Thailand, Japan, India, China, Singapore and Indonesia were all flying in assistance.
'The first plane has arrived with food supplies and three other flights were scheduled this morning,' said Paul Risley, spokesman for the U.N. World Food Programme in Bangkok.
Reports of cyclone damage in a country that used to be the world's largest rice exporter added to worries about tight global supplies of the grain.
Richard Horsey of the U.N. Office of the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in Bangkok that 5,000 square km (1,930 square miles) of the delta were under water.
But the government insists it has enough reserves, although the the U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organisation said damage to crops and stores in the delta rice bowl could mean that Myanmar will need short-term imports and miss its 2008 export targets.
At the United Nations in New York, John Holmes, U.N. undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs, said four Asian aid workers who did not need visas would get in but other U.N. aid workers were still waiting for travel permits.
The United States and other Western countries have imposed tough sanctions against Myanmar over its human rights record, punitive measures that have antagonised the government.
Helicopter Drops
The Myanmar military's own aid operation has moved up a gear with some helicopter drops, but land convoys to the inundated Irrawaddy delta were nowhere to be seen, a Reuters witness said.
State media are reporting a death toll of 22,980 with 42,119 missing, although diplomat and disaster experts said the real figure from the massive storm surge that swept into the Irrawaddy delta is likely to be much higher.
'The information that we're receiving indicates that there may well be over 100,000 deaths in the delta area,' Shari Villarosa, charge d'affaires of the U.S. embassy in Myanmar, told reporters in Washington.
The U.N.'s Holmes said the toll could not be independently verified, but 'it would not surprise me if they continued to rise and maybe rise very significantly'.
Washington, a vocal critic of the junta that has ruled the former Burma for more than four decades, said humanitarian access should not be a political matter.
'What remains is for the Burmese government to allow the international community to help its people. It should be a simple matter. It is not a matter of politics,' Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told reporters in Washington.
Political analysts and critics of 46 years of military rule said the cyclone may have long-term implications for the junta, which is even more feared and resented since last September's bloody crackdown on Buddhist monk-led protests.
For the moment, though, the mood in rubble-strewn Yangon, a city of five million people, is one of resignation rather than revolution.
'There won't be demonstrations,' one taxi driver told Reuters on Wednesday. 'People don't want to be shot.'

عوامی توجہ ہٹانے کے مصنوعی بحران۔۔۔ تحریر:چودھری احسن پریمی اے پی ایس

12 مئی کو ججوں کو بحال نہ کیا گیا تو 14 مئی کوعوام آئندہ کا لائحہ عمل طے کریں گے، بعض عوامی حلقوں نے یہ بھی کہا ہے کہ مسلم لیگ (ن) اور پیپلز پارٹی کا اتحاد برقرار رہنا چاہئے ورنہ آمریت کو مزید تقویت ملے گی۔ججوں کی بحالی کیلئے قائم کردہ کمیٹی نے گزشتہ بدھ کو ججوں کی بحالی کی قراداد کے مسودے پر اتفاق کرلیا ہے اور اس حوالے سے تجاویز تیار کی گئی ہیں جنہیں حکمران اتحاد میں شامل دو بڑی جماعتوں پیپلز پارٹی اور مسلم لیگ (ن) کے سربراہان آصف علی زردرای اور میاں نواز شریف کے سامنے پیش کیا جائے اور اب ان تجاویز کے حوالے سے حتمی فیصلہ دونوں رہنما کریں گے۔ کمیٹی میں شامل آئینی ماہرین نے ڈرافٹ کی تیاری میں حصہ نہیں لیا۔ قرارداد کا مسودہ تیار کرلیا گیا ہے تاہم قرارداد پر عمل درآمد کے معاملے پر اختلاف موجود ہے ۔ یہ مسئلہ حل کرنے کیلئے مسودے کو اتحادی جماعتوں کے قائدین کے سامنے پیش کردیا جائے گا جسے پڑھنے کے بعد دونوں رہنما طے کریں گے کہ اس پر کس طرح عمل درآمد کیا جائے۔ آئینی پیکیج اور قرارداد کے حوالے سے آصف زرداری اور نواز شریف میڈیا کو آگاہ کریں گے، دونوں رہنما چاہیں تو مسودے میں تبدیلی کرسکتے ہیں یہ قرارداد کا آخری اجلاس تھا جس میں فخر الدین جی ابراہیم کے علاوہ تمام ارکان نے شرکت کی۔اعتزاز احسن نے کہا ہے کہ و ہ پی سی او ججز کو تسلیم نہیں کرتے۔ ادھر وزارت پارلیمانی امور نے ججز کی بحالی کے حوالے سے قومی اسمبلی کا اجلاس 24 گھنٹے کے نوٹس پر بلانے کی تیاری مکمل کرلی ہے۔ وزیراعظم یوسف رضا گیلانی کی خصوصی ہدایات پر پارلیمانی امور ڈویڑن نے قومی اسمبلی کا اجلاس بلانے کی سمری مرتب کرلی ہے۔ حکمران اتحاد کے ذرائع کے مطابق اتحاد میں شامل جماعتوں کے پارلیمانی رہنماو¿ں کی جانب سے تمام ارکان اسمبلی کو قومی اسمبلی کے اجلاس میں شرکت یقینی بنانے کیلئے ہدایات بھی جاری کردی گئی ہیں۔ ذرائع کے مطابق اجلاس میں ٹاپ ایجنڈا معزول ججوں کی بحالی ہوگا۔ اختلافات کو حل کرنے کیلئے ایک طریقہ کاروضع کیا جا ئے عدلیہ کے معاملہ کو جلد از جلد حل کرنا انتہائی ضروری ہے تاکہ عوام کو درپیش سنگین مسائل کی طرف فوری اور بھرپور توجہ دیکر انہیں حل کیا جا سکے۔ قوم عدالتی مسئلہ میں پھنسی ہوئی ہے جبکہ بہت سے دیگر بحران حل طلب ہیں جن میں بجلی، خوراک، افراط زر اور بیروزگاری جیسے انتہائی اہم معاملات شامل ہیں۔ کامیابی سے چلتے حکومتی اتحاد کو ناکامی سے دوچار کرنے کے خواہاں بعض عناصر سازشوں میں مصروف ہیں ۔ جبکہ پیپلز پارٹی کے شریک چیئرمین آصف زرداری نے کہا ہے کہ جج عام ملازمتوں کی طرح کی ملازمت نہیں ہے اور چیف جسٹس کا تقرر باقاعدہ ایک عمل کے تحت ہونا چاہئے اور چیف جسٹس کا تقرر پارلیمنٹ میں اسکروٹنی کے بعد ہونا چاہئے، میں پی سی او اور نان پی سی او ججز کے چکر میں نہیں پڑنا چاہتا، میرے لئے پاکستان کی بقاء سب سے زیادہ اہم ہے، خدانخواستہ اگر ہمارے ملک کو کچھ ہوگیا تو 18 کروڑ لوگ کہاں جائیں گے۔سارے ججز پی سی او ججز ہیں، ہماری کوشش ہوگی کہ معزول جج 12 مئی تک بحال ہوجائیں۔ پیپلز پارٹی پرویز مشرف کو قانون اور آئینی صدر تسلیم نہیں کرتی لیکن ہم محاذ آرائی کی سیاست نہیں چاہتے، پارلیمنٹ اور وزیراعظم کی صدر سے ورکنگ ریلیشن شپ ہے۔ انہوں نے کہا کہ مجھے یہ دیکھ کر افسوس ہوتا ہے کہ پاکستان تمام وسائل کے باوجود غربت کا شکار ہے، میں نے سیاسی زندگی کے 20 سال جمہوریت کیلئے جدوجہد میں گزارے، روٹی، کپڑا اور مکان پیپلز پارٹی کا بنیادی فلسفہ ہے، ہم عوام کی امنگوں پر پورا اتریں گے۔ جناب آصف زرداری کی ساری باتیں اپنی جگہ درست ہیں لیکن ان سے گزارش ہے کہ پنجابی کا محاورہ ہے کہ برے کو نہ مارو اس کی ماں کو مارو۔ برے کی ما ں کو مارنے سے ہی برائی جنم سے بند ہوگی۔ ججز کی بحالی کا بھی مسئلہ ایسا ہے کونکہ تمام بحرانوں کے پیدا کرنے کے ذمہ داروں کو کیفرکردار تک پہنچانے کیلئے ججز کی بحالی ناگزیر ہے۔ عوام اور وکلاء اب مزید انتظار نہیں کر سکتے،اور نہ ہی پی سی او ججز کو تسلیم نہیں کرتے ہیں۔ اللہ کرے یہ معاملہ سلجھ جائے۔ 12مئی کو اونٹ کس کروٹ بیٹھے گا یہ تو وقت ہی بتائے گا۔ تاہم اچھے کی امید رکھنی چاہیے کیونکہ قوم مزید کسی انتظار کی متحمل نہیں ہو سکتی۔ پی سی او ججوں کو قبول کرنا 3 نومبر کے غیر آئینی اقدامات کو قبول کرنا ہوگا ججوں کو ایک قرارداد کے ذریعے بحال کیا جا سکتا ہے ججوں کی بحالی کو آئینی پیکیج سے منسلک نہیں کیا جانا چاہئے۔ پہلے ججوں کو بحال کیا جائے اگر آئینی پیکیج لانا بھی ہے تو اس پر بعد میں بھی غور ہو سکتا ہے۔ اگر چوہدری اعتزازاحسن یہ محسوس کریں کہ ججوں کی بحالی کی کمیٹی وکلاء کی خواہشات کے تحت کام نہیں کر رہی تو ان کو اس کمیٹی سے علیحدگی اختیار کر لینی چاہئے۔ اس وقت ملک میں آئین کی بالادستی قائم کرنے کے لئے معزول ججوں کی بحالی بہت ضروری ہے تا کہ ملک ترقی کی راہوں پر گامزن ہو سکے۔ عوامی حلقوں میں یہ بھی واویلے ہورہے ہیں کہ عوام کی ججز کے حوالے سے توجہ ہٹانے کیلئے مصنوعی بحران پیدا کئے گئے ہیں تاکہ عوام ججز کا نام لینے کی بجائے آٹا اور بجلی کی بات کریں۔ جبکہ یہ بھی معلوم ہوا ہے کہ صدر پرویز مشرف کے رفقا میں موجود پاور فل اور اصلی اختیارات کے حامل بعض مہروں نے ججوں کی بحالی کے ایشو کو الٹ کر مہنگائی اور عام سماجی ایشوز کا واویلا کرنے کا لائحہ عمل تیار کرلیا ہے ۔ ذرائع سے معلوم ہوا ہے کہ اس ٹارگٹ پر عمل کرنے کیلئے ایک خصوصی چال کے تحت میڈیا کے بعض اہم افراد کے علاوہ اپنے ہم خیال سیاست دانوں اور دانشوروں سے بھی رابطہ قائم کرلیا گیا ہے تاکہ عوام کی توجہ ججوں کی بحالی کے ایشو سے ہٹائی جاسکے ۔ صدر کے رفقا کے ایک اور گروپ نے بھی اس چال کی حمایت کرتے ہوئے اسے مستقبل کے لئے ترپ کا پتہ قرار دیتے ہوئے کہا ہے کہ اگر مہنگائی ایشو کے پھندے کو مزید تنگ کر کے موجودہ حکومت کے گلے میں ڈال دیا جائے تو اس سے مستقبل میں صدر کے لئے نہ صرف کبھی بھی بڑا ایکشن لینے کی راہ ہموار ہوجائے گی بلکہ ماضی کی طرح بڑا ایکشن لینے پر مٹھائیاں تقسیم کرنے کا ماحول بھی بن جائے گا۔ پھر لوگ فوراً مان لیں گے کہ مہنگائی کو کنٹرول کرنے اور روپے کی گرتی ہوئی قدر کو روکنے کیلئے صدر کے پاس اس کے سوا کوئی چارہ نہیں رہ گیا تھا۔ صدر کے بعض دوسرے رفقا اس طرح کی تیز اندازی کو خود اپنے لئے خطرناک قراردیتے ہوئے کہتے ہیں کہ اس چال میں ہم خود پھنس کر رہ نہ جائیں ۔ اس گروپ کا کہنا ہے کہ اگر میڈیا پر مہنگائی، آٹے اور پیٹرول کی قیمتوں اور روپے کی قدر کے ایشو کو ابھارا گیا تو اس رونے دھونے کی ہر تان مشرف حکومت اور ان کی صوبائی حکومتوں، شوکت عزیز اور نگران حکومت پر جاکر ٹوٹے گی۔ اس گروپ نے یاد دلایا کہ بجلی کا بحران آپ کے دور حکومت میں بھی تھا جس کی وجہ سے لاتعداد کارخانے بند ہوگئے تھے۔ بعض رفقا نے صدر کو یہ بھی مشورہ دیا ہے کہ اسٹاک ایکسچینج کے وہ کرتا دھرتا جو شوکت عزیز کے پرانے رفقا میں سے ہیں،سے بھی رابطہ قائم کیا جائے تاکہ اسٹاک ایکسچینج کے ایسے چیمپئن اپنا کردار ادا کریں ۔

PM for further strengthening Pakistan-Bangladesh ties

ASSOCIATED PRESS SERVICE



ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday said Pakistan and Bangladesh are bound in enduring ties of shared faith, history and culture and both countries need to further strengthen their bilateral relations in all fields. He was talking to Dr. Iftikhar Ahmed, Advisor for Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, who called on him here at the Prime Minister Secretariat this afternoon.
The Prime Minister urged the need for enhancing people to people contacts, frequent exchange of business delegations and high level visits from both sides in order to understand each other and help in promoting cooperation in all fields including economic, political, diplomatic, education, defense and security matters.
Dr. Iftikhar conveyed the greetings of the leadership and the sentiments of the people of Bangladesh to the Prime Minister for assuming his office and obtaining unanimous vote of confidence.
He also extended the invitation from the Chief Advisor of Bangladesh to the Prime Minister to visit Bangladesh at his earliest convenience.
Talking about the need for cooperation among South Asian nations the Prime Minister said there is a lot of potential in these countries and they can share the best practices with each other.
Pakistan, he said, considers SAARC an important organization to promote regional cooperation, peace, prosperity and harmony in South Asia, which should be further energized to meet its true potential.
The Advisor for Foreign Affairs said that Bangladesh attaches high priority to its relations with Pakistan since both countries have commonality of views on international and regional issues.
He expressed the hope that Pakistan would soon rejoin the Commonwealth and Bangladesh would support Pakistan in this regard.
The Advisor also underlined the need for further promotion of relations in the fields of trade, economic, shipping, cultural and education.
He said both the countries have strong historical ties and are contributing towards peace and development in South Asia.

Construction industry vital for economic growth: PM

ASSOCIATED PRESS SERVICE

ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday said the construction industry was very important for the country’s economic growth, infrastructure development as well as for employment generation. The government would take steps for resolving its problems and ensuring its growth and progress, he added.The Prime Minister was talking to a delegation of All Pakistan Contractors Association (APCA), which called on him here at the PM Secretariat this evening.
The Prime Minister asked all the concerned ministries to adopt a concerted approach in consultation with representatives of APCA for removing the difficulties which the construction industry is facing.
He asked the construction industry to train manpower not only for meeting the country’s domestic requirements but also the needs of the foreign markets.
The Prime Minister also asked the representatives of APCA to keep liaison with government bodies like TEVTA (Technical and Vocational Training Authority) and NAVTEC (National Vocational and Technical Education Commission) in this regard.
The representatives of the construction industry assured the Prime Minister that despite operational difficulties they would gear up efforts so that the government’s vision of ensuring housing for all can be achieved.
The Prime Minister was apprised that the construction sector provides direct employment to unskilled labour who are trained in various disciplines.
He was further informed that 29 local technology based industries are directly related to the construction business.
APCA delegation also briefed the Prime Minister about the potential in the construction sector with regards to improving national economy, infrastructure development and employment generation in addition to meeting housing needs of the people.
The Prime Minister was further informed that construction sector of the country is almost entirely working within the country and if it gets organized the sector has the potential of exporting its labour as well as consultancy services which can help the country earn foreign exchange worth billions of dollars.
Deputy Chairman Planning Commission, Chairman FBR, Secretary Communication, Secretary Industries and Production and Secretary Housing also attended the meeting.

Qureshi says summary for UN probe into BB’s assassination under study

ASSOCIATED PRESS SERVICE

ISLAMABAD : The ministry of law and justice has moved a summary to foreign ministry seeking the United Nations probe into assassination of former prime minister Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mehmood Qureshi told media on Wednesday.
The summary, prepared in context of the resolution passed by the National Assembly, is under study of the foreign ministry and it would soon be referred to the prime minister for seeking international community’s support, Qureshi said.
Pakistan People’s Party chairperson and former prime minister, Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto was assassinated in 12/27 terrorist attacks after a large public gathering at Liaqat Bagh in Rawalpindi.
The PPP had demanded for UN probe into the assassination of BB, however, the PML-Q led government had declined to accept the demand and invited Britain Scotland Yard Police for investigation.
“The prime minster would formally request the UN for investigation,” the minister added.
Replying to a question, the FM said that the government was taking serious efforts for release of the abducted ambassador Tariq Azizuddin, however, he could not fix any accurate date for his release and said,” the nation especially heirs of Tariq Azizuddin will hear a good new soon.”
“We can not reveal the details of talks or his whereabouts due to sensitivity of the matter,” Qureshi said.
He said composite dialogue process between Pakistan and India would resume on May 21 as experts from across the border are scheduled to review the progress made so far in confidence building measures (CBMs).
“They would review the results of fourth round of talks and then plan the agenda for fifth round to be held after the meeting,” the minister said.

PPP government to formulate health policy: Sherry

ISLAMABAD : Minister for Health Sherry Rehman on Wednesday said the PPP government will formulate a health policy for five years to ensure that health facilities are also provided in rural areas. Speaking during the Question Hour in the Senate, she said in the past false promises were made for health cover to the masses which were not possible in the meager budget.
“These promises were politically motivated by those who were not answerable to the public. It was an insult to the parliament,” she said adding there was no health policy in the country for the last eight years.
Replying to a question, she said the services for the indoor admitted patients at the sub-health centre of Polyclinic in sector G-7/3-4 were closed because as these were technically and financially not feasible.
She said the ward was being used for neurology patients which cannot work in isolation away from specialised hospital services like intensive care, cardiac care, surgery and other similar services.
Outpatient and diagnostic services, she added, continue to be offered there.
She said the ward was shifted when some construction work was going on in Polyclinic hospital.
After the completion of construction, 25 beds have been shifted back to Polyclinic, she said.
In response to another question, she said there is no increase in five to 10 percent duty on medicines.
Sherry said medicines for cancer, hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, kidney dialysis, kidney transplant, thalassemia, vaccines, anti sera and interferon can be imported on zero duty.
The health ministry, she said, is going to start an awareness campaign for hepatitis and HIV AIDS.
She said the government does not have many resources for free treatment of hepatitis which cost Rs 10,000.
She said interferon, which is used for treatment of hepatitis is being imported at zero duty and the government will ask the UN to allow an increase in its import.

Punjab chief minister calls on PM

Associated Press Service

ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani Wednesday said the coalition government would take all necessary measures to redress the difficulties of people and come up to their expectations. He was talking to Chief Minister Punjab, Sardar Dost Muhammad Khosa, who called on him here at the Prime Minister Secretariat Wednesday afternoon.
The Prime Minister said that both PPP and PML(N) are committed to the Charter of Democracy (COD) signed by their leaders which extends ample opportunity to lead the country towards real democracy.
In this context, he said that this historic document envisages restoration of 1973 Constitution, supremacy of the Parliament, independence of all state institutions including the Judiciary, Election Commission and media.
The Prime Minister said that the democratic governments both at the Centre and Provincial levels are confronted with a lot of challenges but expressed the resolve to address these issues on priority basis.
He specifically mentioned the crises of food and energy which require focused approach to mitigate the sufferings of the people.
On the issue of law and order and anti-smuggling measures, the Prime Minister said that concerted efforts are needed to ensure availability of wheat in all parts of the country.
The Chief Minister apprised the Prime Minister of various measures undertaken by the Punjab government to check smuggling of wheat and improving the law and order situation.
He said that both the coalition parties are working with commitment to bring about a change in the life of people and to provide them basic facilities of life.

National grid to have 2200 MW additional electricity in one year, Cabinet decides

By:Ch.Ahsan Premee

staff writer
ASSOCIATED PRESS SERVICE

ISLAMABAD : Federal Cabinet Wednesday decided to add 2200 MW electricity to the national grid system in one year to meet energy needs and provide relief to the people. Ministry of Water and Power has already added 310 MW through saving of line losses, said Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Ms Sherry Rehman while addressing a press briefing on the decisions taken by Federal Cabinet which met here with Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani in the chair.
She said Prime Minister had outlined an action plan in his policy speech, whereby 2200 MW of additional electricity generation will be added in the national grid system.
Sherry Rehman said present government realizes that the people are suffering owing to load shedding, therefore, it is pursuing different means to meet the shortfall.
The Minister said the Cabinet deliberated upon the severe energy shortage and probed into the possibilities of various measures that could be adopted to conserve energy.
However, she said before any measures are adopted, all the stakeholders will be taken on board including the private sector and for this very purpose, a one point agenda meeting of the Cabinet will be held soon.
The special cabinet meeting will come up with a constructive policy for saving energy and power generation, Sherry Rehman said.
She informed that the Prime Minister said the conservation efforts need the support of all sections of the society - every family, every institution and every sector.
“All of us have to contribute our share in this national exercise, workers and the common man, all have to sacrifice a bit of their need and accordingly determine for themselves how to reduce the consumption of electricity, gas and fuel,” she added.

Country’s armed forces equipped with latest weapon systems; Musharraf

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RAWALPINDI : President Pervez Musharraf Wednesday said Pakistan’s armed forces were equipped with latest weapon systems, with high operational preparedness to make country’s defence impregnable. Addressing the Officers, JCO(s) and jawans of 4 AK Regiment at a darbar here the President said the operational preparedness of country’s armed forces was the best in the world and defence of the country was in safe hands.
Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervaiz Kiyani, Corps Commander Lt. Gen. Mohsin Kamal and senior officers attended the event.
The President said that Pakistan was a peaceful country but a strong defensive line was a sine qua non for the attainment of peace.
He said there was always room for enhancement of training and the level of operational preparedness of country’s armed forces.
Emphasizing the need for having a strong economic base of, the President said security of the country was directly associated with its economic development and progress.
He lauded the services of 4 AK Regiment during war and peace and wished the unit success in its new station of duty. The unit has been performing duties of Guard Battalion at Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

Good decision regarding reinstatement of deposed judges expected today evening: Naek

ASSOCIATED PRESS SERVICE



ISLAMABAD : Minister for Law and Justice Farooq H.Naek Wednesday said a good decision regarding reinstatement of deposed judges is expected today evening.
Farooq Naek told newsmen at the parliament house that negotiations of the committee, formed by PPP and PML (N) leadership, for restoration of pre-November 3 judiciary, were moving forward in a constructive manner and all the members are playing their due role.
Replying to a question about resignation of Fakhruddin G. Ibrahim from the committee, the minister said that they were working under democratic principles and “in democracy every individual has right to express his point of view.”
When asked about postponement of by-polls, Farooq Naek said it was the decision of Election Commission, therefore, the chief election commissioner (CEC) and secretary EC could elaborate the reasons properly.
“Neither law ministry was consulted nor did it play any role for postponement of the polls,” he clarified.

Pakistan and Bangladesh decide to further enhance cooperation

ISLAMABAD:Pakistan and Bangladesh on Wednesday reviewed bilateral cooperation and expressed their resolve to further enhance it for the mutual benefit of the peoples of the two countries.
Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, Adviser for Foreign Affairs to the Caretaker Government of Bangladesh and Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi held talks at the Foreign Office today and took note of trade and commercial ties between the two and stressed the need to enhance the overall volume of bilateral trade.
Dr. Chowdhury is paying an official visit to Pakistan from May 6-9.
During the meeting with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmud Qureshi held discussions on bilateral relations and regional and international issues of common interest.
The Foreign Minister also hosted a lunch in honour of the visiting dignitary.
Pakistan called for concluding an Early Harvest Agreement leading to a Free Trade Agreement between the two countries.
The two sides also agreed that the institutional mechanisms to promote bilateral cooperation such as Joint Economic Commission (JEC), and political consultations between the two Foreign Offices would be held this year.
Both sides will also consider the setting up of sectoral working groups to promote bilateral cooperation in various fields including trade.
The Adviser for Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh briefed the Foreign Minister on the measures that the caretaker government in Bangladesh is undertaking for the betterment of the people of Bangladesh.
He also explained that numerous electoral reforms have been initiated to ensure fair and credible elections.
The Adviser for Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh will also call on the President, the Prime Minister, Commerce Minister and Information Minister.

Foreign Secretary calls on PM

ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani Thursday expressed the confidence that the new Foreign Secretary with his vast experience and international exposure would be able to promote Pakistan’s stance on important regional and international issues. He was talking to Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir here at PM Secretariat.
The Foreign Secretary assured the Prime Minister that he would do his best to live up to the expectations of the government.

Pakistan Steel earns Rs 3 billion last year: Sherry

ISLAMABAD : The Senate was informed on Wednesday that Pakistan Steel, which Shaukat Aziz government tried to sell at throw away price, earned Rs 3.159 billion during the financial year 2006-07. Replying to a question on behalf of Minister for Industries and Production, Sherry Rehman said no grant or aid was provided to Pakistan Steel by the government during 2006-07.
She said when it was being privatized some 8,000 of its employees, which are
currently 16,483, opted for golden handshake and was earning nominal profit.
She said Pakistan’s largest industrial unit is undertaking a modernisation plan at a cost of Rs 2.8 billion from its own resources.
Similarly, she added, increase of its production capacity from 1.12 million tonnes to 3.1 million tonnes is being planned.
In response to a question from Chaudhry Anwar Bhinder who said that such number of employees was very large, Sherry contended that downsizing could have serious political implications.
She said contract employees and junior officers were mostly local but senior level posts are not held by locals and there should be a balance between the two.
She said there is a need to review the discretionary powers of the chairman who has hired 3761 daily wagers.
Babar Awan said in line with the prime minister’s announcement all contractual and daily wage earners at Pakistan Steel should be regularised, to which Sherry said she would like it to happen if the PM has said so.

توریت کے مطابق اسرائیل کا وجود ایک دن ختم ہو جائے گا۔ ‘‘ ربی ڈیوڈ ویز کا بیان

دوحہ ۔ ممتاز عالم شیخ یوسف القرضاوی نے مسلمانوں اور یہودیوں کے درمیان کسی مخاصمت کی تردید کی اور پر زور انداز میں کہا کہ مسلمان صرف ظالم اور توسیع پسند صہیونی تحریک کے مخالف ہیں۔ مسلم علماء کی بین الاقوامی یونین کے صدر قرضاوی نے مخالف صہیونی تحریک نیچرل کارتا سے تعلق رکھنے والے ربیوں( یہودی مذہبی رہنماؤں) سے ملاقات کے دوران کہا کہ ’’ اصل میں مسلمان اور یہودیوں کے درمیان کوئی دشمنی نہیں ہے ۔ انہوں نے اس بات کی نشاندہی کی کہ مسلم ملکوں میںیہودی شہری صدیوں سے امن اور بقائے باہم کے ساتھ زندگی گزار رہے ہیں ۔ مصر اور کئی مسلم ملکوں میںیہودی دولت مند ترین لوگ ہیں۔ 3 یہودی ربیوں نے قطر کی دارالحکومت میں یوسف القرضاوی سے ان کے مکان میں ملاقات کی ۔ ربی اہارون کوہن نے یوسف القرضاوی کی بات سے اتفاق کیا اور کہا کہ مسلم ملکوں میں بسنے والے یہودیوں کو کوئی مسئلہ درپیش نہیں ہے ۔ شیخ قرضاوی نے اصرارکے ساتھ کہا کہ مسلمان اور یہودیوں کو اندلوسیا ( موجودہ اسپین) میں اسلامی حکمرانی کے زوال کے بعد مظالم کا شکار ہونا پڑا ۔ انہوں نے اس یقین کا اظہار کیا کہ مسلمان اوریہودیوں کو خدائے واحد کے ماننے والوں کی حیثیت سے الحاد عریانیت ‘ ہم جنس شادیوں اور ناانصافی کے خلاف لڑائی میں مل جل کر ہاتھ بٹانا چاہیئے۔ قرضاوی نے پرزور انداز میں کہا کہ مسلمان اوریہودیوں کے درمیان تعلقات میں صرف اس وقت تلخی پیدا ہوئی جب صہیونیت نے سر ابھارا ا ور فلسطین کے ملبہ پر اسرائیل کا قیام عمل میں لایا ۔ انہوں نے کہا کہ مسلمان توسیع پسند اور ظالم صہیونی تحریک کے مخالف ہیں نہ کہ یہودیوں کے ۔ قرضاوی سے ملاقات کرنے والے تینوں یہودی مذہبی رہنما ایک بیاج لگائے ہوئے تھے جس پر لکھا تھا میں ایک یہودی ہوں ‘صہیونی نہیں۔ تینوں ربیوں نے شیخ قرضاوی کی بات سے اتفاق کیا ۔ ربی کوہن نے کہا کہ یہودیت تورات کی سچی تعلیمات پر مبنی ہے اور وہ صہیونیت کو تسلیم نہیں کرتی ۔ تورات اور یہودیت ‘ قبضہ ہلاکتوں اور لوگوں کو اپنے گھروں سے بے دخل کرنے کی اجازت نہیں دیتی ۔ صیہونیت ایک بین الاقوامی سیاسی تحریک ہے جس نے فلسطین میں یہودی عوام کے لیے ایک وطن کی تخلیق کی قیادت کی ہے ۔ 18 اپریل 1948 ء کو مناہم بیگن کی انتہا پسند تنظیم آرگن نے فلسطینی علاقہ تبریس پر قبضہ کیا اور وہاں بسنے والے 5500 فلسطینیوں کو ہجرت کرنے پر مجبور کیا ۔ 22 اپریل کو صہیونی انتہا پسندوں نے حیفہ ٹاؤن پر قبضہ کیا جہاں سے 70 ہزار فلسطینی ہجرت کرنے پر مجبور ہوئے۔ 25 اپریل کوارگن نے فلسطینی شہر جفا کے آبادی والے حصوں پر بمباری شروع کی اس زمانے میں یہ فلسطین کا سب سے بڑا سہر تھا۔ صہیونی انتہا پسندوںکے حملوں سے دہشت زدہ 7,50,000 مقامی فلسطینی خوف و دہشت کے عالم میں اپنا گھر بار چھوڑ کر پناہ لینے کے لیے نکلنے پر مجبور ہو گئے ۔ 14 مئی کو اسرائیل کی تخلیق سے ایک دن قبل بہترین ہتھیاروں سے لیس صہیونی انتہا پسندوں نے جفا کا مکمل محاصرہ کرلیا۔ پندرہ مئی 1948 ء کو فلسطین کے سینے پر اسرائیل نام کا صہیونی وجود مسلط کردیا گیا۔ قرضاوی سے ملاقات کرنے والے ربی یسرائیل ڈیوڈ ویز نے جو یٹوری کارٹا کے ترجمان بھی ہیں کہا کہ اسرائیل کا طرز عمل یہودیوں کی تعلیمات کے مغائر ہے ۔ انہوں نے مزید کہا ’’ توریت اور یہودی تاریخ یہ کہتی ہے کہ اسرائیل ایک دن اپنا وجود کھو دے گا

امریکی اپوزیشن کی پاکستان کو دہشتگردی کیخلاف دی جانیوالی امداد پرتنقید

واشنگٹن ۔ امریکی کانگریس میں اپوزیشن ڈیموکریٹ پارٹی کے ارکان نے واشنگٹن کی جانب سے دہشت گردی کے خاتمے کے لیے پاکستان کو دی جانے والی امداد کو کڑی تنقید کا نشانہ بنا تے ہوئے کہاہے کہ2001ء کے حملوں کے بعد سے اسلام آباد کودی جانے والی امداد کا کوئی فائدہ نہیں ہوا۔واشنگٹن میں کانگریس کے اجلاس کے دوران ڈیموکریٹ سینیٹر مینندز ر ا بر ٹ نے کہاکہ نائن الیون حملوں کے بعد دہشت گردی کے خلاف جنگ میں پاکستان کو6ا ر ب ڈالر دیئے جا چکے ہیں ۔ان کا کہنا تھا کہ بش انتظامیہ نے امریکی شہریوں کی جانب سے ٹیکس کی مدمیں اداکیاجانے والا پیسہ اٹھا کر پاکستان کے حوالے کردیا۔اس کے بعد اسلام آباد سے کبھی یہ بھی نہیں پوچھا گیا کہ یہ رقم کہاں اور کس طرح خرچ کی گئی ۔اپوزیشن سینیٹر نے کہا کہ افغان سرحد پر دہشت گردی کا خطرہ آج بھی اسی حالت میں موجود ہے جس میں چند برس پہلے تھااور اس میں کوئی کمی نہیں آئی ۔بش انتظامیہ کسی چھان بین کے بغیر ٹیکس دینے والوں کا پیسہ اس امید کے ساتھ پاکستان کو دیتا رہا تاکہ القاعدہ کا مسئلہ ختم ہو جائے گا ۔یو ایس ایڈ پروگرام کے تحت پاکستان کو دی گئی امداد میں سے پا نچ اعشاریہ چھ بلین ڈالرپاک فوج کو لڑاکا کارروائیوں سے نمٹنے کے لیے دئیے گئے جبکہ ایک اعشاریہ پانچ بلین ڈالرفوج کو تربیت اور اسلحہ سے لیس کرنے کے لیے ملے۔ڈیموکریٹ ارکان نے کہا کہ اب تک یہ بات معلوم کرناتقریبا نا ممکن ہے کہ یہ امداد سمجھ داری سے استعمال ہوئی یا نہیں ۔کانگریس میں ریپبلکن سینیٹر جان ٹائیرنی نے کہا کہ ان کے خیال میں یہ ایک غلط طریقہ تھا ۔ایک اور سینیٹرٹام ہارکن نے زوردیاکہ مستقبل میں دی جانے والی امدادسخت گارنٹی کے بعد دی جائے کہ یہ دہشت گردی کے خلاف جنگ اور امریکا کو محفوظ بنانے میں ہی استعمال ہوگی۔

٤ مویشیوں کے گوبر سے موبائل پلانٹ تیار ، ٢٤ گھنٹے گیس اور بجلی فراہم کرنے کا منصوبہ، آزمائشی تجربہ کامیاب ہونے پر پورے گاؤں میں زبردست جشن

نارنگ منڈی ۔نارنگ منڈی کے سرحدی گاؤں کھنڈہ کے تین نوجوانوں نے مویشیوں کے گوبر سے گیس اور بجلی پیدا کرنے والے موبائل پلانٹ تیار کرلئے ۔ آزمائشی تجربہ کامیاب ہونے پر پورے گاؤں میں زبردست جشن منایا گیا اور مٹھائیاں تقسیم کی گئیں ۔ گاؤں کو گیس اور بجلی کی فراہمی کیلئے کام شروع کردیا گیا ہے ۔ تفصیلات کے مطابق گاؤں کے نوجوانوں محمد افضال سرد با، ارشد علی سرد با اور ملک افتخار نے کئی سالوں کی مشترکہ جدوجہد کر کے گوبر سے بجلی اور گیس بنانے کے موبائل پلانٹ تیار کئے ہیں ۔ پلانٹ میں صرف گوبر استعمال کیا گیا ہے ۔ گیس اور بجلی پیدا کرنے کیلئے معمولی معمولی اخراجات آتے ہیںاور یہ پلانٹ 24 گھنٹے متواتر اور بجلی سپلائی کریں گے ۔ ابتدائی مراحل میں تین پلانٹ تیار کئے گئے ہیں ۔ جو کامیابی سے چل رہے ہیں ۔ انہوں نے بتایا کہ وہ گذشتہ دس سال سے یہ جدوجہد کر رہے تھے ۔ بالآخر اللہ تعالی نے کامیابی عطا فرمادی ۔ انہوں نے کہا کہ وطن عزیز کیلئے ہم حکومت سے تعاون کیلئے تیار ہیں تاکہ ملک کے عوام لوڈ شیڈنگ سے بچ سکیں اور ہمارا ملک خود کفیل ہو سکے ۔ پلانٹ بڑی آسانی سے ایک جگہ سے دوسری جگہ منتقل کئے جا سکتے ہیں ۔ دلچسپ اور حیران کن بات یہ ہے کہ یہ کھاد بھی تیار کریں گے ۔ روزانہ 10 کلو ایک بوری فی پلانٹ کھاد بھی تیار ہو گی اور زمینداروں کو بہت فائدہ پہنچے گا ۔ انہوں نے بتایا کہ صرف چار مویشی رکھنے والا زمیندار پلانٹ لگا کر مفت بجلی سوئی گیس اور کھاد حاصل کر سکتا ہے ۔ یونین کونسل لدھیکے کے ناظم چوہدری قمر علی سردیا اور علاقہ کے معززین نے تینوں نوجوانوں جن کا تعلق متوسط گھرانوں سے ہے کو ہار پہنائے ۔

پاکستان انسانی حقوق کی خلاف ورزیوں کے باعث اقوام متحدہ کی ہیومن رائٹس کونسل میں نشست کا حقدار نہیں ‘ عالمی این جی اوز

نیویارک ۔ انسانی حقوق کی دو عالمی این جی اوز کے مطابق پاکستان انسانی حقوق کی خلاف ورزیوں کے باعث اقوام متحدہ کی ہیومن رائٹس کونسل میں نشست کا حق دار نہیں ہے ایک غیر ملکی خبررساں ادارے کے مطابق یونائیٹڈنیشن واچ اینڈ فریڈم ہاؤس کی رپورٹ میں کیا گیا ہے کہ 21 مئی کو انسانی حقوق کے تحفظ کے لئے کام کرنے والے اقوام متحدہ کے اعلیٰ سطحی ادارے ہیومن رائٹس کونسل کا تیسرا اجلاس ہو گا جس میں مزید 15 ممالک کو رکنیت دی جائے گی ۔ رپورٹ کے مطابق پاکستان بحرین ‘ سری لنکا اور زمبیا انسانی حقوق کی سنگین خلاف ورزیوں کے باعث نشست کے حقدار نہیں جبکہ چین ‘ کیوبا اور سعودی عرب کو گزشتہ سال انسانی حقوق کی سنگین خلاف ورزیوں کا مرتکب قرار دیاگیا ہے ۔ بنیادی حقوق کی پامالی اور ناہموار معاشروں کے حامل ممالک میں میانمار ‘ لیبیا ‘ شمالی کوریا ‘ صومالیہ اور سوڈان کے نام شامل ہیں ۔ 21 مئی کو ہونے والے اجلاس میں حال ہی میں جمہوری ملک کی حیثیت سے ابھرنے والے گھانا ایشیاء میں ارجنٹائن ‘ چلی اور مغربی یورپ سے سپین ‘ فرانس اور برطانیہ کو 3 سال کے لئے رکنیت ملنے کا امکان ہے یہ تینوں ممالک پہلے ہی ہیومن رائٹس کونسل کے رکن ہیں اقوام متحدہ کی ہیومن رائٹس کونسل میں شمولیت کے لئے جنرل اسمبلی کے 97 ممالک کی حمایت ضروری ہے ۔

مسلم لیگ ( ن ) اور پیپلزپارٹی اتحاد کو برقرار رکھیں ۔قاضی حسین احمد

کراچی ۔ امیر جماعت اسلامی قاضی حسین احمد نے کہا ہے کہ اگر 12 مئی کو ججوں کی بحالی کا کوئی حتمی فیصلہ نہ ہوا تو 14 مئی کو اے پی ڈی ایم کے اجلاس میں لائحہ عمل طے کیا جا جائے گا ۔ بدھ کے روز تہران سے واپس کراچی پہنچنے کے بعد میڈیا سے گفتگو کرتے ہوئے قاضی حسین احمد نے کہا کہ مسلم لیگ ( ن ) اور پیپلزپارٹی اتحاد کو برقرار رکھیں کیونکہ کچھ سازشی اتحاد کو توڑنا چاہتے ہیں انہوں نے کہا کہ ججوں کی بحالی موجودہ حکومت کو درپیش پہلا چیلنج ہے اور اس پر جلد فیصلہ ہونا چاہئے ۔ قاضی حسین احمد نے کہا کہ اگر حکومت 3 نومبر کے غیر آئینی اقدامات ختم کر دیتی تو جج صاحبان خود بخود بحال ہو جاتے ۔ انہوں نے کہا کہ موقع پرست ججوں کو معاف نہیں کیا جائے گا ۔ ضمنی انتخابات کے حوالے سے انہوں نے کہا کہ یہ وقت پر ہونے چاہئیں اور عوام کو اعتماد میں لئے بغیر ضمنی انتخابات کی تاریخ میں توسیع درست نہیں ہے ۔ قاضی حسین احمد نے کہا کہ اگر 12 مئی کو ججوں کی بحالی کا فیصلہ نہ ہوا تو 14 مئی کو اے پی ڈی ایم کے اجلاس میں آئندہ کا لائحہ عمل طے کیا جائے گا