Pakistan tests Hatf III ballistic missile

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan conducted a training launch of Short Range Ballistic Missile Hatf III (Ghaznavi), which can carry nuclear and conventional warheads to a range of 290 kilometers on Thursday, a statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

The launch was conducted at the conclusion of the annual field training exercise of Army Strategic Force Command (ASFC). The exercise was aimed at testing the operational readiness of a Strategic Missile Group.

The field exercise of the ASFC was witnessed by Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Khalid Shameem Wynne, Director General Strategic Plans Division Lieutenant General Khalid Ahmed Kidwai (R), Commander Army Strategic Force Command Lieutenant General Tariq Nadeem Gilani, Commander Karachi Corps Lieutenant General Muhammad Ijaz Chaudhry, Chairman Nescom Muhammad Irfan Burney and other senior military officials and scientists.

Addressing the troops in the exercise area, General Wynne commended the troops on displaying a high standard of proficiency in handling and operating the state-of-the-art weapon system.

He said, "The nation has developed a strong nuclear deterrence capability and expects that the officers and men entrusted with the task of deterring aggression would continue to train hard and maintain professional excellence."

General Wynne said that Pakistan's armed forces were fully capable of safeguarding Pakistan's security against aggression.

The successful test was also appreciated by President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, who congratulated the participating ASFC troops, the scientists and the engineers on their success.

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Prime minister says Pakistan, U.S. operating on a trust deficit

With his fate at home hanging in the balance, Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani repudiated U.S. claims that Pakistan was falling short on fighting the war on terrorism and said instead that his nation was operating on a trust deficit with Washington.

"There's a trust deficit between both the countries, between both the governments," Gilani said in an interview with CNN in London.

"That is the reason we are wanting to work for new terms of engagement and cooperation with the United States."

Pakistan has been a key U.S. ally, but relations between the two nations have been strained in recent months, especially after last year's killing of Osama bin Laden on Pakistani soil and a NATO airstrike in November that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers.

Amid a lack of harmony, the Obama administration has said it is not convinced Pakistan is pulling its weight. At the end of an Asia tour Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Pakistan ought to do more in fighting extremism.

Gilani countered that his country was doing all it could in partnership with the United States.

"If there is any credible, actionable information, please share with us, because are already working with you," he said. "My ISI is working with the CIA. What else do you want?"

The ISI, or Inter-Services Intelligence, is Pakistan's powerful spy agency, which some U.S. officials have charged is protecting militant groups.

How can relations between the two nations, strained in recent months, improve?

"One point," Gilani said. "That is mutual respect and mutual interest."

A lack of trust is not the only stain marring a critical relationship.

Pakistan has said it wants an end to U.S. drone strikes on its territory, and Gilani made the point again Tuesday.

"We always take drones as counterproductive, and it's not lawful," Gilani said.

Back at home, Gilani faces myriad national woes: a faltering economy, widespread poverty and corruption. And now, his own future.

He was convicted last month of contempt for his refusal to revive old corruption charges against President Asif Ali Zardari.

Some analysts predicted the conviction would plunge Pakistan into crisis, perhaps even spark another military coup.

But on a five-day visit to the United Kingdom, Gilani remained confidant and defiant as ever about stepping down, saying that only parliament had the right to force him from office.

"If I'm disqualified, notified by the speaker, then yes I have to," he said about leaving his job.

Pakistan's Supreme Court issued a detailed verdict Tuesday that made it clear it held Gilani in contempt of court for defying the highest judiciary in the land.

Gilani defended himself just as strongly as he defended Pakistan and the course it has taken in battling terrorism.

"Whatever I have done is according to the constitution," he said. "It is not on any moral turpitude or financial corruption."

He said information about the most wanted terror suspects is shared with Washington. In the case of bin Laden, Gillani said Pakistan was not aware of the al Qaeda mastermind's residence in Abbottabad.

"That was intelligence failure of the whole world. It was not just an intelligence failure of Pakistan," he said.

Pakistanis, of all people, know the consequences of terrorists on their soil, he said.

However, Clinton said this week that the United States believed Ayman al-Zawahiri was hiding in Pakistan. Al-Zawahiri inherited the al Qaeda leadership after the death of bin Laden, who spent years on the lam in Pakistan, fleeing from safe house to safe house, according to one of his widows.

Clinton also touted the Rewards for Justice program, aimed at obtaining information that could help convict suspected terrorists. Rewards go as high as $25 million for information on al-Zawahiri and $10 million for information about Hafiz Mohammad Saeed, a Pakistani man wanted by Indian authorities in connection with the 2008 assault on Mumbai, India, that killed 166 people.

Asked why Saeed remains a free man, Gilani said Pakistan was still "waiting for some concrete sort of information and evidence" that could be used against him in court.

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PA adopts Bahawalpur, South Punjab resolutions

LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly unanimously adopted the resolutions demanding restoration of status Bahawalpur as province and making South Punjab a separate province, Geo News reported.

Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah moved the resolutions.

Earlier, PML-N, PML-Q and PPP MPA's had decided to support the resolutions during meetings of their respective parliamentary parties.

PML-N is in favour of restoring the status of Bahawalpur while PPP and PML-Q want to make South Punjab a separate province.

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Lack of elections in parties to end command of Constitution: CJ Iftikhar

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court was told on Monday that the previous
method for appointment of judges was bogus and based on the pick and
choose policy of the government. A 17-member larger bench of the apex
court, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry resumed
hearing in identical petitions, challenging the constitutional
amendments made under the 18th Amendment, with particular reference to
formation of Judicial Commission for the appointment of judges in the
superior judiciary. During the hearing, Justice Iftikhar Muhammad
Chaudhry remarked that with the extinction of party elections in the
political parties, there will be no command of the Constitution among
them. Justice Javed Iqbal said that first it was Germany which made
the basic constitutional structure a part of its constitution — that
basics of the constitution and amendments to the constitution are two
different things. The decisions of our courts and Indian courts on
this issue came very late. Counsel for the Lawyers Forum A K Dogar
while commencing his arguments submitted that the previous method for
appointment of judges was bogus and based on the pick and choose
policy of the government.

He contended that vacancies for judges should be advertised so that
all lawyers could have the opportunity to exercise their fundamental
right, guaranteed in the Constitution.

"There can be no multi-based appointment of judges in a high court,
unless there is open competition from the widest range of eligible
candidates," Dogar said.

The learned counsel cited the example of the United Kingdom where
there is a Judicial Appointment Commission and Selecting Commission
for the appointment of judges to the high court. He further submitted
that these commissions welcome applications from the academics,
solicitors and lawyers.

At this point, Justice Asif Saeed Khosa said: "You are citing Britain
but it happens there in the lower courts, and the same method is
practised here." Dogar submitted that every citizen who is
constitutionally qualified has a right to be considered for
appointment as a judge of the high court because the principle of
equality of opportunity guaranteed in Article 2-A and 25 of the
Constitution that requires that no lawyer or other person should be
denied his fundamental right to public appointment.

"Candidates for the superior judiciary be invited through newspapers
and on examination written or oral held along the same lines through
the Central Superior Services (CSS)," Dogar said.

The learned counsel while quoting a judgment of the Supreme Court in
1997 said that the judgment had ruled that it is the right of a
citizen to compete and participate in the appointment process of the
judges of the superior judiciary.

Opposing the representation of executive in the Judicial Commission
for the appointment of judges, the learned counsel submitted that the
presence of the law minister and attorney general could superimpose
the mighty executive over the judiciary.

"Parliament is a political institution, elected on a political basis
and therefore, the political influence will politicise the judiciary,"
Dogar said adding that he will have no objection to the judicial
commission if both the representatives of the executive are excluded.

Referring to the renaming of NWFP as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, A K Dogar
contended that the federal government has no right to change the name
of the province adding that no name in a Muslim country should be
based on ethnic or tribal considerations.

He contended that the provinces are federating units, they join a
union but not unite them adding that the federal government cannot
change the names or area of the province.

Concluding his arguments, A K Dogar stressed that things should be
done so that not only the judiciary but the country is made strong and
viable.

Zulfiqar Naqvi, another petitioner and President High Court Bar
Rawalpindi while appearing before the court submitted that he had
prepared his formulation, opposing the formation of the Judicial
Commission under the 18th Amendment as well as inclusion of the
representatives of the executive in the said commission. However, he
said as counsel for other petitioners had already argued on these
matters he will not argue before the bench.

The counsel however expressed full confidence in the judiciary adding
that the people of the whole country also repose full confidence in
the judiciary and are determined to uphold the cause of its
independence, rule of law and supremacy of the Constitution.

The court adjourned the hearing till today (Tuesday).

Later, talking to newsmen outside the court, A K Dogar said the rights
of political workers have been encroached upon through abolishing the
elections within the political parties, adding how can law contain it
seeing the same has been banished from the Constitution.

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Phase-wise media crackdown plan flops PML-N, PPP were on the same page

ISLAMABAD: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif is said to have taken the
handwritten draft of the resolution against the media from the
Speaker's chamber to his residence for "editing" on Thursday afternoon
and returned it after making some required additions with clear
instructions to hand over the final draft to MPA Sanaullah Mastikhel
on Friday for approval by the Punjab Assembly. It has now been
revealed that the District Coordination Officers (DCOs) were used to
make all MPAs of the Punjab Assembly reach Lahore to attend a "special
session" of the assembly on Thursday. Even the name of MPA Sanullah
Mastikhel, who is now being made the scapegoat by the top guns of the
PML-N, was chosen by none other than CM Punjab Shahbaz Sharif to
present the resolution in the provincial assembly. Moreover, two
foreign countries were also taken into confidence on the crackdown
plan against the media. This inside story was revealed to our sources
by one of the top insiders of the PML-N, who was an integral part of
the plot to target the media. According to him, even harsher measures
against the media were in the offing but the move backfired.

After the passage of the resolution, the next plan was to stop
official advertisements to the media and to issue all official
advertisments only on the Internet in addition to asking the federal
government to bring in more stringent laws to tighten the noose around
the uncontrolled media through the PEMRA.

In this regard, it is said that the Speaker Punjab Assembly had made a
secret telephone call to a top gun of the PPP having close friendship
with President Asif Zardari to move similar motions against the media
in the Senate, the National Assembly and three other provincial
assemblies. The Speaker, according to informed sources, made this call
in the presence of Law Minister Rana Sanullah, Deputy Speaker Mashood
and some members of the provincial assembly.

The crackdown plan was kept top secret. However, some powerful circles
in the media got wind of the strategy to cripple the media. In
particular, heavy damage was to be inflcited on one media group.

According to credible information, the plot was finalised on Thursday
in the Speaker's chamber in the presence of 17 MPAs belonging to PPP,
PML-N and PML-Q. Sanaullah Mastikhel, being the most experienced
parliamentarian, was especially asked to participate in this meeting.
Others included Dr Tahir Javed, Shaukat Bhatti, Ali Noor Niazi,
Nawabzada Shams Haider, Miss Sameel Kamran, Zulfikar Gondal, Ch Abdul
Waheed, Col Shujaa Khanzada, Mohsin Leghari, Ch Zaheeurdin and Rana
Sanaullah.

At one point during the meeting, Sanullah Mastikhel appeared not
willing to condemn the media for raising the issue of fake degrees
since he had been fighting a long legal battle against his political
opponents in Bhakkar, MNA Rashid Akbar and others, on the same issue
and the case was still pending in the Supreme Court.

As these MPAs were busy giving final touches to the draft resolution,
the Speaker was informed that Shahabz Sharif had reached his assembly
chamber and had summoned all of them for a word. The CM stopped them
from tabling the resolution on Thursday, saying he wanted to make a
speech on the water issue so the resolution should be tabled on
Friday.

However, he took the handwritten draft to his residence where he made
the necessary changes after consulting his close aides and then handed
it over to Col Shujaa Khanzada, who subsequently handed it over to
Sanaullah Mastikhel to be tabled in the assembly.

The Speaker suspended the rules of business on Friday to allow
Sanaullah Mastikhel to table the resolution. In the meanwhile, CM
Punjab Shahbaz Sharif also reached the assembly and witnessed the
whole drama enacted in the Punjab Assembly.

This correspondent made a call to Sanaullah Khan Mastikhel to get his
point of view but he refused to offer any comment. But a top PML-N
leader claimed that the party had already made its position clear that
it was not its policy and that action would be taken against the mover
of the resolution.

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Imran Khan says only independent commission can hold transparent elections

Islamabad: Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf Chairman Imran Khan has said that
without an independent election commission the dividends accruing from
the independence of Judiciary shall not reach the masses.

Accordiong to PTI Media Cell, Imran said that only an independent
commission can hold free, fair and transparent elections to help usher
in true democracy in the country. He said all the contesting political
parties in gilgit - baltistan,mansehra and swat bye-elections have
leveled pre poll and polling day rigging allegations on the
Government, yet no action has been action taken by the election
commission to redress the grievances of the aggrieved candidates.

He further disclosed that massive pre poll rigging is being enacted by
the Government machinery specially by officials of education, health
and police departments and development funds are being abused at PF-75
lakki marwat in favor of Naseer Mohammad Khan candidate fielded by JUI
(F), but election commission remains a silent spectator.

He urged the Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry to
ensure independence of election commission and take immediate notice
of this blatant rigging.

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Superstitious Politicians: Zardari's Goat Sacrifice

Politicians are no strangers to superstitious rituals – during Barack Obama’s presidential campaign, his chief strategist David Axelrod carried a pink quartz heart in his pocket to bring good luck, former Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi was famous for consulting soothsayers and astrologers and Pakistan’s president Asif Ali Zardari has been slaughtering black goats every day since becoming President, in an attempt to ward off “the evil eye”.

This particular practice in the Muslim faith is called ‘Sadaqa’, where an animal is slaughtered and its meat distributed among the poor to gain Allah’s blessings and protection from misfortune. “There are many religious traditions in Pakistan based on local culture and Sufi order,” says Samina Ahmed, Head of the International Crisis Group in Pakistan.

In a speech made to his party members in Lahore early this month, Zardari said that the ‘pen’ and the ‘Bayonet’ are after him (implying Judiciary and the Military), but he vowed that he will fight on. Zardari also talks often about of “conspiracies being hatched against him.”

With the ‘pen’ and the ‘bayonet’ against him in his own words, he certainly needs that blessing and protection more than ever. Pakistan being a parliamentary form of government, the President’s position is that of a figurehead butsuccessive military coups have given the president more powers.

Furthermore, in addition to his official position Zardari also holds the office of the co-chairman of Pakistan People’s Party, a post he shares with his young son Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. A position that makes him a central figure in all key government decisions, since his party is ruling the country.

Apart from the previous government , no democratic government has ever completed its five-year term in office. Already there are rumors according to Ms Ahmed that “the present elected government may be overturned before half way through its term.”

“The elected government is under a lot of pressure from many quarters, both internal and external,” Ahmed says.

In order to cope with the pressure, it seems that Zardari cannot just rely on human help, and is seeking divine help as well.

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Rehman Malik may be the first to face the axe

Rehman Malik may be the first to face the axe
By By Ansar Abbasi ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Rehman Malik is faced with an immediate threat of disqualification as member of the Parliament and the federal cabinet and is also liable to be put behind the bars if the Supreme Court judgment on NRO is implemented by the government.

The interior minister is reported to have obtained bail against two NAB corruption references that were re-opened after the apex court’s December 16 short order, while in two FIA cases he continues to be a proclaimed offender besides being a dismissed government employee.

These facts disqualify him as a senator and also make him vulnerable to be arrested for being a proclaimed absconder. Despite repeated efforts made by this correspondent, Rehman Malik was not available to offer his comment. The minister’s counsel Amjad Iqbal Qureshi said that Malik’s conviction in absentia in two NAB references has been suspended by the Lahore High Court (LHC) that, according to Qureshi, also granted him bail in those cases.

Amjad Qureshi, who was appointed as judge of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) by the present government on Dogar’s recommendation but lost the same because of the apex court’s July 31 judgment, was however, unaware of the FIA cases against Malik in which the interior minister is reportedly still an absconder.

Sources in the FIA said in FIR No.62/98, dated 06.11.1998 lodged under section 4 of Exit from Pakistan (Control) Ordinance 1981 & Sec 3/4 of Passport Act 1974 in Police Station/Passport Cell FIA Peshawar, Rehman Malik was accused to leaving the country through un-authorised route despite being on ECL. The case, the sources said, was challenged and proceeding under section 512 CrPC completed following which Malik was declared proclaimed offender by the court.

In another FIR No.5/99 dated 21.01.1999 lodged under sections 193/211 PPC read with 5(2)47 Prevention of Corruption Act Police Station/Passport Cell FIA Faisalabad, a case was registered against Rehman Malik and sub inspector of FIA Shaukat Mehmood for wrongful registration of case FIR No.16/96 at FIA Faisalabad circle against Barkhurdar & Sarrang Khan due to ulterior motives. Rehman Malik was declared proclaimed offender under section 512 of CrPC. The case was completed on 21.09.2006 and was consigned to record room vide order dated 13.12.2006. A senior FIA source confided to The News that in the above two cases, Rehman Malik has not taken bail till now and these cases are pending with FIA and that the minister in these cases is still proclaimed offender.

Additionally, Malik was additional director general FIA and was under suspension when he fled the country. Later he was dismissed in absentia from service, which was never reversed.

After the Supreme Court’s decision on NRO, the situation remains unchanged regarding his dismissal from service. The incumbent secretary establishment Ismail Qureshi, when contacted, said that he did not receive any case of Rehman Malik after December 16. Director General FIA Zafarullah Khan, when contacted, also contended that he does not know of the two FIRs registered against Rehman Malik by the FIA. He said if these FIRs are more than a decade old then their cases must be pending before the courts. He said that he would check the record and see if there are any pending cases against the interior minister or not.

Article 63(i) of the constitution clearly disqualifies a person to become member of the Parliament if a person has been dismissed from the service of Pakistan or service of a corporation or office set up or controlled by the federal government, provincial government or a local government on the grounds of misconduct or moral turpitude.

Article 63(j), which deals with disqualification of the members of the Parliament, also disqualifies a person, who has been removed or compulsorily retired from the service of Pakistan or service of a corporation or office set up or controlled by the federal government, provincial government or a local government on the grounds of misconduct or moral turpitude.

Malik was sent at least two SMS messages by the correspondent, requesting him to talk to this correspondent to give his version on the story. His mobile remained unanswered despite repeated attempts made. He was contacted at his office where he was present but did not talk to this correspondent.

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US gives Pakistan more! money to kill its own people

By Anwar Iqbal
Sunday, 20 Dec, 2009


The military spending bill includes $80 million to acquire more unmanned ‘Predator’ drones, a key tool in the US air war in Afghanistan and Pakistan. - File photo

WASHINGTON: The US defence budget, approved by Congress on Saturday, includes hundreds of millions of dollars for Pakistan.

The $636.3 billion package, approved by the US Senate by an 88-10 margin, includes two items that will benefit Pakistan: the Pakistan Counter-insurgency Capability Fund and the Coalition Support Fund.

Under the PCCF, Pakistan will receive a total of $700 million. The CSF applies to Pakistan, Afghanistan, Jordan and sometimes Egypt. Pakistan has an outstanding bill of between $1.7 billion and $1.8 billion against this fund.

Pakistani authorities who deal with this process believe that after adjustments, Pakistan should be able to get a little more than a billion dollars from the CSF.

The approval, however, will come after the resolution of the visa dispute. The US State Department said last week that Pakistan had withheld visas for hundreds of US officials and contractors, including some accountants associated with the CSF.

Pakistani diplomats in Washington told Dawn that they hoped the dispute would soon be resolved.

Under the CSF, the United States reimburses Pakistan for fighting militants along the Pak-Afghan border.

Pakistans claims are scrutinized by US accountants in Islamabad and then sent to the Pentagon for further approval.

Meanwhile, the US Congress on Saturday sent US President Barack Obama a massive annual military spending bill for signing that funds current operations in Afghanistan and pays for the troop withdrawal from Iraq.

In a rare weekend vote, the Senate approved the $636.3 billion package by an 88-10 margin. The bill had cleared the House of Representatives 395-34 on Wednesday.

President Obama is expected to send Congress an emergency spending measure of at least $30 billion early next year to pay for his recently announced decision to send 30,000 more US troops to Afghanistan.

The bill includes $101.1 billion for operations and maintenance and military personnel requirements in Iraq and Afghanistan and to carry out the planned withdrawal of all US combat forces from Iraq by August 2010.

The package also funds the purchase of 6,600 new Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) armoured vehicles configured to better resist improvised explosive devices — roadside bombs used to deadly effect by insurgents in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The bill includes $80 million to acquire more unmanned ‘Predator’ drones, a key tool in the US air war in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The spending bill upholds Mr Obamas ban on torture of detainees in US custody, continues a general provision forbidding the establishment of permanent bases in Iraq or Afghanistan, and provides no funds to close the prison for suspected terrorists at Guantanamo Bay.

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Should justice be delivered at every cost?

Chief Justice of Pakistan has Justice should be delivered at every cost:

Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on Thursday said that justice must be delivered regardless of how heavy price you pay for it.
Speaking at a ceremony in the Supreme Court of Pakistan here, the Chief Justice said it was a testing time and urged the people to pray for them.
Reading the famous saying of Hazrat Ali (A.S.), the Chief Justice said: “A rule of Kufr (infidelity) can survive but a rule of injustice can't.”
“We are waging a struggle for such a society where justice is available to everyone,” he added.
He said that people showed faith in judiciary because of its principled stand and vowed that judiciary would not break the peoples’ trust. The chief justice feared that hopelessness would arise if courts would not deliver justice.

Justice is the strong relation among judiciary, lawyers and people, he said, adding that people want to see independent courts working in line with the Constitution.
“Thank God, lawyers have lived up to the expectations of people,” remarked Justice Chaudhry. He noted that the main concern of a common man is an immediate delivery of justice as he does not understand the legal complications.
The Chief Justice further said expectations are high from the young lawyers, who led the lawyers’ movement from the front.
He said that number of family and civil judges was being increased, saying 100 civil judges have been hired in Punjab while recommendations have been forwarded to the government for the appointment of civil judges in NWFP.
Justice Chaudhry also expressed his desire to see more women judges in the courts. “The issue of appointing women judges is also included in the agenda of national judicial policy.”

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Pakistan has vital role for stability in Afghanistan

KABUL, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Afghanistan will not have peace and
stability unless the post-Taliban country enjoys support from
neighboring countries especially Pakistan, the Special U.S. Envoy for
Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke said here Sunday.

"I don't believe that you can have full peace and stability in
Afghanistan unless you have support from Pakistan for that objection,"
Holbrooke told an open discussion attended by political analysts,
journalists and public opinion leaders.

He also added that the problems are fighting war across the border
and militants sanctuary which is a matter of concern for Afghanistan.

"President Karzai talks about that a lot of years and we agree
that the problems of sanctuaries must be solved," he stressed

"I came here from Islamabad and talked about the subject with
President Zardari, the members of the Pakistan government and with
military and I made my views very clear on behalf of our government,"
he added.

Taliban militants frequently transfer across the border area
between Afghanistan and Pakistan, making it difficult to curb the
Taliban insurgency from the Afghan side alone.

U.S. military in the latest wave of targeting militants in
Pakistan's tribal area attacked north Wazirustan by unmanned plane,
killing 15 suspected insurgents, according to media reports

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Hussain Haqqani To ISI – Let Blackwater Terrorist In

Pakistan’s Ambassador to the US Husain Haqqani has written to the foreign secretary and ISI Cheif, warning them that harassing Americans or denying them visas hurts the country’s image and can have severe consequences, CNN-IBN reported on Saturday.

According to the channel, Haqqani’s letter, dated July 28, 2009, reveals that Pakistan has a blacklist of US journalists and non-government organisations (NGO) that are critical of Islamabad. The ambassador has warned that Pakistan risked hearings in the US Congress and potential restrictions on aid and military sales if US citizens were harassed or intimidated. The letter mentioned instances where US institutions or journalists were denied visas, harassed or put under surveillance. Haqqani has demanded explanations for these actions and a copy of the blacklist.

Mr. Haqqani’s plea to the Pakistani Intelligence agencies comes at a time when there is effectively a quiet occupation of Pakistan taking place by Americans arriving in one form or the other. There have been confirmed reports of over 200 houses being rented and barricaded all over Islamabad, 300 plus ‘military trainers’ setting up shop in Tarbela, new facilities being granted to the notorious ‘Blackwater’ – now with a new name, Xe Worldwide – in parts of Sindh, and the rather obvious CIA front, Create Associates International Inc (CAII) operating not only in Peshawar but also in Islamabad.


This is what renowned Scholar and Defence Analyst Dr. Shireen Mazari revealed a few days back:

“Ordinary officials at Pakistani airports have also been muttering their concerns over chartered flights flying in Americans whose entry is not recorded – even the flight crews are not checked for visas and so there is now no record-keeping of exactly how many Americans are coming into or going out of Pakistan. Incidentally the CAII’s (CIA/Blackwater) Craig Davis who was deported has now returned to Peshawar! And let us not be fooled by the cry that numbers reflect friendship since we know what numbers meant to Soviet satellites.”

Since these reports first surfaced last month, the chartered flights have stopped and a number of suspected CIA and Xe employees – posing as ‘journalists’, aid workers and employees of certain NGOs – have been denied visas and entry into Pakistan. Existing US consulate personnel and employees of CAII as well as a number of other US citizens have been put under surveillance for suspected involvement in anti-state activity.

It is the duty of Inter-Services Intelligence to defend Pakistan’s borders and block any covert attempts to trample Pakistan’s sovereignty. Mr. Haqqani’s assertion that ejecting Americans found involved in suspicious activity and denying them entry is hurting Pakistan’s image, is idiotic at best and treason at worst.

PKKH requests the Pakistan Army and the Inter-Services Intelligence to take note of Mr. Haqqani’s attempt to undermine Pakistan’s national security – and at the very least, immediately put him under surveillance if not on a lamp-post in Islamabad.

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US embassy expansion challenged in SC

LAHORE—The expansion of US embassy in Islamabad has been challenged in Lahore Registry of the Supreme Court by Barrister Zaffar Ullah.
According to a private TV channel, the petition maintaining that the United States has acquired 18 acre land and total number of acres touched the area of 56 acre land and the United States can convert its embassy in to Army Cantonment which is against the sovereignty of Pakistan.
The petition stated that the expansion of the embassy over 56 acre of land equals to area of airport. It was also maintained that Pakistan’s nuclear assets would also be in danger in the presence of US military base. The petition further stated that some Arab countries were also planning to buy 700,000 agriculture land on lease in different areas of Punjab and Sindh and it would not possible to monitor the movement of staff and employees to come in the country. The petition feared that the United States is using some Arab countries and it might be the conspiracy of US. The interior ministry, foreign ministry and the law ministry have been made respondents.

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PM Gilani urges Muslim world to carve out economic order

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Friday urged the Muslim countries to work together to build a strong Islamic intellectual base, carve out an Islamic vision of a political and economic order founded on moral principles, egalitarian values and participate positively in shaping the world.
“This is the demand of our times, and we should not fail,” he said while addressing an Iftar-dinner hosted for the ambassadors and diplomats of the Muslim countries at the Prime Minister house.

The prime minister said, “Indeed, building our inherent strengths and taking our destiny in our own hands was the guarantee for advancing our individual and collective interests in a meaningful way. “Only this will help us seek peace and justice for our struggling brothers - be they in Palestine or Kashmir or any other troubled part of the world. Only this will enable us to build a better future for our coming generations, full of promise and hope,” he added.

He said Pakistan had, therefore, welcomed President Obama’s call from Cairo, for a new beginning between America and the Muslim world based on mutual respect and mutual interest. We believe it was the right way forward.

The prime minister said Pakistan would continue to support all the initiatives aimed at building bridges of trust and understanding. “We will actively promote efforts for inter-faith dialogue,” he added.

He said the vision of our founding father Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah consistently emphasized the imperative of Islamic brotherhood, goodwill and cooperation.

Accordingly, he said the Islamic Ummah had always occupied a place of prominence in Pakistan’s foreign policy. “We supported the struggles of many Muslim states against colonial rule, and actively promoted their right to self-determination. We also made our modest contribution to their post-independence national development efforts,” he added.

The prime minister said Pakistan had been in the vanguard of advancing the ideals and objectives of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC). “We continue to espouse Muslim causes around the world. We are equally grateful for the affection, support and solidarity that we have received from our brotherly Muslim countries at every important juncture of Pakistan’s history,” he added.

He said Pakistan deeply appreciated that the Islamic countries had been an indispensable source of support and strength to the people of Pakistan whether it was forging closer political ties, deepening trade and economic relations, promoting Pakistan’s development goals or extending relief assistance after the devastating earthquake of October 2005.

“We are proud of the multifaceted relationships we have developed with our brothers in the Gulf, in the wider Middle Eastern region and through the vast expanse of the African and Asian continents. We wish to comprehensively upgrade these relationships,” he added.

The premier said Pakistan’s major priorities included increased exports, more foreign remittances, greater foreign direct inflows and enhanced market access with Free Trade Agreements as the principal instrument. “We are equally committed to deepening our security and defense ties, expanding educational and cultural cooperation, and strengthening people-to-people contacts,” he added.

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Pakistan Army kills 15 militants

Fifteen militants were killed in fighting with the security forces in northwest Pakistan, officials said Monday.

The security forces also captured 22 militants during search operations in the Swat and Malakand districts in the past 24 hours till Monday evening, the Online news agency reported citing a statement of the Pakistan Army.

Five militants were killed in the Allahabad area in Swat during a shootout with the security forces. One soldier was also killed in the operation, the statement said.

The security forces also killed seven militants and captured 11 others in the Maira area.

Three more militants were killed in the Lundai Sarand area.

During search operations in Gulkanda, Aman Kot, Sangota and Ahingora Cham areas 11 militants were captured, it said.

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Graft charges against politicians - agencies have no role in making or breaking govts

Graft charges against politicians; Gilani rejects formation of commission

Says agencies have no role in making or breaking govts

KARACHI: Rejecting the setting up of an investigation commission against former officers of the intelligence agencies, who have levelled charges in the media against politicians, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Thursday declared that the political leadership is mature enough to run the democratic system in the country successfully.

The prime minister said this while talking to newsmen at the Chief Minister House here after chairing a special Sindh cabinet meeting. The prime minister was asked whether he will constitute a commission to probe into the charges levelled by former officers of intelligence agencies or impose a ban on these officers for raising issues in the media.

Gilani said these elements had their role but neither can they form a government or dissolve it because the political leadership is showing political maturity. The prime minister said the leaders across the political spectrum should show maturity and tolerance to continue the democratic dispensation which has been restored in the country after great sacrifices and hardship.

He said they had sacrificed a lot for the restoration of democracy and such statements from former intelligence officers could not derail democracy. The prime minister said politicians should remain steadfast to the cause of democracy and should allow others to work. The politicians have a great responsibility to make democracy succeed, he added.

The prime minister arrived in the provincial metropolis on Thursday evening on a two-day visit and he told the media that he came to observe the performance of the provincial government and to know about the political, law and order and price hike situation in the province.

Rejecting charges of corruption, the prime minister said the coalition government is performing very well. He said Balochistan is the top priority of the government and a committee constituted on the Balochistan issue had submitted its report and the government will take a decision very soon in this regard.

The prime minister, however, avoided replying to a question regarding the statement of Nawaz Sharif in which he had stated that the government has failed and the failure of the present regime is the failure of democracy. The prime minister said: "I do not mind what Nawaz Sharif has said." He also refused to reply when asked whether the government has made any request to Saudi Arabia to interfere in political affairs in Pakistan because Nawaz Sharif has urged not to involve Saudi government in the Pakistani politics. Gilani advised the questioner to ask Nawaz Sharif about it.

To a question about the reduction in the US aid for defence, the prime minister said the finance minister was talking to US authorities on this issue. He described the presence of Blackwater commandos in Pakistan as disinformation.

He said economic meltdown that we inherited has been arrested. Macroeconomic stability has been achieved. Foreign exchange reserves have crossed the mark of $14 billion. Economy is now set to resume the high growth path, Gilani said.

He said on the security front successful operations in the Malakand division and other parts of the country have set the stage for achieving success in the war against terrorists. The recent price hike of essential items during Ramazan, he said, has been artificially created by unscrupulous elements. This is totally unacceptable. "I am constantly keeping track of the situation by maintaining a close liaison with the federal and provincial agencies and things are improving," he said and added being mindful of the challenges being faced by our people, some of the decisions that the federal Government recently announced are: import of 300,000 tons of raw sugar, sale of 100,000 tons of sugar through Utility Stores at Rs38 per kg, sale of 150,000 tons of Atta and 50,000 tons of ghee at reduced rates through Utility Stores.

The prime minister said he was personally monitoring the situation. Necessary steps to rectify any uncalled for developments are being taken promptly. I am also considering holding a meeting of the chief ministers shortly. He said the provincial government; with the help of its coalition partners successfully tackled the law and order situation by arresting gangs of dacoits, terrorist and anti-social elements.

As a result, people of Karachi heaved a sigh of relief. However, these elements may again try to re-group and damage life, property and businesses. Recent surge in targeted killings and bank robberies in Karachi need to be curtailed, he added.

He said the federal government was supportive of the provincial government's endeavours to fight militancy in all forms. Where needed federal law-enforcement agencies will provide necessary support to the provincial government, he added. When asked whether his government would set up a judicial commission to probe into the 1992 operation in Karachi, the prime minister said he was not fully apprised of the situation.

Responding to another question about sugar prices, he said the ministry for industries was dealing the issue, adding the government wanted to adopt uniform policy in the four federating units. He said the federal government will provide modern weapons to the Sindh police. He handed over 15 police mobile for Police 15 in a ceremony held at the Chief Minister's house. Later, the prime minister chaired a special Sindh cabinet meeting and the chief minister and his cabinet members briefed the prime minister about the performance and issues of the province. Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad was also present in the meeting.

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Seek apology to save your neck, Abdullah tells Musharraf

ISLAMABAD: Former president Pervez Musharraf's visit to Saudi Arabia has turned out to be a fiasco since he failed in persuading the Saudi authorities to secure clemency from his detractors in Pakistan, particularly the Sharif family.

Instead, the Saudi authorities have advised him to seek pardon and tender an unconditional apology for his unconstitutional acts directly from the people who had to suffer due to his actions during his days in power.

Musharraf has left Saudi Arabia empty-handed and it is expected that some other 'international friends' of the former president could intervene to save his neck. Musharraf who arrived in Saudi Arabia by a royal plane departed the Kingdom by a commercial flight.

In yet another significant but related development, Pakistan's ambassador to Saudi Arabia Umer Ali Khan Sherzaie is reaching Islamabad today (Thursday) with his report on the developments in the Kingdom with reference to Pakistan. He was present during the recent meetings at the Jeddah Palace as well as interior minister Rehman Malik's audience with King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz and his interaction with Prince Mukrin and his Saudi counterpart Prince Naif. The ambassador, however, stayed away from the engagements of the former president.

The Foreign Office has confirmed that the ambassador, who assumed his assignment last month, is coming home but said it has no further details. When Musharraf arrived at the Jeddah state palace Rehman Malik, who was staying at the 4th floor of the palace, was preparing to leave for Pakistan. He simply ignored the arrival of the former president and drove straight to the airport. The Saudi interior minister provided his royal plane to the minister for the return journey.

The Saudi authorities are said to have advised former president Pervez Musharraf to seek pardon and unconditional apology from his detractors for the excesses he has committed against them while in power.

The 'advice' has been conveyed to him loud and clear during his interaction with King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz and other senior officials of the Kingdom during his current trip to Saudi Arabia. Well-placed diplomatic sources told our sources here late Wednesday evening that Pervez Musharraf, who reached Jeddah with 'SOS' and stayed in the state guest palace "Kasr-e-Ziafa", had requested for an audience with the King through 'common' friends last month. He wanted to visit the Kingdom even earlier when the campaign for his trial under Article 6 of the Constitution gained momentum in Pakistan. But the visit could not materialise. The new tide of demand for his accountability unnerved him and he requested for the visit afresh.

Diplomatic sources have brushed aside the impression that the Saudi rulers are playing a role similar to the one they played for rescuing the Sharif family way back in 2000. That was a totally different story as Nawaz Sharif enjoys special relationship with the royal Saudi family and is held in the highest esteem.

The sources pointed out that the interest being shown by the Saudi authorities is due to the fact that Saudi leadership wants to help Pakistan in minimising its political predicaments. Peace and stability in Pakistan has always been dear to the Saudi leadership and it is understood that the special envoy of the Pakistani leadership, who had an audience with the King the other day, has also been advised to help the former president in obtaining clemency from his adversaries, especially Nawaz Sharif.

Sources close to former president, however, deny any such impression saying Pervez Musharraf is visiting Saudi Arabia on the personal invitation of the King and that he will not seek pardon. They said the king had invited Musharraf for discussion on global issues.

The Saudi ambassador in Pakistan Abdul Aziz bin Ibrahim Saleh Al-Ghadeer has made it clear that Saudi Arabia does not meddle in Pakistan's domestic affairs and his country should not be dragged unnecessarily in the political developments of the brotherly country Pakistan. "The doors of Saudi Arabia are open for every brother from Pakistan irrespective of his political affiliation since Saudi Arabia is second home for every Pakistani. Saudi Arabia and its royal leadership are always prepared to help Pakistan in any trouble but without interfering in its internal affairs," the ambassador said.

Talking exclusively to this scribe Wednesday evening Ambassador Abdul Aziz Al-Ghadeer reminded that late Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and late President General Muhammad Ziaul Haq visited the Kingdom several times during their tenures. Saudi Arabia had always generously kept its doors open for the people from Pakistan. "We don't decline the visitor from this brotherly country but the political problems of this country have to be resolved by the people of this country," the ambassador said.

The Saudi envoy declined to comment on the political developments in Pakistan and said that his country is always prepared to do whatever it could do for its betterment and well being of the people of Pakistan.

The sources revealed that Pakistan Muslim League-N supreme leader Nawaz Sharif is leaving for Saudi Arabia next week to perform Umrah. He is likely to meet King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz in Riyadh. He will also have meetings with some other Saudi leaders including Prince Mukrin, chief of the Saudi Intelligence Agency.

Online adds: Leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Syed Zafar Ali Shah advocate said on Wednesday that Saudi Arabia has no knowledge of democracy and no one should intervene in the domestic affairs of Pakistan.

Talking to media outside the Supreme Court, Zafar Ali Shah said there are deep friendly relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and we respect these relations. However, they (Saudis) do not know much about democracy. Each country has its own democratic system and we never criticized the monarchy system in Arab countries.

Talking about the Saudi Government asylum offer to Pervez Musharraf, he said it is Pakistan's domestic issue and Saudi Arabia should avoid taking any step in this regard. No one has the authority to decide about the future of Pervez Musharraf. He said that people of this country have suffered due to Pervez Musharraf and they will decide what to do with him. He demanded of the government to confiscate the property of Pervez Musharraf and start legal proceedings against him to recover the people displaced during his tenure.

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Pakistani forces launch air attack on Taliban

WANA, Pakistan (Reuters) - Pakistani helicopter gunships stepped up attacks on Taliban positions in the South Waziristan region on Wednesday, a day after militants confirmed that their leader was dead and announced his successor.

Pakistani and U.S. officials had been saying for days that Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud was killed in a missile strike by a CIA-operated drone in his South Waziristan stronghold near the Afghan border on August 5, but the Taliban had been denying it.

Baitullah, an ally of al Qaeda and the Afghan Taliban, was accused of a series of attacks in Pakistan over the past couple of years including the 2007 assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

Western governments with troops in Afghanistan are watching to see if a new Pakistani Taliban leader will shift focus from fighting the Pakistani government to aiding the Afghan insurgency.

Security forces have made significant gains in an offensive against the Pakistani Taliban in the Swat valley, northwest of Islamabad, since late April, and have also been attacking Mehsud's men in South Waziristan.

Helicopter gunships attacked militant hideouts in Madi Jam, an area 20 km (12 miles) east of South Waziristan's main town of Wana, on Wednesday after Taliban attacked a military convoy, killing two soldiers, intelligence officials and residents said.

Residents in Wana saw armoured personnel carriers heading toward Madi Jam.

"Helicopters dropped leaflets asking people to leave the fighting area," Mohammad Aslam, a resident of Madi Jam, told Reuters by telephone.

Military spokesmen were not available for comment.

Pakistan and U.S. officials had been saying the militants appeared to be in disarray since Mehsud's death.

Analysts saw the Taliban's earlier denials that Mehsud was dead as an attempt to hide divisions over who should take charge of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), or Taliban Movement of Pakistan, alliance of about 13 militant factions.

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Is Taliban collapsing in Pakistan?

The death of Baitullah Mehsud appears to have done even more damage to the Taliban terrorist network in Pakistan than first thought.  Without their charismatic leader to unite them, the Taliban has begun to splinter across ideological and tribal lines, and the council Mehsud founded is dissolving into power plays and parochial interests.  The infighting might prove more deadly to the network than the Pakistan Army:

Pakistan's extremist Taliban movement is badly divided over who should be its new leader, and analysts and local tribesmen say the al Qaida-linked group may be in danger of crumbling.

A wave of defections, surrenders, arrests and bloody infighting has severely weakened the movement since its founder, Baitullah Mehsud, was killed Aug. 5 in a U.S. missile strike. The announcement this weekend that Hakimullah Mehsud, a 28-year-old with a reputation as a hothead, would succeed him is likely to further widen the split. …

Pakistan authorities arrested the Taliban's high-profile spokesman, Maulvi Umer, in the tribal areas, while a key interlocutor between the Taliban and al Qaida, commander Saifullah, was also detained at a house in Islamabad where he was receiving medical treatment.

Separately, 60 Taliban fighters gave themselves up in the Swat valley in Pakistan's northwest. Many Taliban in Waziristan have defected since Baitullah Mehsud's death.

In a further sign of internal discord, Pakistani Interior Minister Rehman Malik claimed Sunday that militants had killed Baitullah Mehsud's in-laws, including his father-in-law, on suspicion of giving away his location. The former Taliban leader had been staying at his father-in-law's house in Waziristan when he was killed by a missile fired from a U.S. drone.

Any time one side can decapitate the leadership of the other, recriminations and feuds usually follow in its wake.  That would be especially true for a movement based on tribal politics like the Taliban.  Mehsud managed to keep a lid on rivalries and petty jealousies, presumably on the strength of his personality and success.  But Mehsud was nothing more than a warlord at best, and when warlords die before they prepare their succession, infighting inevitably results among the remaining players.

The two heirs apparent are Haikmullah Mehsud, Baitullah's hot-headed son, and Waliur Rehman, a more level-headed lieutenant of Mehsud and more connected to the Waziristan base for the Taliban.  Mehsud claimed the top spot in Orakzai, well away from Waziristan, which indicates his weakness in that area, according to McClatchy reporter Saeed Shah.  The Waziris want Rehman, whom they claim was Baitullah Mehsud's favorite before his death.

Shah notes that the infighting could ratchet up the danger for Pakistan, as both factions try to prove their mala fides by launching a rash of attacks, especially the hot-headed younger Mehsud.  However, there is also opportunity, as both sides fight with each other, and create more splintering and factions in the Taliban.  Shah doesn't mention that the various factions may try to gain advantage by supplying Islamabad with intel to get the Pakistani Army and the US to do their dirty work in this regard.  That is an old, old story in insurgencies and factionalization that goes back centuries if not millenia in all parts of the world.  While the danger for Pakistanis could certainly rise significantly, the opportunities for further destruction of the Taliban rise much higher.

Meanwhile, Michael Yon gives us a front-line report from Afghanistan:

The mission was an obvious success.  It was surprising that we endured no fatalities or serious injuries.  The mission was well-executed and since many of the soldiers have substantial combat experience from Iraq and Afghanistan, major dramas were averted.  Murphy had smiled upon us.  The only injury to my knowledge was the soldier who fell off the ladder.  Soldiers who had previously fought on Pharmacy Road said we had sustained about twenty fatalities and injuries in that general area.  And though at least one IED has been placed on the road since last week, C Coy and the ANA are now regularly patrolling and the freedom of movement has resumed.

This is a brutal fight.  Since that mission, eight more British soldiers and two interpreters have been killed in this area.  That's ten KIA plus the wounded.  The soldiers keep going

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Australia's downfall excites Pakistan's Waseem Akram

KARACHI — Australia losing the Ashes and slumping to number four in Test rankings is good for world cricket as it gives other teams the confidence to shine in the future, Pakistan great Wasim Akram said Tuesday.

England beat Australia by 197 runs in the fifth and final Test at The Oval on Sunday to regain the Ashes 2-1 -- a defeat which knocked Australia from the top position for the first time since the rankings were introduced in 2003.

"Thank God, the Australians are now losing and have lost their dominance on world cricket," Wasim told AFP. "I wish I was playing in this period because when I played they were nearly unbeatable."

Australia, which also lost a home series against South Africa and an away series in India last year, are now placed fourth with South Africa perched atop the Test rankings. Sri Lanka are number two and India three.

Pakistan are ranked sixth in the world.

Wasim, one of the best left-arm paceman to play the game, agreed Australia's aura as near-invincible was over.

"I agree with what England captain (Andrew) Strauss said that Australia have lost their aura, they don't have replacements for (Glenn) McGrath and (Shane) Warne and that's making the difference.

"This Australian team is still exciting but they are no more world beaters with two great bowlers in Warne and McGrath, and (Adam) Gilchrist and (Matthew) Hayden all retired."

Wasim confessed he never thought England would win the Oval Test.

"It is unexpected for me that England won the last Test," said Wasim, who took 414 Test and 502 one-day wickets in an illustrious 19-year career.

"England played bold cricket, did bold selections and were not scared of losing.

Wasim said retiring England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff would be missed in Test cricket.

"Of course, Flintoff will be missed. He will be remembered as an exciting and aggressive player," said Wasim of his former Lancashire county colleague who retired from Test cricket after the Ashes.

"We need a series like this to keep Test cricket healthy," added Wasim, who has been linked to Indian Premier League team Kolkatta Knight Riders as their new coach. Wasim, however, refused to comment on the reports in Indian media

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