Supreme Court of Pakistan restores Shahbaz Sharif as Chief Minister Punjab

ISLAMABAD ( 2009-03-31 Qiyadat )The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Tuesday stayed its decision of February 25 in which it disqualified Mian Shahbaz Sharif, Pakistan Muslim League (N), to hold the office of chief executive of Punjab province. The five‑member bench headed by Justice Tassaduq Hussain Gillani granted a stay to Mian Shahbaz Sharif on a writ filed through Khawaja Haris till the disposal of main petition. The bench also announced that the operation of judgement shall be suspended and the petitioner shall resume the office of Chief Minister of Punjab with immediate effect.

PNDF Chairman Akhtar Shaikh congratulates Nawaz Sharif & Shahbaz Sharif

ISLAMABAD ( 2009-03-31 Qiyadat )PNDF Chairman Muhammad Akhtar Shaikh has congratulated PML‑N chief Shahbaz Sharif over restoration of his government in Punjab, also in a fax message to PML-N Quaid Miyan Nawaz Sharif, PNDF Chairman Muhammad Akhtar Shaikh has congratulated over restoration of Punjab Government, He said its a success of Democracy and independent judiciary.

4 terrorists killed, 6 recruits, 2 civilians embraced martyrdom, 100 injured

LAHORE ( 2009-03-30 Qiyadat ) Four terrorists, six recruits, two civilians were gunned down while another 100 recruits sustained bullet injuries in a joint commando operation against terrorists at Manawan Police Training Centre. Provincial Director General, Rescue 1122  Dr.Naseer Rizwan while talking to APP here this afternoon said that four armed terrorists blew themselves up during the successful commando operation while 6 police recruits and 2 civilians embraced martyrdom. He said a total of 100 police recruits who sustained pellets and bullet injuries on their legs, chest and other parts of their bodies were shifted to Mayo, Services, Ganga Ram and Jinnah Hospitals for provision of specialised treatment. He said that all injured were provided first aid by Rescue 1122 in their modern ambulances on their way to hospitals. Dr.Rizwan said that our first priority was to take the injured recruits to the nearby hospitals to save their lives with timely medical aid.  He said that modern fleet of 14 ambulance successfully accomplished challenging task of provision of first aid to the victims and further shifting to hospitals. The DG said that complete authentic list of injured recruits and those embracing martyrdom will be made available to media soon.

US President Barack Obama unveiled a new strategy for Pak-Afghan plan, announces $1.5bn aid, saying the top goal was to destroy Al-Qaeda

WASHINGTON ( 2009-03-27 Qiyadat )U.S. President Barack Obama Friday said Al-Qaeda is actively planning attacks on US from safe havens in Pakistan. Unfolding a new US strategy to defeat Taliban and Al-Qaeda, Obama said Pakistan must be 'stronger partner' in destroying Al-Qaeda safe havens. In this connection he said Pakistan would be provided financial assistance of 1.5 billion dollars each year for the next five years. However, he said US would not provide a blank cheque to Pakistan as they also needed to prove their commitment in war against terror. President Obama said the goal is to disrupt, dismantle and defeat Al-Qaida in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The situation in Afghanistan is increasingly perilous, President Barack Obama warned. "Attacks against our troops, our NATO allies, and the Afghan government have risen steadily. Most painfully, 2008 was the deadliest year of the war for American forces.I want the American people to understand that we have a clear and focused goal to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat Al-Qaeda in Pakistan and Afghanistan and to prevent their return to either country in the future," Obama said. That is the goal that must be achieved. That is a cause that could not be more just. And to the terrorists who oppose us, my message is the same: we will defeat you. He said US will not turn blind eye to Afghan government corruption. The US President proposed setting up a new contact group on Afghanistan including Iran to tackle the bloody Taliban and Al-Qaeda insurgency.

Zardari briefed on law and order, development of Balochistan 

QUETTA ( 2009-03-26 Qiyadat )President Asif Ali Zardari was given warm welcome as he arrived here at airport on his maiden visit in the provincial capital. Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Muhammad Aslam Raisani, Governor Nawab Zulfiqar Ali Magsi, provincial and federal ministers and senior officials received the President upon his arrival. He was presented guard of honour in Governor House. The president held meetings with governor and the CM. They briefed president Zardari about the ongoing developmental projects and law-and-order situation in the province besides exchanging views over the current political scenario. The President will reportedly make important announcements for progress of Balochistan. The government has decided to step up the process of political reconciliation in Balochistan. During his stay in provincial capital, he will also meet with parliamentary leaders of various political parties in Balochistan Assembly, members of the provincial cabinet and other Baloch and Pashtoon politicians.

United States offered $ 5 million each for information leading to Baitullah Mehsud and for Sirajuddin Haqqani & $1 million for Abu Yahya al-Libi

WASHINGTON ( 2009-03-25 Qiyadat ) The United States offered up to USD 10 million in rewards for information on Pakistani terrorist leaders Baitullah Mehsud, the mastermind behind the assassination of the former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, and for Sirajuddin Haqqani. It also announced another USD 1 million award for Al Qaeda terrorist leader Abu Yahya al-Libi, now believed to be hiding inside Afghanistan. The US has awarded USD 5 million each for Baitullah Mehsud, the senior leader of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Haqqani, a senior leader of the Haqqani terrorist network founded by his father Jalaludin Haqqani, State Department Deputy Acting Spokesman Gordon Duguid said in a statement. "Mehsud is regarded as a key Al-Qaida facilitator in the tribal areas of South Waziristan in Pakistan," he said. "Pakistani authorities believe that the January 2007 suicide attack against the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad was staged by militants loyal to Mehsud. Press reports also have linked Mehsud to the assassination of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and the deaths of other innocent civilians," Duguid said. He said during an interview with an American news organization, Haqqani admitted planning the January 14, 2008 attack against the Serena Hotel in Kabul that killed six people, including an American citizen Thor David Hesla.

US drone attack, in missile strike killed Eight militants, including al-Qaeda fighters, in northwest Pakistan's South Waziristan tribal region on Wednesday

WANA ( 2009-03-25 Qiyadat ) Two missiles killed at least eight militants, including Uzbeks and Arab. A senior official said the strike hit a compound in the Makeen area, where suspected Afghan and Pakistani Taliban militants are holed up, but local residents said two vehicles were targeted.Two vehicles were targeted in the strike in the.Makeen area of the semi-autonomous tribal district of South Waziristan, where suspected Afghan and Pakistani Taliban militants are also holed up. A suspected US missile strike killed eight alleged Al-Qaeda militants on Wednesday in an extremist stronghold of northwest Pakistan on the Afghan border security officials said. A predator strike was carried out in Makeen area, 12 kilometres northwest of Ladha, wednesday's attack was the seventh missile strike blamed in Pakistan on unmanned US aircraft since President Barack Obama came to power.

Dell to bundle internet service with laptops in Japan

Tokyo ( 2009-03-25 Qiyadat ) Dell will start offering wireless internet service with its laptops for sale in Japan from this summer. The Nikkei reports that Dell will team up with Japan Communications to use NTT DoCoMo's mobile network for the service. The bundled offering should allow users to immediately go online and receive several hours of prepaid access, without signing a contract with a service provider. Dell has already applied to the Communications Ministry for a licence to offer data communications services. Prices for the specially designed PCs will range from JPY 50,000 to JPY 200,000, including several hours of access charges.

PNDF Chairman Akhtar Shaikh calls for national unity, social justice, powerful economy, peace on Pakistan Day

ISLAMABAD ( 2009-03-24 Qiyadat ) Chairman PNDF Muhammad AKhtar Shaikh said that PNDF is struggling for peace, national unity, democratic nation, Social justice, strong Pakistan, weaponless nation, powerful economy in Pakistan. In a message to Pakistani Nation on Pakistan day chairman PNDF Muhammad AKhtar Shaikh said, all four provinces Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan and NWFP should be given provincial autonomy according to the Pakistan Resolution passed in Lahore on March 23, 1940, PNDF Chairman Akhtar Shaikh demanded on Pakistan day. In a statement Muhammad Akhtar Shaikh said that the PNDF wants to fulfil the dream of the founding fathers of Pakistan by eradicating feudalism in the country. He congratulated whole the Pakistani nation on the Pakistan Day. The PNDF Chairman said that Pakistan came into being after countless sacrifices and a prolonged struggle. He said that the worsening situation of the country, demanded national unity and solidarity.

Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani calls for national unity, integrity on Pakistan Day

ISLAMABAD ( 2009-03-23 Qiyadat ) Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has called for placing national unity and integrity above any other consideration in the present environment. In a message on the occasion of Pakistan Day, he stressed the need for inculcating unity and discipline in every aspect of life both as a nation and as an individual. “Let petty differences be subordinate to higher values of life which demand unity, faith and discipline,” he said. The democratically elected government, he added, is committed to make Pakistan strong, progressive, forward looking, independent and Islamic welfare state. He said he wanted Pakistan to be an enlightened, tolerant and moderate society that ensures social justice and equal opportunities to all its citizens, irrespective of their caste, creed, colour and gender. Prime Minister Gilani said that on the occasion of Pakistan Day, the nation must remember its forefathers for their unprecedented sacrifices to achieve these objectives.  He vowed to continue to fight the evil of extremism, sectarianism and terrorism that slows down the march towards achievement of these goals and called for renewed efforts to make Pakistan rise in the comity of nations. He said the day reminds that 69 years ago, the Muslims of the sub‑continent resolved to achieve a homeland of their own where they could live in accordance with their religious beliefs, culture and intellectual inspirations. On this day, he added, the democratic struggle for Pakistan was launched under the farsighted and inspiring leadership of Quaid‑e‑Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. “Praise be to Allah that the resolute effort of the people was crowned with success within a short period of seven years.” He prayed to Allah Almighty for grant of strength and perseverance to remain united and devoted to the well‑being of Pakistan and its people.

ISLAMABAD ( 2009-03-22 Qiyadat )The national flag hoisting ceremony is being held at the residence of the Chief Justice here today, where a large number of lawyers, members of civil society, political workers and the people cheered jubilantly. Different big and small rallies coming from all across the country dancing and drumming in cheers expressed their happiness over the hoisting ceremony flocked outside the Cheif Justice House, while strict security arrangements were made on this occasion. Conspicuous among the huge crowd were PPP leaders Naheed Khan, Safdar Abbasi and from the media Talat Hussain, Hamid Mir, Mazhar Abbas and Aasma Shirazi. In a simple but impressive ceremony Dr. Israr Shah hoisted flag on behalf of civil society, Advocate Imdad Awan son of late Shaharyar Awan  on behalf of the lawyers community. Heavy contingents of police guarded all the streets leading to the CJ House. Aitzaz Ahsan conducting the ceremony said that this would be the last of the series of restoration of judiciary functions, while Chief Justices of Pakistan would not participate in this function. Aitzaz thanked Qazi Hussain Ahmad and Imran Khan especially for their unflinching support to the lawyers' movement.

PM, Chairman Joint Chiefs discuss various matters 

ISLAMABAD ( 2009-03-21 Qiyadat )  Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, General Tariq Majeed called on Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani at the PM House Saturday afternoon and discussed matters of mutual interest, says a press release issued here.

Drones attacks to be dangerous: Asfandyar tells Patterson

Iftikhar Chaudhry restored: Govt issues notifications for restoration of judges

ISLAMABAD ( 2009-03-16 Qiyadat ) The Ministry of Law has issued two separate notifications for restoration of deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and other deposed judges of the superior courts.
    
Releasing the notifications at a news conference in Islamabad on Tuesday, Law Secretary Agha Rafiq said that under the one notification the President has restored deposed Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry to the position prior to 3rd of November 2007.
   
He said Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry will resume charge of his office on 22nd of this month following retirement of the incumbent Chief Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar a day earlier.
    
Under another notification, the President has restored four judges of the Supreme Court and six judges of Lahore, Sindh and Peshawar High Courts with immediate effect to the position they were before 3rd of November 2007.
   
The restored judges of the Supreme Court include Mr. Justice Javed Iqbal, Justice Khalilur Rehman Ramday, Justice Raja Fayyaz Ahmad and Justice Ch. Ejaz Ahmad.
   
The judges of three high courts are Justice Khawaja Muhammad Sharif, Justice  Ejaz Ahmad Chaudhy and Mr. Justice Iqbal Hameedur Rehman of Lahore High Court; Justice Musheer Alam and Justice Maqbool Baqir of Sindh High Court and Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan of Peshawar High Court.
  
The Law Secretary said the President has approved the summary for reinstatement of the deposed judges in the light of the announcement made by Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani in his historic address to the nation early yesterday morning.

Nawaz vows to end 'obsolete system' with mass support

LAHORE ( 2009-03-17 Qiyadat ) Pakistan Muslim League-N chief Mian Nawaz Sharif congratulated the nation Tuesday on the reinstatement of deposed Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry. Addressing a public gathering at his Model Town residence, Nawaz termed the restoration a historic decision to save the system and country. He asked the people to support him to steer the country out of present challenges. He said the restoration of deposed judges is the first step toward taking Pakistan to newer heights of socio-economic turnaround. Nawaz said the people of Pakistan got united for the cause of justice and democracy and proved that they could face any challenge. “A new Pakistan is born after March 16”, he said.

Varun says tape doctored, denies communal remark

NEW DELHI ( 2009-03-17 Qiyadat ) Facing flak for his anti-Muslim remarks, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate for the Pilibhit Lok Sabha seat in Uttar Pradesh, Varun. Gandhi on Tuesday strongly denied having made any communal or divisive statements and termed it a "vicious attempt" to malign him. "I strongly refute the charge of making any communal or divisive statements as part of my election campaign. In this climate of terrorism, I have spoken only about standing firm against anti-national and anti-social forces that threaten this nation," Varun Gandhi said in a statement issued on Tuesday evening. Varun, who is Indira Gandhi's grandson and late Sanjay Gandhi's son, is contesting from Pilibhit constituency which has been carefully nurtured by his mother Maneka Gandhi.

10 killed, 20 injured in Pindi Suicide bomb blast: CCPO Rawalpindi

RAWALPINDI ( 2009-03-16 Qiyadat ) At least ten persons were killed and 20 others injured in an apparently suicidal bomb blast near Pirwadhai Chowk here Monday evening. According to City Police Officer Inyatullah Farooqi, the blast occurred at 9.10 pm in a vehicle (GAK‑8057) standing near Al‑Mahraj Restaurant at Pirwadhai Chowk.

The injured were rushed to DHQ and Holy Family hospitals. The police had cordoned off the area while rescue teams including 1122 had started relief operation.

The bomb disposal squad was also dispatched to the site, police said adding, the nature of the incident is yet to be determined however, it seemed to be a suicidal attack.