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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has imposed new travel restrictions on US diplomats living in the country, a source told AFP Sunday, in the latest sign of ties worsening since the killing of Osama bin Laden.

A letter sent to the US embassy in Islamabad increased limitations on when and how diplomats can move outside the capital, the diplomatic source said, without giving further details.

Pakistan is seen as a key ally for the United States in its fight against Islamist militancy, but relations have soured since US troops killed Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden in Pakistan in May without warning Islamabad of the raid.

Both governments moved to prevent any public outbreak of disagreement after the restrictions were reported in Pakistani newspapers on Sunday.

“We are working with the Pakistani government to resolve the issue,” US embassy spokesman Alberto Rodriguez said.

Pakistan’s foreign ministry said that “no US-specific restrictions have been applied” on diplomatic travel, but added it was “having a constructive engagement with the US Embassy in Islamabad in this regard”.

“There are general guidelines regarding travel of Pakistan-based diplomats, designed only to ensure their safety and security, which have existed for a long time,” it added in a statement.

“Pakistan has been harassing US personnel working in the country for months,” a US official told the ABC news channel, which reported on Saturday that the CIA’s Islamabad station chief had left Pakistan for medical reasons.

President Barack Obama’s administration recently suspended about a third of its $2.7 billion annual defence aid to Pakistan, but assured Islamabad it was committed to a $7.5 billion civilian assistance package approved in 2009.

A British high commission spokesman said the Pakistan government guidelines now being implemented on travel for its diplomatic staff had existed for some time.

KARACHI: The recent spate of violence in Karachi has claimed 25 more lives since yesterday, including 10 deaths since this morning (Sunday).

Police say west and east zones of the city are highly volatile including Orangi Town, Liyari, Landhi and Gulistan-e-Jauhar.

One person was gunned down early morning in Orangi Town while another tortured body was found from Sector 11 of Orangi.

In Surjani Town’s Sector 7D firing by unidentified armed men on a pick up claimed two lives, while one person was shot dead in Surjani Town.

Armed men also engaged in a clash for several hours claiming two lives in Khuda ki Basti area.

One body was found in Shersha Mira Naka area from Liyari river.

A joint Police and Rangers search operation in Landhi has ended. DIG West, Naeem Akram Bharoka says no arrests were made during the three hours of door to door search operation. However, a large quantity of used bullets were recovered from a water tank.

Earlier, 15 people including a police official were gunned down in various incidents of target killing in Karachi yesterday.

A total of 10 suspects belonging to the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan and banned outfit Lashkar-e-Jhangvi were arrested by officials in the cities of Karachi and Lahore on Sunday.

Karachi arrests

CID police arrested four suspected terrorists linked to banned outfit Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, and three others associated with Lashkar-e-Jhangvi during raids in Karachi.

The seven suspects were arrested in three different raids led by the CID police in the Maripur and Sohrab Goth areas, Express 24/7 correspondent Sabin Agha reported.

A large cache of weapons and ammunition were also recovered during the raids. Express 24/7 reported that these individuals were likely involved in target killings and land grabbing in Karachi.

Lahore arrests

Earlier in the day, in Lahore, police arrested three terrorists in two different operations and recovered two suicide jackets along with several detonators.

According to intelligence sources, police arrested the two terrorists – Muhammad Aqeel and Khuda Bakhsh — from Kot-Abdul Maalik.

The alleged terrorists belonging to the Ilyas Kashmiri group were planning to target important personalities during Ramazan. They have been shifted to an unknown location for interrogation.

Intelligence agencies have also arrested one of the most wanted terrorist Salman Farooqui from Lahore during a joint operation.

Salman belongs to the banned outfit Lashkar-e-Jhanghvi.

The new policy imposes 15 tough conditions, impossible for most inmates to fulfill, an official requesting anonymity said on Saturday.

Previously, there were 105 prisoners (under-trial, convicted and condemned) enjoying B-class facilities in 32 jails across the province. After the implementation of the new policy, only two more prisoners were granted better facilities, making the total 107. Surprisingly, no one was granted A-class facilities.

Prominent among those who were denied even B-class facilities in jail are former federal religious affairs minister Hamid Saeed Kazami, former director-general Hajj Rao Shakeel, former president Bank of Punjab Hameesh Khan and other BoP scam accused Skeikh Afzal, Skeikh Nisar, Sheikh Irfan, Syed Sabtainul Hassan (Double Shah) and an accused in the NICL scam, Chaudhary Monis Elahi.

But while the government toughened requirements for granting lenient facilities, all of them are unofficially enjoying superior-class facilities with the connivance of jail superintendants, a senior jail official confided to The Express Tribune.

He said that Anjum Aqeel, a PML-N lawmaker who is currently under-trial, was one of the two prisoners granted B-Class facilities in jail since the issuance of the new policy.

In the past, such facilities were granted over personal influence, social relations and on court orders, adding that as such there was no comprehensive policy to deal with this issue, the official added.

According to new policy, a causal prisoner holding a graduate degree from a recognised university or institution and owner of 100 acres of barani or 50 acres of irrigated land verified by the district officer, revenue, would be eligible for grant of superior class facilities.

An ordinary prisoner who owned comparable business and personal assets, as substantiated by the latest income tax returns would also be entitled for better class.

A habitual and professional criminal would not be granted any such facility.

Prisoners involved in heinous offences or terrorism or rape would not be eligible for better jail facilities.  Prisoners involved in crimes included in the Women Protection Act of 2009, or Official Secrets Act of 1930, violence against Children under Child Protection Act, an offence of smuggling under Customs Act of 1969, abduction or kidnapping of any kind under sections 364, 364-A, 365-A of the Pakistan Penal Code.

The accused involved in massive bank fraud or embezzlement are not eligible for superior class. Accused involved in offences of blasphemy, dacoity, robbery or extortion or violence and hijacking are also not entitled for superior class in prison.

Criminals involved in substance abuse, subversion, espionage or anti-state acts is also not eligible for the same facility.

According to Pakistan Prison Rules of 1978, a prisoner could have gotten a separate room with a bath, provided a cot, chair and necessary sanitary appliances, allowed to make private cooking arrangements, wear own cloths and use personal bedding, besides allowing him to exercise in mornings and evenings. The prisoner also could have made separate cooking arrangements at their own expense.

Inmates in superior class are not required to perform menial duties.

According to official data, as many as 52,915 inmates were currently confined in jails across the province against a capacity of 21,524. In such overcrowded environments, superior class facilities were a real blessing, the official added.

A jail superintendent requesting anonymity said: “Mighty people in the outside world were also mighty in jails. They use all facilities beyond the ones recommended in the jail manual in connivance with jail authorities.”

Inspector-General, Prisons, Kokab Nadeem Warriach said that reports regarding granting B-class unofficial to prisoners were “incorrect and if it is so, it is not in my knowledge. Home department is the competent authority to granting facilities. The prisons department has no role in this regard.”

Published in The Express Tribune, July 31^th,  2011.

President of the G-B Labour Party, Ahsan Ali, while talking to reporters in Gilgit on Saturday accused Shah of contempt of court. He said Shah had no authority to resist any decision – even those made by the federal government – as the G-B order 2009 makes no mention of a consultation with the chief minister regarding high level postings. Ali termed the act of the chief minister ‘shameful’, saying he was helping those involved in the scam corruption worth millions of rupees.

Shah refused to accept the order made by the secretary establishment for the reinstatement of Asghar in the FIA. Sources confirmed that the G-B government had refused to release Asghar. “I haven’t been consulted,” Shah had said.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 31^th,  2011.

The former premier was addressing a public gathering at Changa Gali in Galyat on the occasion of the death anniversary of late parliamentarian Haji Javed Iqbal Abbasi. He said Bangladesh was created by rulers in their lust of power in spite of the fact that Bangladeshis rendered great sacrifices for Pakistan. “We usurped their rights, nevertheless, they were not willing to part ways but we forced them to create a separate country,” he said without naming the PPP.

He said the credit for restoring the judiciary goes to his party for daring to challenge the might of military dictator General Pervez Musharraf. He said the PML-N would take to the streets if the government failed to obey the apex court’s decision and insisted on a head-on collision. “It would really land the government in trouble if we were to act on our promise, he warned. “The rulers should not take our sincerity as a sign of weakness.” Justifying his party’s support for the PPP’s government in the past, Nawaz Sharif said that it was in good faith for the sake of the nation’s prosperity. But he alleged that the PPP backtracked from its promises. He said the government’s policies had caused the country to regress while other countries were forging ahead. “If we continue to watch like silent spectators, the nation will never forgive us.”

Nawaz Sharif who served as MNA from NA 18 Galyat from 1993 to 1997 told the gathering that his party would bring about real development in the country.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 31^th,  2011.

“The provinces might call for banning production and proliferation of arms to restore some order in the country,” Secretary Interior Khwaja Saddique Akbar told The Express Tribune after the meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Interior. However, Akbar did not elaborate on the issue.

The arms licences section of the ministry of interior was devolved to the provinces under the 18th Amendment to the constitution. After the devolution, only the prime minister or the president have the power to issue a licence for a prohibited-bore weapon, such as a Kalashnikov. Earlier, these powers were wielded by the interior ministry.

Weapons, such as hunting rifles, are not prohibited in the country.

The Senate panel expressed concerns over the discretionary powers of the prime minster and president under the new policy.

Balochistan, Sindh and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa are supporting the centre on the issue, which also wants to retain the power to issue licences, Senator Jamal Khan said.

Punjab is the only province which is willing to continue issuing licences, the interior secretary said, after which it was decided that the inspector general of police and chief secretary of the province would be summoned to explain Punjab’s stance.

The ministry of Interior will continue to issue prohibited and non-prohibited licences in Islamabad, he added.

The federal government has asked Sindh, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan to raise the issue with the Council of Common Interest after passing a resolution to resolve the issue, Akbar said.

Majority of the members said the new policy for arms is likely to promote proliferation of weapons in the country. Committee member Senator Dr Abdul Malik said the ‘Deweaponisation of Pakistan Bill of 2011’, seeks to ban production, import and use of firearms and ammunition, proliferation, explosives and smuggling to restore police writ in Karachi and other cities.

The parliamentary panel expressed concerns over some clauses of the Anti-Terrorism Act, saying they were against basic human rights. The committee wants to make some changes to the bill immediately,” said Chairman Senator Talha Mehmood.

The committee deliberated upon certain clauses of the act, including powers allowed to intelligence agencies and other departments to tap telephone calls of suspects.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 31^th,  2011.

“The president should take notice of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani’s actions to create unrest, only to make his son the chief minister,” said the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) senator at a press conference.

In March this year, the prime minister said the creation of a Seraiki province would be part of the Pakistan Peoples Party’s manifesto in the next elections.

The creation of a Seraiki province is a long standing demand of people of the area. Durrani said the prime minister should learn lessons from the situation prevailing in Karachi. “In an attempt to get political mileage, the premier may face irreparable loss to his political career,” he warned.

During the press conference, senators from Balochistan and the Fata announced their support to make Bahawalpur a province, demanding its status to be restored through executive order.

“Not only is there complete consensus on restoring the provincial status of  Bahawalpur, the Senate Standing Committee on States and Frontier Regions (Safron) has endorsed the demand after going through historical records,” added Durrani.

He said making Bahawalpur a part of Seraiki province is against the wishes of the people of Bahawalpur and would be an autocratic step, not a democratic one.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 31^th,  2011.

Addressing the media after a launching ceremony of Pakistan Textile City at the governor’s house in Karachi, the PM said that judicial activism is on the rise in line with increased participation of the media and civil society in promoting causes. The PM said that both the government and the judiciary have made sacrifices for the restoration of democracy and they will not allow the system to derail. PM Gilani said that any misunderstanding in this connection will be taken care off.

Meanwhile, Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhary stated that there would be no compromise on the independence of the judiciary while addressing the participants of the National Judicial Policy Making Committee (NJPMC) meeting at the Supreme Court.

The committee took serious note of complaints of corruption against court staff and stressed upon the High Courts to take up these cases to tackle corrupt elements. The committee reiterated its commitment to show zero tolerance for all types of corruption in all its manifestations. Members have asked judges to discourage false and frivolous litigation and ensure that the quality of justice is not compromised for quick disposal.

The NJPMC discussed various options for monitoring the target set for deciding cases which have been pending for years till September 30, this year. The committee resolved that the chief justices of the High Courts should ensure periodic inspection of the district judiciary by high court judges. NJPMC members have decided to ask jail authorities to segregate prisoners with communicable diseases for medical treatment and suggest that provincial home secretaries and inspectors general prisons evolve a mechanism for taking prisoners’ blood tests to avoid spreading disease.

They reviewed the progress on the construction of a model jail for Islamabad and appreciated the government for earmarking Rs720 million for the project. The committee stated that the model jail should provide facilities to inmates in accordance with international standards

Published in The Express Tribune, July 31^th,  2011.

Addressing the 26th meeting of the board of directors of the Sarhad Hydel Development Organisation (Shydo) during a visit to the Malakand-III Project in Dargai, he said that work on two projects with a cumulative generation capacity of 153 megawatts will start at Matlitan and Lawi Chitral in December this year practical.

He directed the completion of other hydropower generating projects in the province. He said that after terrorism, energy crisis is the most serious problem faced by the country, and said the government is working on emergency basis for resolving the problem. During the meeting, the chief minister was  briefed on the progress on power projects initiated by both public and private sectors.

He said that practical steps should be taken for resolving the energy crisis confronting the country.

The provincial government, he said, has prepared a comprehensive strategy for overcoming the crisis and strengthening the province’s economy through the utilisation of the region’s huge hydropower potential.

He ordered the officials to complete the Matlitan and Lawi power projects on time.

Later, Shydo’s managing director Bahadar Shah briefed the meeting about the initiation of work on 153 hydropower projects, including the 17MW power unit at Raniwala Khawar.

He said that work on the 2.6MW Machai hydropower project would start in January or February next year. Similarly, work on the 31MW project in Koto, Dir, 8MW project in Jabori, Mansehra and 10MW generation unit in Karora, Shangla is expected to start in July next year.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 31st,  2011.

As many as 12 militants, including a prominent local ‘commander’, were also reported killed.

The operation was launched a week ago in the semi-autonomous Baizai tehsil with the help of local peace committees and militias, especially the Atmarkhel lashkar.

The area was considered a militant stronghold in the tribal region and a vital location where cross-border infiltration had claimed the lives of a large number of security personnel.

“We have taken control of Torabara, Speenabara and Qabarnama areas,” said Assistant Political Agent of Upper Mohmand Maqsood Khan.

He said that strongest militant hideouts had been eliminated and the militants were now confined to pockets in the mountainous area, adding that their supply line had completely been cut off.

“They will be completely eliminated within a matter of days,” Maqsood Khan said.

A large number of landmines and explosive devices left behind by the retreating militants had been defused, he said, adding that the advancing forces were being helped by the lashkar.

A notorious local militant commander named Toofan Dawezai had been killed in the operation in Khugakhel and Bhai Daag areas last Sunday.

“Search and clearance operations are still continuing in the area,” he said.

Operation Brekhna was launched in Safi tehsil, considered to be the spiritual hub of the Mohmand Taliban. The operation entered its second phase when militant outposts were targeted in the Metai and Surandara areas.

When militants mounted an offensive, attacking a security check post at the Walidad Top, security forces retaliated and took over the area, killing 25 militants.

Baizai is a significant area because of its proximity to the Afghan province of Kunar. The route is often used by militants to cross into Pakistani areas.

Sources, however, say that the main problem is that militants have “well-established bases and training camps across the border (in Afghanistan), from where they move into Pakistani areas and carry out attacks and flee back”.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 31st,  2011.

Kevin Walsh, the lawyer representing the ISI, urged Brooklyn federal Judge Dora Irizarry to throw out the lawsuit that was filed by relatives of New Yorkers killed in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

Walsh argued in a letter filed with the federal judge, that the consequences of the judicial inquiry have the potential to be “disastrous”. If the lawsuit against the ISI and several high ranking Pakistani intelligence officials is not dismissed, the backlash in the country could undermine America’s goals in one of the world’s most sensitive regions, the attorney said.

“The intrusion of these actions into the politics of Pakistan will fuel violence and extremism, directed against the government that the US intends to support,” the newspaper quoted Walsh as saying.

The lawsuit, filed last November, also named Lashkar-e-Taiba, which operates in Kashmir.

It asked for unspecified damages and alleges that the ISI has worked closely with the banned outfit.

However, Pakistan has denied these allegations.

The suit was filed by relatives of Gavriel Noah Holtzberg, a rabbi originally from Brooklyn, and his pregnant wife, Rivka, who were gunned down when terrorists stormed the Chabad Lubavitch centre in a commando-style attack that also killed the couple’s unborn child.

The Holtzberg’s two-year-old son survived the attack after being rescued by an employee. He now lives with his grandfather in Israel.

Walsh, a prominent New York attorney, argued that the general public in Pakistan will see the lawsuit not as an action taken by private individuals, but as an official intrusion by Washington into its internal politics and as a violation of their country’s sovereignty.

That perception could undermine US’ efforts to foster its relationship with Pakistan as part of its goal of fighting al Qaeda in Afghanistan
and throughout the region, Walsh said.

“The alliance with Pakistan is an extremely sensitive, important and difficult relationship for the United States,” the attorney said.

He asked Judge Irizarry to throw the lawsuit out, emphasising that any argument with Pakistan should be dealt with by US political institutions not the US courts which have no jurisdiction over government agencies in Pakistan.

The judge has not yet ruled on the issue.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 31st,  2011.

“We do not see immediate worry over the rise in inflation,” said acting Governor Yaseen Anwar while explaining unveiling the monetary policy.

Average inflation is expected to remain within the ‘line of announced target’ of 11 to 12 percent in fiscal year 2012, he said.

The decision was against market expectation as all eleven analysts polled by The Express Tribune on Thursday forecast that the central bank’s will leave the discount rate unchanged at 14 per cent.

The discount rate, revised every two months, is the interest charged by the central bank when it lends to other banks.

Anwar dispelled the perception that the rate has been reduced under government’s pressure.

“Our board is independent and we took this decision with the consensus of our members,” he said.

Government borrowing

While the government adhered to restricting the stock of its borrowings from SBP, its borrowing from scheduled banks has increased substantially.

Government borrowing to finance its budget deficit contributes largely to inflation in the economy and crowds out investment in the private sector, weakening the productive capacity of the economy.

Given that the government’s borrowing from scheduled banks increased by 74.5 percent in fiscal 2011, persistent inflation is not a surprising pgenomenon.

The central bank observed that government borrowing from scheduled banks will need to be ‘monitored closely to assess potential risks for macroeconomic stability.’

Anwar, however, said that the government has expressed its commitment to continue with a stance of zero borrowings from SBP in yearly flow terms in fiscal 2012, which bodes well for anchoring inflation expectations.

He stressed that ‘an effective implementation of fiscal reforms, especially those related to broadening of the tax base, and better coordination with the provinces are urgently required.’

Published in The Express Tribune, July 31st,  2011.

Meanwhile, confusion persists over the timing and purpose of the IMF team’s upcoming visit to Islamabad.

Authorities have been unable to work out the modalities of the team’s upcoming visit, given the ‘miserable fiscal performance’ during the last financial year, said finance ministry sources.

Poor performance, no support

Due to the government’s failure in meeting the budget deficit and revenue targets and inability to reform the energy sector, there are extremely slim chances that the IMF would restore the suspended programme and send a review mission, a prerequisite to receiving the next $1.7 billion loan tranche, sources said.

During the last fiscal year, the overall budget deficit – gap between income and spending – stood at 6.5 per cent of GDP, or Rs1,174 billion, against a revised target of 4.7 per cent of GDP.

Tax collection, meanwhile, stood at Rs1,550 billion against a thrice-revised target of Rs1,588 billion.

Unlike previously, Pakistan does not enjoy support of the United States this time around when all economic indicators, except the current account, have deteriorated.

Sources said the US had informed Islamabad in April that “it needs to satisfy the IMF.” The message was delivered by the then-senior economic adviser to President Obama, David Lipton, who has recently been appointed first deputy managing director of the IMF.

Status and timing of next mission

The status and the timing of the next IMF mission are also contentious.

Key policymakers do not want a mission without having a mandate of ‘fifth economic review.’ The last review was held in May 2010 following which, the programme was suspended.

Sources say there are finance ministry officials lobbying for an IMF visit, irrespective of its mandate, but such an assessment mission in March last year made things rather difficult for Pakistan.

Besides, whether the mission should come before expiry of the suspended programme on September 30 is also a divisive issue.

IMF’s country representative Paul Ross is scheduled to hold a meeting with Finance Minster Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh on Monday.

Sources said there are expectations that the fate of the upcoming visit would be decided by the end of next week. They added that hopes of revival of the suspended programme have been quashed.

Second programme

There are also divergent views on when to formally enter into negotiations for a second IMF bailout programme.

Those who support seeking a second programme after the next general elections say that Pakistan needs to consolidate its position before doing so.

They foresee a tough second programme with pre-conditions including sale of loss-making entities and downsizing of employees in state-owned enterprises.

They argue that a new political set-up should hold talks with the lender as there may be issues of credibility and ownership with the present political setup negotiating a new loan.

There are also concerns of sustainability of government’s revenue generation measures.

“Most of the actions taken by the government had a one-off impact, like the flood tax,” said a source. “What the IMF now seeks is sustainable adjustments that would not only ensure economic sustainability but also ensure timely return of the fund’s loan.”

Policymakers need to have ‘vulnerability analyses’ before requesting for another mission visit or going for a second programme, sources said.

Meanwhile, temporary stability in the external financial position provides breathing space to poli-cymakers before holding talks with the IMF for a second programme, sources said.

The current account surplus, a relatively stable rupee against the dollar and over $18 billion in reserves will help keep the pressure off even if Pakistan delays talks for a second programme, they added.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 31st,  2011.

Ministers of the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) without portfolios are likely to be handed three recently constituted ministries, The Express Tribune has learnt.

The three new ministries constituted by Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on July 29 include the Ministry of National Harmony, Ministry of Human Resource Development and Ministry of Professional and Technical Training.

PML-Q chief Chaudry Shujaat Hussain’s brother, Chaudry Wajahat Hussain, will be given the portfolio for minister of human resource development, whereas Sheikh Waqas Akram is likely to be made minister of state for human resource development. Akram Masih Gill will be made minister of national harmony, while Riaz Hussain Pirzada will be made minister of professional and technical training. Sardar Shahjehan Yousaf is likely to be made minister of state for professional and technical training, sources told The Express Tribune.

The constitution of the new ministries comes after a lapse of nearly three months since the PML-Q joined the Pakistan Peoples Party-led coalition.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 31st,  2011.

“There has never been a dispute on targeting al Qaeda. The ISI had translated a communication of (Abu Ahmed) al Kuwaiti (Bin Laden’s courier) from Arabic for the CIA which ultimately led to the compound of the al Qaeda chief,” a source said. “The ISI had somehow failed to follow that communication,” the source added.

The source slammed a statement from the CIA chief after the May 2 operation as ‘rubbing salt into their wounds’. Leon Panetta, who is now President Barack Obama’s top defence adviser, had said that Pakistan was either complacent or incompetent in the Bin Laden issue.

“The US and Pakistan have realisation to cooperate against the common enemy (terrorism). But undefined arrangements have resulted in (CIA contractor) Raymond Davis-like incidents that had brought embarrassment for us. We have to set parameters to avert such situations in future. We must work out arrangements acceptable to both sides,” the source said.

After the May 2 raid Pakistan’s image was tarnished abroad. “Had this operation been carried out by Pakistani forces, things would  have been different,” the source said and added that Pakistan-US relations should be redefined, documented and streamlined.

“The militaries and governments of the two countries should cooperate with each other against the common enemy. And pressure should be eased from Pakistan because it constricts space for manoeuvres. We are losing space which is required for success against the militants,” the source said.

The source insisted that both sides need to know each other’s terms of reference. “Leave the judgment to us, let us read our environment, we have to shape the condition, it cannot happen on the wishes of others”.

About Afghanistan, the source said Pakistan has strong reservations over the capability of the Afghan National Army (ANA) to tackle security following the withdrawal of foreign troops from the war-torn country. “If the US Congress loses interest in Afghanistan, the ANA would be facing severe financial problems.”

The source said that parts of the Afghan province of Nuristan are under the Taliban control. Foreign forces have pulled out from all forward bases in Kunar and Nuristan provinces. And the source said that because of this flocks of militants are using these regions as launching pads for undoing Pakistani forces’ achievements in Mohmand and Bajaur tribal regions.

About the Shamsi airbase, the source said that the US forces have vacated from most parts of it. “There are no drones at the Shamsi airbase. They are operating from Afghanistan.” The source added that there was no agreement with the US on the drone campaign and the base was given to the US for logistics and not active operations. “To our judgment the drone campaign is counterproductive, which is further complicating the problem,” the source said.

The source quashed as untrue the popular western notion that Pakistan was not doing more or moving in a certain direction in the fight against militancy. “Pakistani forces have regained control of Damadolla, in Bajaur Agency, which was the al Qaeda headquarters,” the source said.

They are also fighting against their own people. “This puts lots of constraints on the military… We want sustainable peace and military operations do not guarantee sustainable peace, the source said and added that there should be a non-military solution to the issue.

The source said that the government was trying to restore the ‘old order’ which was working in the tribal areas. “We must give back this area to (Pakhtun) tribes, so that they must not join hands with the militants.”

The source claimed that the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) was banished from Bajaur and Mohmand and its chapter in Swat has been closed. “A lot of them (TTP militants) have been killed. Nearly 1,500 militants have surrendered in Mohmand Agency, where the forces have destroyed seven IED-making factories,” the source said but added that complete purge would take some time.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 31st,  2011.

Judge Mian Altaf Hussain Mahar acquitted all the accused, including former chairman of Board of Revenue AR Siddiqui and declared that Asif Zardari, being the President of Pakistan, is immune from criminal prosecution under Article 248 (2) of the constitution.

In the 35-page judgment, the judge, however, declared several officials of SGS – a Swiss inspection, verification, testing and certification company, including director Jens Schlegelmilch and vice president Colin Robey as proclaimed offenders for their absence and issued their arrest warrants.

In the SGS reference filed in 1997, it was alleged that Siddiqi negotiated a pre-shipment contract between the Government of Pakistan and SGS to obtain pecuniary advantages for then prime minister Benazir Bhutto and her spouse Asif Ali Zardari on September 20, 1994.

They were accused of receiving kickbacks through the offshore bank accounts of Schlegelmilch.

The court referred to statements of various prosecution witnesses and arguments of defence counsel Muhammad Arshad Tabrez and said that the pre-shipment scheme and the award of contract to SGS and Cotecna had brought an additional Rs27 billion in the national exchequer.

“Indeed, for each dollar paid to the companies, the government benefited by nearly $7 in additional revenue. The pre-shipment inspection scheme also curtailed corruption in the customs department,” the judgment stated.

The defence attorney had argued that there was practically no evidence against the accused and that none of the prosecution witnesses had made any statement suggesting that the accused or co-accused had received any commissions and kickbacks.

The prosecution story on kickbacks and their deposit in the Geneva Bank has been falsified through the statement of prosecution witnesses 13 (who is also the investigation officer in the case) and 16, the court said.

The prosecution witnesses also admitted to the defence’s version that the relationship of the principal accused with foreign companies had not been established, and admitted that the pre-shipment scheme was first introduced in Pakistan in 1990 and a similar draft agreement was prepared during the government of Nawaz Sharif, but was not executed.

The court noted that prosecution witness 13 had admitted that he had not come across any evidence showing that Bhutto, Zardari and Siddiqui had collaborated and abused their authority in awarding the contract.

It said that not an iota of reliable and admissible evidence has come on record to prove allegations that SGS had given kickbacks to Zardari.

Prosecution witness 13 also admitted that Zardari had no concern with any bank account in Geneva relating to the offshore companies.

The verdict said that there is sufficient material on record to believe that idea of pre-shipment scheme was not floated for the first time in 1994 but that even in 1990 the SGS was selected for the award of contract through international bidding.

ARY case

The court also acquitted former commerce secretary Brig (retd) Aslam Hayat Qureshi, former principal secretary to president Salman Farooqi, three directors of ARY Gold Company – Haji Abdur Razzaq Yaqoob, Abdur Rauf and Jan Muhammad – in the case of giving and taking gold important licence in violation of the rules and regulations.

The proceedings in the case have already been dropped following the death of Bhutto because President Zardari already enjoys constitutional immunity.

The court, however, issued permanent arrest warrants for former finance secretary Javed Talat and declared him a proclaimed absconder for not appearing in the court.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 31st,  2011.

“The vehicle was passing by a bus stand when gunmen riding in another car opened fire, killing at least 11 people and wounding three others,” Quetta’s police chief Hamid Shakeel said.

Another police official said it appeared to be a sectarian attack as all those killed were Shias from the Hazara community.

Outlawed militant organisation Lashkar-i-Jhangvi has claimed responsibility for the attack. Ali Sher Haideri, who claimed to be the spokesperson for the banned outfit, called different newspaper offices and TV channels and claimed his organisation had carried out the attack and said that attacks on the Shia community would continue.

Balochistan Inspector-General (IG) Police Rao Mohammad Amin Hashim told reporters that around 250 suspects had been taken into custody in connection with the killings since Friday evening.

“Police do not possess magical  power to trace these culprits and obviously we will need cooperation from the people to identify these criminals,” he said, adding that their hideouts were being raided.

As many as 18 people have so far fallen victim to sectarian targeted killings during the past 16 hours in the provincial capital.

Seven people had been gunned down at a bus terminal on the Saryab Road a day ago and the same organisation had claimed responsibility for the attack.

A senior police official, quoting an eyewitness said that a passenger pick-up, heading towards Hazara Town from Marriabad, came under attack near Killi Mubarak on Spiny Road, near the DIG (operations) office.

“Armed men were waiting in a car on the road. They opened indiscriminate fire when the vehicle, which was carrying people belonging to the Hazara community, reached the bus stop.

Eleven people, including a woman and a rickshaw driver, died on the spot, while three others were seriously injured,” an eyewitness said.

After the firing, the van’s driver lost control of the vehicle, resulting in the vehicle plunging into a ditch long the road. The assailants managed to escape.

“I saw a man, armed with a Kalashnikov, step out from the car and open fire,” another eyewitness said.

Police later shifted bodies to the Bolan Medical College (BMC) Hospital.

Backlash

After the incident, hundreds of people of the Hazara community reached the hospital and resorted to violence, smashing window panes and ransacking the premises and harassing the hospital staff.

Enraged protesters torched seven vehicles and a roadside hotel on the Brewery Road and in Faisal Town.

“Some of the protesters were armed and they continued their violent protest for several hours without any hinderance,” a journalist said.

However, several hours later police reached the area in large numbers and brought the situation under control.

Attack condemned

Interior Minister Rehman Malik said that ‘enemies of the state’ were trying to destabilise the country and that men who opened fire on the van were ‘hired’ killers.

Speaking to the media at Karachi airport, Malik condemned the Quetta incident and said some ‘elements’ were trying to ‘weaken’ the country.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza and President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the incident and condoled with the relatives of the victims’ families.  Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Mohammad Aslam Raisani and Governor Nawab Zulafiqar Ali Magsi directed the police to take necessary steps to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 31^th,  2011.

KARACHI: Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani on Saturday reiterated that peace in Karachi, the economic hub of the country, was the number one priority for the Federal Government.

While speaking to media after a launching ceremony of plot sales for Pakistan Textile City at the Sindh Governor House on Saturday, he said “it is in the best interest of the country that peace and stability is maintained in Karachi.”

“I appeal to all the political leadership of the country and our coalition partners to give priority to Karachi.  This should be across the board,” Gilani said, as Governor Sindh Isratul Ebad, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, and Textile Minister Makhdoom Shahabuddin stood in audience.

The Prime Minister said he had detailed discussion with Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Altaf Hussain on Friday. “I appreciated his support for PPP’s initiative of “Aman Rally”. I also appreciated his [Altaf Hussain] gesture and his advice to party workers for taking part in the rally”.

He said “We need to follow this spirit to maintain peace in Karachi as it is vital for Pakistan”.

Responding to a question about law and order in the metropolis, he said it was the primary responsibility of provincial government and the Governor and Chief Minister of Sindh to take steps in this regard.

The Federal Government, he said, was there to give information and input of intelligence agencies to support their efforts. “We are even ready to help the province in its capacity building in the fight against terrorism. The federal government will endorse whatever decision they take in this regard”, he added.

Implementation of 7th NFC Award

On a question about Sindh government’s concerns about 7th NFC Award, he said that the Federal Government will honestly implement this Award in letter and spirit.

The Prime Minister pointed out that it was impossible that this Award not be implemented in the presence of their President and their own government at the Center.

He said there is a misconception about it. “I had also called the meeting of Council of Common Interests (CCI) which took several decisions and we will implement those decisions in accordance with the Constitution of Pakistan”, he added.

Gilani pointed out that the nation was passing through an evolution process. “There is media activism. Parliament and the Judiciary are also active and civil society is also vibrant”, he added.

Judiciary versus the State

He said there was a trichotomy of power in-built in the Constitution. “Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto gave us the Constitution and we restored it unanimously to its original shape. If there is any misunderstanding, it should be resolved by the respective institutions” , he added.

The judiciary and the Parliament, he said, gained this position after a lot of sacrifices from the lawyers community and political workers.“We will not allow derailing of this system at any cost”, he added.

Responding to a question about holding of All Parties’ Conference on Karachi issue, the Prime Minister said it was up to the Chief Minister of Sindh. “He can organise this if he feels necessary. I will come as a worker. I want stability in Pakistan. No government in power will want instability in its tenure. We do not want this”, he added.

Referring to the query about the relations between the government and the judiciary, he said the government will implement Supreme Court’s orders.

ISLAMABAD: Following media reports that the Pakistan government had imposed travel restrictions on US diplomats, the Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has clarified that the restrictions are not US-specific and are general guidelines regarding travel for Pakistan-based diplomats.

In a statement posted on their website, the Ministry said:

“In response to a question regarding travel curbs on US diplomats, the Foreign Ministry Spokesperson said that no US-specific restrictions have been applied. However, there are general guidelines regarding travel of Pakistan-based diplomats, designed only to ensure their safety and security, which have existed for a long time.

Pakistan is fully mindful of its obligations under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

The Foreign Ministry is having a constructive engagement with the US Embassy in Islamabad in this regard.”

Relations between Pakistan and US have deteriorated over the past months and a number of US diplomats, along with other foreign visitors have been turned back from places like Peshawar, having been deemed to dangerous for visitors.