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RAWALPINDI: Despite the sacrifices of people and security institutions, General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani,  said that Pakistan still remained in a state of war. He was addressing the commemorative ceremony for Youm-e-Shuhada (Day of Martyrs) in Rawalpindi on Monday.

However, he expressed confidence that the nation would succeed against the odds. “We will succeed in our efforts if we have complete faith in the ideology of Pakistan.”

With the question of national sovereignty and foreign policy being asked again as Pakistan bid adieu to US Af-Pak special ambassador Marc Grossman, Kayani said the armed forces would follow the national policy formulated with consensus in the Parliament, keeping in view sovereignty and dignity of the country.

Addressing the gathering of distinguished guests, including parliamentarians, diplomats, families of martyrs and senior military officials on the third Youm-e-Shuhada Day (day of martyrs), he said, “the main objective for all of us is to make Pakistan a strong country and we should not forget this objective.”

He said the armed forces believed in a strong democratic system and its continuity in the country, whose development and prosperity was linked with the respect of democratic values.

General Kayani said the Constitution clearly determines the responsibilities and duties of national institutions and “it is imperative to fulfill our responsibilities in such a manner which improves our own and the country’s image.”

He said the primary objective of democratic system should be the welfare and prosperity of people besides creating a balanced society with equal opportunities of justice. “It is only way to further strengthen Pakistan’s national security.”

About the Abbottabad incident and the attack on Salala post, he said despite the unprecedented sacrifices of Pakistani people and the armed forces, some external forces have failed to acknowledge it. The resultant situation has put the people under mental stress, and as a result, were forced to review bilateral relations with them, he said, before adding, “we understand that others should also respect our sovereignty and dignity.”

Recounting the successes of Pakistan’s security forces, including the Army, Frontier Constabulary, Frontier Corps, Rangers and Police, he said what they had achieved, was through sacrifices in the fight against extremism and terrorism in difficult areas. He said these sacrifices were a hallmark of history. “We all pay glowing tributes to them,” he added.

Even as he praised the security forces, he was quick to point out that the most important sacrifices were rendered by the Pakistani people who gave courage and determination to the forces to fight on.

Giyari soldiers remembered

The Chief of Army Staff expressed his, the army and the nation’s sorrow over the tragedy that befell 139 soldiers trapped under the avalanche in Gayari sector, on Siachen glacier.

“We are utilising all our resources to recover our colleagues despite very difficult conditions there,” he said, adding that the entire nation, especially the armed forces, were sad over the tragic incident.

Appreciating the role of countries, institutions and individuals who have extended their cooperation for the recovery of missing soldiers, he vowed to continue the search and rescue operation until the last missing soldier is recovered.

Earlier, General Kayani laid a wreath at the Yadgar-e-Shuhada monument to pay homage to the sacrifices rendered by sons of the soil. A smartly turned out contingent of the Pakistan Army presented guard of honour to the martyrs.

Federal Defence Minister Ch Ahmed Mukhtar, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira and Interior Minister A Rehman Malik were also present at the ceremony.

WASHINGTON: After facing condemnation, and a fresh protest lodged by Pakistan over its controversial drone program, the US finds that the programme is wise, legal and just.

The US drone programme, operated by its spy agency, the Central Investigation Agency (CIA), has reportedly killed 2,200 people in Pakistan (August 2011 tally), including 168 children among at least 385 civilians and non-combatants. It has been a source of public anger and last month, in its US policy review, Pakistan decided to ask US to stop the attacks.

On Monday, US President Barack Obama’s assistant on counterterrorism and homeland security, John Brennan said that they are carried out “in full accordance with the law”.

Speaking at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington DC, Brennan said, “there is nothing in international law that bans the use of remotely piloted aircraft for this purpose or that prohibits us from using lethal force against our enemies outside of an active battlefield, at least when the country involved consents or is unable or unwilling to take action against the threat.”

Earlier this year, President Obama, whose administration like the one before it had never officially acknowledged the programme, admitted in a television interview that the US was was using the remotely piloted armed aircrafts to attack, and even kill targets on the ground.

Brennan’s speech was interrupted in the first half when a woman stood up and protested, raising slogans against the drone strikes and deaths of civilians in Pakistan. She was escorted out by security officials.

Returning to the legal defense of the programme, Brennan cited domestic laws, and said that the Authorisation for Use of Military Force passed by Congress after September 11 attacks “authorises the president ‘to use all necessary and appropriate force’ against those nations, organisations and individuals responsible for 9/11.”

“There is nothing in the AUMF that restricts the use of military force against al Qaeda to Afghanistan.”

On the subject of international law and drone strikes, the WH official said that the US is in an armed conflict with the al Qaeda, Taliban and associated forces after the 9/11 attacks. “We may also use force consistent with our inherent right of national self-defense.”

Brennan described drone strikes as wise as they reduced danger to innocent civilians. He said that the US only authorises strikes of which they have a “high degree of confidence that innocent civilians will not be injured or killed, except in the rarest of circumstances.” However he acknowledged that civilian casualties have taken place. “When it does, it pains us and we regret it deeply, as we do any time innocents are killed in war.”

The White House official cited legal arguments that justified the drone strikes, and said that they have set a high bar when they make the decision to carry out a drone strike, and that they are committed to greater transparency.

“When considering lethal force we are of course mindful that there are important checks on our ability to act unilaterally in foreign territories.  We do not use force whenever we want, wherever we want.  International legal principles, including respect for a state’s sovereignty and the laws of war, impose constraints.  The United States of America respects national sovereignty and international law,” the WH official maintained.

Brennan also pointed out how the drone campaign had pushed al Qaeda to the brink, with its slain leader, Osama bin Laden claiming it to be “disaster, disaster” in documents seized from the Abbottabad hideout where he was killed by US special forces almost a year ago.

SIACHEN: After three weeks, the Siachen rescue operation continues at Gayari sector, with more engineering equipment being dispatched to augment the search and probe operation, including 19 excavators, bulldozers and dumpers.

According to an Inter-Service Public Relations (ISPR) press release issued on Monday, ground-penetrating radar teams have scanned a total of 176 points at various locations and identified 44 points for excavation.

Excavation and physical search continues at all locations and all efforts are being made to maintain the pace of work despite challenges.

A protection band was being made between an artificial lake and the avalanche to prevent inundation of excavated site.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday summoned a senior US diplomat to lodge a formal protest over Sunday’s drone attack inside the tribal belt, igniting fresh tensions between the two countries.

“US Political Councilor, Jonathan Pratt was summoned at the Foreign office by Director General America over yesterday’s drone attack,” according to an official statement issued here.

A similar protest was also lodged in Washington to convey Islamabad’s displeasure over the unilateral strikes.

The remotely piloted aircraft targeted an abandoned girls’ high school building used by militants in Miranshah, the main town in North Waziristan on Sunday, officials and witnesses said. The strike reportedly killed four militants and injured three others.

The Predator attack was the first since the Parliament approved new terms of engagements that seek an immediate halt in the CIA-piloted campaign.

During recent high-level talks, Pakistan had categorically told the US that drones are totally unacceptable.

At a joint news conference with US Special Envoy Marc Grossman last week, Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani reiterated Pakistan’s strong opposition to the CIA-piloted drone campaign in the tribal areas.

“We consider drones as illegal, non-productive and accordingly unacceptable,” he emphasised.

Separately, President Asif Zardari told the visiting top American diplomat that the two sides should consider setting up a framework of mechanism to find mutually acceptable alternatives to drone strikes in Pakistan.

The Obama administration considers drone campaign crucial to eliminate ‘high value’ targets associated with al-Qaeda and the Taliban from the tribal areas.

But the US policy has now turned out to be one of the major sticking point hindering cooperation between the two countries.

Recently, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar acknowledged that despite Pakistan’s repeated demands, the US was not listening to Pakistan’s demands to stop the drone attacks.

KARACHI: After their maiden flight from Karachi to Islamabad, B4-213 crashed just before it was due to land on April 20, Bhoja Air has announced initial compensation of Rs500,000 for the legal heirs of the victims.

In an official statement released on Monday, the private airline said that the compensation will be given to heirs after they produced their legal heir-ship certificates and the nomination certificate.

It added that the heirs will then be paid an initial amount of Rs500,000, which will be deducted from the final settlement, to be ascertained as per law.

Bhoja Air can be contacted on 111-111-265 for any further queries regarding the compensation.

Earlier, talking to The Express Tribune, aviation lawyers said that under the Carriage by Air Act of 2012, the families of the Bhoja Air crash victims are entitled to at least Rs5 million in compensation.

Bhoja Air flights to resume after May 4

The statement added that despite the incident, Bhoja Air has continued its daily flight operations from Karachi to Lahore and back. It will resume Islamabad and Multan flights after May 4, 2012.

It added that all offices of the airline remained fully functional.

PESHAWAR: A community police personnel was killed and a policeman sustained serious injuries after a bomb exploded on Charsadda Road near Garhi Sobat Khan in Peshawar on Monday evening.

Police officials talking to The Expess Tribune said that a police party, mix of regular police and community police personnel, were on a routine patrol within the remits of Khazana Police Station when they came under a bomb attack which injured two police men.

One of the injured was identified as Javed. They were rushed to the hospital where Javed succumbed to his injuries.

DSP Riazul Islam told The Express Tribune that it was a powerful bomb attack which targeted a police patrol. “Gulzar and Javed are among the injured men. Javed is a community police personnel, who was hired on a two year contract,” he explained.

Islam said that the entire area has been cordoned off and a search operation is underway in the area.

“Javed expired in the hospital while the other injured is out of danger now,” said the DSP.

Earlier on April 16,  a six year old student was killed, while another one was injured when unidentified miscreants threw a hand grenade into a school in the Chargo Kalay area of Peshawar.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Peshawar has been regularly targeted by militants, attacking schools and tribal leaders for supporting the government in quashing militancy in the province.

ISLAMABAD: Hours after Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif warned  Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani to step down or face a protest movement, all hell broke loose in the National Assembly as the opposition benches raised slogans and disrupted the session.

MNAs from PML-N had arrived in the National Assembly wearing black armbands as a sign of protest against Gilani, who has repeatedly refused their calls to step down on account of his conviction by the Supreme Court of Pakistan in a contempt case.

Members of PML-N went straight to sloganeering after the recitation of the Holy Quran, disrupting the question and answer session. The MNAs were seen holding up placards that said ‘Go Gilani Go’, ‘We want freedom’ and ‘Respect the judiciary’.

They also tore up booklets and threw them towards the front of the assembly.

So loud was the ruckus created by PML-N MNAs, Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Dr Asim Hussain failed to start the question and answer session due to the noise in the assembly.

Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Faisal Karim Kundi was forced to adjourn the session till Wednesday.

The parliamentary committee of PML-N had earlier met under the chairmanship of Leader of the Opposition Chaudhry Nisar to devise a strategy for their protest against Gilani’s refusal to step down as prime minister.

During an earlier session, PML-N MNAs had threatened that they would not let Gilani sit on his chair in the assembly, but had walked out in protest instead.

The PML-N has repeatedly called for Gilani to step down as prime minister since the Supreme Court of Pakistan convicted him in a contempt of court case after he refused to write a letter to Swiss authorities, asking that cases against President Asif Ali Zardari be reopened.

The largest opposition party – PML-N – has already announced it would continue to force the ruling PPP to nominate a new prime minister.

LAHORE / ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif warned the government on following the Supreme Court’s order in the prime minister contempt of court case or face a protest movement. “The movement will start this week. It will start today.”

Speaking to the media on Monday after chairing the party’s Central Working Committee meeting in Islamabad, Sharif recalled the Judges’ Restoration movement in 2009 and called on the people to show the same zeal to restore the rule of law in the country.

“After restoring the judges, I thought that the law will prevail in the country but that did not happen. The Zardari government never accepted the law and refused to comply with the court orders,” Sharif complained.

He added that all over the world, leaders step down from their posts after being convicted but here the government ‘makes fun’ of the court orders and the leaders keep ‘sticking’ to their posts.

The party chief called on the opposition parties as well as ‘every Pakistani’ to come out on the streets to take the country forward. “I invite all the opposition parties to rise above all political differences and unite for this cause,” said Sharif adding that the party will also approach the Election Commission of Pakistan to pass a decision regarding Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani’s disqualification.

“I am very upset today, we are standing at a tragic point. We had dreamt that the country would be run in a beautiful manner… I signed the Charter of Democracy. I would have been satisfied and a happy Pakistani if the government worked according to the charter. But this government has disappointed me.

“If the government had done some good work, I would have been happy to see it in power for five more years… But we can’t hand over the government to animals.”

The decision to hold a long march to pressurise Prime Minister Gilani to step down was taken during the party’s Central Working Committee attended by senior leaders including Ahsan Iqbal and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.

The party’s parliamentary committee will be meeting under the chairmanship of Chaudhry Nisar shortly.

The PML-N has repeatedly called for Gilani to step down as prime minister since the Supreme Court of Pakistan convicted him in a contempt of court case after he refused to write a letter to Swiss authorities, asking that cases against President Asif Ali Zardari be reopened.

The largest opposition party – PML-N – has already announced it would continue to force the ruling PPP to nominate a new prime minister.

Gilani has repeatedly refused to step down, and has recently stated that his conviction has nothing to do with disqualification.

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LONDON: The Red Cross said Monday it had been in contact with the kidnappers of a British humanitarian worker before he was killed by his captors in Pakistan.

Sean Maguire, the humanitarian organisation’s spokesman in Britain, refused to say whether the captors had demanded a ransom for Khalil Dale, who was snatched in January.

Police said 60-year-old Dale’s body was found near Quetta on Sunday.

He had been beheaded and a note on his mutilated body said he was killed after his captors’ demands were not met.

“It’s inappropriate to go into the details of any contact we might have had with the abductors,” Maguire told BBC radio.

“We said that we had some contact with the abductors but we wouldn’t want to give succour to future kidnappers by saying yes, we countenanced paying a ransom.

“We did everything possible to try to get Khalil out and we’re very sad that our efforts failed.

“It doesn’t necessarily follow that because you don’t want to go into the details of any conversations that you may or may not have had that you countenance paying a ransom.”

He said the organisation took a consistent and systematic approach to dealing with kidnappings.

Maguire said the Red Cross was in “horror” and would now review its operations in Pakistan.

“His death, to our mind, is senseless and barbaric,” he said.

“We will take stock and review what we should be doing and what the risk-benefit balance is of operating in different parts of Pakistan.”

The British government has a stated policy of not paying ransoms in hostage cases.

LONDON: The Red Cross said Monday it had been in contact with the kidnappers of a British humanitarian worker before he was killed by his captors in Pakistan.

Sean Maguire, the humanitarian organisation’s spokesman in Britain, refused to say whether the captors had demanded a ransom for Khalil Dale, who was snatched in January.

Police said 60-year-old Dale’s body was found near Quetta on Sunday.

He had been beheaded and a note on his mutilated body said he was killed after his captors’ demands were not met.

“It’s inappropriate to go into the details of any contact we might have had with the abductors,” Maguire told BBC radio.

“We said that we had some contact with the abductors but we wouldn’t want to give succour to future kidnappers by saying yes, we countenanced paying a ransom.

“We did everything possible to try to get Khalil out and we’re very sad that our efforts failed.

“It doesn’t necessarily follow that because you don’t want to go into the details of any conversations that you may or may not have had that you countenance paying a ransom.”

He said the organisation took a consistent and systematic approach to dealing with kidnappings.

Maguire said the Red Cross was in “horror” and would now review its operations in Pakistan.

“His death, to our mind, is senseless and barbaric,” he said.

“We will take stock and review what we should be doing and what the risk-benefit balance is of operating in different parts of Pakistan.”

The British government has a stated policy of not paying ransoms in hostage cases.

KARACHI: Senior Education and Literacy Minister Pir Mazharul Haq has filed a privilege motion against Pakistan Muslim League -Functional (PML-F) MPA Marvi Rashdi for leveling what he claims are false allegations regarding the appointment of his wife in the Sindh Education Department.

The issue sparked on April 27, when Rashdi spoke in the assembly on the appointment. At the time, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) legislators lashed out at Rashdi for her remarks. Haq is also the PPP parliamentary leader in the Sindh Assembly.

Earlier in the day, PML-F’s parliamentary leader in the Sindh Assembly Jam Madad Ali apologised for any hurt caused to Pir Mazharul Haq after PML-F MPA Rashdi raised the issue of Haq’s wife but Haq asked that Rashdi apologise as well.

PML-F’s Jam Madad Ali also asked that if the PPP did not want to deal with the PML-F anymore – “We know you don’t like us” – they should ask party co-chairperson and President Asif Ali Zardari to ask PML-F head Pir Pagaro VIII to abandon the policy of reconciliation.

He also condemned the criticism directed by Sindh Information Minister Shazia Marri for the late Pir Pagaro VII after the assembly session on Friday.

KARACHI: Senior Education and Literacy Minister Pir Mazharul Haq has filed a privilege motion against Pakistan Muslim League -Functional (PML-F) MPA Marvi Rashdi for leveling what he claims are false allegations regarding the appointment of his wife in the Sindh Education Department.

The issue sparked on April 27, when Rashdi spoke in the assembly on the appointment. At the time, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) legislators lashed out at Rashdi for her remarks. Haq is also the PPP parliamentary leader in the Sindh Assembly.

Earlier in the day, PML-F’s parliamentary leader in the Sindh Assembly Jam Madad Ali apologised for any hurt caused to Pir Mazharul Haq after PML-F MPA Rashdi raised the issue of Haq’s wife but Haq asked that Rashdi apologise as well.

PML-F’s Jam Madad Ali also asked that if the PPP did not want to deal with the PML-F anymore – “We know you don’t like us” – they should ask party co-chairperson and President Asif Ali Zardari to ask PML-F head Pir Pagaro VIII to abandon the policy of reconciliation.

He also condemned the criticism directed by Sindh Information Minister Shazia Marri for the late Pir Pagaro VII after the assembly session on Friday.

LAHORE: The widow and mother-in-law of one of Raymond Davis’ victims were allegedly killed by his father-in-law after a domestic dispute in the Johar Town area of Lahore on Monday, The Express Tribune learnt.

Faizan Haider and Faheem Shamshad were allegedly shot dead by American official Raymond Davis in a market area of Lahore on January 26, 2011.

Zahra, widow of Faizan Haider and her mother Nabeela were allegedly shot dead by Zahra’s father at their home in 52-B-1, Johar Lahore. The killer, who was identified as Shehzad Butt, fled the scene after the incident. The two were killed by Butt after a domestic dispute had erupted. Family sources claimed that Butt opposed Zahra marrying anyone other than Faizan’s brother, while the mother and daughter were against it.

Sanaullah, a security guard at a nearby school said that he heard firing at around 12:15pm and he saw Zahra’s body outside the property, while Nabeela was lying on the porch of the house. Johar Town and Town Ship Police reached the spot immediately after the killings and the bodies were shifted to a postmortem house for autopsy. They revealed that Nabeela was shot inside the house, while Zahra was shot in the street as she tried to flee.

Neighbours, on condition of anonymity said that they often heard screaming from the residence. Shehzad wanted her to marry Faizan’s brother, but she and Nabeela opposed this. A month ago Zahra secretly married another man, and when her father found out about it, he became furious which resulted in him killing his daughter and wife.

LAHORE: The widow and mother-in-law of one of Raymond Davis’ victims were killed by the father-in-law after a domestic dispute in the Johar Town area of Lahore on Monday.

Faizan Haider and Faheem Shamshad had been shot dead by American official Raymond Davis in a market area of Lahore on January 26, 2011.

Today, the widow and mother-in-law were shot dead by Faizan Haider’s father-in-law at their home in Lahore. The father-in-law, who was identified as Shehzad Butt, fled the scene after the incident.

Zahra and her mother Nabeela were killed by Butt after a domestic dispute had erupted. Express News reports that family sources claimed that the father was not in favour of Zahra marrying for a second time, while the mother and daughter had wanted to do so.

Butt shot Nabeela inside the house, while Zahra was shot in the street when she tried to flee.

The wife of the other victim, Faheem, had committed suicide last year. Shumaila had swallowed poisonous pills fearing the American would be released without trial.

ISLAMABAD: Amid demands that he should step down, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said on Monday that the conviction in the contempt case against him is not related to disqualification.

Speaking to the media in Islamabad, Gilani said that the 30-second detention which, will also “qualify a mention in the Guinness Book of World Records”, did not have anything to do with disqualification.

He said that the opposition should “show some patience” because he had the right to appeal his conviction in the court.

The prime minister said that the regulation of the house was the Speaker’s prerogative and that if the speaker, Dr Fehmida Mirza, disqualifies him he will join the “people of Pakistan”.

Gilani said that former president of the United States, Bill Clinton, when found guilty of the charges against him did not resign and continued with his job and questioned the gathering as to why he was asked to resign on “moral grounds”.

He said, “Some say why did I not tender a resignation on the basis of morality, I ask, was I convicted for committing any acts of moral turpitude? I was only convicted because I acted according to the Constitution.”

Gilani said that he was “totally independent” and enjoyed immunity while discharging his duties.

“I respect the court which is why I went there thrice. Those who do not like to respect the courts had reservations the first time they were summoned.”

Lashing out at Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz’s (PML-N) response to his conviction, he said, “I ask today, how Nawaz Sharif managed the long journey from Adiala Prison to Jeddah.”

He said that when he was imprisoned, he received various “similar offers” but never paid heed to them.

“I spent 10 years of life in jail. I was jailed only because I gave jobs to the people of Pakistan and at that time too, I had told the court that if giving employment to the people is a crime then I will commit this crime again and again.”

The premier said that he was digging up old cases against the Sharif brothers and that they were brought back to people’s attention by Asghar Khan and Imran Khan.

“Imran Khan proved to be better than the Sharif brothers in this regard,” said Gilani. “They were scared that before them no one else could launch a long march. They did not even wait for the decision. Forget about long march, they cannot even carry out a short march.”

Gilani said that Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf president Javed Hashmi had met him at his nephew’s wedding and he said that his party will take a decision only when the court decides something.

He further said that the Sharif brothers had also become party in the hearing of the Memogate scandal and could not succeed in ousting the Pakistan Peoples Party-led government.

The prime minister said that he did not know of any such law which gave the court the authority to disqualify a democratically elected prime minister. To express himself better, he also read out a couplet by Ghalib:

Be khudi besabab nahin hai Ghalib, [This unconscious state - not without cause or reason, Ghalib]

Kuch toh hai jiski parda dari hai [There's something here that's surely being veiled.]

KARACHI: The police arrested around 20 suspects belonging to the Lyari Gangwar on Monday during the fourth day of the operation against criminal elements in the area, reported Express News.

The suspects include Javed, Shehzad, Shahid, Rizwan, Riaz, Mushtaq Khan, Abdul Aziz, Asif and others. The police claims that some of them even have bounty on their heads.

The overall death toll during the police operation reached 24 on Monday.

Families from the area continued to leave to move to safer locations as tension prevailed in the area.

Very few police personnel were seen present at Cheel Chowk in the morning, while no senior officers were present to lead them. It has been reported that the senior officials will arrive after attending the funeral of a police officer who had been killed earlier.

Markets in the area remain closed and many homes are reported to be without food, water and electricity.

Police had earlier cleared Nawa Lane and taken control of the area. Police had also claimed that the areas of Afshani Gali, Gul Mohammad Lane and Saifi Lane had been taken under control, but residents have refuted the claim and said that only Nawa Lane and some lanes of Cheel Chowk have been taken under control.

Protestors block ICI Bridge

Police resorted to baton-charging and using teargas after protestors blocked ICI Bridge, causing a traffic jam in the area.

The protestors had gathered on the bridge and were demanding that the operation in Lyari be stopped immediately. Police had let the protestors continue their demonstration for a little while and were forced to resort to aerial firing after they refused to leave.

More police personnel were called in control the situation.

Three killed in Sher Shah firing

Motorcyclists attacked two passenger buses in the Sher Shah area, critically injuring five passengers on board, three of whom passed away before reaching the hospital.

Two of the injured are reported to be in critical condition, and one of the injured has been identified as a police official who was on duty at the time of the incident.

In separate incidents, two coaches and a car were torched near Punkha Hotel.

Nine accomplices of Ahmed Ali Magsi arrested

Nine accomplices of a most-wanted criminal of banned Peoples Aman Committee, Ahmed Ali Magsi, were arrested by the police in the Liaquatabad area of Karachi on Monday.

A huge cache of arms and ammunition was also recovered during the police operation.

SP Special Investigation Unit (SIU) Khurram Waris told the media that a two-hour long operation was carried out at five in the morning in the Ilyas Goth area, and added that two suspects were also injured during an exchange of fire.

According to Waris, the suspects were involved in acts of murder, kidnapping for ransom and extortion, and have also confessed of killing crime branch officer Imran Baloch and his brother Sajjad.

Two Kalashnikov, two hand grenades, six pistols and one repeater was recovered from the suspects, said the police.

QUETTA: The Supreme Court of Pakistan directed the deputy commissioner and Tehsildar Baghabna to produce nine missing persons who were abducted from Tutak area of Khuzdar district on February 18, 2011.

Advocate Sajid Tareen lodged an application in the Supreme Court stating that earlier three people, including the sons of local tribal elder Sardar Ahmed Ali Qalandarni, were whisked away from Tutak area. A few days later, he said, over 24 people were taken away from the same area. Nine people are still missing while others were freed after remaining in captivity for a few days.

On a query about who kidnapped these people, Tareen said the deputy commissioner and Tehsildar are well aware about this.

The court summoned Deputy Commissioner Khuzdar Tariqur Rehman and Tehsildar Baghbana who informed the court that they are making efforts to recover these people. Former deputy commissioner Khuzdar also appeared before the court as directed.

Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry expressed his serious concern and warned the deputy commissioner and Tehsildar to produce these nine people before the court on the next date of hearing otherwise they will be arrested.

Sardar Ali Ahmed Qalandrani, whose sons are among the missing persons, was present in the court but he did not utter a single word. “He will say nothing since he is hoping that his sons and others will be recovered soon,” one of his relatives said.

Local people of Tutak area claimed that security forces had launched a search operation in the area on February 18, 2011 and 36 people were whisked away. However, officials of the area did not confirm the incident at that time.

Balochistan security case: Four missing persons presented before SC

While four missing persons recovered from Killi Ismail area of Quetta were presented before the Quetta registry of the Supreme Court on Monday, the apex court ordered that the three men abducted from the Shal Kot area, on the outskirts of Quetta, should be presented on Wednesday, Express News reported.

A three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry was hearing the case on the deteriorating law and order situation in Balochistan.

The chief justice observed that the fact that mutilated bodies are recovered everyday is spreading hatred amongst the people of Balochistan.

The Supreme Court sought a list of all missing persons in the province from the advocate general of Balochistan and ordered that it should be presented before the court within 24 hours.

Justice Khilji Arif in his remarks said that the country had already undergone an enormous tragedy. Adding to his statement, Justice Tariq Pervez observed that Pakistan still cries for the demarcation of East Pakistan.

Justice Arif said that the government should realise that it needs to focus on the province right now as it needed attention.

“But, it will not be at the cost of local industry,” Shujaat said, adding that the new fiscal year budget will be important for promoting business ties with India.

While speaking to a delegation of the business community, headed by Attock Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Tariq Mehmood, Shujaat urged the business leaders to furnish specific business proposals as the government is considering giving extra ease to those who establish industries without any bank loans.

There is no harm in testing the abilities of the private sector by handing them the management of a few sick units, he added.

Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain was informed that there are 475 pharmaceutical factories operating in Pakistan, catering to 70% of the country’s demand of pharmaceuticals.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 30^th, 2012.

BAHAWALPUR: After the brazen Bannu jailbreak, intelligence agencies have indicated that the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) may be planning another attack on Adiala prison.

According to a ministry of defence notification to the Punjab home department, agencies have traced a telephone conversation between two alleged terrorists. The conversation indicated that Adiala prison was next on the TTP’s hit-list.

Upon receiving the notification, the Punjab home department has demanded the deployment of a company of Rangers at each of the province’s five most sensitive prisons in Rawalpindi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan and Bahawalpur. Security at these prisons has been put on high alert, while the home department has also delegated regional, city and district police officers to make special security arrangements for prisons housing terrorists.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Superintendent of police (SP) Prisons Bahawalpur Chaudhry Naeem confirmed they have received special orders to boost security at the prisons. He added that they were coordinating with intelligence and security agencies regarding the issue.

The SP said special bunkers have been built at both entrances of the Bahawalpur central prison and elite personnel have been deployed around the prison.

Sources have said the security of prisons all over Punjab is being closely monitored by intelligence agencies. Security personnel for Bahawalpur central prison have also been sent to police personnel to undergo special training.

The Bahawalpur prison houses some of the most sensitive TTP members, including those who attacked the office of Inter-Services Intelligence in Multan.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 30^th, 2012.

“They (the US) didn’t tender an apology over the Salala attack, nor agreed upon stopping the drone strikes,” Saeed pointed out.

Nato supplies have remained closed since the Salala checkpost attack in November, 2011.

However, Saeed made it clear that the Difa-e-Pakistan Council (DPC) will continue to oppose the resumption of supplies, if the situation ever arises.

“If supplies are ever resumed, it will only entrench the US further in Afghanistan,” warned Saeed.

When questioned about the recent sectarian unrest in Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B), the JuD chief held the US and India responsible for the strife.

Alleging that India aims to create a new state by combining parts of G-B with Laddakh, Saeed asserted that “the US will also be able to achieve its objective of severing the road link between Pakistan and China.”

Published in The Express Tribune, April 30^th, 2012.