Haqqani’s resignation for a ‘clean’ probe: Gilani

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Thursday informed the National Assembly that the government accepted Hussain Haqqani’s resignation from the post of ambassador to US for a ‘clean’ probe on the matter of national security, FTNews reported.

The prime minister reaffirmed government’s desire of conducting clean probe of the memogate issue on the highest level.

He said the government was only answerable to the people of Pakistan.

“Government and the opposition have sacrificed a lot for the survival of democracy in the country,” the PM added.

Mr Gilani said that the army and government were on the same page. “We would consult the general public in any danger,” the prime minister added.

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Pakistan, UK commit to joint challenge of terrorism

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and United Kingdom on Thursday re-confirmed their commitment to tackle shared challenge of terrorism and extremism which is in the interest of both nations to sustain a broad-based strategic relationship.

“We share a powerful interest in fighting the extremism and terrorism that threatens people in both countries. Pakistan is on the front line and have made tremendous sacrifices in striving for a more stable region and a world free from this menace,” Minister for Interior, Senator Rehman Malik and UK Home Secretary, Theresa May said this while addressing a joint press conference after holding a bilateral consultation.

They said our intensive diplomatic efforts, bilaterally, multilaterally, and in concert with key partners, are complemented by a growing programme of counter-terrorism liaison.

This includes UK’s support to military and policing and supporting the development of strong institutions and machinery of government.

The two Ministers stressed the commitment of Pakistan and the UK in cooperating on their shared interests, including trade, economic stability and development, cultural cooperation, security, tackling illegal immigration and education.

The Enhanced Dialogue launched during the UK Prime Minister David Cameron visit in April this year allows both countries to explore areas of mutual interest in a spirit of understanding, confidence and respect. The breadth and depth of the Enhanced Strategic Dialogue reflects the longstanding ties between the people of Pakistan and UK.

Rehman Malik said Pakistan is victim of terrorism and it has sacrificed precious lives of more than 36,000 people and financial loss of US $ 62 billion in the war against terrorism and extremism.

He said Pakistan has been fighting against terrorism not only for peace in its own country but for the entire world and to make the world terrorism free.

Appreciating the cooperation of UK in different fields, the Minister said he has asked the British Home Secretary to help Pakistan in Victim Support Programme not only for victims of terrorism but also for the victims of domestic violence.

He said both sides also agreed ways to monitor new initiatives through a new senior official led Migration Joint Working Group which will meet on an annual basis to discuss the full migration agenda.

The group will bring experts from the United Kingdom and Pakistan together to discuss all issues relating to migration focusing on visa operations, illegal migration, human trafficking, border control and migration policy, he added.

Rehman Malik said both sides also confirmed the value of shared efforts to protect the safety of passengers flying between the UK and Pakistan.

The UK is committed to helping Pakistan meet the new EU aviation security regulations which will be implemented next year.

He said the UK is already gifting 18 explosive trace detectors to Pakistan and will look to extend that assistance in the near future.

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Nawaz file application to include Haqqani in ECL

ISLAMABAD: The chairman of PML-N, Nawaz Sharif has placed an application in Supreme Court on Thursday to put the name of Husain Haqqani in exit control list, FTNews reported.

This application submitted through Fakhruddin G. Ibrahim, the lawyer of Nawaz Sharif.

In this application, a request has been made that until the investigation of the memogate is not completed, the Pakistani ambassador should be listed in the exit control list of United States.

Not to forget, Nawaz Sharif has sent an application to the supreme court with respect to the investigation regarding memogate scandal.

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Pak-China military cooperation not against other countries: Kayani

LAHORE: Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani on Thursday said that military cooperation between Pakistan and China was not aimed against any country, FTNews reported.

While watch over the military exercises between Pakistan and China, General Kayani said Pakistan and China had no differences over matters of security.

He further said that Pakistan and China’s army relations were not based on aggression against a particular country.
Not only do the countries have strong diplomatic ties but relations at the people-to-people level are also sound, Kayani said.

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Petition filed in LHC challenging Sherry’s appointment

LAHORE: Sherry Rehman’s recent appointment as Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States was challenged in the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday, FTNews reported.

Petitioner Mohammad Azhar Siddique Advocate was of the opinion that Ms Rehman being a member of the National Assembly could not be appointed to any government post.

The petitioner moreover stated that Ms Rehman had also presented an amendment bill to the Blasphemy Act over which the LHC was hearing a petition seeking her disqualification from the assembly.

The petitioner requested the court to revoke Ms Rehman’s appointment as ambassador to the US.

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Awan completes arguments in NRO review petition

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Thursday stopped former law minister and the counsel for the federal government Babar Awan from submitting documents regarding Justice Saqib Nisar, FTNews reported.

A 17-judge full court headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chadhry resumed the hearing of the government’s review petition against its judgment which had declared the controversial National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) illegal.

Awan concluded his arguments today and tried to submit documents relating to Justice Saqib but the bench stopped him.

Awan reacted by saying that he was not being allow to speak. Responding to this, Justice Asif Saeed Khosa remarked that the counsel should present arguments “instead of trying to act like a martyr”.

During the hearing, Chief Justice Iftikhar remarked that Benazir Bhutto was not the sort of persona who would sign the NRO deal, adding that she would not have played an active part in the lawyers’ movement if she had wanted to opt for the deal.

He furthered said that Ms Bhutto had noted in her book that it was former president Pervez Musharraf who had wanted the NRO.

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