Babar Awan becomes PPP vice president

ISLAMABAD: Renowned politician and lawyer, Senator Babar Awan has been nominated Vice President of Pakistan Peoples Party.

The notification in this regard was issued on Thursday after the approval by Co-Chairman PPP President Asif Ali Zardari.

Awan, a writer of several books and a respected orator, was made member of Central Executive Committee of the party in 1997 by Late Benazir Bhutto. Later, he was also nominated as Coordinator of International Affairs Wing of the Party in 1999.

He held the office of Central Finance Secretary of the Party in 2000 while he was awarded the ticket of National Assembly during general elections 2002. He became Senator in 2005 on the only seat of PPP from Punjab and proved himself as an established legislator.

Being a lawyer, he defended several cases against Benazir Bhutto and President Asif Ali Zardari. He also remained counsel of Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Bakhtawar Bhutto and Asifa Bhutto in the case of Peoples’ Foundation.

Awan is considered as a highly popular and trusted leader in PPP who voluntarily tendered his resignation from the portfolios of Minister of Law and Justice, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minister of Information Technology to plead Zulfikar Ali Bhutto reference sent to Supreme Court by the president.

He has also been defending successfully the constitutional and political affairs of the party for the last two decades and was appreciated by the party workers for his commitment to political thoughts of Bhutto and his perception about class division and economic inequalities.

His elevation to the office of vice president has also sent a wave of happiness among the workers of PPP who have congratulated him and wished well to disseminate his duties to the aspirations of the party and workers.

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India rejects Pakistan’s proposal to move artillery from LoC

NEW DELHI: India has rejected Pakistan’s proposal to move heavy artillery and mortars away from the Line of Control in disputed Kashmir claiming frequent ceasefire violations and asked Islamabad to come clear on its nuclear policy, including command and control over nuclear assets, Press Trust of India PTI reported on Thursday quoting unnamed sources.

This was conveyed to Pakistani officials by India during talks on nuclear and conventional confidence building measures on December 26-27, 2011 in Islamabad after gap of four years.

India cannot look at such proposals till the situation on the LoC improves, PTI report said. During talks India conveyed to Pakistan on need to demonstrate in practical measure restraint and responsibility in nuclear field and urged it facilitate talks on Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty.

Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna is slated to visit Pakistan to review progress of talks and both sides are keen to have meetings between Home Secretaries, Water Resources Secretaries, Defence Secretaries and Foreign Secretaries before the visit.

On nuclear CBMs, India made it clear to Pakistan that views on nuclear doctrines could be exchanged only when official documents enunciating the policies are available in the public domain, PTI report said.

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Javed Hashmi resigns from National Assembly

ISLAMABAD: Senior politician and Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) leader Makhdoom Javed Hashmi on Friday rendered hi resignation from the membership of National Assembly, FTNews reported.

Former Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader, who recently joined Imran Khan’s PTI rendered his written resignation to the Deputy Speaker NA Faisal Karim Kundi after an emotional farewell speech.

Members of the assembly appreciated the senior politician by beating their desks and giving him standing ovation.

Hashmi, during his speech, said that the former president Gen. Zia-ul-Haq offered him the seat of speaker National Assembly but he rejected it.

He said that eighth constitutional amendment by Zia was a conspiracy to make assemblies a ‘slave.’

Hashmi said that it was politicians’ responsibility to strengthen the parliament. “However politicians helped the dictator by passing the eighth amendment bill,” he added.

The former PML-N leader said that he opted not to become member of the cabinet when Nawaz Sharif won the elections by two-third majority in 90’s.

Hashmi said that he became secretary general when Islami Jamhoori Ittehad (IGI) was formed by Nawaz Sharif. “We (politicians) did nothing to solve problems of the masses but created even more problems for them,” he added.

He said general public was astonished to see lavish life style of the politicians of a poor country. “People are quickly getting fade up with the assemblies,” he added.

Hashmi further said that he has respect for PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif. “Mian sahib came to my home for bringing me into politics,” he added.

He honoured the PML-N chief by saying that he was a superior politician and said that he can not even think of measuring himself up against him.

Furthermore, about his new party chief, he said that the people wanted to see change and if they see Imran Khan bringing about that change then it was their right to vote for him.

“It’s about time to change the way of governance if we want to save the country,” said Hashmi.

He suggested that the Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani should resign and hold elections as the constitution allows him to do so. “Members are resigning from assemblies. When will the rulers wake up?….when there’ll be no one left to resign…?” asked Hashmi.

The Opposition Leader in NA and PML-N leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and his team was listening Hashmi intently throughout the speech.

Hashmi further said the enemies of the nation will be strengthened if the moral courage of the assembly dies.

His daughter Maimoona Hashmi and former PPP leader Sardar Asif Ali, who recently joined the PTI, also resigned from the National Assembly on Friday.

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Pakistan to extend moral, diplomatic support to Kashmiris: Fazl

ISLAMABAD: Chairman Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir Maulana Fazlur-Rehman on Thursday said that Pakistan will continue to extend its moral, political and diplomatic support to people of Kashmir.

He said this while chairing the committee meeting here at Parliament House.

Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir and other Senior Officers of Foreign Office updated the committee on the issue.

The committee was briefed about the discussions at the recent meeting with India. CBMS like trade across the line of control as well as movement of the Kashmiris between the borders was also discussed.

The committee was also informed that the nuclear pact between the two countries have been extended for five years.

The Kashmir Committee advised the Foreign Office to keep the Kashmir issue at the forefront. “It is the core issue and Pakistan can’t afford to put it at the backburner.”

“Kashmiri have rendered unforgettable sacrifices and we should not do anything which damages the Kashmir cause.”

Maulana Fazlur Rehman directed the Foreign Office to speak firmly, with confidence on Kashmir.

He said the whole nation is behind the Foreign Office on the issue.

“We may have differences on other issues, but we are all united on three issues friendship with China, nuclear assets and Kashmir,” he added.

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Govt to complete 5-year term: Dr Firdous

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan on Thursday said the government would complete its five-year constitutional and democratic term.

“Next general elections would be held in the country in 2013 according to schedule and after the completion of democratic term by the present government,” she told media after inaugurating Pakistan Electronic Media Regularity Authority (PEMRA) Complaints Call Center.

“Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) led government will complete its constitutional tenure as masses have mandated it through their vote to run government affairs for five years,” the minister stated.

Brushing aside rumors that she is going to join Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf, Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said, “I have to live and die with Pakistan Peoples Party and such rumors carry no weight.”

She said “Ministry and any other portfolio are meaningless to me,” adding, “I would prefer to go home if failed to deliver.”

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Gilani rejects PIA’s business plan

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani rejected the business plan of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on Thursday and said that PIA will have to overcome its deficit, FTNews reported.

During the presidency of a session held in Islamabad, Gilani said that PIA is a commercial institute and it will have to overcome its deficits.

Moreover, he said that PIA business plan must be examined as soon as possible and the secretary committee should finalize the plan of project reconstruction.

The national airline must provide the public with satisfactory facilities, he added.

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Parliamentary body to decide on Nato supply: Malik

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Thursday said that the government would take decision regarding Nato supply in light of the recommendations of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security.

Defence Committee of the Cabinet had decided to stop the Nato supply following the attack on Pakistani checkpost on Pak-Afghan border, the minister informed media after addressing a ceremony.

The ceremony was held to pay tributes to security personnel who embraced martyrdom and suffered disabilities in war against terrorism.

“We have left the matter to the Parliamentary committee, which is led by Senator Raza Rabbani, and the government will implement its recommendations, whatever these will be,” the minister said.

Malik said, as a result of the unmatched sacrifices rendered by our Army, Frontier Corps, Frontier Constabulary and Police in war against terror and the militants have been defeated in Swat and Malakand divisions.

Replying to a question, the minister said he would visit the police-pickets set up at different roads of the capital and assured all the unnecessary check-posts would be removed to ensure smooth flow of traffic.

Justifying the police-pickets at the federal capital, Rehman Malik said law enforcement agencies were alerted on daily basis and security is tightened accordingly to avoid any untoward incident.

Commenting on the G-11 firing incident in which an Assistant Sub-Inspector was killed, he said an inquiry has been ordered to probe the episode.

However, the minister was of the view that it could be a result of any personal enmity.

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National security can not be compromised: ISI

ISLAMABAD: The senior officials of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) on Thursday said that they will continue seeking guidance from the parliament regarding the matters of national security, FTNews reported.

However, no deal would be made against national security.

During a briefing in ISI headquarters, the officials told the senate standing committee for defence that ISI has played a major role in the war against terrorism.

They said that peace in the region is only possible when militancy is eliminated.

They added that the impression of ISI’s intervention in political affairs is unfounded.

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SC fully respects parliament, says CJ

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry on Thursday refuted news headlines regarding the Supreme Court’s remarks on parliament, FTNews reported.

The chief justice said that the court had said nothing about the parliament and impeachment of the president, and that the apex court fully respects the parliament.

Former ambassador to the US Husain Haqqani’s counsel, Asma Jahangir concluded her arguments before a nine-member bench, headed by Justice Iftikhar, here on Thursday.

Earlier on Wednesday, Asma Jehangir pleaded to summon American-Pakistani businessman Mansoor Ejaz to appear before the bench for cross questioning.

Asma said, “If the trial is to take place at the apex court, then Mansoor Ejaz should be called. We are geared up to cross-question him.”

Asma argued that the petitions are not maintainable because they are vague and based on assumptions, quoting several judgments related to non maintainability of petitions.

Moreover, she also said that a judicial probe could not meet all the angles of inquiry which a parliamentary committee could.

Investigation into memo issue would be more transparent under the judiciary, the chief justice observed.

The chief justice also noted that Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani did not deny the memo’s presence, adding that although President Asif Ali Zardari did not submit his rejoinder, it does not mean he denied the existence of the memo.

The Chief Justice said, “You may call a matter of national security and solidarity a political question. We should bring to an end the attitude of concealing things. We work under only and only the Constitution and the law,” he added.

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Six killed in Taxila police encounter

TAXILA: Four kidnappers, including two women, a police official and a doctor were killed during an exchange of gun fire in Texila.

Sources told FTNews that firing erupted between police and the culprits in Al-Mashriq Chok of the district, resulting in death of the culprits.

A kidnapped doctor named Talal Ahmed and a police sub-inspector were also killed in the incident.

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