Pir Pagara passes away

KARACHI: Veteran politician and spiritual leader of the Hur Jamaat, Pir Pagara died in London on Tuesday.

The 83-year-old suffered from a lung problem, but initial reports suggest he passed away due to a heart attack. His body will be flown to Karachi today (Wednesday) evening before being taken to his home town Pir Jo Goth in Khairpur Mirs.

Famous for his predictions, the chief of Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F), at his last press conference, had said he would take a week’s leave ‘to go to nurse land.’

Pagara was admitted to the Aga Khan University Hospital in Karachi on November 24, where his lungs were operated upon. Shortly afterwards, due to deteriorating condition, he was put on a ventilator. He was subsequently flown to London on an air ambulance, accompanied by family and party leaders, and admitted to Wellington Hospital.

Childhood and early education
The seventh Pir Pagaro (chieftain) of his jamaat, the deceased was born Shah Mardan Shah II, alias Pir Sikandar Shah, on November 22, 1928 in Pir Jo Goth.

His father, Syed Sabighatullah Shah Rashdi, was hanged on March 20, 1943, in Hyderabad Central Jail by the colonial government for his struggle against British rule. His burial site remains unknown. Pagara and his brother, Nadir Shah, were taken into custody by the British government after their father’s death.

Before being sent to London, Pagara was under the custody of a police official Qazi Sadurdin in Aligarh, India, between 1943 and 1946. He was taught the Holy Quran during that time.

He received his early education at Davis Elementary School in London, where children of rebellious leaders were usually schooled, and was taught French, Latin and English.

Returns to Pakistan
Pagara met with the first prime minister of Pakistan Liaquat Ali Khan after independence, who played a key role in bringing him back to Pakistan in 1951. His confiscated property and ‘gaddi’ (spiritual seat) were subsequently restored, and he became the spiritual leader of the Hur Jamaat in 1952.

His first marriage was to the daughter of Miran Muhammad Shah, a landlord and spiritual leader from Rahim Yar Khan, who is the uncle of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani.

He had three sons from that marriage – Sabghatullah Shah Rashdi (Raja Saen), Sadruddin Rashdi (Younus Saen), and Ali Gohar Shah. One of Pagara’s daughters is married to PPP leader Agha Siraj Durrani, while his granddaughter is married to one of Prime Minister Gilani’s sons. Pagara married a second time, a few years ago, into his relatives in Pir Jo Goth. He has three children from the second marriage.

Political career
Kingri House, Pagara’s residence in Karachi, served as a focal point for politicians from across the spectrum who came to meet him and seek political guidance. Pagara started his political career from Ayub Khan’s Conventional Muslim League before switching to Sheikh Mujeeb’s Awami League.

Later, he joined the Muslim League before launching his own party, the PML-Functional.

Pagara had a political dispute with Bhutto, when the later came to power, which resulted in the death of seven of his devotees in Sindh.

The veteran politician supported all military rules in the country. He welcomed Ziaul Haq into power, after Bhutto was hanged, and recommended Muhammad Khan Junejo for the post of prime minister.

The self-dubbed ‘modern Pagara’ was fond of smoking cigars, the reason cited by his close aides for his lung problems.

Condolence messages flew in from across the country as a large number of political leaders, friends and devotees gathered at his Karachi and Pir Jo Goth residence following the news of his demise.

Chief Khalifa of the Hur Jamaat Qadir Bux Mangrio, while talking to FTNews, said “No one can fill the gap left behind by Pir Saen.”

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'Sharif introduced NRO by signing agreement with Musharraf'

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Tuesday made public the agreement signed between former president Pervez Musharraf and the then prime minister, Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif in 2000.

Malik said that Sharif was the one who had introduced National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) by reaching an agreement with the former military dictator.

The agreement, which is titled “Confidentiality and Hold Harmless”, had been signed by Musharraf, Nawaz Sharif, Shahbaz Sharif, Abbas Sharif and Hussain Nawaz on December 6, 2000.

Sharif, in the undertaking, acknowledges that he had approved the assistance in the negotiations on his behalf for his release from incarceration in Pakistan.

“I’m thoroughly satisfied with the course and results of the negotiations – I also have been kept fully advised on the negotiations,” said the agreement signed by Sharif.

Malik said that the Sharif family had violated the agreement as they had returned to Pakistan before the completion of 10 years.

He added that Sharif had been in jail before the agreement had been signed and there were criminal cases pending against him.

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Babar urges Nawaz to move against former dictator

ISLAMABAD: Senator Dr Babar Awan on Tuesday urged PML-N Chief Nawaz Sharif to move the court for an action against a former dictator under Article-6 of the constitution.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz chief Nawaz Sharif is roaming around in the Federal Capital with a number of petitions and he should move an application for initiation of proceedings under Article 6 against a former dictator, said Awan while talking to media in the Supreme Court building.

He said tracheotomy of power was well defined in the Constitution and Article 187 (2), explained the process and mechanism for implementation of Supreme Court directives.

To a question, he said he would comment on Supreme Court’s order on non-implementation issue of its NRO decision, after going through it.

Awan said the Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani had been elected unanimously and the people had to decide about qualifications and disqualifications.

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NA forms committee for protection of journalists

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly has formed a special committee to investigate threats received by journalists in recent weeks.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Ahsan Iqbal was unanimously elected on Tuesday as the Chairman of the Special Committee for Protection of Journalists.

At a meeting of the committee held here Tuesday, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Nazar Mohammad Gondal proposed Ahsan Iqbal’s name as the committee’s first chairman. Nawab Yousuf Talpur and other members endorsed the proposal, said a press release.

National Assembly members Dr Attiya Innnayatullah, Ahsan Iqbal, Engr Khurram Dastgir, Nawab Muhammad Yousaf Talpur, Nazar Muhammad Gondal, Syed Haider Abbas Rizvi attended the meeting.

The Committee decided to hold its next meeting on Dec 18 to finalize its ‘Terms of References’ (TORs) in consultation with all stakeholders.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on Monday had voiced concern at reports of a number of journalists facing threats, and had asked the authorities to ensure that threats to journalists end.

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Zardari calls emergency PPP core committee meeting

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday called an emergency meeting of the Pakistan People’s Party’s (PPP) core committee at the Presidency in Islamabad, FTNews reported.

A scheduled meeting of the president with a delegation of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leaders in Karachi was also postponed earlier today.

Speaking to FTNews, presidential spokesperson Farhatullah Babar declined to comment on the Supreme Court’s orders on the NRO case Tuesday, stating that he had not yet read the detailed verdict.

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NRO case: Supreme Court warns president, PM of disqualification

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Tuesday warned President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani of disqualification for defying implementation of the NRO verdict.

Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, heading a five-judge bench, said the PM did not appear to be a “sagacious” person as evident from his defiance of the court orders in the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) case. The judge read out the order contemplating at least six options for the court to proceed with the matter of NRO implementation.

The court said that both the president and the prime minister as well as the law minister could be disqualified from getting elected.

The bench noted that the president’s interview and the prime minister’s speeches reflected that their loyalty was above their oath to protect the Constitution.

“The court has the option to record findings and hand down a declaration… which would have an effect of a permanent nature when it comes to the prime minister’s qualification to be chosen as a member of the Parliament,” the order stated.

A similar violation of the oath had been committed by the president and the law minister, the bench said.

The bench ordered Attorney General (AG) Maulvi Anwarul Haq to consult with the PM and the president for their replies. “Why should the court not exercise these options?” the court said while asking the attorney general to inform after consulting both the figures.

One of the options the court spelled out in its order pertained to the formation of a commission to give findings on the charges that the court read out.

The court also asked the president to claim immunity if he thought he was above the court order. Earlier, the Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, while hearing the memo case, had observed that the immunity did not come into play itself.

The bench also said that National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman Admiral (retired) Fasih Bokhari was apparently guilty of misconduct for not taking action against two convicts, who were appointed in the service of Pakistan.

The court had asked the NAB to take action against Ahmed Riaz Sheikh and Adnan A khwaja, who were appointed as additional director FIA and chairman of the OGDCL respectively.

Earlier, both the NAB chairman and the prosecutor general had submitted before the court that no one could be proceeded against for appointing both the persons. The court had indicated that the PM had used his influence for getting Adnan A Khwaja appointed.

There are other laws under which Sheikh and Khwaja could be proceeded against, said the NAB chairman. “But as far as NAB law is concerned, they could not be proceeded against,” he added.

Spelling out its last option, the court said the matter of defiance of the court orders and constitutional dictates could be handed over to the Parliament to decide.

The court had asked the attorney general to present the points of view of the concerned people in front of the court in the next hearing. It also asked all the concerned people to step forward and approach the court in case they want to be heard.
“No one should complain that they were condemned unheard,” the bench said. It directed the AG, the law secretary, the NAB chairman and the prosecutor general to remain present on the next date of hearing. The bench has also referred the matter to the chief justice for formation of a larger bench.

The attorney general had informed the five-member bench that he was unable to tell whether or not the government would write a letter to the Swiss authorities.

The law secretary has gone abroad, where he is being treated for a prostate problem, the AG submitted. The secretary was required to prepare a summary for the prime minister for his permission to reopen graft cases against President Asif Ali Zardari in Switzerland.

The cases were withdrawn under the NAB Ordinance through a letter written by former Attorney General Malik Muhammad Qayyum.
The five-judge bench, on the last day of hearing, had observed that it was giving a final opportunity to authorities to take action against those who violated its verdict.

The attorney general pleaded that the government had reopened over 8,000 cases pursuant to its December 16 order against the NAB Ordinance. Besides, the order on establishment of accountability courts was also implemented, he submitted.

Justice Khosa observed the law secretary seem to be avoiding an appearance deliberately. Justice Ijaz Ahmed Chaudhry observed that the secretary may not return unless the implementation case was decided.

“I will pray for his early recovery,” the AG hastened to add.

The proceedings would resume on January 16.

Constitution will define implementation of court’s order: Awan

Federation’s lawyer Babar Awan said that Article 187 (2) of the Constitution speaks for itself and the Article will define the mechanism of the implementation of court’s verdict in the NRO case.

Awan was speaking to the media after the Supreme Court reserved its judgement in the NRO implementation case on Tuesday.

He said that President Zardari was appointed to his post by the people of Pakistan and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani was also appointed by the people’s parliament for the first time in the history of Pakistan.

Criticising Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML) chief Nawaz Sharif, Awan said that he is “roaming around in Islamabad” filing applications, and now he has a great opportunity as former dictator Pervaiz Musharraf is returning back to the country.

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Kayani meets senior military officials

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaque Pervez Kayani held an informal meeting with senior military officials at the Army General Headquarters (GHQ) on Tuesday following his return from China, FTNews reported.

The Army chief was briefed about Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani’s recent interview to a Chinese newspaper concerning Kayani and DG ISI Shuja Pasha’s statements to the Supreme Court. Kayani was visiting Beijing on a five-day official trip to meet with the Chinese military and political leadership.

According to sources, a detailed statement is expected soon from the Pakistani military on the prime minister’s interview. Sources also say that the following 24 hours are extremely important as far as civil-military relations are concerned.

The Corps Commander’s meeting, scheduled to take place next week, was also postponed. A new date for the meeting was not yet announced.

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MNA Azeem Daultana dies in road accident

VEHARI: Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Azeem Ahmed Khan Daultana and his security guard died in a road accident near Kot Ghulam Qadir Pul in the early hours of Tuesday.

According to family sources, MNA Azeem Ahmed Khan Daultana was travelling towards Luddan along with his gunman Mohammad Nawab. The vehicle rammed into a tree and overturned causing fatal injuries to Azeem Daultana who died on way to the hospital.

The gunman, Mohammad Nawab, died on the spot.

The funeral prayer of Azeem Daultana will be offered at 4pm at Government Higher Secondary School in his native town Luddan.

MNA Azeem Ahmed Khan Daultana was a nephew of prominent Muslim League leader Tehmina Daultana.

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35 killed, 60 injured in Jamrud blast

PESHAWAR: At least 35 people were killed and 60 others were critically injured on Tuesday in a bomb blast near a petrol pump in Jamrud bazar of Khyber Agency, political agent Mutahirzeb told FTNews.

The cause of the blast is still unknown; however, initial investigations show that the bomb was planted in a taxi stand near the petrol pump.

The injured have been shifted to the Hayatabad Medical Complex in Peshawar.

Dr Syed Ali Shah from Hayatabad Medical Complex said that the hospital received four dead bodies and two critically injured people. The injured also later passed away.

At least 32 other injured people were also brought to the hospital, among which four are currently in a critical condition due to head injuries, he added.

According to sources, the members of a local peace committee, called Zaka Khel, in Khyber Agency were passing through the area when the bomb exploded. The committee fights against the militants in the area.

Authorities in Peshawar say that militants have changed their tactics and now tend to target security officials that have begun a crackdown against them. A number of security officials have been receiving threats and many were kidnapped and killed.

The militants say that they are avenging the security operation taking place in the area that has left many of their fellows killed.

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Memogate case: Kayani, Pasha replies were illegal, implies PM

ISLAMABAD: Having initially backtracked from cutting comments made against the military in a scathing speech in parliament, the prime minister has fired another salvo – this time questioning the acts of the military brass.

Speaking to Peoples Daily Online, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani is reported to have stated that army chief General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lt Gen Ahmad Shuja Pasha had not been given approval by the ‘competent authorities’ – in other words the government – before submitting their responses in the Memogate case.

Read together with his referral to remarks made by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry that an act from a government functionary made without a prior nod from the government was unconstitutional, the premier was implying that Kayani and Pasha’s replies to the Supreme Court were illegal, given they did not have clearance.

The prime minister had earlier expressed similar concerns on the same issue when the matter was before the Supreme Court, only to retract them later saying he was mistaken. But now Kayani and Pasha seem willing to appear before and give statements to the court-mandated judicial commission, too.

When pressed by the interviewer, Gilani emphasised that the pair had not taken permission from the defence ministry or the defence minister before submitting their rejoinders.

Gilani also stated that in the two issues which had recently rocked the political and military establishment – the Nato border attacks and Memogate – the civilian and military leadership of Pakistan had considered the matter collectively and taken quick, decisive action. The resignation of Husain Haqqani was also accepted by both civilian and military leaders, Gilani said.

The PM went on to say that the parliamentary committee on national security was dealing with the two issues.

Gilani also expressed his view that it was only after the two issues were taken up by the committee that the Supreme Court took suo motu action on Memogate.

It may be recalled that Kayani is on an official visit to China – a trip during which he has met the Chinese premier. The meeting has raised a number of eyebrows.

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Balochistan conflict: ‘Nawaz success hinges on army’s consent’

ISLAMABAD: While the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has backed Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif’s proposal for an all-party conference (APC) to resolve Balochistan’s issues, the success of the conference depends “on the mood of the military establishment”, Friends of Baloch (FoB) president Amanullah Gichki said.

Nawaz can play a pivotal role in bringing peace to the province, however it is all subject to the establishment’s consent, he said.

He, however, pointed out that Nawaz’s recent visit to Quetta should be viewed in the context of his ‘visible change of heart’ towards the military establishment.

While the FoB president was all praise for the APC initiative, he did express his doubt over the PML-N chief’s ability to resolve the years-long conflict in the province, saying the chances of that happening were very bleak unless Nawaz was able to satisfy the establishment in this regard.

Nawaz, on the other hand, is largely counting on Baloch tribal chiefs such as Jhalawan chief Sardar Sanaullah Zehri who was recently appointed PML-N Balochistan chapter’s president. What the PML-N chief fails to understand, is that tribal chiefs and sardars cannot arrive at an amicable solution to Balochistan’s issues without the consensus of the people of Balochistan, Gichki said. Had tribal chiefs been in a position to resolve these issues, they would’ve done so ages ago, he remarked.

To strengthen his point, Gichki referred to the recent statement made by former chief minister of Balochistan Sardar Attaullah Khan Mengal during his meeting with Nawaz, when he had cautioned that the angry Baloch youth are no longer under the control of the Baloch politicians.

Referring to Zehri’s appointment, Gichki said that for the PML-N to pick him in preference over Nawabzada Changaiz Marri, the eldest son of Nawab Khair Baksh Marri, is not likely to affect the party’s influence in Balochistan.

Some political observers, however, do not share Gichki’s views. Nawaz should not solely depend on Baloch tribal chiefs to bring peace in the province, a senior Baloch journalist argues.

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