National Assembly passes pro-democracy resolution

ISLAMABAD: Lawmakers have approved pro-democracy resolution in the National Assembly on Monday.

The said resolution was tabled by ANP leader Asfandyar.

Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani congratulated the Parliamentarians on passage of the resolution while Pakistan Muslim League-N and PPP (Sherpao) MNA s staged a walk.

He said he would appear before the Supreme Court and the Chief Justice of Pakistan.

The Prime Minister said: "After becoming the Prime Minister my first words were: Release the judges".

He said the government wanted no confrontation with any institution including the judiciary and that no one should degrade the mandate of the elected government.

"We need no certificate to prove our patriotism," he said, citing sacrifices rendered by the leaders of Pakistan People s Party for the cause of democracy in the country.

He said he did not need to take vote of confidence.

During the proceedings of the lower house, amendments proposed by Pakistan Muslim League-N were approved and incorporated into the resolution which was later read out by the Federal Minister Naveed Qamar.

One of the amendments said the final authority to rule lies with Allah Almighty.

Speaking on the floor of the house, Opposition leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said although his party had decided not to support any resolution, it changed its stance for the sake of national interest and put forth the amendments after engaging in talks with the government.

He said the country s democracy was not facing any danger. However, he added that no hope could be pinned to People s Party for betterment in (country s) situation.

All set for today’s chaotic session of the National Assembly as much uproar and hubbub is expected between the opposition and coalition parties during debate on said pro-government resolution.

Both the opposition and treasury parties are likely to respond in same coins to each other during discussion on said resolution.

On the other side, opposition claimed that the government failed in getting desired results out of tabling resolution in favour of government.

A spokesperson of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the second biggest political party in the lower house of the Parliament, while talking to Online observed that Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)-led coalition government wished to get a resolution passed in favour of the President and Prime Minister rather than in favour of the democratic system.

“However, allied partners Awami National Party (ANP), Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and others compelled PPP on acceptance of some amendments in the draft of the resolution,” said PML-N leader Siddiqul Faroq terming the current draft of resolution as sheer failure of the ruling PPP in fulfilling of its designs.

Responding to a query on strategy of his party for today’s session in the National Assembly during debate on resolution, he said that his party had proposed some amendments in the resolution and if they would be accepted, PML-N would extend support, otherwise would oppose the resolution in the House. PML-N, Saturday, proposed three amendments to the resolution moved by the PPP-led coalition government in the National Assembly on Friday.

Through the amendments signed by all 90 members of the PML-N, the party sought to remove the call for all state institutions to “strictly function” within the constitutional limits and, instead, suggested to make it binding on the government “to immediately implement in letter and spirit all previous resolutions of parliament and all the decisions of the superior judiciary”.

On the same subject, Arif Alvi, Secretary General, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), said that coalition government moved resolution to avoid implications of option six given by the Supreme Court of Pakistan in its verdict on case related to implementation another judgment on NRO.

He added that coalition government had done nothing good in public welfare so that it could justify its demand for a parliamentary resolution in its favour. He remarked that government gave a significant boost to corruption from day one and now was willing to get a resolution from parliament to rectify its corruption.

At the same time, Syed Munawar Hassan, Jamaat-e-Islami Amir, while addressing a public gathering, alleged the government for defaming judiciary and weakening constitutional institutions through its steps for independence of the parliament.

“The PPP moved resolutions and bills in the parliament just to put its corruption and scams out of focus of the people” he added, saying that national institutions were weakened in the so-called democratic regime of the incumbent government.

On the other side, coalition partners, ANP, MQM and others have already announced to extend full support for the government to get the resolution passed from the House.

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Govt put state at risk to protect President Zardari: Imran

KARACHI: Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan on Monday said that government representatives had no understanding of the country’s constitution, FTNews reported.

Speaking to media representatives in Sukkur, Khan said “the country’s politicians do not understand that the constitution is above the parliament”.

Khan further said that the government had put the state at risk in order to protect President Asif Ali Zardari.

“The government is using all means to conceal its corruption,” he said, adding that the government “should have resigned” after the Supreme Court (SC) declared the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) illegal.

Khan said the nation was not ready to accept martial law and that the people were standing by the Supreme Court.

Regarding the Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N), Khan said the party was afraid to go to the public but said that “if the PML-N is serious, its members should resign from their seats in the national and provincial assemblies”.

With regard to a possible alliance with the All Pakistan Muslim League (APML), Khan said the PTI could not establish an alliance with Pervez Musharraf.

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Senior politicians advise Gilani to avoid collision

ISLAMABAD: Senior politicians belonging to different political parties on Monday advised Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to avoid colliding with other state’s institutions, FTNews reported.

Pakistan Peoples Party-Sherpao chief Aftab Sherpao, former chief of Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) Qazi Hussain Ahmed and Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PMAP) chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai called upon the premier at the Prime Minister House.

Overall political situation of the country including the contempt of court notice against the premier came under discussion at the meetings.

They adviced the premier to comply with apex court’s directives and to appear before it on January 19 for the hearing of NRO implementation case.

Sherpao said that he was against all unconstitutional steps. However the prime minister should try to comply with the apex court’s directives, he added.

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Coalition partners advise Gilani to appear before SC

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Monday was advised by his government’s coalition partners to appear before the apex court for NRO implementation case, FTNews reported.

According to sources, the meeting discussed the contempt of court notice issued by the Supreme Court against the prime minister.

President Asif Ali Zardari also attended the meeting.

The coalition partners also advised the premier to avoid policies of confrontation and play his role to eradicate tension between the institutions.

Earlier, a seven-member bench of the apex court directed the prime minister to appear before it on Jan 19. The notice was issued with regards to the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) implementation case.

On the other hand, the president has called a core committee meeting of his Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) at the presidency later today.

The prime minister along with other senior party leaders will attend the meeting.

The meeting is expected to discuss the contempt notice and over all political situation of the country.

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NRO verdict: SC issues contempt of court notice to Gilani

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan issued a contempt of court notice to Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Monday and directed him to appear personally before the bench on January 19, FTNews reported.

During the proceedings, National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Fasih Bokhari tendered an unconditional apology to the court, on which the court said that a written apology should be submitted.

Speaking to the media after the hearing, Federal Law Minister Maula Bux Chandio said that he will inform the government about the court’s verdict and admitted that the contempt notice is not something to be taken lightly.

Earlier, the apex court resumed the proceedings of the National Reconciliation Ordianance (NRO) implementation case and ordered Attorney General Maulvi Anwarul Haq to seek replies from the government.

Justice Asif Saeed Khosa observed that the court’s orders were not being taken “seriously”.

AG informed the court that he had forwarded the court’s orders but a reply has not yet been received. Justice Nasirul Mulk replied that the court had ordered the AG to bring a reply, not just forward the orders.

Earlier, a seven-member bench hearing the case had deferred the proceedings till 11 am due to the absence of the AG.

Additional Prosecutor General KK Agha had informed the seven-member bench that the AG might have gone to the commission hearing the Memogate case.

Justice Nasirul Mulk observed that the bench knew about AG Haq’s application for adjustment of the case, but he should have been present to inform the court about how long he wanted the hearing to be adjourned.

After consultation, the bench put off the matter for the attorney general.

Earlier, Haq had filed an application for the adjustment of the NRO case before the chief justice, but he was asked to raise the same question either before the bench hearing the case or the commission probing into Memogate scandal.

Proceedings of NRO and Memogate cases are being carried forward simultaneously and the AG has to be present in both the hearings.

The AG had approached the chief justice to adjust the date of hearings. He informed the chief justice that he would have a “hard time” attending the memo commission proceedings and the NRO case at the same time.

The seven-member bench of the Supreme Court comprised Justice Mulk, Justice Khosa, Justice Sarmad Jalal Osmany, Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan, Justice Ijaz Ahmed Chaudhry, Justice Gulzar Ahmed and Justice Muhammad Ather Saeed.

The apex court is expected to deliver its final verdict today (Monday).

The hype reached a fever pitch on January 10 when a bench chaired by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa gave six options against the government for non-compliance in the NRO implementation case, including disqualification for Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and President Asif Ali Zardari.

The bench had earlier formulated six options for itself to exercise in case the executive failed to implement the court order.

Option 1: Disqualification

Reading out the nine-page order inside the courtroom, Justice Asif Saeed Khosa imputed dishonesty to the prime minister for failing to keep his oath on protection of the Constitution. Elaborating upon the prime minister’s role, the bench said Article 190 made it obligatory upon him to comply with the Supreme Court’s verdict in letter and spirit.

The bench said it has the option of recording adverse findings against the prime minister, which could permanently block him from getting elected as a member of Parliament. The president and the law minister also seem to have breached their oaths too and could very well share the fate of the prime minister, the court stated.

Option 2: Contempt proceedings

The bench said the prime minister and the law minister could face contempt proceedings for “persistently, obstinately and contumaciously resisting” to implement the judgment. A possible conviction may entail a disqualification from being elected as a member of parliament for five years, the bench warned.

Option 3: Commission implements NRO

Highlighting its powers under Article 187, coupled with the Supreme Court Rules, 1980, the bench stated that it may appoint a commission to execute the relevant parts of the NRO judgment.

Option 4: Claim immunity

Referring to protection to the president, the prime minister and the federal minister under Article 248 of the Constitution, the bench said anyone claiming immunity should raise it before the court. “…If anybody … wishes to be heard on that question then an opportunity may be afforded to him in that respect before exercise of any of these options,” the bench held.

Option 5: Action against NAB chief

The bench observed that the NAB Chairman Fasih Bokhari defied court directions on taking action against those responsible for appointing Ahmed Riaz Sheikh as additional director FIA, and Adnan A Khwaja as managing director OGDCL. While appointing them, the authorities had ignored the fact that their convictions stood restored after the court ruled against the NRO.

Besides, the chairman did not take any action against former attorney general Malik Muhammad Qayyum, who had misused his authority in writing a letter to the Swiss authorities for withdrawal of cases against the president. The bench said chairman’s inaction fell in the ambit of misconduct and attracted the provisions of NAB ordinance on removal from office.

Option 6: Leave it to the people

In sharp contrast to its other options, the bench said it could leave the matter up to the judgment of the people or their representatives in parliament to deal with the delinquents.

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Shahzain announces bounty for Musharraf

PIR JO GOTH: Shahzain Bugti, a grandson of slain Bugti chieftain Nawab Akbar Bugti, on Sunday announced head money for former military ruler Pervez Musharraf.

Akbar Bugti, along with his comrades, was killed in a military operation in Kohlu district of Balochistan in 2006. The operation was ordered by the then army chief and president Pervez Musharraf.

“We will give Rs1 million in cash and a bungalow worth Rs100 million to anybody who kills Musharraf. And we’ll also provide him full security,” Shahzain Bugti said while speaking to the media after condoling the death of Pir Pagara with his bereaved family on Sunday. Shahzain Bugti, who is also a leader of his grandfather’s Jamhoori Watan Party, demanded that Musharraf should be hanged.

“The gallows are ready for Musharraf. There will be serious consequences, if the government does not arrest him upon his arrival,” he warned.

He alleged that Musharraf was responsible for the killing of hundreds of people. “He not only killed my grandfather but also hundreds of innocent people during the Lal Mosque operation in Islamabad. Ulema have also declared him wajibul qatal (liable to be killed),” Shahzain claimed.

He said the people of Balochistan have already rejected the Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan package. “We don’t need charity. We will snatch back our rights from the rulers,” he added.

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'Ijaz may appear before commission on or after Jan 25'

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani American businessman Mansoor Ijaz, at the heart of the Memogate scandal, asked the court to give him time till January 25 to come to Pakistan, reported FTNews on Monday.

Ijaz’s lawyer Akram Sheikh read out his written statement during the proceedings of the Memogate scandal in the Islamabad High Court. A three-member bench, headed by Balochistan High Court (BHC) Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, heard the case.

Sheikh said that Ijaz was ready to come to Pakistan but he and his family have been receiving threats since the last proceeding of the case. Shaikh also told the court that Ijaz has applied for a visa at the Pakistani embassy in Switzerland and his appointment at the embassy is due at 3pm (PST) today.

Justice Isa responded by saying that the commission has limited time to conclude the case and it would be better if Ijaz comes to Pakistan as soon as possible.

Speaking to the media outside the court, Sheikh said that the government should stop harassing Ijaz and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leaders should stop thinking about filing a case against him.

He said Ijaz had not come to Pakistan because the government was in his way. Sheikh alleged that the government did not want Ijaz to come to Pakistan to reveal everything.

A perturbed Sheikh also informed media persons that the court had been informed when Ijaz would be arriving but a schedule would not be revealed to the media.

According to recent reports, legal experts in the country expressed that Ijaz can be charged with ‘high-treason’ on his return to Pakistan, despite his American nationality.

Some reports had also suggested that Ijaz might appear before the court today (Monday) and arrangements were also finalised for his chartered flight.

Former Ambassador to US Husain Haqqani’s lawyer Zahid Bukhari, while talking to the media, said that he had always predicted Ijaz will not come to Pakistan. He added that Ijaz is making baseless excuses of worsening political situation and clash of institutions in the country for not coming, but the commission can’t wait for the situation to improve for Ijaz to arrive.

He added that, as per the commission’s orders, Haqqani’s BlackBerry was searched for, but the phone was not found. “No one remembers their pin numbers. We have provided the commission with everything we have,” he added.

Bukhari also said that he advised the commission to not let Ijaz come to Pakistan as he had defied the orders twice by not coming to the country on the suggested dates. “I am not sure if the commission will take up my request.”

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Petition calls for SC to declare President Zardari, PM Gilani ineligible

ISLAMABAD: A petition requested the Supreme Court to declare President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani ineligible for their posts, FTNews reported.

The petition was filed in the apex court on Monday by senior lawyer Wahab Al Khairi.

The petition requested the court to direct the president to “bring Pakistan’s national wealth back from foreign banks”.

The petitioner claimed that “President Zardari and his associates had looted the country”.

Advocate Khairi moreover stated that the president was maintaining assets abroad and had accumulated money in foreign bank accounts.

The petitioner criticised the decision of the ruling government of not writing to Swiss authorities.

“If the president claims that he has immunity regarding the Swiss cases, then he is wrong,” Advocate Khairi said in his petition.

He also accused the prime minister of being a ‘yes-man’ to the president.

The petition stated that defamation of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) was akin to defamation of the entire Pakistani nation and that conditions were being created to damage Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

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