US govt must take action against Mansoor Ijaz: Malik

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Interior Rehman Malik Monday said that the United States government must take action against Mansoor Ijaz for violating US laws and issuing false statements against the armed forces and against Pakistan’s leadership.

Regarding Ijaz’s statements of the country’s leadership and Haqqani’s knowledge of the Abbottabad operation, Malik said the US had itself admitted that the Pakistani government and Haqqani were not aware of the operation so the US must take action against Ijaz for giving false statements.

“Pakistan has always been asked to do more but it is time for the US to take action against the person who is violating its laws by misguiding the international community,” Malik told media representatives after a meeting at the Interior Ministry on the law and order situation during Muharram.

All the information related to Ijaz has been collected and the Interpol would be approached for further investigation.

Malik said that from the very beginning Ijaz has been changing his stance on the issue.

Malik asked the Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) to approach the Supreme Court against Ijaz and said the government would extend its support in the matter.

Responding to a question, he said the government would honour and implement the Supreme Court’s decision on Haqqani.

He further said that Haqqani had no intention of leaving Pakistan and if he wanted to leave the country, he would not have returned.

Malik said Pakistan’s decision for not participating in the Bonn conference was in accordance with the people’s aspirations.

“We will not allow any one to violate Pakistan’s sovereignty at any cost,” he said.

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Altaf seeks role of ulema to promote inter-faith harmony

KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Chief Altaf Hussain has called upon ulema of different schools of thought to play their role to maintain brotherhood and promote inter-faith harmony during the month of Muharram-ul-haram.

According to a statement issued by MQM here on Sunday evenning, Altaf said this while talking Interior Minister, Rehman Malik via telephone.

It said both the leaders also had a detailed discussion pertaining to Muharram-ul-haram security arrangements.

Altaf also appealed to the masses to foil attempts to disturb peace through their unity.

He has also directed the leaders of the MQM to attend mourning processions and majalis to promote the inter-faith harmony.

Talking to Rehman Malik, the MQM chief lauded efforts of the Interior Minister to maintain tranquility during Muharram.

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US vacating Shamsi air base, says Cameron Munter

ISLAMABAD: The United States is vacating an air base in Pakistan used by American drones, complying with a key demand made by Islamabad in retaliation for the Nato airstrikes that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers, the US ambassador said Monday.

The move is not expected to significantly curtail drone attacks in Pakistan, since Shamsi air base in southwestern Balochistan province was only used to service drones that had mechanical or weather difficulties.

But Washington’s decision to leave the base shows how the Nato attacks on November 26 have plunged the already strained US-Pakistan relationship to an all-time low.

The crisis threatens US attempts to get Pakistan to cooperate on winding down the Afghan war.

Pakistan immediately retaliated by blocking its Afghan border crossings to Nato supplies and giving the US 15 days to vacate Shamsi — a deadline that falls on December 11. It is also boycotting an international conference in Bonn, Germany, on Afghanistan.

US Ambassador Cameron Munter said in a local TV interview that Washington was doing its best to comply with Pakistan’s demand to leave the air base.

”I think what we can promise you is that we will do everything we can to vacate the Shamsi base by the date that you asked us,” said Munter.

The ambassador did not mention the use of the base by American drones.

The US does not acknowledge the CIA-run drone program in Pakistan publicly, but American officials have said privately that the strikes have killed many senior Taliban and al-Qaeda commanders.

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Posted in: NATIONAL