Wednesday, December 14, 2011

President Zardari to be discharged Thursday: Farhatullah Babar


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ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari will be discharged on Thursday from a Dubai hospital where he has spent more than a week but will remain in the Gulf emirate to rest, his spokesman said Wednesday.
“All tests are clear and the doctors plan to discharge the president from hospital tomorrow to take rest at home and continue the heart medication,” Farhatullah Babar told AFP.
“The president is recovering and the doctors have advised him complete rest,” Babar said, adding that Zardari would remain at his house in Dubai.
The 56-year-old Zardari flew to the United Arab Emirates last Tuesday after falling ill in the midst of a major scandal over alleged attempts by a close aide to seek US help to limit the power of Pakistan’s military.
Babar declined to comment when Zardari would be returning to Pakistan.
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has denied that Zardari had suffered a stroke or offered to resign, despite rumours and reports to the contrary.
Zardari, who has a long-standing heart condition, was being treated at the American Hospital in Dubai.
He is facing a major scandal over the extent to which he was involved in any attempts to rein in the military.
Pakistan is also battling its worst crisis in US relations after Nato air strikes killed 24 Pakistani soldiers on November 26.

‘Security concerns’ an excuse to stop Karachi rally: Imran


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LAHORE: Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan on Wednesday said those trying to create impediments in way of the Karachi rally were working to their own disadvantage, FTNews reported.
Speaking at a press conference, Khan said the excuse of ‘security concerns’ was being used to stop PTI from holding the rally.
“The purpose of the rally is to ensure peace and security in the country, something which the people of Karachi also desire,” he said.
Khan said the PTI would hold the rally on December 25 in Karachi “even if a war was going on”.
He moreover emphasised that “the war against terrorism” could only be won through dialogue.

SC seeks replies from President, PM on NRO implementation


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ISLAMABAD: Issuing a new order in the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) implementation case on Wednesday, the Supreme Court directed concerned authorities, including President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Chairman NAB Fasih Bokhari, to submit their respective replies, FTNews reported.
The order also calls for replies from the four provincial governors.
The apex court moreover requested the authorities for details on progress in the implementation of its verdict on the NRO.
Subsequently, the court adjourned the hearing to the first week of January 2012.