Online News Paper

LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) spokesman Siddiqul Farooq asked Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain to return to Pakistan to face cases, so that he could prove his weight.
Farooq urged Altaf Hussain to come to Punjab, saying, ‘We will provide him the bullet-proof vehicles and receive him in Lahore.’
PML-N mouthpiece said his party acknowledges the MQM and its mandate; but, we do not accede to the politics of ethnicity and bias.
‘We respect the immigrants and their offspring; but, we do not accept the All Pakistan Mohajir Qaumi Movement, which was based on the very ethnicity,’ he reiterated.

ISLAMABAD: Secretary Information PML-N Ahsan Iqbal has underlined that the military has not taken the Government into confidence in 1992, as the Military carried operation against MQM without political consultation.
Talking in a media program here on Monday, he emphasized that MQM Chief has been airing allegations against PML-N for being responsible for the military action of 1992 in Karachi city by stating that General Asif Nawaz initiated the operation in Karachi against MQM without the approval of the Government at that time.
Ahsan Iqbal further elucidated that if, PML-N was to be held accountable for 1992 operation then MQM should also seek explanation from PPP for the operation that was launched before 1992 during the PPPP’ s regime.
Secretary Information PML-N also acknowledged that in past, the democratic regimes were not authorized completely, but today MQM after serving a term with Former Dictator Pervez Musharraf for 5-years rule, was now airing allegations, “if they were so innocents, why did not MQM voiced during the tenure of the dictator” he remonstrated.
He also emphasized that MQM has been airing allegation at this juncture of time to avert the attention from the 12th May 2007 incident’s investigations, since MQM did not ask for the accountability for bloodshed of its members during the military action of 1992.
“The establishment has never conceded the Supremacy of the democratic regimes and for the supremacy of democratic institutions PML-N made agreements under CoD with (L) Benazir Bhutto to ensure the supremacy of the democratic institutions over the establishment.” He elucidated.

ISTANBUL: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said that breaking the series of Indo-Pak dialogue will equally leave damages on the interests of both neighbouring states.
This FM said to media following Friends of Pakistan (FoP) meeting held here on Monday.
Shah Mehmood Qureshi said government of Pakistan requires foolproof evidences to prosecute Hazif Saeed, the chief of banned Jamat-ut-Dawah outfit but Indian government has not provided proofs as yet.
We will review new Indian dossier with open mindedness because the judiciary here in Pakistan is independent, he claimed.
FM Qureshi said government of Pakistan awaits for the results of Afghan polls, urging that Afghanistan needs political stability.

LAHORE: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that the talks about trial against Musharraf under Article six were not came to an end and he was in contact with Pakistan Muslim League (N) leader Mian Nawaz Sharif. Gilani said the Peoples Party and PML-N have differences over the mechanism.
The prime minister was talking to media on Sunday after extending condolence with Peoples Party leader Sardar Asif Ahmed Ali over the demise of his mother.
Gilani said there was no minus-one formula in democracy, “Nawaz Sharif is not disappointed with us. Muslim League (N) and Peoples Party have several common points. The leaders of both parties have suffered afflictions and faced cases,” Gilani said.
Replying a question Prime Minister Gilani said the back of terrorism has been broken and the miscreants were now hiding their faces.
He said his government was taking all possible measure to control the crises of sugar and flour shortage.

KARACHI, PAKISTAN: The new Ramazan moon may not be sighted today (Friday), according to astronomical parameters. Therefore, Ramazan One, 1430 AH may fall on Sunday. The moon crossed the conjunction line yesterday (Thursday) at 1602 Pakistan Summer Time (PST). The sunset today will be at 2002 PST, and the evening civil twilight (ECTL) will be at 2026 PST. The moon will set at 2036 PST.
Thus the age of the new moon will be 28 hours and 24 minutes at ECTL. It will set 34 minutes after sunset and ten minutes after ECTL. At ECTL the moon will be at an altitude of two degrees and three minutes and at an azimuth of 268 degrees and 13 minutes. At sunset the moon will be at an altitude of seven degrees and 22 minutes. It will be at an azimuth of 269 degrees and 25 minutes. According to astronomical parameters, there is a very very slight chance of sighting the new moon for

Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan:- PML-N walked out from the National Assembly session Thursday protesting over yesterday’s speech by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani in the house in which he had ruled out his government would seek a trial of former military president Pervez Musharraf for high treason.
Speaking on a point of order, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s Leader of the Opposition Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said that why consensus was needed to invoke the Article 6 of the Constitution for trial of former president Pervez Musharraf.
Responding to the point of order, Dr. Babar Awan said Pakistan Peoples’ Party believes in promoting politics of consensus and consultation for strengthening the democratic norms in the country.
“There are PPP allies in the Federal and the provincial governments, who are always taken on board on all important national issues,” the Minister said.
Babar Awan said on one hand Chaudhry Nisar appreciated Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani for creating consensus among political forces on several national issues, while on the other he was questioning about evolving consensus in political parties regarding the Article 6.
He said these two points of the PML-N leader negate each other.
The Minister said PPP and allied parties are fully backing the comments of the Prime Minister, which he made during his speech in the National Assembly on Wednesday.
He said whatever the Prime Minister said in his speech was not based on personal and political victimization or personal interests but it gave a new ray of hope to democratic forces.
Awan while addressing the Prime Minister said “Mr. Prime Minister we are on your back. The Parliament is on your back. Your coalition is on your back.”

PAKISTAN, ISLAMABAD: Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan commander Khurshid, a close ally of Fazal Ullah, along with 60 comrades voluntarily surrendered to District Coordination Officer Mingora at Saidu Airport on Thursday.
According to ISPR here on Thursday, the surrender was also witnessed a number of notables of the area, while the operation, Rah-e-Raast is continuing in Swat and Malakand Division.
Security forces conducted search operation at Kukarai whereby killing two terrorists while, apprehending five Afghan nationals from Charbagh.
Security forces apprehended three suspects during routine checking at Rashagatta and destroyed a terrorists training camp besides demolishing 10 houses and discovered a cave of about 20 feet length in Dir.
So far, 256,081 cash cards have been distributed amongst the IDPs of Malakand who have also been handed over 15 trucks load of Atta.

PAKISTAN, ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said he forgave former President Gen (rtd) Pervez Musharraf on his resignation; however, if the parliament brings a consensus resolution against him (Musharraf), he would support it.
Addressing the National Assembly, he said the Leader of the Opposition does not have the majority to get the resolution approved.
The judiciary, having played their role, said the rest lies with the parliament, he said.
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto held the democracy the best revenge, he said.
Gilani said he has come to the House, now it is time to bolster democracy, adding it is the first time that he ascended the premiership as the consensus candidate and MQM supported him at a time when it was not a coalition partner.
The PM Gilani said he wants to take all the allies in confidence and the strength of his government comes from the alliance.
All the resolutions were adopted with consensus in 17 months, he added.

PAKISTAN, ISLAMABAD: The Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC) on Thursday approved 44 projects during its meeting.
Talking to newsmen here after the meeting, Minister for Information and Broadcast Qamar Zaman Kaira said that the ECNEC considered 26 projects including 17 ongoing and 27 new projects, adding that the total cost of new projects was about Rs.1136.30 billion while that of the ongoing ones is Rs.82.30 billion.
The ECNEC approved six projects, costing Rs.37.49 billion, including FEC Rs.18.44 billion for all Pakistan, the minister said.
The main projects approved by ECNEC include construction of Diamer Basha Dam, revival of Karachi Circular Railway as Modern Commuter system, procurement/manufacture of 202 new design passenger coaches and Duber Khawar hydropower project (130 MW).
Reportedly, the Council gave approval to 6 projects, costing Rs.37.04 billion, for Punjab province, 10 projects of Rs.145.97 billion for Sindh, 7 projects costing Rs.22.02 billion for Balochistan and 6 projects costing Rs.36.61 billion for NWFP.
The Economic Council also considered two projects costing Rs.16.24 billion for Azad Jammu and Kashmir, 6 projects worth Rs.909.03 billion for Northern Areas and one project costing 14.21 billion for FATA.
Of these, 32 projects, costing Rs.1170.70 including FEC of Rs.363.03 billion are related to infrastructure development while 7 projects costing Rs.44.36 billion of social sector and one project of Rs.3.54 billion of other nature.

PAKISTAN, ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has reiterated that the PPP as per its manifesto is committed to repeal the 17th Amendment from the Constitution.
“I think 17th Amendment is practically dead. I have called on the Parliament twice to repeal it. I do not consider it as an instrument. I do not rely on it. I do not intend to use it,” the President said in ARY NEWS’ programme “Eleventh Hour” telecasted Monday night.
“Being a politically elected President and accepting this position after the consensus within the party as well as resolutions adopted by the Parliament and provincial assemblies, why I would need the 17th Amendment?” the President questioned to the interviewer Jasmeen Manzoor.
The President said he has come to power through a political process as he fought the elections right from the Union Council and District Council to the National Assembly and Senate.
He said the PPP has a past and future as well, so how its co-chairman can think of not abiding by the party’s manifesto. “Will the (present) parliament allow itself to be dissolved,” the President remarked.
To a question about his relations with the Prime Minister, the President said Gilani is all powerful Prime Minister and the PPP nominated him for the position in the name of Benazir Bhutto.
He said there can be wishful thinking of some people about difference between him and the Prime Minister, maintaining “We all are with him. The PPP is behind him. He is a strong Prime Minister.”
To a question, the President said Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan had asked him to become the Prime Minister, but the party after three months of deliberations nominated Gilani for the PM’s slot.
President Zardari said the PPP’s commitment to democracy and the Charter of Democracy can be gauged from the fact that Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly, for the first time in history was also given the post of Chairman Public Accounts Committee.
He said some people wanted us to get into confrontation with state institutions “but we want to strengthen democracy and institutions. We are in the process of building institutions and not personalities”.
To a question about criticism on the government, the President recalled the situation in which the PPP government came into power after the assassination of Benazir Bhutto.
He referred to the federal budget 2009-10 and said some socio-economic vehicles have been created and some are being created for resolving the problems of masses.
The President did not agree with the view that the PPP’s popularity was on decline by saying the people of Pakistan voted PPP to power in the previous elections and the party will again clinch the majority in future as well.

PAKISTAN, ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said that Pakistan has taken the recent statement of Indian Prime Minister “very seriously” and asked the neighboring country to share the information is supposed to have regarding any plans of attack on India by alleged Pakistani terrorist groups.
Indian PM Manmohan Singh on Monday told a security conference in New Delhi that some Pakistan-based terrorist groups were planning another Mumbai-like attack on India.
Talking to newsmen here Tuesday, the FM said that he asked the concerned officials of his ministry soon after the Manmohan Singh’s statement to summon the Indian High Commissioner in Islamabad on the issue.
“We want an exchange of that credible information that India supposed to posses on which this allegation is based as the two countries had decided in Sharm El Shiek to cooperate in information sharing with each other for curbing menace of terrorism.”
“We can’t take any such statement lightly. Pakistan wants peaceful and friendly relationship with all its neighbors and that’s why it wants that the misunderstandings should be ratified. So, let’s see what they respond to us,” the FM told the media persons.
To a query, Qureshi said US wants a long-term relationship with Pakistan and its economic assistance for the country is a proof of its ambitions.

PAKISTAN, LAHORE: The government of Punjab has issued orders to the checkposts on border to remain alert in stopping countrywide sale of cheap priced flour from Punjab to other provinces of Pakistan.

Rana Sanaullah, Punjab’s law minister, has not banned the countrywide sale of wheat but he merely passed orders to remain ready against transportation of cheap-priced flour from Punjab to across Pakistan.

According to Punjab food department, Punjab provides other provinces 4000 to 5000 ton flour on daily basis but in the month of Ramazan, 20 kg sack of flour will be sold at Rs.200, so it could possibly be smuggled to other provinces.

According to sources, the orders came for discourage smuggling of cheap-priced flour to other provinces from Punjab and the ban will be lifted as soon as the scheme ends.

PAKISTAN, ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has demanded transfer of drone technology to Pakistan.
In a meeting with US Special Representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke on Monday the prime minister said that the drone strikes affecting Pakistan’s efforts in the war against terrorism.
The visiting envoy discussed the bilateral cooperation on war on terror, repatriation and rehabilitation of displaced persons of Malakand division and US aid and assistance for the development of various sectors of Pakistan.
The issue of US drone attacks was also came under discussion in the meeting, it was reported.

PAKISTAN, ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Monday said he had submitted the recommendations by the four chief ministers regarding local bodies system to the President who had further forwarded it to the Law Ministry for comments.
He was talking to media after his visit to the Auditor General of Pakistan where he was briefed about the working of the institution.
The Prime Minister said the process of accountability of both present and previous governments would be initiated simultaneously without any political victimization.
“The government will ensure transparent accountability keeping in view its hairline difference with political victimization,” he asserted.
Flanked by Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin and Chairman Public Accounts Committee Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Gilani said it was matter of satisfaction that an elected prime minister was visiting the Auditor General for the first time in support of the leader of the Opposition.
“We want to ensure transparency and good governance in the country which is linked with accountability of public offices,” the Prime Minister said.
Gilani stressed the need for making the Auditor General of Pakistan as an effective institution, adding that an active Public Account Committee of the parliament could make the democratic system more productive.
The Prime Minister said audit reports were being prepared to find weakness of the government.
He said, “We want that accountability of the present government should start right now.”
He said the Chairman of Public Account Committee had assured that audit of previous years as well as present government would be done simultaneously.
Replying to a question, he said, the Auditor General can take decision by himself for setting up more departments of accountability, if needed.
Referring to the importance of impartiality and transparency in the audit report, the Prime Minister said, “I spent five years in jail on audit report on political victimization.”
Chairman PAC Chaudhry Nisar said previously it took almost 10 years for the preparation audit report, however this time three reports have been prepared in 10 months.
He said the reports would be presented before the parliament during the session after Ramazan.
Nisar appreciated Prime Minister Gilani for his complete support which was meaningful for carrying out the process of accountability.

PAKISTAN, KALABAGH: Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Nawabzada Malik Ammad Khan said minus Zardari formula has been made up by media and there are no differences within People’s Party.
Talking to media in Kalabagh, he said only parliament can take action against the former president Pervez Musharraf.
“There is a complete understanding among government, army, and opposition,” the minister stressed, adding, “all major decisions are made after taking the opposition in confidence.”
Only parliament has power to take action against Musharraf which can give a go ahead for any action under Article 6, he added.
Ammad said government is in favour of abolishing the 17th amendment and President Asif Zardari will open-heartedly accept the cutback in his powers.

PAKISTAN, KARACHI: State Bank of Pakistan might cut the discount rate by 1 to 1 ½ percent in its new monetary policy which will be announce today.
Senior bankers told Geo News that the Central Bank would review the discount rate in the backdrop of the fall in inflation rate and it was being hoped that the discount rate would be slashed by 1 to 1 ½ percent in the new monetary policy to be announced on August 15 and inflation new index also indicative of the flexibility in monetary policy.
According to Federal Statistics Department data on inflation rate, which were released in July, inflation fell down to the 19 months lows 11.17 percent as against 13.13 percent in June.

PAKISTAN, ISLAMABAD: US Special representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan Ambassador Richard Holbrooke has said that widening the distance from Nawaz Sharif will hamper the interests of US as he is the popular leader in Pakistan and added that it is not the job of United States to tell Pakistan to launch operation in Waziristan as it is up to the Pakistani leadership to decide when and what it wants to do about it.
Talking to reporters on board the plane, before landing at Islamabad Airport, Holbrooke said his meetings with Pakistani leadership would be focused on how to overcome the power shortage in the country.
Holbrooke said that a task force led by Marry Bethman had been set up to find ways to help resolve the issue of electricity shortage in Pakistan…”people of Pakistan are suffering because of power loadshedding and we got to help them,” he added.
He said Pakistan was neglected as compared to Afghanistan after 9/11 incident by the international community and whatever needed was not done in the power sector in Pakistan. “And now, since we have a little breathing space as far as security situation is concerned, it is time for us to focus on other important issues like power crisis,” he added.
“I cannot tell whether the Taliban were destroyed or dispersed as a result of this operation until I go myself over there and talk to the people on ground but one thing was quite obvious that security forces regained Swat and Buner from Taliban which itself was very significant,” he added.
He said that the political situation here had improved significantly, as on March 15 the PML-N was at odds with the government when it held long march. He that Nawaz Sharif had come out with strong statements against Taliban. “Nawaz Sharif is a popular leader and his party is ruling the largest province of Punjab that’s why I believe that distancing from Nawaz will not be in the interest of the US.”

PAKISTAN, ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday night announced major legal and political reforms in the Tribal Areas to extricate them from a century of bondage and subservience and usher them into mainstream of national life describing it as a gift to the nation and the tribal people on the Nation’s 63rd Independence Day.
The government has fulfilled its promise and now people in Fata can have an identity as they will participate in political activities and exercise their right to vote, the President said while addressing the nation in a live PTV Special Show held at the Aiwan-e-Sadr on the occasion of Independence Day.
Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, Chairman Senate Farooq Naek, Speaker National Assembly Fehmida Mirza, Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, Federal Ministers, Parliamentarians, Diplomats and high-ranking government officials were present on the occasion.
The President said Pakistan’s future lies in democracy and every Pakistani has a right and duty to nurture democratic values.
He said Quaid-e-Azam succeeded in gaining an Islamic country through a democratic struggle.
“Democracy gave Pakistan and democracy saved Pakistan” and now all citizens can live in this country with honour, he said adding the nation should be thankful for a free and democratic Pakistan.
The President said the government will take into confidence all political parties inside and outside the parliament, on national issues.
All parties including PML(N), ANP, MQM and others will be together on national issues and everybody will strengthen each other and stand united, he added.
He said living nations face challenges and recalled when their democratic government took over, the country was near bankruptcy and a handful of extremists wanted to take hold of Pakistan.
He saluted the jawans of Armed Forces who sacrificed their lives to safeguard the nation and people who stood with the government at that critical juncture.
The President thanked the host families for opening their hearts and doors for the dislocated people and said the government would not have met the challenge of militancy without the support of people.
He prayed for the continuity of democracy so that future generations can stay safe from the dangers of dictatorship.
Spokesperson to the President former Senator Farhatullah Babar said that the package of political reforms for Fata hammered out after consultation with all stakeholders had been approved a day earlier in a meeting in the Presidency that was also attended by the Prime Minister and which urged the President to announce it any time he deemed fit.
President Asif Ali Zardari decided to make the announcement in his address to the nation on the eve of 63rd Independence Day, he said.
Farhatullah Babar said that the political and judicial reforms announced tonight by President Zardari envisage extension of the Political Parties Order to the Tribal Areas on the one hand and changes in the century old anachronistic law called Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) to make it responsive to the human rights of the people while respecting the local customs and traditions.
The President said that Pakistan was created through a democratic struggle and through democracy it will be made strong and prosperous.

LONDON: The Quaid Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Altaf Hussain has appealed to the ruling administration to re-look into the decision of repealing local government system as there lies in it, the welfare of the people of Pakistan.
This Altaf said during telephonic address from London on the inaugural ceremony of newly constructed monument near Mukka Chaowke closely located to MQM’s Nine Zero.
He said the people of Pakistan are suffering from load shedding and inflation menaces on the eve of Independence Day while the government should have made announcement of cut in commodities prices on this glorifying occasion.
“We make fun of our independence every year by doing ethically wrong deeds”, he remarked adding, “The country is undergoing the critical situation.”
He said on one hand the army is countering terrorism in NWFP province while on the other hand the government is suppressing the legitimate demands of the Baloch people.
Altaf Hussain asked government for meeting the lawful demands of the Baloch people and for promotion of policy of love instead of hatred.

Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan:- The day on August 14 today has dawned with 21-gun salute here in the provincial capital on the eve of Independence Day early on Friday.
The cadets hailing from Pakistan Army fired 21-gun shots at 5:21am on Friday with the first beacon of sunlight while the slogans featuring ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ were also chanted on the occasion