Sindh presses Zardari for Musharraf trial

ISLAMABAD: The Sindh cabinet and PPP MPs unanimously asked Asif Ali Zardari on Monday not to give safe exit to President Pervez Musharraf, and try him for his alleged involvement in the assassination of Benazir Bhutto.

Sources said as a besieged Musharraf was desperately trying to show defiance in the face of his impeachment, pressure within the party was mounting on Zardari to put Musharraf on trial.

These sources said no one should wonder if the long charge-sheet to be tabled before a joint session of parliament also contains the stunning charge that he had collaborated with the assassins of Benazir Bhutto.

The Sindh cabinet and MPs, who met Asif Ali Zardari here to discuss the future strategy, also strongly argued that he had committed a blunder by announcing at Naudero on Dec 31 to make Amin Fahim prime minister of Pakistan.

This single mistake, according to his understanding, had given a chance to the media and politicians to criticise him by accusing him of making false promises. Zardari conceded that he should have been cautious in his comments at his first press conference. Zardari was of the view that he should have waited for the outcome of the general polls before going public about who would be the prime minister of Pakistan.

Meanwhile, Asif Zardari has sent Law Minister Farooq Naik to meet the MQM leadership in Karachi and convince them to back the impeachment motion, as they were a coalition partner in Sindh.

Sources said even if the MQM did not want to be part of the proceedings against Musharraf they would be requested to stay neutral and not publicly defend a besieged Musharraf. However, sources said the PPP leadership was still in favour of giving a safe passage to Musharraf, as they were not in a mood to put state institutions in a state of confrontation.

PPP leaders were still hopeful about some dramatic changes in the mindset of President Musharraf who might offer to resign. In this case the PPP government was not in a mood to put Musharraf on trial for his alleged wrongdoings.

Sources said Zardari did not show any reaction as he kept on listening to the views of his party men who were quite charged and in an angry mood when the issue of impeachment of Musharraf and safe exit was discussed.

Speaking to MPs, Zardari touched on recent statements of Makhdoom Amin Fahim in which he had openly declared that he would become part of the impeachment drive.Zardari said the biggest mistake he had committed in the recent months was to announce nomination of Amin Fahim as future prime minister of Pakistan. Zardari said the media was criticising Yousuf Raza Gilani but had there been Amin Fahim, he might have performed even poorly during his visit to the US.

Source : By Rauf Klasra-The News

Continue Reading...

Army, ISI not involved in politics: Zardari

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party co-chairman, Asif Ali Zardari has said that Pakistan army and the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) are not involved in politics.

In an exclusive interview with Geo News senior analyst Hamid Mir, Asif Ali Zardari said that it would be premature to say that President Musharraf might have misappropriated the US aid given to Pakistan in war against terror. PPP co-chairman said that his statement in this regard was stated out of context by British newspaper.

As regards Dr. Aafia Siddiqui’s case, Zardari said that her trial is an acid test of the US Judicial system. Asif Ali Zardari admitted that he was in the wrong by not taking Muttahida Qaumi Movement Chief, Altaf Hussain into confidence over the issue of President’s impeachment. He said that new President would abolish 58-2(b).


Source : The News

Continue Reading...

10 killed in J&K firing; PM calls another meet

SRINAGAR/JAMMU: Violence escalated in the Kashmir region on Tuesday as 10 people were killed in firing by security forces during protests. For the first time in 13 years, curfew has been clamped in the entire valley.

In Kishtwar, the army was called out after two persons were killed and over 20 others injured in clashes, police firing and a grenade blast, officials said. Earlier, the police lobbed teargas shells to disperse groups belonging to two communities which pelted each other with stones at Kishtwar's Hidyal Chowk.

Security forces opened fire in several areas in the Valley killing three persons each in Aribal in Bandipora district and Lasjan in outskirts of Srinagar, and one protester each in Rainawari, Baghemahtab and Zoonmar, all in Srinagar area, and in Nagabal in Ganderbal region, official sources said.

The Lasjan incident occurred after the service weapon of a personal security guard of PDP leader Javid Mustafa Mir went off “accidentally” injuring seven police personnel including IPS officer Mahesh Kumar, posted in the Saddar area, they said.

All the ten people were killed during protests against Monday’s police firing in which six people, including senior Hurriyat leader Sheikh Abdul Aziz, had lost their lives. The protesters had on Monday tried to march towards Pakistan-occupied Kashmir as part of a call given by separatists and others to end the "economic blockade" of the Valley in the wake of the Amarnath land stir in Jammu region.

As the situation in the Valley deteriorated, the authorities extended curfew to all the districts of the Kashmir Valley for the first time in 13 years, police sources said. Curfew had been imposed in Srinagar district and along a 40-kilometre stretch from Sheeri to Uri town in Baramulla district on Monday.

PM calls for second all-party meeting

NEW DELHI: With violence spiralling out of control in Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has called for a second all-party meeting on Wednesday to try to hammer out a viable consensus formula that could be acceptable to both Jammu and the Kashmir Valley.

An all-party delegation headed by Home Minister Shivraj Patil that carried an on-the-spot assessment after visiting both Jammu and Srinagar over the weekend failed to arrive at an agreement on finding a compromise solution to the crisis.

The meeting was attended by NC leader Farooq Abdullah, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad and SP leader Amar Singh among others.

"The leaders met again Tuesday but could not arrive at a workable formula or solution that would appease the people," said a senior government functionary.

In the last meeting on August 5, the prime minister appealed for calm and decided to send a delegation to the troubled state.

During its trip, the delegation held talks with the Amarnath Sangharsh Samiti, which has been spearheading the agitation in Jammu to press for restoration of the land transfer to the Amarnath shrine board - a demand fiercely opposed by the Kashmir leaders - besides holding parleys with the leaders of the valley.


Source : Times Of India

Continue Reading...

Don't interfere in J&K, India warns Pakistan

NEW DELHI: India on Tuesday reacted sharply to Pakistan's attempts to link the ongoing protests in Jammu and Kashmir to the peace process between the two countries.

According to Times Now , Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has registered strong opposition to Pakistan Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s remarks on situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi had said that the current situation in Kashmir has affected the environment for talks with India. He also said that Indo-Pak peace process would be hindered if violence in the Valley persisted.

In reply to the remarks, India has strongly warned Pakistan against "interfering in its internal matters".

Meanwhile, violence escalated in the Kashmir on Tuesday as 10 people were killed in firing by security forces during protests. For the first time in 13 years, curfew has been clamped in the entire Valley.

In Kishtwar, the Army was called out after two persons were killed and over 20 others injured in clashes, police firing and a grenade blast, officials said. Earlier, the police lobbed teargas shells to disperse groups belonging to two communities which pelted each other with stones at Kishtwar's Hidyal Chowk.

With violence spiralling out of control in Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has called for a second all-party meeting on Wednesday to try to hammer out a viable consensus formula that could be acceptable to both Jammu and the Kashmir Valley.

Source : Times Of India

Continue Reading...

Impeachment motion against Musharraf to be submitted next week

ISLAMABAD: The impeachment motion against Pervez Musharraf will be submitted in parliament next week, Pakistan's ruling coalition said today as it asked the President to quit or face the "tidal wave" of opposition set off by the two provincial assemblies backing the move.

"When the day comes next week, when we move our resolution for the joint (sitting of the National Assembly and Senate), we will have much more (votes) than we need (to impeach the President)," Pakistan People's Party leader and Information Minister Sherry Rehman told reporters.

Speaking after a meeting of the committee of PPP and PML-N leaders that is framing the impeachment motion and chargesheet against Musharraf, Rehman said a "tidal wave" had been set in motion against Musharraf with two provincial assemblies passing resolutions asking him to seek a vote of confidence in parliament.

Referring to the charges being framed against Musharraf, she said: "This is a powerful chargesheet that cannot be challenged by anyone and there will be no defence in front of it."

PML-N leader Ishaq Dar, also a member of the committee drafting the impeachment motion, said the panel is preparing an unimpeachable document that cannot be challenged.

He too said the coalition has "much more than" the 295 votes needed in a joint sitting of parliament to impeach the President.

"Even now, the concerned parties should understand the situation and not waste the time of the nation. The impeachment process can be avoided if General Musharraf resigns I believe that is the best option for him," Dar said.

Though Rehman refused to give details about the chargesheet, other PPP and PML-N leaders have said in the past few days that the charges to be brought against Musharraf include incompetence, violating and subverting the constitution, financial irregularities and pursuing policies that have brought Pakistan to the brink of an economic crisis.

Rehman said Musharraf's supporters had turned against him as was reflected by the voting on the resolution passed today by the North West Frontier Province assembly.

"There were 107 votes against Musharraf and only four for him. Even the PPP-Sherpao, which earlier supported Musharraf, voted against him," she said.

"This whole exercise is an exercise for a real transition to democracy," she said, adding that all democratic forces were together and voting for the return to democracy. "Nobody wants to be remembered on the wrong side of history in this historic and critical juncture in Pakistan's political life," she remarked.

The ruling coalition had been contacted by opposition PML-Q members and independents who wanted to support the impeachment motion.

Once the process of the four provincial assemblies passing resolutions asking the President to seek a vote of confidence is completed, the impeachment motion will be moved in the National Assembly, she said.

PPP leader Raza Rabbani, also a member of the panel drafting the chargesheet, said the impression that the impeachment motion can be challenged is wrong.

Source : Times Of India

Continue Reading...

17 injured in violence in Political Clash

NANDIGRAM (WEST BENGAL): Seventeen people were injured, some critically, as fresh trouble flared up in Nandigram villages on Tuesday morning as warring groups of Trinamool Congress (TC) and CPM fought each other with bombs and firearms.

Police said the injured included 15 Trinamool Congress activists, all of whom were rushed to a primary health clinic at Jonka.

The condition of people with gunshot wounds has been stated to be serious.

Sixty policemen were posted at the villages of Jonka and Vidyapith, S S Panda, SP of East Midnapore said.

Panda said none was arrested till now but refused to say whether raids were ordered to unearth the stockpiles of bombs, arms and ammunition.

Seven people were injured in an armed clash in the area on Monday night.

Meanwhile, the Bhumi Ucched Pratirodh Committee (BUPC) held a protest demonstration in front of the Nandigram Police Station and demanded that the police immediately seize firearms from CPM cadre in trouble-torn areas.

Source : Times Of India

Continue Reading...

Shibu Soren as next Jharkhand CM?

NEW DELHI: JMM chief Shibu Soren on Tuesday staked claim for Chief Ministership of Jharkhand, demanding that the incumbent Madhu Koda should quit soon, failing which support to the state government will be withdrawn. "The decision regarding making me Jharkhand CM was taken long back but it is getting delayed. Hence, we arrived at the decision to withdraw support for Koda government if he does not resign now," said Soren after a meeting of leaders from Jharkhand at his residence.

At the same time, he claimed that the "UPA high command has directed Madhu Koda to resign and facilitate my oath taking. I will take oath as new CM as soon has he resigns there".

The JMM leader also claimed that besides Chief Ministership to him, the party will be getting two portfolios -- one cabinet rank and a minister for state berth -- at the Centre.

Soren, however, declined to name the two of its five MPs who will be inducted into the Cabinet.

Earlier, Soren had supported the UPA in the confidence motion on July 22 after putting forth certain conditions.

Soren firmly denied that the independent ministers in the state had reservations on his becoming the CM. "There is no objection from any quarter".

Refusing to specify the time-frame given to Koda for putting in his papers, Soren said: "He has to resign as soon as possible."

While Soren refused to comment on reports that he had put forth a time-frame on the issue of change of guard in Jharkhand, a senior JMM leader said that the party conveyed to the Congress leadership this morning that it could take any decision if the UPA did not take action on JMM's demand.

Lalu not opposed to Soren as CM
According to Times Now, Rashtriya Janata Dal president Lalu Prasad, who played an instrumental role in installing Koda in office, has said that he has 'no problems' with Soren replacing Koda as the chief minister of Jharkhand. ( Watch )

Lalu was understood to be firmly opposed to any change of guard in Jharkhand. However, Lalu today clarified and declared support to Soren.

The RJD has substantial political stakes in Jharkhand and most fodder scam cases against Lalu are also at different stages of trial in the state.

Source : Times Of India

Continue Reading...

Detained Khaleda refuses to register from jail

DHAKA:Detained former prime minister Khaleda Zia has refused to register as a voter from behind bars, a prisons official said Monday.

Prison authorities along with election officials had been preparing to register Khaleda Zia as a voter earlier Monday, deputy inspector general of prisons Shamsul Haider Siddiqui told.

Election commissioner M Sakhawat Hussain had told reporters they hoped Khaleda Zia would register today, on the last day of voter registration and correction for Dhaka City Corporation.

Source : Independent Bangladesh

Continue Reading...

North West Frontier Province votes to oust Musharraf

PESHAWAR: Northwest Pakistan lawmakers have passed a resolution against President Pervez Musharraf, the second major act in the ruling coalition's campaign to impeach and oust the embattled leader.

The North West Frontier Province assembly's resolution on Tuesday came a day after lawmakers in Punjab province passed a similar proposal. As in Punjab, the resolution in the northwest passed overwhelmingly, 107-4.

Musharraf seized power in a 1999 military coup and dominated Pakistan for years, but he grew increasingly unpopular, especially after he fired judges and declared emergency rule last year.

He has been largely sidelined since his foes won February parliamentary elections but has shown no intention of leaving despite impeachment calls.

Source : The Times Of India

Continue Reading...

Amar and Arun go hammer & tongs

New Delhi, Aug 11: An argument broke out today between Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh and the BJP’s Arun Jaitley as talks failed at an all-party meeting here to discuss the Amarnath deadlock.

Members of the all-party team that visited Jammu and Srinagar last week were expected to discuss their findings at the meeting and suggest a solution.

During the discussions, Amar accused the BJP of being the root cause of the problem, and Jaitley retorted that the meeting was not the place for political wrangles, sources said. The argument ended quickly.

Home minister Shivraj Patil, who chaired the talks, said the discussions were inconclusive. Sources said the government failed to come up with concrete proposals while the BJP stood firm that the land allotment to the shrine board must be restored before any solution could be found.

The delegates will meet again on Tuesday morning. “We will meet at 9am tomorrow and then we will discuss with the Prime Minister and other leaders,” Patil said.

Jaitley later dubbed today’s meeting a “paralysis through analysis”. Amar said the delegates had discussed “a preamble to the approach” that could be taken to solve the problem.

Among those who attended the talks were the Congress’s Ghulam Nabi Azad, Saifuddin Soz and Mohsina Kidwai, the CPM’s Sitaram Yechury and National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah. People’s Democratic Party leader Mehbooba Mufti, who is supporting the protests in Kashmir, stayed away.

As reports of demonstrations in Sopore and Srinagar came in, Patil accused the media of exaggerating the number of protesters.

Source : The Telegraph

Continue Reading...