Pakistan Views

Co-Chairperson Pakistan People’s Party, Asif Ali Zardari has said that the restoration of judges will be made through a constitutional package. In an exclusive interview with a private TV channel, he said the judges could be restored in two weeks. He added that the result of discussion for restoration of judges was also expected to come in about in 15 days.
Asif Ali Zardari, said their mandate was not the restoration of judges, rather it was (Roti, Kapra aur Makan). The mandate was also about solidarity of Pakistan, welfare of the people, and introduction of the reforms. co-chairman Pakistan Peoples Party Asif Ali Zardari has said that he is more interested in strengthening of the institution of judiciary rather than individual judges.In a interview to private TV channel telecast Monday the PPPP leader said that he wants to give strength to the institution of judiciary so that no Asif Ali Zardari is let to languish in prison for eight long years for no offence.Zardari said that he went five time to the court of deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhary to seek justice in BMW case wherein he was kept in prison. He said that according to law if a vehicle is held by the relevant agencies on the charge of less paid duty the vehicle is impounded and not the owner. The PPPP Co-Chairman said that in his particular case he was also put behind the bars alongwith vehicle.

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Monday said the foremost objective of the democratic government is to serve the people and to provide them equal economic opportunities despite financial constraints. He expressed the strong resolve of the government to restore the 1973 Constitution which ensures supremacy of the Parliament, strengthening of all state institutions including independence of judiciary.Prime Minister was talking to a delegation led by Matiullah Agha, Deputy Speaker Balochistan Assembly, who called on him here at the PM House this afternoon.He expressed the confidence that the new democratic set-up in Balochistan, which represents all shades of life, would come up to the expectations of the people.Gilani said the coalition government in Balochistan would ensure provision of all basic necessities of life to the people at their doorsteps.He said the government is making all out efforts to overcome food and energy shortage in the country and is incorporating both short as well as long term measures to address these issues effectively.Deputy Speaker and other members of the delegation congratulated Prime Minister on assuming his office.They also expressed their full confidence in government reconciliation efforts and 100-day programme announced by the Prime Minister to bring about socio-economic change in the country. Baz Khan Khetran ex-MNA was also present in the meeting.

Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan has cancelled its peace deal with the government of Pakistan on Monday.The government has failed to implement promises made under the peace accord, Taliban spokesman Moulvi Muhammad Umar said in a statement.The government has not pulled down its troops from tribal areas as it had promised under the agreement, which shows the intentions of the government about enforcement of the deal, he added.

Pakistan People’s Party and Muttahida Qaumi Movement Monday reached over a power sharing deal in Sindh, sources said.According to the sources under the power sharing deal eight MQM ministers and five advisors would take oath on this Friday.Co-chairman of Pakistan People’s Party Asif Ali Zardari has signed over the deal.Muttahida has not yet announced about its expected ministers and advisors in Sindh coalition government. The names of the cabinet members would be announced within next 24 hours, sources added.

A divisional bench of Islamabad High Court Monday granted bail to Maulana AbdulAziz, former Khateeb of Lal Masjid, in four cases including murder of Rangers official and kidnapping of policemen and Chinese nationals. Earlier, the high court bench comprises of Chief Justice Sardar Aslam and Justice Raja Saeed Akram, heard the bail application of Maulana Abdul Aziz. Shaukat Siddiqui Advocate appeared before the court on behalf of Maulana Aziz. The hearing of eight other cases against Maulana Aziz, registered under the Amplifier Act and MPO, will be held on May 3.

Former chief minister of Sindh and Muslim League-Q leader Dr. Arbab Ghulam Rahim left for Dubai on Monday. According to reports, Arbab Rahim left Islamabad for a private visit of Dubai.Former chief minister had filed a petition in Islamabad High Court against expected inclusion of his name in the Exit Control List (ECL).Sources of interior ministry told Geo News that Arbab Rahim’s name never included in the ECL at any stage. Muslim League-Q sources also denied the reports that Arbab’s name was put on the ECL.

The students of two groups in MAO college Lahore exchanged heavy firing on Monday for about two hours. According to police armed activists of two factions of Muslim Students Federation (MSF) held positions in MAO College and exchanged fire during the 9th class examinations in the college. The students were trapped in their classes during the shootout, which was continued for about two hours. The police reached to the college during the firing but could not enter in the premises. The police entered in the college as the firing subsided but the gunmen sneaked out of the premises. The students of the college held protest demonstration outside the college and burnt tyres to protest against the incident.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad arrived on Monday in Pakistan for a brief visit to meet the country’s new government and President Pervez Musharraf.Ahmadinejad’s plane touched down at Chaklala Airbase in Rawalpindi, where an air force honour guard greeted him on the tarmac, an AFP reporter witnessed.He was presented with bouquets by a young boy and girl before being whisked off in a fleet of limousines to the presidency building in the capital for his meeting with President Musharraf.Ahmadinejad will stay in Pakistan for a few hours on his way to Sri Lanka as part of a whistlestop tour of South Asian nations that will also include India.A government official said that after meeting President Musharraf, Ahmadinejad would also hold talks with new Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani.Iran, Pakistan and India are all in talks to build a multi-billion dollar project to transport Iranian gas across the subcontinent.

Five children were killed and a woman wounded in fire at a house in Sirki Gate area of Peshawar on Monday. Five children were burnt to death in the blaze, which was reportedly caused by electric short circuit. The children died in the incident identified as Nauman, Usman, Ayisha, Nadia and Tahira, were five to 13 years of age.

President Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) Shahbaz Sharif on Sunday said that the issue of the restoration of the judges is being tried to be resolved in the light of Murree Declaration and the announcement for the restoration of the judges would be made before the deadline of 30 days.Talking with journalists before his departure here at the Allama Iqbal airport, Shahbaz Sharif said that co-chairman Pakistan Peoples Party Asif Ali Zardari’s stay in Dubai has become longer.Shahbaz Sharif said that he has got an appointment for meeting with Asif Ali Zardari and he is going to Dubai for holding a meeting with him.He asked the people to remain hopeful that the issue of the restoration of the judges would soon be resolved.Along with Shahbaz Sharif, Khawaja Asif and legal expert Khawaja Haris are also going to Dubai.