UN rules out reopening Benazir assassination inquiry report despite Pak's objection

The United Nations (UN) has ruled out reopening of the inquiry report over former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's assassination following Islamabad's objection.

Talking to journalists here, Farhan Haq, associate spokesman for the UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon said that the agency would soon reply to Pakistan's objections over the commission's report.

"We're working on the reply," Haq said, adding that the report will be given a shape of a legal document.

He said Ki-Moon had full confidence in the commission, and that he would soon respond to Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi's letter in which he had raised objections over the probe concerning Bhutto's murder.

Qureshi's letter states that the UN commission's observations about the Pakistan Army and the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) were not based on evidence.

"Comments and observations about the Pakistan Army, the Inter-Services Intelligence or the so-called establishment, are only the opinions of the members of the commission. They do not represent authenticated determinations based on any fact or evidence," Qureshi wrote in his letter, which has been made public by the UN.

Qureshi stated that the report has a serious flaw because the commission has failed to approach third party states or to provide some reliable information to unearth, if any, international linkages perpetrating, planning, financing or abetting Bhutto's assassination. (ANI)

PPP pledges to complete ZAB’s mission, observes Black Day

ISLAMABAD, July 5 (APP) Workers and leaders of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) across the country observed July 5 as Black Day to commemorate the sacrifice of their great leader Zulfikar Ali Bhutto for the cause of democracy and the poor people of the country.The party leaders and workers across the country pledged to complete the mission of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (ZAB), strengthen democracy and push back the remnants of martial law regimes.Pakistan Peoples Party observe July 5 as Black day every year as on the day the government of the most popular leader in country’s post Quaid-e-Azam era, was toppled by a dictator General Ziaul Haq.

Despite that Z.A Bhutto and the opposition parties had finalized an agreement to ease tension, Ziaul Haq took over in the darkness of night betraying the leader who had elevated Zia as Army Chief by superseding five senior generals.

Whatever had been the motives or agenda behind overthrowing the government of a popular leader, Zia’s action was a serious blow to democracy in a country already having a chequered democratic history.

Number of events and functions were organized across the country to eulogize Z A Bhutto and condemn the July 5 action of Ziaul Haq, who later also expired in a plane crash after ruling the country for 11 long years.

Main function to this connection was held at the President House where President of PPP Women Wing Faryal Talpur paid homage to late Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto and said, the party was proud of its workers who went to prisons and faced lashes but remained loyal to the leadership.

She spoke highly of the workers for their life long struggle, patience, steadfastness and unity and said, the Party remained successful due to sacrifices of its workers and leaders.
PPP Secretary General Jehangir Badar said the party’s struggle spanned over forty years and it was continuing from generation to generation following the vision of their great leader.

Referring to the importance of the day, Senator Faisal Raza Abidi described July 5 as a turning point in the history of Pakistan People’s Party as the party on one hand, started struggle for the rights of deprived and suppressed strata of society and on the other, encountered dictatorship for restoration of democracy.

“Of course, the blue print of dictatorship of former usurper General Zia is still visible in our minds, to particularly those PPP’s workers who were relentlessly flogged, faced charges of violating dictatorial rule, abducted from their homes in the darkness of night on July 5, 1977,” he said.
In Lahore, Peoples Labour Federation of Pakistan staged a protest demonstration where the labor leaders paid homage to Z A Bhutto for relentless struggle for democracy and vowed to continue his mission for the welfare of labor class in the country.

Federation President Farrukh Zahoor Butt, PLB Punjab’s Information Secretary Muhammad Saleem Mughal and Siddique Baig, PLB Punjab General Secretary Syed Khalid Bokhari, Ithsham-ul-Hassan said that Zia-ul-Haq, Muhammad Ashraf and others addressed the rally and urged the workers to stand committed to legacy of Z A Bhutto.

In Sindh, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Larkana and Kamber-Shahdadkot condemned the coup against Z.A Bhutto. Provincial Ministers Muhammad Ayaz Soomro and Ms. Tauqeer Fatima Bhutto addressing the party, acknowledged the valuable services of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

“Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was a leader of international stature. He lived for the poor and died for the poor and refused to bow his head before a military dictator,” the speakers said.
“Democracy was his commitment and he laid down his life for it,” they said and pledged to continue the mission of Z.A Bhutto.

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Khyber Pakthunkhwa and Fata also observed July 5 as Black day and condemned overthrowing of elected government of Qaid-e-Awam by dictator General Ziaul Haq.
The leaders and workers of the party vowed to carry forward cherished mission of Z.A Bhutto Shaheed and Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed to make Pakistan a strong democratic Muslim welfare state among the comity of nations.

The PPP wings including lawyers, women, doctors etc arranged rallies and walks to condemn the overthrowing of the government of Z.A Bhutto as people gathered at rallies and walks in different areas of the province.

Rallies were taken out and walks held in other parts of the country as well, with the PPP workers and the leaders renewing the pledge of strengthening democracy to realise the dream of their late leader and making the country strong.

PPP pledges to complete ZAB’s mission, observes Black Day

ISLAMABAD, July 5 (APP) Workers and leaders of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) across the country observed July 5 as Black Day to commemorate the sacrifice of their great leader Zulfikar Ali Bhutto for the cause of democracy and the poor people of the country.The party leaders and workers across the country pledged to complete the mission of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (ZAB), strengthen democracy and push back the remnants of martial law regimes.Pakistan Peoples Party observe July 5 as Black day every year as on the day the government of the most popular leader in country’s post Quaid-e-Azam era, was toppled by a dictator General Ziaul Haq.

Despite that Z.A Bhutto and the opposition parties had finalized an agreement to ease tension, Ziaul Haq took over in the darkness of night betraying the leader who had elevated Zia as Army Chief by superseding five senior generals.

Whatever had been the motives or agenda behind overthrowing the government of a popular leader, Zia’s action was a serious blow to democracy in a country already having a chequered democratic history.

Number of events and functions were organized across the country to eulogize Z A Bhutto and condemn the July 5 action of Ziaul Haq, who later also expired in a plane crash after ruling the country for 11 long years.

Main function to this connection was held at the President House where President of PPP Women Wing Faryal Talpur paid homage to late Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto and said, the party was proud of its workers who went to prisons and faced lashes but remained loyal to the leadership.

She spoke highly of the workers for their life long struggle, patience, steadfastness and unity and said, the Party remained successful due to sacrifices of its workers and leaders.
PPP Secretary General Jehangir Badar said the party’s struggle spanned over forty years and it was continuing from generation to generation following the vision of their great leader.

Referring to the importance of the day, Senator Faisal Raza Abidi described July 5 as a turning point in the history of Pakistan People’s Party as the party on one hand, started struggle for the rights of deprived and suppressed strata of society and on the other, encountered dictatorship for restoration of democracy.

“Of course, the blue print of dictatorship of former usurper General Zia is still visible in our minds, to particularly those PPP’s workers who were relentlessly flogged, faced charges of violating dictatorial rule, abducted from their homes in the darkness of night on July 5, 1977,” he said.
In Lahore, Peoples Labour Federation of Pakistan staged a protest demonstration where the labor leaders paid homage to Z A Bhutto for relentless struggle for democracy and vowed to continue his mission for the welfare of labor class in the country.

Federation President Farrukh Zahoor Butt, PLB Punjab’s Information Secretary Muhammad Saleem Mughal and Siddique Baig, PLB Punjab General Secretary Syed Khalid Bokhari, Ithsham-ul-Hassan said that Zia-ul-Haq, Muhammad Ashraf and others addressed the rally and urged the workers to stand committed to legacy of Z A Bhutto.

In Sindh, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Larkana and Kamber-Shahdadkot condemned the coup against Z.A Bhutto. Provincial Ministers Muhammad Ayaz Soomro and Ms. Tauqeer Fatima Bhutto addressing the party, acknowledged the valuable services of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

“Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was a leader of international stature. He lived for the poor and died for the poor and refused to bow his head before a military dictator,” the speakers said.
“Democracy was his commitment and he laid down his life for it,” they said and pledged to continue the mission of Z.A Bhutto.

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Khyber Pakthunkhwa and Fata also observed July 5 as Black day and condemned overthrowing of elected government of Qaid-e-Awam by dictator General Ziaul Haq.
The leaders and workers of the party vowed to carry forward cherished mission of Z.A Bhutto Shaheed and Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed to make Pakistan a strong democratic Muslim welfare state among the comity of nations.

The PPP wings including lawyers, women, doctors etc arranged rallies and walks to condemn the overthrowing of the government of Z.A Bhutto as people gathered at rallies and walks in different areas of the province.

Rallies were taken out and walks held in other parts of the country as well, with the PPP workers and the leaders renewing the pledge of strengthening democracy to realise the dream of their late leader and making the country strong.

Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Park inauguration today

Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Park located on Boat Basin will be inaugurated on Wednesday (today) by Pakistan People’s Party’s (PPP) Senator Almas Perveen.

Party sources disclosed that the decision to have Senator Parveen to inaugurate the park was taken on the directive of President Asif Ali Zardari who wished that a party worker should be handed the task. Senator Parveen has long been associated with the PPP and started as a worker in the party. Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, his cabinet members and prominent citizens have been invited as guests to the inaugural ceremony.

Work on Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Park started two year ago. Located on around 50 acres of land situated at Boat Basin, Clifton, the park was built under Zardari’s Green Karachi programme and is the most expensive park in Pakistan with a sum of Rs. one billion having been spent on it. However, to date, half of the park remains incomplete and yet another two million would be spent on the construction of this portion.

Officials confirmed that the cost of one tree planted in the park is Rs45000 and hundred of such trees have been planted in the park. Most of the decorative items have been imported from China. PPP’s women wing chief, MNA, Faryal Taplur, who is also the sister of Zardari, has supervised the construction and purchasing of the beautification items installed in the park.

Though one half of the portion was completed six months ago, President Zardari was invited more then four times to inaugurate the park. However, arrangements for the inauguration were postponed at the last minute as every time the president changed his mind, official concerned informed.

Benazir Bhutto inscribed into law by NA vote

ISLAMABAD: In a historic move, the National Assembly inscribed Benazir Bhutto’s name into law by its vote on Monday, unanimously passing a pro-poor bill after the main opposition party gave up a blocking amendment amid “long live” slogans for the assassinated leader.

However, the Benazir Income Support Programme Bill, based on a presidential ordinance already in operation, will need approval by Senate to become a permanent law.

An amendment in the name of the opposition PML-N’s 87 members had sought to rename the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) provided in the bill as Qaumi (national) Income Support Programme but was greeted with “no, no” chants and slogans of “long live Shaheed Benazir Bhutto” from members of the ruling PPP, and was withdrawn after Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani called for giving a legislative recognition to the former prime minister’s sacrifice for democracy.

The programme under the ordinance too was named after the former PPP leader and twice-prime minister who was assassinated in a gun-and-bomb attack on Dec 27, 2007, outside Rawalpindi’s Liaquat Bagh park after she had addressed an election campaign rally there.

But the National Assembly’s was a rare legislative vote to inscribe a political leader’s name into a law.

PML-N member Zahid Hamid, who moved the amendment, said his party had “the greatest respect” for Ms Bhutto and her sacrifice and that her legacy should be honoured by good governance rather than by naming roads, hospitals and airports after her.

But his argument was opposed by Dr Donya Aziz of the PML-Q who saw “nothing wrong” in giving such posthumous honour to Ms Bhutto.

The prime minister said BISP was Ms Bhutto’s own idea and it was working well for the past two and half years without any fingers raised about its impartial functioning to provide financial help and other social and safety net measures to economically distressed persons and families.

“In view of the prime minister’s remarks, we withdraw the amendment,” Hamid said, paving the way for a unanimous passage of the bill when it was put to voice vote by Speaker Fehmida Mirza.