PML-N Punjab strongly opposes Nawaz Sharif’s decision to oust Mastikhel from party

ISLAMABAD: The Parliamentary party of PML-N Punjab Chapter has expressed its strong opposition to recent directives of PML-N head, Mian Nawaz Sharif regarding ousting of Sanaullah Mastikhel from Party ranks.

The MPA from Punjab was penalized for initiating a resolution against media in the Punjab assembly, and Mian Nawaz Sharif had issued his directives to oust the MPA, during a press conference in London and afterwards in telephonic directives passed on to Mian Shahbaz Sharif.

Many senior leaders and party members have expressed their utter astonishment, reservations, and concerns over this directive of ousting Sanaullah Mastikhel, and have even threatened to resign en masse if these directives were ever carried out.

Mian Sahbaz Sharif, while conveying the feelings and decision of party members /leadership to Mian Nawaz Sharif, has requested grace time for an enquiry being carried out by party’s disciplinary committee probing the MPA’s issue.

When contacted the PML-N spokesman Ahsan Iqbal informed Online that party had constituted a disciplinary party to probe the issue, which was formulating its report.

It was also clarified that when Mian Nawaz Sharif issued his directives, he was under the wrong impression that the MPA had passed the anti-media resolution in his personal capacity; however a closer probe has revealed that 17 other MPAs were also signatories to this resolution, making it a personalized group, and not a party decision.

Govt sends Musharraf abroad under a mutual understanding: Nawaz

SIALKOT: Quaid PML-N Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has accused that the government wanted to protect former President Pervez Musharraf and he (Musharraf) was sent abroad under a mutual understanding.

Addressing to a public gathering on Saturday, the Quaid PML underlined that President Asif Ali Zardari was insisted several times for the accountability of Pervez Musharraf and he should have been accountable for dissolving judiciary, killing Nawab Akbar Bugti and starting Lal Masjid operation.

The Quaid PML-N has requested the court to take suo motu notice of all illegal actions taken by Pervez Musharraf.

He also said that after the elections, he reminded Asif Ali Zardari to fulfill promised made in to CoD that was inked between him and PPP Chairperson Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, but President Zardari did not follow CoD with letter and spirit.

PML-N Quaid further emphasized that some sections of CoD were particularly designed in the interest of the country and to strengthen democratic process in the country.

He also remarked that actions should be taken against former dictator as American President has taken action against General Mc-Crystal as the nation wanted to bring the dictator in the court.

PML-N Chief clarified that PML-N dispelled the impression that N-League is a friendly opposition, adding that had PML-N friendly opposition, it would not have takeout Long-March against the ruling government. Quaid PML-N said that the party never taken any step for personal interests but remained at forefront for the national interests.

LHC summons NAB chief over seized Sharif property

LAHORE: A division bench of the Lahore High Court on Thursday issued a notice to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman and restrained the bureau from harassing the Sharif family, in the family’s seven identical appeals seeking the release of their property which was seized in 2001.

Headed by Justice Ijazul Ahsan, the bench also sought replies from the NAB authorities within two weeks.

The Sharif family had argued that NAB was not releasing properties seized in 2001 in order to recover fines imposed by an accountability court and an anti-terrorism court on PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif in a plane hijacking case as well as the purchase of a Russian helicopter.

Initially, these appeals were filed at the Rawalpindi bench of the LHC but were later transferred to Lahore due to the unavailability of the bench in Rawalpindi. The appeals were filed by Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Sabina Abbas, Hudabiya Paper Mills, Hudabiya Engineering Services, Chaudhry Sugar Mills, Ramzan Sugar Mills and Hamza Spinning Mills.

On July 22, 2000, an accountability court sentenced Nawaz Sharif to 14 years of rigorous imprisonment and Rs20 million in fines in the helicopter case. An anti-terrorism court in Karachi had convicted Nawaz on April 6, 2000 in the plane hijacking case, and awarded him life imprisonment, a Rs500,000 fine and the attachment of his movable and immovable property.

However, the conviction was set aside by the Supreme Court on October 30, 2000.

The appellants argued that despite the conviction being set aside by the Supreme Court, NAB had not released their properties.

In a petition filed by Hudabiya Paper Mills through its secretary Syed Ajmal Sibtain and 15 shareholders, the company sought the recovery of 7.07 million share certificates attached by Mohammad Shabbir Khan, the then-director of NAB in Lahore on May 16, 2001, to recover the fine.

Shahbaz Sharif’s appeal was filed by Tariq Dastagir Khan and sought the recovery of an original sale deed executed by Murree Improvement Trust in Shahbaz’s favour for a plot in Murree. The agreement was seized by Lahore NAB authorities on January 16, 2002.

Sabina Abbas, daughter of Mian Abbas, sought the detachment of a sale deed of May 12, 1984, registered with sub-registrar of Murree in her favour with regard to a property in Murree.

Chaudhry Sugar Mills, through its secretary Syed Ajmal Sibtain, sought the recovery of Rs5 million acquired by NAB Lahore on April 6, 2002, through cross cheques.

Ramzan Sugar Mills sought recovery of Rs110 million cashed by the bureau in 2001 and 2002 through six bank transactions.

Hudabiya Engineering Services, through its secretary Syed Ajmal Sibtain, sought the recovery of 204,500 company share certificates attached by NAB in Lahore on May 16, 2001.

Hamza Spinning Mills, through its secretary Tariq Dastagir Khan, sought recovery of 2.735 million share certificates.

The appellants argued that it was unlawful of NAB to recover the fines imposed on Nawaz Sharif from other members of his family.

They said since the Supreme Court had acquitted Nawaz Sharif, NAB should have released the seized property and shares. But it failed to do so despite repeated applications.

UN report on Benazir

THE government’s reaction to the report of the United Nations Commission on Ms Benazir Bhutto’s murder, as expressed in a letter to the UN Secretary General, is surprisingly negative considering that the PPP had virtually based its post-murder election campaign on the holding of a UN enquiry into the murder. The President himself, who had been made a widower by the murder, had called for the UN enquiry. The enquiry itself, by a Commission headed by Chiles former UN ambassador Geraldo Munoz, was obtained only after great effort and with the country bearing all the expenses.

Just because the Commission did not play the role of an echo chamber, and reflect the government’s views, should not be the reason for such a rejection. The reasons given all reflect precisely the findings of the Commission that caused the greatest controversy when the report was made. The Foreign Minister’s letter defends the official agencies which the Commission had pointed at, including the intelligence agencies, as well as the PPP individuals responsible for Ms Bhutto’s security, including those who have not just been included in the Federal Cabinet, but are characterised as being virtual representatives of the President.
Another reason given for the rejection of the report, implied by the strong criticism of the report by the Foreign Minister, is the Commission’s failure to question foreign heads of state, including Afghan President Hamid Karzai. The letter also says that Pakistan refuses to be bound by any of the Commission’s findings. The only states with an animus against Pakistan sufficient to use the findings against it are India and the USA, both of which are unduly favoured by the present

government.
Before sending the letter, the PPP should have thought about its next step, now that its main plank in the 2009 election turned out to be a damp squib. If the Commission report does not lead to the arrest of the guilty, then what will. And that too with the PPP in power?

Nawaz calls for US participation in APC

ISLAMABAD, (SANA): Leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Mian Muhammad Nawaz has said that US will have to be made part of All Parties’ Conference (APC) to eradicate the menace of terrorism once for all.

He said this while talking to a private TV channel, and said that that President Asif Ali Zardari was the mastermind behind many conspiracies including declaring me ineligible, toppling Shahbaz’s government by imposing Governor Rule.

He went on to say that President Zardari was not in the favour of judges’ reinstatement.

In an interview, Nawaz said Zardari had good intentions in beginning, but it got worse with the passage of time.

He said that no doubt he had political differences with Benazir Bhutto Shaheed, but no personal grudges with her.

He admitted that he made a grave mistake by designating General Pervaiz Musharraf as a Chief of Army Staff.

He also disclosed that approximately 3 trillion rupees are going to dog in terms of corruption.

Musharraf prepares to storm Pakistan politics

Former president and ex-chief of Pakistan Army Pervez Musharraf has secured himself a launchpad for his return to the country from his exile in London a political party which is founded with the desire of bringing about "a great change". "We are happy. There is still a lot of work to do, but we have
the concept, the objectives and the will," asserted retired General Rashid Qureshi, who was the military and presidential spokesperson for Musharraf and is now one of the "masterminds" behind the All Pakistan Muslim League (APML).

The APML emulates the name of the historical Muslim party that played a decisive role in the independence of Pakistan in 1947, after decades of struggle for freedom from the dominion of British Empire.

The official launch of the party took place quietly in the southern metropolis of Karachi in June where its leaders announced that the party wants to be for "all Pakistanis" without distinction of religion, ethnicity or social class.

"The people of Pakistan are tired of the government's incompetence. It is time for a great change," Qureshi told EFE, and affirmed that the party "has already been registered" and hopes to establish headquarters in all the big cities and provincial councils.

According to a party source, the party has organised various events in other important places of Pakistan like Lahore and the region of Gilgit-Baltistan, since its launch in Karachi.

Some of its leaders are currently in Dubai to meet Musharraf and design a strategy for the new formation.

The source also revealed that this month there could be a launch of the party in London, but added that the final decision is yet to be taken and that it depends on the political situation in Pakistan.

The most notable thing about the new party is that its existence might be the preamble to the come back to the country of retired General Musharraf, who according to Qureshi "would return soon" to Pakistan to head the organisation and to contest the next elections.

"The date (of the return) is not yet decided. We keep informing him of the situation here. When he returns we'll tell the people in advance," said the spokesperson, who added that the APML "is working to guarantee his security".

After nearly nine years in power, which he gained following a bloodless coup d'état, Musharraf found himself forced to give up the presidency of Pakistan in August 2008 to avoid the process of impeachment against him by parliament.

The former president stayed in the country for a while away from the front line but found himself hounded by a number of his old enemies among the political groups, the judiciary and civil society on account of his past manoeuvres when in power.

This made him leave Pakistan and go for pilgrimage to Makkah, and later serve as speaker at various conferences in the Middle East, Europe and the US, till he settled down in Britain.

Sources from different parties including the one that supported his mandate, the Muslim League-Q, showed their concern on whether the former general would dare to return in the present circumstances; while Musharraf has already announced that he would contest in the "next elections".

In a recent video-conference, complete with a Pakistani flag, a bunch of red flowers, a thick book about Michelangelo and a collection of Mozart discs, he announced his decision to return to politics and was confident of obtaining the nation's support.

His hope comes from the renewed rage that he has awakened through internet: his virtual page on Facebook, for example, has a significant figure of 218,071 followers, and that of the APML has added more than 1,500 in a few days.

"You are actually a real leader. We need you here," writes an internet user in support of his return, among other comments.

Not very pleased with the prospect, the influential Pakistani daily "Dawn" expressed its doubts in a recent editorial whether "the self-proclaimed conquest of cyber-space really coincides with the reality" of an underdeveloped country.

"Musharraf has to be prepared to face possible judicial charges against him if he returns to Pakistan," said the newspaper.

A Western diplomatic source described it as being a "positive" thing that a new political party led by Musharraf has been founded in a country which, after all, is considered a democracy.

"Obviously it is very likely that he would become de facto president and (his figure) represents a rupture in the democratic system, which has experienced frequent alterations in Pakistan," said the source.

Spokesperson Qureshi admitted that some parties are hostile to Musharraf despite not being able to present "solid" accusations, and defended that the former general "is even more popular with the lower classes".

Nawaz blames Zardari for his disqualification

LAHORE: Chief of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) has blamed that the President Zardari was involved in his disqualification and in the suspension of Shahbaz Sharif government, said sources Tuesday.

While talking in a TV interview, PML-N Chief Nawaz Sharif said that President’s Zardari’s intention was good in the beginning but later on he changed his mind since he did not want the judiciary to be restored.

Nawaz Sharif cleared the fact that he just had a political conflict with Benazir Bhutto but no personal enmity.

He further said that his biggest mistake was to appoint General Pervez Musharraf (R) as the Chief of Army Staff.

“The army is in a state of war. If it has any objection with the Kerry-Lugar Bill, it should discuss it with the government,” said Nawaz Sharif.

Govt not planning any curbs on media: Kaira

ISLAMABAD: Federal Information and Broadcasting Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira said on Monday that the government is not planning to introduce any new restrictions on the media. Responding to a question at a press conference, Kaira said that a draft bill currently under discussion in the National Assembly’s standing committee was meant to do away with the amendments introduced by former president Gen (r) Pervez Musharraf. He said some of the Musharraf-era amendments had already been removed by the parliament, while the rest would be ratified through the proposed bill. staff report

National conference

PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif’s call for a national conference to evolve a strategy on combating terrorism and Prime Minister Gilani’s endorsement of the proposal have come not a moment too soon.

The Data Darbar tragedy in Lahore has underscored a grim reality: the militants are not only at war with the Pakistani state, they are bent upon subjugating the Pakistani people as well. Security installations, government buildings, mosques, schools, shrines, hospitals and markets, all have been attacked. With this blurring of targets, there is also a need to realise that, whatever their nomenclature, ideology, agenda and area of operation, the militants must now be seen in holistic terms — and their tactics unanimously condemned. This should be the thought behind the attempt to form a consensus on a strategy to curb terrorism. True, there will always be differences of opinion between those whose religious inclinations find resonance in the ideology espoused by the militants and others who believe that faith is a private affair and should be kept out of the national discourse.

But that is a debate that will have to run its course as the Pakistani nation attempts to resolve a crisis of identity that has dogged it almost since the time of independence. What is not a matter of debate is that the terrorists are prepared to stop at nothing to destroy the state and inflict their obscurantist agenda on the people.

So when the national conference takes place — and one hopes that all stakeholders will be on board and that the meeting will include not only representatives of political parties — it should be with the realisation that there is a common goal to pursue. There should be no room for blame-games or fiery speeches. Serious discussions will be required, with informed input from all concerned, so that a workable plan to thwart militancy can be put in place. Such a plan would include suggestions on how to prepare the people to take on those who threaten their way of life.

We have the example of Malakand division. Soon after the army launched an operation there in April 2009, an all-parties conference more or less unanimously backed the military action. Such political support, combined with the public’s backing, was instrumental in the army’s success in flushing out militants from the area. It will be a long-drawn-out struggle against the militants who will no doubt strike again in an attempt to demoralise the public. But given similar consensus, there is no reason why terrorism cannot be eradicated from larger swathes of Pakistan.