Tunisia,s opposition leader Chokri Belaid shot dead

Chokri Belaid.

Tunisia,s Leading leftist opposition leader Chokri Belaid was shot dead Wednesday morning as he left his home in Tunis, family accused Tunisia's ruling Ennahda party of being behind the killing.

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Assemblies to be dissolved on March 16

KARACHI: President Asif Ali Zardari has approved March 16 as the date for the dissolution of assemblies, Sindh Minister for Local Government Agha Siraj Durrani said on Thursday.

The announcement comes as Pakistan gears up for general elections to be held in spring this year.

On Wednesday, a meeting of the senior leadership of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), of which Zardari is co-chairman, had made it clear that elections will be held on time and that no delay, even for a day, would be permitted on any pretext.

The meeting had observed that 'some elements' were seeking to disrupt the electoral system and postpone the upcoming elections. It also noted that if elections can be held in war-torn Afghanistan and Iraq, then there was no reason that they could not be held here on time.

The announcement also comes in the backdrop of a long march to Islamabad on Jan 14 announced by Tehrik-i-Minhajul Quran (TMQ). The march is being supported by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) which is an ally of the ruling coalition government.

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Another Pak Army soldier shot by Indian Army

Looks like tension is escalating yet again in the region as yet an other Pak Army soldier is shot dead by the Indian Army. 

"Pakistan Army soldier, Havildar Mohyuddin, embraced shahadat (martyrdom) due to unprovoked firing by Indian troops at Hotspring sector in Battal at 2:40 pm (0940 GMT) today," the military said in a text message to reporters.

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Shahzeb Murder Updates : No one is above the Law : CJ

Twenty years old Shahzeb was gunned down on Dec 25' 2012

During the hearing, Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry remarked that Sikander Jatoi, father of key suspect Shahrukh Jatoi, should cooperate with the police in its investigation.

The chief justice added that no one in the country was above the law, adding that Sikander should offer his arrest and should cooperate in the investigation.

Twenty-year-old Shahzeb was gunned down on Dec 25, 2012 near his house in Karachi's Defence Housing Society and Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry had taken a suo motu notice in this case.

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No individual or institution alone can decide national interest: Kayani

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani said on Monday that no individual or institution has the monopoly to decide what is right or wrong in defining the ultimate national interest.

"It should emerge only through a consensus, and all Pakistanis have a right to express their opinions. The constitution provides a clear mechanism for it," he said while speaking to a group of officers at GHQ here in Rawalpindi.

According to an ISPR press release issued here, Gen Kayani said, "as a nation, we are passing through a defining phase.

"We are critically looking at the mistakes made in the past and trying to set the course for a better future. An intense discussion and debate is natural in this process."

The COAS said, "We all have a great responsibility to our shoulders. We should learn from our past, try to build the present and keep our eyes set on a better future. We all agree that strengthening the institutions, ensuring the rule of law and working within the well defined bounds of the constitution is the right way forward."

He said weakening of the institutions and trying to assume more than one's due role will set us back, adding, "We owe it to the future of Pakistan, to lay correct foundations, today. We should not be carried away by short term considerations which may have greater negative consequences in the future."

He said that Armed Forces draw their strength from the bedrock of the public support. National security is meaningless without it.

Therefore, any effort which wittingly or unwittingly draws a wedge between the people and Armed Forces of Pakistan undermines the larger national interest.

While constructive criticism is well understood, conspiracy theories based on rumours which create doubts about the very intent, are unacceptable.

He said the integrity and cohesion of the Armed Forces is essentially based on the trust reposed in them by the people of Pakistan.

Strengthening this trust will ensure better security of the Country. Equally important is the trust between the leaders and the led of the Armed Forces, he added.

Gen. Kayani said any effort to create a distinction between the two, undermines the basis of this concept and is not tolerated, be it Pakistan or any other country.

While individual mistakes might have been made by all of us in the Country, these should be best left to the due process of law, he said and added, as we all are striving for the rule of law, the fundamental principle; that no one is guilty until proven, should not be forgotten. Let us not pre judge anyone, be it a civilian or a military person and extend it, unnecessarily, to undermine respective institutions."

He said all systems in Pakistan appear to be in a haste to achieve something, which can have both positive and negative implications.

"Let us take a pause and examine the two fundamental questions; One, are we promoting the rule of law and the Constitution?

Two, are we strengthening or weakening the institutions? In the ultimate analysis, all of us would have served Pakistan better if history and our future generations judge us positively," he concluded.

Court holds absolute authority when it comes to matters of national interests : CJ

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on Monday said the Supreme Court holds absolute authority when it comes to matters of national interests, adding the concepts of national security and stability are changed as arsenal strength can not assure it anymore, DawnNews reported.

Speaking to audience of the National Management Course in Islamabad, he said that giving judgments according to correct rules and regulations was a liability of judges of the apex court.

The CJ said that today, the concept of national security are evolving as states are now bound to provide its citizens with social security and to protect their civil rights at all costs. “Gone are the days when stability and security of the country was defined in terms of number of missiles, tanks and armory as a manifestation of hard power available at the disposal of the state,” said the chief justice.

Justice Chaudhry said that progress of the state is impossible without eliminating anarchy from the system. “Failure of administration and implementation structure is visible everywhere,” he said.

Emphasizing on importance of judiciary’s role, the chief justice said that as protectors of the constitution, heavy responsibility lies upon the judges of the Supreme Court to uphold the constitutional supremacy over all other institutions and authorities.

He said the courts are facing matters of social problems at multiple fronts, adding steps taken against the law and the constitution will push the society and the environment towards turmoil and unrest.

Justice Chaudhry then put forward following questions:

1- Do we reward merit and hard work? 2- Are the twin principles of rule of law and supremacy of the constitution being strictly enforced? 3- Do the citizens of the country trust the system and think it provides them fair opportunity to realize their dreams in a transparent manner? 4- Does the present system have the capacity to discourage the corrupt? 5- Do we have a system where civil and property rights are protected and contracts are fully enforced?

“Unfortunately, answer to the above questions is no…….the system is distorted and does not provide level playing field for the people to achieve in life whatever they are capable of,” remarked the CJ.

What will be the fate of Nawab Aslam Raisani ?

ISLAMABAD, Nov 4: While the beleaguered Chief Minister of Balochistan, Nawab Aslam Raisani, is virtually running from pillar to post to save his job, the top PPP leadership is maintaining an uncanny silence over what appears to be an internecine warfare.

CM Balochistan Nawab Aslam Raisani

Neither President Asif Ali Zardari, who is the final authority in affairs of the ruling party, nor other office-bearers of the PPP, including General Secretary Senator Jahangir Badar, has said anything about the crisis which the PPP in Balochistan is facing. There was no answer to repeated telephone calls and text messages left on the cellphone of Mr Badar.

“I cannot comment until I discuss the issue with the party leadership,” Qamar Zaman Kaira, who besides holding the portfolio of Information Minister is also the party’s chief spokesperson, responded on Sunday. “I was away in my home constituency over the weekend, hence couldn’t get the chance to talk to the party chief,” he added.

Farhatullah Babar, who handles the media for the president, told Dawn that it was an internal party matter which would be dealt with in accordance with laid down procedures. He didn’t say anything when asked if President Zardari, who is also co-chairman of the PPP, had taken any action or appointed any party leader to settle the dispute.

On Saturday, Chief Minister Raisani dashed to Lahore where he met his counterpart in Punjab, Shahbaz Sharif, reportedly to seek his political support.

Although the PML-N lacks representation in the 65-member Balochistan Assembly, reports suggest that many among the PML-Q’s present 19 MPAs want to contest the next elections with the N-League.

On the other hand, Sadiq Umrani, PPP’s Balochistan president, continued to target Mr Raisani and accused him of bringing a bad name to the party for his alleged involvement in corruption and for misgoverning the province.

Mr Umrani said on Sunday he had presented every minor detail of party’s provincial affairs before the top leadership which, he claimed, fully agreed that it was a mistake to appoint Mr Raisani as chief minister.

“Our chief minister is more interested in releasing nearly one billion rupees as compensation to his family and buying a luxury plane for his personal travel. He has no time for people dying in the province,” Mr Umrani said.

Interestingly though, Mr Umrani worked under Mr Raisani as minister for communications and works until May this year when his portfolio was withdrawn by the chief minister. Mr Umrani said it was a party decision, but squarely put the blame for his sacking in September on Mr Raisani.

Asked if the party leadership had endorsed disciplinary action against the chief minister, he said the decision had been taken by the district and division leadership. “The party leaders in district Mastung and Kalat division have genuine ground on the basis of which they have suspended the basic membership of Mr Raisani,” Mr Umrani said and claimed that there was complete lawlessness in Kalat.

As per the PPP’s constitution, he said, Mr Raisani’s membership would remain suspended till he filed an appeal against his suspension at the party’s higher forum.

“I don’t know if the party leadership was onboard as far as his (Raisani’s) suspension is concerned. Of late, both Mr Umrani and Mr Raisani have developed serious differences between themselves,” said a PPP member of the National Assembly from Quetta.

Shoaib Suddle to probe Arsalan-Riaz controversy, rules SC

arsalan iftikhar cj,s son

ISLAMABAD: Granting the appeal filed by Arsalan Iftikhar, son of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, the Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that the controversy relating to allegations of a Rs342 million business deal between Arsalan and property tycoon Malik Riaz be probed by a commission constituting Shoaib Suddle, DawnNews reported.

The ruling was issued by a two-judge bench comprising Justice Jawwad S. Khawaja and Justice Khilji Arif Hussain which had been hearing Arsalan's petition in which he had challenged the court's June 14 order which had asked the attorney general to handle the controversy.

The commission, constituting the former police force official and current federal tax ombudsman Shoaib Suddle, has been directed to submit its report before the bench in a period of 30 days.
The bench enabled the commission to collect all evidence pertaining to the controversy and also sanctioned that trips abroad may be undertaken for collecting proof.

Suddle would also have the authority enjoyed by a judicial officer and would also investigate the protocol given to Malik Riaz by two police officers when the real estate tycoon appeared before the Supreme Court on July 31.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Supreme Court had reserved its judgment on the petition moved by Arsalan.
Arsalan had challenged the June 14 order which, he claimed, contained inherent and apparent errors.
Moreover, the bench issued a notice to Attorney General Irfan Qadir over acting in excess of the court's directives.

The bench ruled that the attorney general had overstepped his authorities in approaching the NAB for the investigation.

The bench said it had directed the attorney general to "set the machinery of the state in motion," however, in approaching the NAB, he exceeded the instructions and in following his directives, the NAB also "lost its credibility".

The bench moreover declared NAB's letters to Supreme Court Registrar illegal.
In light of the June 14 order, the attorney general had ordered the formation of a joint investigation team (JIT) headed by Director General of NAB's Financial Crimes Investigation Wing Kauser Iqbal Malik to look into the matter.

Also on Tuesday, Advocate Sardar Muhammad Ishaq, representing Arsalan, requested the court to order the transfer of the case from NAB to any other independent agency or commission which should carry out the inquiry without any influence from Malik Riaz and the federal government. "This will ensure transparency and fairness," he said, adding that his client had no faith in the NAB inquiry.

When Advocate Ishaq requested the court to appoint a judge for the inquiry, Justice Hussain said if the counsel did not trust anyone should the court call someone from abroad.
Advocate Zahid Bokhari, representing Malik Riaz, opposed the idea of constituting a commission to look into the allegations.

But Justice Khawaja recalled that during the initial hearings the counsel himself had supported the idea of a commission similar to the one appointed to investigate the infamous memo scandal. He stressed the need for a transparent investigation into the matter.

Advocate Ishaq alleged that NAB had become controversial under the present chairman who was acting on the orders of people who had committed corruption and were involved in corrupt practices. He accused Malik Riaz of enjoying a lot of clout in Islamabad and said the NAB chairman was biased and prejudiced.

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