NEWS 05
Friday, 11 April, 2014
PakiStan will work with whoEvEr PEoPlE of india ElECt: fo SPOKESWOMAN SAYS PAKISTAN LOOKING FORWARD TO RESUME STALLED PEACE TALKS WITH INDIA ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT
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AKISTAN on Thursday indicated that it was ready to work with whichever party who is handed a mandate by the Indian people in the ongoing parliamentary elections in India. “We deal with countries. It’s for the people of India to elect whoever they deem fit. We will take it from there,” Foreign Office spokesperson Tasneem Aslam told reporters at her weekly briefing when asked whether Pakistan
SAYS PAKISTAN HOPES AFGHAN ELECTIONS WILL CONTRIBUTE TO BUILDING OF A MORE UNIFIED AFGHANISTAN
would respond positively if hardline Hindu nationalist Bhartia Janta Party (BJP) comes to power. The nine-phase vote in India began earlier this week and will conclude on 12 May. The main contest in the biggestever polls is between the Congress, led by Rahul Gandhi and the BJP, led by the controversial Hindu nationalist leader Narendra Modi. Modi, who is ahead in all the preelection opinion polls, has been accused of being linked to India’s worst antiMuslim riots in 2002 in the state of Gu-
jarat. He has been calling for talking tough with neighboring Pakistan, but critics doubt whether he would do the same if he forms the government. STALLED PEACE TALKS: Aslam said Pakistan was looking forward to resuming the stalled peace talks with India. So far, India has been reluctant to resume the full spectrum of dialogue linking the process with Pakistan successfully prosecuting the suspects of the November 2008 Mumbai attacks. Lamenting that the process had been disrupted for the last three years, Aslam stressed the need for restoration of the eight-point agenda in the composite dialogue in order to address all outstanding issues including the longstanding problem of Jammu and Kashmir. “In order to have sustainable and durable peace, we need to address all
the issues and disputes that stand between Pakistan and India having normal, good neighbourly relations and having peace and cooperation in the region,” she emphasised. AFGHAN ELECTION: The spokesperson hoped that the recentlyheld presidential elections in Afghanistan would contribute to the building of a stronger, more unified and prosperous Afghanistan. “We would continue to support the Afghan people every step of the way,” she said. She said Pakistan’s consistent support for a free and fair electoral process was based on the belief that it was vital, both for a smooth political transition and for Afghanistan’s future stability. Pakistan took a range of measures to reinforce existing security arrangements to help the efforts for peaceful
conduct of the elections, she added. “These included enhanced vigilance and security along the entire length of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, sealing of the crossing-points, deployment of additional troops, aerial surveillance, and enhanced communication through Border Coordination Centers.” Aslam maintained that the Afghan electoral institutions now have the heavy responsibility to ensure successful completion of the next steps in the electoral process. IRANIAN GUARDS: The Iranian guards were freed a few days ago, prompting the floor to question Aslam regarding any communication on this matter. “Our authorities and security agencies confirmed that they have no indication that these guards were brought to Pakistan, and also that there was absolutely no indication that they were released in Pakistan,” Aslam responded. Aslam also briefly mentioned the proposed visit to Iran by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, hoping that the dates could be worked out for the first part of the year. She further stated that Pakistan and Iran have a multifaceted relationship and cooperation.
Sardar MEhtab aPPointEd nEw kP govErnor
LAHORE: Security personnel check the train upon arrival of Sikh pilgrims at Wagah Railway Station on Thursday. ONLINE
PESHAWAR STAFF REPORT
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) senior vice president Sardar Mehtab Ahmed Khan has been appointed as the new governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. President Mamnoon Hussain appointed Sardar Mehtab on the advice of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. The Cabinet Division has also issued a notification for his appointment. Earlier on Tuesday, Mehtab had tendered his resignation from the KP Assembly seat after his nomination by the federal government as governor of the province. He succeeds Engineer Shaukatullah, who resigned from the post on Tuesday. Sardar Mehtab is likely to take his oath of office today (Friday).
SC aSkS ECP to rEPort on PollS’ vErdiCt ExECution ISLAMABAD ONLINE
The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday sought a detailed reply from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on implementation of the court’s directives during the general elections. The court also adjourned the hearing of PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s petition on verification of thumb impression for an indefinite period. A three-member bench presided over by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Tassaduq Hussain Jillani took up for hearing the court’s orders implementation case during the general elections. Bilal Hasan Manto said, “Some things have gone easy and some things difficult. Decision on this count is must. The petition filed with respect of implementation of court’s orders during election is a difficult petition. This be heard separately. Review petition be adjourned. The court had said that para-wise reply had been sought on court’s orders implementation. Election commission has sought reply. It has given reply in response to its reply which is in the form of a column. Elections have now been held.” The CJP said, “It will be better if you give in writing all the things in this regard. What you are saying now will not be effective. File new petition Time is given for filing new petition. Notice is issued to election commission.” The hearing of the case was adjourned for indefinite period.
SC issues detailed verdict over discarding of Musharraf’s petition ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Thursday issued its detailed verdict over the disposal of the petition filed by former military ruler General (r) Pervez Musharraf against the apex court's earlier decision, saying the matter was time -barred. Former president Musharraf had challenged the court's earlier judgment which had declared the military dictator's Nov 3, 2007 emergency, and most of the actions under taken it, as illegal and unconstitutional. The 42-page verdict was drafted by Chief Justice Tasadduq Hussain Jillani whereas Justice Jawwad S. Khawaja attached 12 pages of additional notes to the verdict. The court while issuing its
judgement said that the arguments of the former president's lawyers were heard to fulfil the requirements of justice but the plea had to be discarded as it was timebarred. The apex court’s 14-member larger bench, headed by Chief Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jilani, on Jan 30, 2014, disposed of the petition, citing that the plea contained irrelevant precedence and was also time-barred. There is a limited time after the announcement of a court judgment during which an appeal can be filed to challenge the court's decision and upon its expiry the case is considered as time-barred. On Dec 23, 2013, Musharraf had filed a petition after a delay of over four years, seeking review of the landmark July 31, 2009, decision but the
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review petition was returned by the court office by raising eight objections, against which an appeal was preferred. The review petition had pleaded that Musharraf was facing trial before the special court for the offence of high treason on the basis of July 31, 2009, verdict of the apex court, also accepting for the first time that the constitutional deviation by clamping Nov 3, 2007, emergency was for public good and to get rid of former chief justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry as well as some judges since their removal had then become impossible under the normal legal procedures. The review petition argued that former elected prime minister Shaukat Aziz had recommended taking extraconstitutional measures of proclaiming Nov 3 emergency.
ghCl offiCial on way to iSlaMabad along with 125 StaffErS ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT
In order to facilitate an official of the Genco Holding Company Limited (GHCL), the authorities concerned have moved him to Islamabad from Lahore along with 125 employees, sources said on Thursday. According to the notification issued by the office, the GHCL chief executive officer (CEO) with the stamp and signature of director general (HR) reads, “It is notified that, consequent upon approval accorded by the board of directors of the company, head office of GHCL has been shifted to Islamabad at House No 22, Street No 10, Sector F-8/3, Islamabad.” Any correspondence with the GHCL may be made at Islamabad’s new office address. An official said that the office of GHCL Islamabad was established in 2012 by Naveed Ismail, then GHCL CEO. He also said that after Ismail, the office was re-shifted to Lahore in 2013 to save rent and other expenses. He said that the office was again re-shifted to Islam after Water and Power Ministry’s National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC) Joint Secretary Aftab Nadeem took additional charge as GHCL CEO. A house has been rented near Faisal Masjid in this regard. Official said Nadeem, who has only additional charge, was trying to shift almost 125 employees to Islamabad. Due to this decision, the low salaried employees were worried, the official said.