KHI 10-04-2013_Layout 1 4/10/2013 6:20 AM Page 3
Case against Musharraf to have long term affects on country’s politics — Khurshid Shah
03
News
tainted and ticketed: PPP, PMl-n face litmus test
ISLAMABAD Tayyab HussaIN
W
I T H the Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) set to announce their party ticket-holders in a few days, the real test for both mainstream political outfits would be to maintain transparency and keeping up promises, as both have been claiming to be whistleblowers for a change in the country’s system. It would be a test of integrity of the leadership of both parties and it remains to be seen if they deny party tickets to those who are facing allegations and their cases are being heard in courts for corruption, drug trafficking etc. There are a number of potential candidates among the ranks of various political parties who have tainted past and have been involved in mega corruption scandals and cases, but ironically they were cleared by the returning officers for their respective constituencies for contesting the coming elections. As the elections are fast approaching, the sword of disqualification still hangs over several political heavyweights, including chiefs of the major political parties. Interestingly, the PML-N leadership took strong stance against the alleged corruption by PPP leadership and always demanded minister or prime minister step down if he or she was accused of corruption charges. But it would be a question
Though the PML-N leadership missed no chance in the near past to blame other parties for their misdeeds and corruption, it is all-set to pitch Hanif Abbasi against PTI chairman Imran Khan for NA-56 Rawalpindi seat, despite the alleged involvement of Abbasi in the Ephedrine case whether the PML-N leadership stands by its principles. As almost the most difficult and strange phase of scrutiny has came to an end, the real test of political leadership has begun, and every party has given refuge to a good number of alleged looters and corrupt leaders in its ranks. Now it is up to their leadership to go to the polls with the same old corrupt guards or introduce new and fresh cadres of good repute. The real test would be for the leadership of PML-N, which has gathered a huge crowd of heavyweights just to grab power. Though the PML-N leadership missed no chance in the near past to blame other parties for their misdeeds and corruption, it is all-set to pitch Hanif Abbasi against PTI chairman Imran Khan for NA-56 Rawalpindi seat, despite the alleged involvement of Abbasi in the Ephedrine case. The PML-N is facing another test as former MNA from NA-48, Anjum Aqeel Khan, has been allegedly involved in the National Police Foundation (NPF) land scam of Rs 6 billion, due to which he was detained by the Islamabad police. However, Aqeel managed to flee police
sC summons ex-PM’s son-inlaw for illegal appointment ISLAMABAD sTaFF REPORT
The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday the summoned son-in-law of former premier Raja Pervez Ashraf, Raja Azeem-ul-Haque, in a case pertaining to his illegal appointment in the World Bank. A bench headed by Justice Anwar Zahir heard the case. During the hearing, one of the members of the bench Justice Saqib Nasir observed that the prime minister was entrusted with the responsibility to appoint someone in the World Bank. He remarked that Haque was selected for the post because he was the son-in-law of Raja Pervez Ashraf and questioned about the number of people whose rights were usurped as a result of the former premier’s decision. Haque’s counsel, Afnan Kundi replied that his client’s appointment was based on merit, adding that all other potential candidates were lower in seniority. The court said that it would investigate how Haque was promoted from grade 18 to 21 within a few years and adjourned the hearing until May 7.
custody with the support of hundreds of his supporters who raided a police station he was detained at. “Hanif Abbasi is all set to win the PML-N ticket for NA-56, Rawalpindi while a debate is on for Anujm Aqeel, whose future might be sacrificed not for his corruption, but if the PML-N got into alliance with the Jamat-e-Islami,” a source in the PML-N told Pakistan Today. As far as Abbasi is concerned, the Anti Narcotics Force (ANF) in Rawalpindi had booked him for his involvement in getting a quota of ephedrine of 500kgs illegally and among the charges filed against him, drug trafficking was also included. Brigadier Fahim, who was tasked with investigating into the Ephedrine case, was later removed from his office in ANF and his services were transferred to the army. Fahim had given statement against Abbasi, but the PML-N is inclined towards awarding him a ticket, sources maintained. On the other hand, three PPP leaders, including sons of former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and former federal minister of health Makhdoom Shahabuddin are facing corruption allegations. But all three have been awarded party tickets for the forthcoming polls, a PPP source said. Abdul Qadir is facing allegations in the Haj scam, while Ali Musa Gilani and Makhdoom Shahabuddin are accused of being involved in the in Ephedrine case; still the PPP has awarded them tickets for the upcoming general elections. Political and defence analyst Hassan Askari Rizvi said the stance taken by the PML-N and other parties’ leadership was part of political point-scoring and none of them really believed in the argument. “Politicians only look for elect-ables and financiers, not people with integrity. Their arguments are always for others. The politicians only want people with money and loyalties for their families,” he added. Askari said whenever they were confronted to act against their own leaders, they hid behind argument of lack of evidence. When contacted, Shaikh Mansoor, coordination secretary to Faryal Talpur told Pakistan Today that the PPP leadership had finalised party tickets for its candidates in Punjab. “The PPP would announce the party
N
wednesday, 10 April, 2013
You know how many cases of grave allegations were filed against President Asif Ali Zardari, Benazir Bhutto and other leaders. But none could be proven. Moreover, our leader Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was hanged in a false case. So the allegations don’t become a hurdle for us SHAIKH MANSOOR Coordination SeCretary to faryal talpur tickets in three days’ time.” Asked whether the PPP leadership was going to award party tickets to people like Musa Gilani, Abdul Qadir Gilani and Makhdoom Shahabuddin, Mansoor said allegations of corruption and FIRs were not a new phenomenon for his party leaders. “You know how many cases of grave allegations were filed against President Asif Ali Zardari, Benazir Bhutto and other leaders. But none could be proven. Moreover, our leader Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was hanged in a false case. So the allegations don’t become a hurdle for us,” he added. He said Faryal Talpur was likely to arrive in the federal capital today (Wednesday) as she was busy finalising party tickets in Sindh. Mansoor said party tickets would be announced after the election tribunals decided appeals by candidates. Despite repeated attempts, PML-N Secretary Information Mushahidullah Khan did not attend his cell phone.
CeC seeks political parties’ help to ensure free, fair polls
ISLAMABAD aPP
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Justice (r) Fakhruddin G Ibrahim on Tuesday sought help of the political parties to ensure free, fair and impartial general elections in the country. In a letter written to all the 148 political parties, the CEC urged them to help promote tolerance and nurturing democratic values in the country so that no one could dare subvert or sabotage the ensuing elections in any manner. He said with the conduct of peaceful elections, the real face of the society could be portrayed that believed in peace and harmony. “The political parties should promote and maintain peace and harmony during the election campaign and respect the right of other to campaign and propagate their manifestoes in an impartial atmosphere,” he said. The Election Commission of Pakistan has already taken various measures to ensure free, fair and smooth elections. He said he would continue adopting every conceivable measure to provide a conducive environment to candidates as well as voters to vote freely without any fear or intimidation. In his letter to political parties, the CEC said democracy was the only reliable medium of governing people in accordance with their free will expressed by them through a credible and transparent electoral process. CEC MuLLS INTER-pROvINCIAL TRANSfERS IN BuREAuCRACY: Chief Election Commissioner Fakhruddin G Ebrahim has said the proposal of interprovincial transfers in the bureaucracy was underway in order to ensure transparent elections. During a meeting, leader of the opposition team, Imtiaz Sheikh, expressed concern over transfers and posting ahead of the general elections. The CEC said all reservations concerning polls would be removed, and proposal of inter-provincial transfers would be actively considered in order to ensure free, fair and transparent poll.
eCP seeks ‘appropriate’ action against interior minister i’m impartial…i Swear, SayS interior miniSter malik habib ISLAMABAD sTaFF REPORT
The Election Commission has written a letter to the caretaker Prime Minister Mir Hazar Khoso requesting for appropriate action against caretaker Interior Minister Malik Habib Khan for making a controversial statement disclosing his likes for a political leader. The ECP had taken notice of Habib Khan’s remarks favouring Nawaz Sharif and sought all records over the statement. Earlier on Monday, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) had demanded the resignation of Malik Habib Khan over a statement made in favour of Pakistan
Muslim League-Nawaz chief Nawaz Sharif, in which he said that the PMLN leader was the only real leader in Pakistan. Meanwhile addressing reporters, Malik Habib Khan said that he had no affiliation with any political party and challenged the critics to provide evidence to the contrary. The interior minister said he respected the entire political leadership of the country and his prime responsibility as an interior minister was to provide security to all the leaders. Speaking on the occasion, Additional Secretary ECP Muhammad Afzal Khan said that electronic and print media organisations should install maximum number of cameras at polling stations to point out shortcomings, if any. He said media should not compromise on national interest, intentionally or unintentionally, just to lead in breaking news. He said it was almost impossible to cast bogus votes in the elections. The interior minister added that maintenance of law and order to en-
sure free and peaceful elections was his prime responsibility which would be fulfilled at all costs. Malik Habib said the ECP would decide whether or not to deploy army personnel on sensitive polling stations in the federal capital. The additional secretary stressed for administrative changes in all the provinces and called for keeping away officers with a bad reputation. He said the neutrality of the caretaker government was inevitable to ensure free and transparent elections in the country. “Election Commission is not acting upon anyone’s dictations nor would it do so in the future,” Afzal K h a n added.