cmyk SATURDAY
THE SPOKESMAN - RAWALPINDI/ISLAMABAD
APRIL 13, 2013
MQM demands release of arrested people
EcP extends deadline for postal ballots ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Friday extended the deadline for the submission of applications for postal ballots to April 25. Earlier, the ECP had announced April 15 as the last date for receipt of applications for postal ballots for general election to the national assembly and the provincial assemblies. The facility is extended only to the persons in government service, members of armed forces, holders of public offices, their wives and their children as are registered voters and ordinarily reside with them provided they are stationed at a place other than the place in which their home constituency is situated. –STAFF REPORTER
K A R A C HI : Demanding immediate release of people held during raids conducted by Rangers and police in different areas of Karachi, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement has condemned what it said unannounced state operation in the city, home to at least 20 million people and commercial hub of the nation. In a statement issued here on Friday, the party’s decision making body, the MQM Coordination Committee said the MQM supports all the measures to bring peace to Karachi but unfortunately an unannounced operation is being
carried out during which innocent people have been arrested from the areas considered to be strongholds of the party. The Coordination Committee called on President Asif Ali Zardari, interim Prime Minister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso, Interior Minister Malik Habib, Sindh Chief Minister Zahid Qurban Alvi and Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan to take notice of brutal torture on nephews of renowned poet Gulnar Aafrin during siege and raids. Earlier on Thursday, MQM leader Farooq Sattar had alleged at a press conference that a well-
planned state operation had been launched against the Muttahida Qaumi Movement with the country heading toward general elections, alleged Dr Farooq Sattar on Thursday. “The MQM is being unnecessarily hounded by the police and Rangers while criminals have been given a free hand to operate,” he said, adding the party has always demanded stern and indiscriminate action against various mafias and terrorists in order to curb terrorism and targeted killings. “The MQM has a zero-tolerance policy for crime and terrorism but
QUETTA: An official of Balochistan Constabulary was shot dead in Quetta’s Sariyab Road area on Friday, media reports said. Officials said unknown armed targeted Habib Ullah near Chaki Shahwani at Sariyab area when he left his home. He deceased, who was identified as Balochistan Constabulary official, was shifted to hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival. –ONLINE
QUETTA: Former deputy chairman Senate and leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid e-Azam (PML-Q) Mir Jan Muhammad Jamali has joined Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). According to Media Reports, Mir Jan Jamali announced this while addressing a press conference here on Friday along with PML-N leader Sardar Sanaullah Zehri. On the occasion, Jamali linked Balochistan’s political future with parliamentary system. He said ‘we will bring all PML faction on single platform’. Sanaullah Zehri regretted that unfortunately PML is divided in various factions. He requested Jamali to bring together other friends of PML. It may be noted here that Mir Jan Muhammad Jamali remained deputy chairman of Senate from March 2006 to March 2012. –ONLINE
mengal criticizes past govts for Balochistan situation QUET TA: Chief of Balochistan National Party (BNP) Akhtar Mengal said on Thursday that Balochistan would not be at the brink of destruction if democratic governments were sincere with the province. Talking to media, he said that his party was discussing seat adjustment formula with the PMLN. Mengal criticized the government saying it was not wise to expect any good from the rulers. The BNP chief said that those people were being brought to Balochistan who would work like army. –ONLINE
detaining innocent people in peaceful areas of Karachi on the pretext of house-to-house search by police and Rangers and subjecting them to brutal torture will undermine the environment
TAHIR NIAZ
man injured in karachi blast
Ex-Senate deputy chairman Jan Jamali joins PmL-N
KARACHI: A leader of the banned outfit has threatened to kill Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) senior leader Haider Abbas Rizvi here on Friday. According to a private TV channel, the MQM leader Rizvi said that he had received life threats from a banned outfit. However, Rizvi said that he would not leave the country at any cost due to threats of extremists. He said that earlier the terrorists attacked him five times, however, the terrorists failed in their nefarious designs. –ONLINE
KARACHI: Relatives weep after offering funeral prayers of a traffic warden who was killed in a firing incident in Soldier Bazaar, at Liaqatabad. –ONLINE
Judges case
Taliban attack kills 13 in Afghanistan
Musharraf gets bail till 18th SALMAN ABBAS ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday extended former President General (retired) Pervez Musharraf 's interim bail till April 18th in the judge’s confinement case. A single member bench of Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui was hearing the case against the former president for illegally confining 62 judges after declaring a state of emergency on November 3rd, 2007. The court also directed the former military ruler to submit a bond amounting to Rs 0.5 million and also to appear in court on April 18. The former president reached the IHC in tight security and appeared in person before the judge. The judge asked the former president why he came to the high court directly instead of going to the session court first. The court also asked Musharraf to cooperate with the police and appear in person at the next hearing in which the court would further discuss why Musharraf came to the IHC instead of contacting the lower courts first. Justice Sidduqui asked Musharraf to get involved in the investigation and he sent notice to the federation and plaintiff in the case, Chaudhry Muhammad Aslam Ghumman. President Musharraf 's counsel Qamar Afzal told the court his client appeared directly in the high court for security concerns. He said that the allegations against
his client regarding the detention of judges were based on malafide intentions and Musharraf was falsely implicated in the case. He asked the court to grant his client bail because he feared the police might arrest the former president. The court thus extended Musharraf 's transitory bail till April 18. Meanwhile, there was chaos outside the court premises when Pervaiz Musharraf arrived, as a large number of his supporters were present on the occasion whereas on the other hand, many lawyers also registered their protest against the former president. The court administration closed the doors of the high court when Musharraf arrived, not even letting some lawyers in. The lawyers promptly protest against the former president and court administration and put in an application against the IHC registrar for shutting them out.
KABUL: Taliban militants attacked an army outpost near the eastern border with Pakistan on Friday, killing 13 soldiers, the Defense Ministry said. The attack occurred in a volatile province that serves as a major gateway for insurgents coming from Pakistan. Hostilities have surged as weather improves, allowing easier passage through the mountainous area. The fighting began at dawn and lasted about five hours in the Nari district of Kunar province, Defense Ministry spokesman Mohammad Zahir Azimi said. He said 13 Afghan soldiers were killed. Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attack and said the insurgents captured the base, seizing ammunition and weapons. He put the death toll at 15 Afghan soldiers, claiming the militants suffered no casualties among their fighters. Taliban and other insurgents enjoy refuge in Pakistan's lawless northwestern area and use Kunar as one of their main infiltration routes into Afghanistan. This year's fighting season is being closely watched because Afghan forces have to operate with less support from the international military coalition, making it a test case of their ability to take over the country's security. U.S. and other foreign combat troops are preparing to withdraw by the end of 2014 and are taking on more of an advisory and training role for their Afghan counterparts. –AGENCIES
I S L A M AB AD : The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is mulling to withdraw additional security given to PML-N chief Mian Nawaz Sharif and former Punjab CM Shahbaz Sharif. According to the ECP sources, summary in this regard has been sent to the members of the Commission to get their opinion on the issue. “As soon as they (members) give their opinion, final decision will be taken on the subject” the sources added. According to media reports, former chief minister Shahbaz Sharif and his family were continuing to get the security and protocol they enjoyed when Sharif was the chief minister. Around 761 security guards were deputed with the Sharif family, costing millions of rupees a month. The reports said 317 men from the Elite Force, 302 from the Lahore Police’s Security Division, 108 from the Punjab Constabulary and 34 from the Lahore district police were on duty with the Sharifs. The security personnel have been deputed to protect Sharifs’ homes, offices and family members. Over 100 of security
up. "I am tired of denying such rumours and now I want this to end once and for all," Wasim told after Indian media claimed Thursday that the couple were about to tie the knot in Mumbai. Wasim said he and Sen were good friends only. "She is one of the most graceful and decent ladies I have come across," said Wasim of the 37-yearold Bollywood star. "It was huge fun working as judge with Sushmita as she is a thorough professional and presents herself gracefully." The dance show also featured Indian cricket stars
Harbhajan Singh, Dinesh Karthik, Irfan Pathan, Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, Nikhil Chopra and Vinod Kambli and was also telecast on a leading Pakistani channel. Wasim described the show as a good experience. "The show was well received and was admired across the borders and that was it. If I get another chance to work with her I will do but I want the media of both the countries to respect us," said Wasim. Wasim said he is devoted to bringing up his two sons, Taimur and Akbar. "I want to bring them up and make them good and
successful human beings, so my life is devoted to my sons," said Wasim. Sen has two adopted daughters and has yet to marry. Wasim said their personal lives should be respected. "I have my own personal life and she has her own, so the media and fans should not disrespect that," said Wasim, who has taken a year's leave as a bowling coach in the Indian Premier League to spend time with sons. "I have always felt at home in India and the kind of respect I get in India is very pleasing so I will continue to work as and when I get time, but as my sons also needed
personnel are deputed only for the protection of Nawaz Sharif and his family which also include Captain Safdar, son in law of Nawaz, Mariam Nawaz, Hussain Nawaz, Kulsoom Nawaz, Hamza Shahbaz, Salman Shahbaz, Nusrat Shahbaz and children of the family. According to Shaukat Basra, former deputy opposition leader in the Punjab Assembly, Elite Force commandoes are providing security to Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif and their families at the expense of Rs20 million per month of taxpayers’ money. Their entitlement being former prime minister and chief minister was 20 security men only, he added. Basra said that the Sharifs were behaving like de-facto PM and CM and this kind of protocol could affect the holding of fair, free and impartial elections in Punjab. Basra had called upon Caretaker CM Najam Sethi to withdraw the major chunk of the Elite Force personnel and resources deputed to provide security to Nawaz, Shahbaz and their families at the expense of the Lahorites who were facing street crimes, kidnapping and robberies.
IHC dismisses PTV MD OUR STAFF REPORTER
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday dismissed state television’s managing director (MD) Yousaf Baig Mirza and directed the information ministry to appoint a new MD within one month on merit. Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddique was hearing the case filed by former PTV MD Ashraf Azeem in which he challenged the appointment of Yousaf. The court also appointed Engineer Mustafa Kamal Kazi as an interim head of the state television. The counsel for Yousaf Mirza, Advocate Naeem Bukhari presented the detailed record of employees appointed during the tenure of Yousaf and also record of their salaries. Deputy Attorney General told the court that former principal secretary to PM Nargis Sethi had issued the verbal orders to appoint Yousuf Baig Mirza as PTV MD by removing Ashraf Azeem. He said that it was clearly mentioned in the summary regarding appointment
Wasim Akram demands privacy from fans, media KA RACH I /M U M BAI : Pakistan cricket icon Wasim Akram demanded privacy and respect from fans and media alike Friday, calling for an end ‘once and for all’ to rumours he was marrying Bollywood heroine Sushmita Sen. While Sushmita Sen has also denied the reports The famed paceman has been linked constantly in the media to the 1994 Miss Universe since they were judges in 2008 Indian dance show "Aik Khilari, Aik Haseena" (A player, a beauty). Wasim, a widower since his wife Huma died in October 2009, said he was fed
conducive for election activities,” the MQM leader said. He claimed this was a conspiracy to restrict the electoral and political activities of the party and snatch some of its seats by force. –AGENCIES
Sharifs may have to shed some security
Balochistan constabulary man gunned down in Quetta
KARACHI: A man was injured in a bomb attack on an auto workshop located in the metropolis area of Orangi Town in wee hours of Friday, media reported Friday. According to SP Orangi Town Chaudhry Asad, some miscreants riding a motorbike fled after hurling explosives under a vehicle outside the showroom, causing a powerful blast which was heard far and wide. The explosion slightly injured a man and damaged a vehicle parked outside the workshop. According to bomb disposal squad, at least two kilograms of explosives activated through a time device, were used in the blast. –ONLINE
Taliban threaten to kill Haider Abbas Rizvi
time I have taken leave from the IPL this year," said Wasim. Meanwhile Sushmita Sen, the model and actress, who was rumoured to be tying the knot with former Pakistani cricketer Wasim Akram, has denied the reports, according to Indian newspaper Times of India. "Sushmita's too busy to plan a wedding," the actress' spokesperson told the newspaper, "It's not true at all. In fact Sushmita is having a show in Mumbai on the 24th of this month. I don't think she can have an event in Mumbai as well as plan her wedding simultaneously." –ONLINE
Published by Ahmad Waleed from Yasmeen Majeed Printing Press 69 Cricket Stadium Rawalpindi.
of Yousaf as MD that all the process was carried out on the verbal orders of Nargis Sethi. It is pertinent to mention here that during the last hearing, Yousaf, himself, admitted that the prescribed rules were not followed during the process of his appointment. However, his counsel said that not even a single MD in PTV was appointed following the prescribed rules. After hearing the arguments, the court disposed of the case by dismissing Yousaf Baig Mirza from the post of MD, PTV.