Crackdown against Ulema
Peshawar: Daily Jasarat, April 16, 2010. Provincial chief of Jamat-i-Islami Sabir Hussein Aa'wan warned the NWFP government not to harass clerics and Islamic scholars and urged it to enforce democracy and human rights. According to the JI, Imams of mosques, and Ulemas are often deported from Taliban- prone areas like Dir, Buner, Swat and Bajaur. He accused the government of persecuting Muslims in order to appease the US and threatened that the JI will start a 'real Jihad' against the government if it does not change its policies.
Former ISI chief to advise Punjab CM
Lahore: Daily Nawa-i-Waqt / Jang, April 14, 2010. Former chief of the ISI, General Ziyauddeen Butt (retired) has become a key advisor to Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif. Senator Pervez Rashid said that General Butt who earlier commanded the ISI, was scheduled to become Army chief after the then chief, Pervez Musharraf, was suspended by Nawaz Sharif. However, after Musharraf thwarted Sharif's attempts and imposed military rule, General Butt made a quiet exit and has made a come back after eleven years.
Turkish President to build 'Global Pakistan'
Islamabad: Daily Ausaf, April 12, 2010. Muslim League (N) leader and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif recently reaffirmed Pakistan's relations with Turkey. Talking to the media on the occasion of transfer of 225 acre of land to Turkish investors, he said that both countries share the same traditions and ethics of Islam that date back to pre-independence era. Turkey and Pakistan find commonality of opinion in major international issues, support each other in issues like the Kashmir dispute, and enjoy warm relations with Iran.
Sharif said Turkish President Gull had initiated a long-term project to generate energy, and that more than 250 Turkish companies were in line to install power plants in Pakistan. President Gull signed three agreements related to joint investment and agro-industrial projects during his visit to Pakistan in the first week of April. He said that a cargo train service to promote bilateral trade is also on the cards.
PoK Chief Justice Suspended
Muzaffarabad: Daily Ausaf: April 11, 2010. Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) Law Minister Abdul Rashid Abbasi has suspended Chief Justice of PoK Supreme Court Riyaz Akhtar Chaudhry and appointed senior judge Manzoor Hassan Gillani to the post. The Law Minster told media persons that the change was in response to a reference filed in Supreme Judicial Council against him. Justice Riyaz Akhtar Chaudhry was earlier accused of misusing his his power to release many militants after the government had banned their activity in PoK.
Pak-US Policy over Nuclear Terrorism
Islamabad: Daily Jasarat, April 12, 2010. Prime Minister Sayyed Yousuf Raza Gillani has assured the US President that Pakistan's nuclear assets were fully secured under the present leadership in Pakistan. He said efforts to secure nuclear weapons have accelerated over the past ten years. However, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said that India remained concerned at the possibility of nuclear weapons falling into the hands of terror groups. He rejected US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's doubts over the security of Indian nuclear assets.
China is more trustworthy friend of Pakistan: Fazlur Rahman
Sikkhar: Daily Ausaf, April 16, 2010. Provincial Secretary General of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazlur (JUIF) in Sindh, Senator Doctor Khalid Mahmood Sumro informed media men that a high level JUI-F delegation led by Mawlana Fazlur Rahman had returned to Pakistan after a eight-day visit to China. Fazlur Rahman said that China enjoyed the trust of the people of Pakistan.
Shahid Raheem is a media researcher with ORF |
