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| June 06, 2007 | Wednesday | Jamadi-ul-Awwal 20, 1428 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Reference against CJ Iftikhar filed in consultation with PM: SC told ISLAMABAD, June 06 (PPI) The senior counsel of the referring authority, Syed Sharifuddin Pirzada, Wednesday insisted before the 'full court' of the Supreme Court that his client President Pervez Musharraf had filed the reference against Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry in consultation with the Prime Minister. In his arguments in response of the arguments advanced by the petitioners' counsels, Syed Sharifuddin Pirzada contended that the Supreme Judicial Council was competent to hear complaint against any judge of the superior courts including Chief Justice of Pakistan and its opinion had the status of a court's judgment. On a court query that- “What would be the legal status of a reference which is sent to the Supreme Judicial Council without consulting the Prime Minister”, Mr Pirzada said it would stand unconstitutional. Meanwhile, Ch Aitzaz Ahsan, lead counsel of the Chief Justice, requested the court to specifically pen down the point of Mr Pirzada that any reference filed without the consultation of the Prime Minister will stand unconstitutional, as the petitioners' counsels have to prove before the court that the reference was filed against the Chief Justice without the consultation of the Prime Minister. Earlier, counsel for the federation Ahmed Raza Kasuri concluding his arguments contended that the Supreme Judicial Council which deals with the removal of superior courts' judges was the highest judicial forum, adding that like the apex court it was also the creature of the constitution. The hearing will be continued on Thursday.The 13-member 'full court' of the Supreme Court headed by Justice Khalilur Rahman Ramday is seized with the hearing of a set of 23 identical constitutional petitions filed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and others challenging the presidential reference and formation of the Supreme Judicial Council. The full court has to decide whether the petitions are maintainable or not.(Posted @ 19:05 PST)
General election to be on schedule: President Musharraf ISLAMABAD, Jun 6 (APP): President General Pervez Musharraf Wednesday said that general election in the country will be held on schedule in a fair and transparent manner.Addressing parliamentarians belonging to Pakistan Muslim League and allied parties at a lunch hosted by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz the President expressed his resolve “to take all decisions in the best national interest without fear or favour,” a press release from the PM House said.The President told the meeting, preceding the National Aseembly’s Budget Session, that the country has achieved substantial economic progress and high growth during the last seven years. The development process will move forward in the years ahead through a combination of continuity of policies and consistency of implementation, he said adding that measures were afoot to reduce poverty and increase employment and livelihood opportunities, check inflation, and provision of essential commodities at affordable prices. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said the next budget will fulfil people's aspirations and positively impact all sectors of economy and segments of society including the salaried class, wage earners, farmers and traders. He said the country has achieved record economic growth during the last seven years and now the government is transferring the benefits of growth to the people at the grassroots level.(Posted @ 19:10 PST)
PM Aziz orders withdrawal of FIR against journalists ISLAMABAD, Jun 6 (APP) Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Wednesday directed Secretary Interior Syed Kamal Shah to immediately withdraw cases registered against the journalists. The Prime Minister in a directive to the Interior Secretary asked for withdrawal of the First Information Report (FIR) filed at the Secretariat Police Station against several Journalists from Rawalpindi and Islamabad for violating Section 144, a press note by the Press Information Department said. The FIR was registered against the Journalists on Monday night for protesting against the new amendments made in the PEMRA Ordinance. (Posted @ 14:52 PST)
Pakistan government seizes 350 opposition workers LAHORE, Pakistan, June 6 (AFP) - Pakistani police have launched a huge crackdown ahead of Thursday’s planned protests against President Pervez Musharraf’s suspension of Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, arresting about 350 opposition workers, officials said Wednesday. “Around 350 people have been detained for violating the government ban on street protests throughout the Punjab province,” an interior ministry official told AFP on condition of anonymity.Officials said some 200 were held on Monday and Tuesday with another 150 overnight and early Wednesday. Most of the arrests were in the provincial capital Lahore and others were made in major cities including Rawalpindi -- which adjoins the capital Islamabad -- and in Faisalabad and Multan. “The crackdown will continue as long as opposition workers defy the ban on rallies,” a senior provincial police official said. The opposition Pakistan People's Party of former premier Benazir Bhutto, confirmed the arrest of about 300 party activists. A spokesman for opposition Pakistan Muslim League of former premier Nawaz Sharif said police had raided party workers' homes all over the province. A major alliance of Islamic parties also claimed hundreds of their activists had been detained.(Posted @ 16:45 PST)
Pakistan tells fishermen to stay ashore as cyclone hits Oman QUETTA, Pakistan, June 6 (AFP) - Pakistan on Wednesday told fishermen in the country's southwest to stay ashore during the next 24 hours as Cyclone Gonu hit the east coast of Oman early on Wednesday, with heavy rain and high winds also lashing Muscat and Iranian authorities evacuating southern coastal areas. In Pakistan, rough seas have already damaged dozens of fishing boats in southwestern Baluchistan province, especially near a multi-million-dollar Chinese-funded deep sea port at Gwadar. “Fishermen of Baluchistan coastal areas especially Gwadar, Jiwani and its adjoining areas may not resume their activities for the next 24 hours,” the Pakistan meteorological office said on its website. The sea conditions are likely to become very rough.” Gwadar mayor Majid Sorabi said strong winds had damaged more than 100 fishing boats anchored at the Arabian Sea port and partially damaged a school building and a private house further inland. “We have sent teams of officials to other areas to find out if there is any other damage,” Sorabi told AFP.(Posted @ 16:45 PST)
US warns Pakistan against media curbs WASHINGTON, June 6 (AFP) The United States cautioned Pakistan Tuesday against using a newly introduced law to curb media freedom. “The Pakistani government is going to need to come to terms with new freedoms that are emerging in Pakistani society, concerning freedom of expression and the media as well,” said State Department spokesman Sean McCormack. “We absolutely support the growth of responsible media in Pakistan and how if this decree is used to actually shut down media, that is something we are going to watch very closely,” he said. McCormack said Pakistan should regard the role of the media as “critical for it to function” while pointing out that there were also “certain responsibilities to report accurately and objectively.” (Posted @ 12:28 PST)
Pakistan’s top judge's lawyer urges pressure on President Musharraf HONG KONG, June 6 (AFP) Retired judge Rasheed Razvi , one of the four lawyers for Pakistan's top judge Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry Wednesday urged the US and Britain to put pressure on President Musharraf to ensure “free and fair” polls in the country. He said both administrations should break their silence on the unrest in Pakistan in the wake of Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry's suspension. “The United Kingdom and the US are absolutely silent on this issue. They want to have a war on terrorism but they are least interested in the likes of the people in Pakistan,” Razvi said while in Hong Kong for a legal conference. “They should come forward. They want democracy all over the world. Why do they not want a true and real democracy in Pakistan?” he asked. Razvi also condemned a media decree signed by President Musharraf Monday to curb press freedom. “It 's a very oppressive rule. We have the fundamental rights guaranteed in the constitution,” Razvi said. (Posted @ 12:29 PST)
Islamic Jihad says it has new rockets to target Israel GAZA CITY, June 6 (AFP) - Islamic Jihad said Wednesday it has developed a new rocket based on the Russian Grad that is capable of hitting strategic targets in Israel. The new weapon contains more explosives and has a greater range, and “successful tests” were held recently, an official from the Al-Quds Brigades, Islamic Jihad's armed wing, said in a statement.(Posted @ 20:25 PST)
Police injured in clashes with protesters at G8 HEILIGENDAMM, Germany, June 6 (Reuters) - Anti-capitalist protesters clashed with police on Wednesday, injuring eight policemen, as they tried to blockade routes to a summit of major powers in northern Germany. Police used water cannons to push back demonstrators. Police said 15 protesters had been detained.(Posted @ 19:50 PST)
Strong quake hits eastern Indonesia JAKARTA, June 6 (AFP) - A strong 6.3-magnitude quake struck off eastern Indonesia Wednesday but there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage, the Meteorology and Geophysics Agency here said.(Posted @ 19:50 PST)
Development in tribal area linked to mosque repairs first MIRANSHAH, Pakistan, June 6 (AFP) - Tribal area people Wednesday refused to let the government carry out development work until the authorities rebuild mosques damaged during army operations. The demand was made at a meeting in Miranshah, the main town of North Waziristan, which was attended by clerics, students and tribesmen, witnesses said. “We will not allow the construction of a girls' college, checkposts and other government properties,” local leader Mullah Abdullah Gul told the gathering. The United States said in March that it would give Pakistan 750 million dollars over five years to develop the tribal belt.(Posted @ 19:45 PST)
Cricket: Jayawardene and Yousuf prop up Asia BANGALORE, India, June 6 (AFP) - Mahela Jayawardene and Mohammad Yousuf hit half-centuries to help Asia post a challenging 317-9 against Africa in the first one-dayer of the Afro-Asia series here on Wednesday. Skipper Jayawardene made a fluent 65 and Pakistan's Yousuf a solid 66 after Asia had elected to bat on a good track in the day-night game. Yousuf also became the third Pakistani batsman to complete 8,000 runs in one-day internationals during his 74-ball knock after retired Inzamam-ul-Haq and Saeed Anwar.(Posted @ 19:30 PST)
Indian delegation visits Central Jail Sukkur SUKKUR, June. 6 (APP): A group of 14 Indians led by G.S Gill, an Indian diplomat Wednesday visited Central Jail-I of Sukkur to trace prisoners of 1971 War. The delegation spent several hours in the prison, checked record and inspected various portions of the jail but no Indian POW was found there. They were received by DIG Prisons and Superintendent Central Jail-I and taken to areas they wished to see.(Posted @ 19:30 PST)
Lawyers to continue struggles for rule of law: Munir LAHORE, June 6 (APP): The President of Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan , Munir A Malik, Wednesday said that lawyers community would continue their struggle for the rule of law and supremacy of constitution in the country. Addressing different meetings organised by Lahore Bar Association and Pakistan Muslim League (N) Lawyers Forum here, he criticised the filing of reference against Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry. He also opposed PEMRA Ordinance and termed it as attack on freedom of the press.(Posted @ 19:25 PST)
SC to hear police action on lawyers in Quetta QUETTA, June 6 (APP): A single bench of Supreme Court headed by Acting-Chief Justice, Mr Justice Javed Iqbal will hear on Saturday (June 9) case of police action on peaceful rally of lawyers on March 21 in the provincial capital. Mr Justice Javed Iqbal issued the notices on enquiry report submitted by enquiry tribunal headed by BHC judge Mr Justice Ahmed Khan Lashari. The tribunal was formed on application of Imran-ul-Haq, Vice President Supreme Court Bar Association against the alleged high handedness of police against lawyers on March 21.(Posted @ 19:15 PST)
Mirwaiz warns India to resolve Kashmir issue ISLAMABAD, June 6 (APP): Mirwaiz Omer Farooq has warned Indian government that if Kashmir issue is not resolved , it would affect the entire South Asia. He advised the Indian leadership to immediately take the Kashmiri leadership into confidence, and try to seek durable tripartite solution to the issue, VOA reported. The APHC leader said, talks with Indian government had remained fruitless. Mirwaiz Farooq alleged that New Dehli was devoid of political capability to resolve the Kashmir issue. The Indian government perhaps thinks that the resistance movement can be crushed with military force. Mirwaiz said boldly and openly that the struggle for independence would not end.(Posted @ 17:30 PST)
Two NATO soldiers killed in Afghan clashes KABUL, June 6 (Reuters) - Two NATO soldiers were killed on Wednesday in separate clashes with insurgents in southern Afghanistan, the alliance said in a statement. NATO did not identify the two soldiers or give their nationalities. On Tuesday also, a NATO soldier was killed in a clash in the east of the country.(Posted @ 16:45 PST)
Cricket-Shoaib Akhtar set for return to Pakistan squad for one-dayers KARACHI, June 6 (Reuters) - Pakistan paceman Shoaib Akhtar is in line for a recall to the national side after he was included in a list of 20 players due to attend a conditioning camp ahead of two one-day internationals in Scotland next month. “He has been working hard to get back into top shape and he remains one of our main strike bowlers, so we have decided to bring him back into the reckoning for selection,” chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed told Reuters on Wednesday. “At the camp, Shoaib has to prove he has made a complete recovery from his knee and ankle injuries,” Ahmed added.(Posted @ 16:45 PST)
Baghdad car bomb blasts kill seven BAGHDAD, June 6 (AFP) - Two car bombs detonated at road intersections in Kadhimiyah district of north Baghdad on Wednesday, killing at least seven people and wounding 27, defence and medical officials said.(Posted @ 16:45 PST)
Abbas, Olmert meeting postponed JERUSALEM, June 6 (Reuters) A summit scheduled for Thursday between Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has been postponed at the Palestinians' request, Olmert's office said on Wednesday. (Posted @ 14:53 PST)
Sporadic fighting grips north Lebanon camp NAHR AL-BARED, Lebanon, June 6 (Reuters) Lebanese troops and al Qaeda-inspired militants fought sporadically at a refugee camp in north Lebanon Wednesday and a Palestinian force took up positions to defuse tension at another camp in the south. Soldiers fired artillery and tank shells at the coastal Nahr al-Bared camp overnight as the army tightened its grip around Fatah al-Islam militants holed up inside. (Posted @ 14:26 PST)
Israelis kill two Palestinians in West Bank, Gaza HEBRON, West Bank, June 6 (AFP) A Palestinian civilian and a militant were killed Wednesday by Israeli troops in separate incidents in the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip, officials said. In the West Bank town of Hebron, Yehia Jabari, 68, was shot dead by soldiers who raided his house. Jabari's wife and two more of his children were wounded, medics said. In Gaza, a Hamas militant was killed in an Israeli air raid on Jabaliya in the north of the coastal strip, security sources said. (First Posted @ 09:15 PST, Updated @ 12:53 PST)
Female radio station owner shot dead in Afghanistan; reporter killed in Kabul KABUL, Afghanistan, June 6 (AP) Three gunmen shot and killed a female owner of a radio station in northern Afghanistan Wednesday, officials said. Zakia Zaki, owner and manager of Peace Radio in Parwan province, was shot seven times by pistol and automatic rifle fire inside her house in Jabalussaraj town, said provincial Governor Abdul Jabar Takwa. The motive for the shooting was not immediately known. Another female reporter, Shokiba Sanga Amaaj, was shot inside her house in Kabul Friday by two male relatives, said Gen. Ali Shah Paktiawal, the Kabul police director of criminal investigations. (Posted @ 12:27 PST)
Thirty-three dead bodies found across Baghdad BAGHDAD, June 6 (Reuters) A U.S. soldier was killed when his patrol was attacked with small arms fire in southern Baghdad Tuesday, the U.S. military said. Also, bodies of 33 people were found in various parts of Baghdad in the past 24 hours, police said. Separately, three Iraqi soldiers were killed and two wounded by a roadside bomb attack in Amil district of southwestern Baghdad, while one civilian was killed and another wounded when a car bomb exploded in Mahmudiya town, 30 km south of Baghdad, police said. Police said they found two bullet-riddled bodies in Iskandariya town. In a separate incident in Jbela, 65 km south of Baghdad, gunmen shot dead Abdul Raheem Nayef, the local head of Moqtada al-Sadr's political movement. (Posted @ 10:30 PST)
US Republicans hammer Democrats on Iraq MANCHESTER, New Hampshire, June 6 (AFP) US Republican presidential hopefuls hammered Democrats on Iraq Tuesday and began to split with beleaguered President George W. Bush, in their third 2008 campaign debate. Ten candidates vying for the party's presidential nomination also turned on one another over illegal immigration, as they crammed onto the same stage in New Hampshire as their Democratic rivals two nights earlier. “The Democrats are in denial,” said Rudolph Giuliani, adding that the US decision to invade Iraq in 2003 was “absolutely the right thing to do.” “When Senator Clinton says this is Mr. Bush's war, that this is President Bush's war - when President Clinton was in power, I didn't say that Bosnia, our intervention there was President Clinton's war,” Senator John McCain said taking direct aim at Senator Clinton. Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney condemned Democratic Senate Majority leader Harry Reid for his comment that “the war in Iraq is lost.” “We did, however, not do a great job after we knocked down Saddam Hussein and won the war to take him down and his military,” Romney said. (Posted @ 10:01 PST)
Sri Lanka train blast wounds three COLOMBO, June 6 (AFP) A bomb targeting a train wounded at least three people in eastern Sri Lanka’s Batticaloa district at Navaladi Wednesday, military officials said. (Posted @ 09:12 PST)
Karachi Stocks up 45.34 points: KARACHI, June 6: At the close of trading the KSE-100 index was at 13212.11, up 45.34 points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:17 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, June 6: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.9 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:17 PST)
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