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| September 25, 2007 | Tuesday | Ramazan 12, 1428 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
President to remain army chief if not re-elected: SC told ISLAMABAD, Sept 25 (PPI) –The nine-member larger bench of the Supreme Court headed by justice Rana Bhagwandas was informed by Attorney General Malik Mohammad Qayyum on Tuesday that President General Pervez Musharraf will remain the Chief of Army Staff if not re-elected as President for the second term. The bench is hearing a set of identical constitutional petitions against holding of dual offices by President Musharraf and his candidacy for the forthcoming presidential election. Justice Javed Iqbal asked the Attorney General what would happen if General Musharraf was not re-elected as President. Malik Qayyum replied that President Musharraf will remain the Chief of Army Staff till the election of a new President as well as appointment of a new Army Chief by the newly elected President. He submitted that there was no age limit for the retirement of a four- star general under the Army Act. He referred to various decisions of the superior courts in support of his arguments and contended that the courts have validated the actions taken by the then President and Chief Executive. Justice Javed Iqbal observed that the Attorney General was referring to decisions which were given under the doctrine of necessity, which has now been buried. He observed that now no decision would be given by the apex court on the basis of doctrine of necessity. He said the issue before the court was of the 17th Amendment which was passed by the Parliament. Referring to the term of the President, Malik Qayyum contended that the President has completed only one term under the constitution and he intends to be a candidate for the second term. To a court query, regarding rejection of nomination papers filed by other civil servants, Malik Qayyum said the Chief Election Commissioner would be in a position to reject them but he cannot reject the papers filed by President Musharraf under Act-7 of the Parliament that has given him an immunity/protection. . He contended that the petitions were not maintainable because these did not involve enforcement of fundamental rights. He said qualification of a candidate was not a matter of public importance as well as fundamental right. Justice Rana Bhagwandas observed that the apex court was hearing the petitions for the last 10days whereas the Attorney General was still contending that these were not maintainable. He also observed that the petition of Jamaat-e-Islami prima facie was seemed to be maintainable. If the petitioners think that their petitions were maintainable then they should move the High Court under Article 199 of the constitution to seek remedy, the Attorney General argued. His arguments were still continuing when the bench rose to re-assemble on Wednesday. President’s senior counsel Syed Sharifuddin Pirzada will also advance his arguments on Wednesday. (Posted @ 19:55 PST)
Musharraf signs nomination papers ISLAMABAD, Sept 25 (Agencies) – President General Pervez Musharraf signed his election nomination papers on Tuesday, said Mushahid Hussain, secretary general of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and other allies proposed the nomination, he said. “Senate Chairman Mohammadmian Soomro and National Assembly speaker Chaudhry Amir Hussain will be the covering candidates.” Mushahid said. Musharraf said last week that he would stand down from the army if re-elected and would then be sworn in as civilian president before his current term expires on November 15. But opposition parties have challenged his eligibility in Pakistan’s supreme court which is likely to decide on the opposition petitions this week. Meanwhile, Pakistan's Interior Ministry said on Tuesday that around 100 opposition activists have been detained since the weekend for planning demonstrations. “The government took the action to protect public peace and order,” ministry spokesman Javed Cheema told a weekly briefing .Pakistan earlier rejected an unusually harsh statement by the US embassy in Islamabad terming the detentions “extremely disturbing and confusing for the friends of Pakistan”. “The United States normally understands our internal situation better than others because it a very close ally,” deputy Information Minister Tariq Azeem said. “I am sure it realises that democratic society needs the rule of law and not rule by the mob,” he said. Azeem accused the opposition of attacking the Supreme Court, intimidating judges hearing the case against Musharraf, and of threatening to besiege the election commission during the filing of nomination papers. Meanwhile, the lawyers Tuesday called for a strike and protests on Saturday, when the nominations are due to be scrutinised. (Posted @ 18:50 PST)
Resignations or boycott only after Musharraf files nomination, says Benazir ISLAMABAD, Sept 25 (PPI) Former Prime Minister and Pakistan Peoples Party's (PPP) chairperson, Benazir Bhutto has said after General Musharraf files his nomination papers, the PPP would decide whether it would resign from the present Parliament or whether it would boycott the elections. While the PPP would not vote for General Musharraf as President from this Parliament unless there is a constitutional amendment, it would not resign if he took the necessary steps to show that he was moving toward fair elections and a level-playing field, she said while speaking at the Middle East Institute, in Washington Tuesday, says a PPP press release issued Tuesday in Islamabad. She said the Pakistan People's Party is holding a meeting with its ARD allies on October 3. Civil unrest is what the extremists want. Anarchy and chaos suits them. About the general elections in Pakistan, Benazir Bhutto said, “My Party and I seek fair, free and impartial elections to be held by an independent election commission under an interim government of national consensus. We want a level playing field for all candidates and parties” she added. (Posted @ 21:00 PST)
No disagreement among APDM leadership over resignation issue- Fazlur Rehman PESHAWAR, Pakistan, Sept 25 (APP): Opposition leader in National Assembly and MMA Secretary General Maulana Fazalur Rehman said Tuesday there was no disagreement among APDM leadership over the resignation issue and the option of NWFP assembly's dissolution was also under consideration. Talking to reporters after offering fateha for late Maulana Hassan Jan, he said the opposition would not disclose its strategy about blocking the presidential election and will use its cards with prudence. In response to a question, Maulana Fazlur Rehman said legal experts could comment on whether the presidential election could be stopped or not through dissolution of NWFP assembly. However politically, he said, the image of election would be damaged. (Posted @ 20:25 PST)
U.S. says Benazir to decide strategy Washington, Sept 25(PPI): United States says Benazir Bhutto's will decide for herself what message to carry on return to her country next month. State Department deputy spokesman Tom Casey was asked at a press briefing on Tuesday if she's carrying any kind of message or any kind of a warning or any kind of advice from the U.S. or from the Secretary or -- as far as returning to Pakistan or situation there? Casey said: “Well, look, this is an issue that, she will decide for herself. In terms of issues before Pakistan's political system with that, again, these are internal matters. These are things that Pakistanis need to work out. Our understanding, at least my best understanding is that there's no legal bar to her to return to the country. There are issues that are currently before the Supreme Court about election. There are concerns, including ones that had been raised by our embassy about arrest of a number of political figures. “Again, what is important here is there is a political process underway, but that political process needs to be conducted and dealt with in accordance with Pakistan's laws and constitution. That's certainly what we want to see happen and that's certainly our message to any of players on political scene there,” Casey stated. (Posted @ 18:20 PST)
US soldier killed in Iraq BAGHDAD, Sept 25 (AFP) A US soldier was killed in Iraq's northeastern Diyala province on Tuesday when an explosion occurred near his vehicle, the military said. (Posted @ 20:55 PST)
Suicide car bomber kills five Afghan border police SPIN BOLDAK, Afghanistan, Sept 25 (Reuters) A suicide car bomber rammed an Afghan border police convoy on Tuesday, killing five guards and wounding three others, a police official said. The convoy was travelling through Spin Boldak when the bomber struck outside the district police headquarters. (Posted @ 20:35 PST)
Bush slaps new sanctions on Myanmar rulers UNITED NATIONS, Sept 25 (AFP) US President George W. Bush on Tuesday announced new US sanctions on Myamar's military rulers and urged global support for ending their “19-year reign of fear” and replacing it with democracy. “The United States will tighten economic sanctions on the leaders of the regime and their financial backers. We will impose an expanded visa ban on those responsible for the most egregious violations of human rights, as well as their family members,” Bush told the UN General Assembly. (Posted @ 20:30 PST)
Govt believes in dialogue to achieve national political reconciliation: PM Aziz ISLAMABAD, Sep 25 (APP) Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Tuesday said the government believes in dialogue with all stakeholders to achieve national political reconciliation as this would augur well for the country's future and strengthen democracy. This is not the time for negative politics but all political parties need to put national interest above all other interests for the benefit of the country, he added while talking to PML President, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and party’s Secretary General, Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed. He said presidential as well as general elections will be major political events in the country's political history and added the government would ensure that these elections proceed peacefully and are held in a fair and transparent manner. No one will be allowed to violate the law or jeopardise the security of the country, he added. (Posted @ 19:40 PST)
Canadian soldier killed in Afghanistan TORONTO, Sept 25 (Reuters) - A Canadian soldier was killed and four others were wounded on Monday afternoon during a joint operation with Afghan forces in the northern part of Panjwayi district, west of Kandahar, the military said Tuesday. (Posted @ 18:55 PST)
40 killed, 39 injured in Afghan road crash KANDAHAR, Sept 25 (AFP) – At least 40 people were killed and 39 wounded in a collision between two buses on Kabul-Kandahar highway on Monday, police said Tuesday. (Posted @ 17:53 PST)
India committed to Iran pipeline despite missing Tehran talks NEW DELHI, Sept 25 (AFP) India remains committed to a multi-billion dollar gas pipeline through Pakistan from Iran despite failing to attend a new round of talks underway in Tehran, officials said Tuesday. “Of course we are committed to the pipeline, there is no doubt about it. But the price is the issue,” an official said. “The price that we agree to with Iran will determine at what price the gas will be sold domestically in India ultimately. So, that is a very sensitive issue for us.” Another oil ministry official said India had agreed to a pricing formula arrived at by Iran and Pakistan in January but that then “fell through”. “We were to talk to Pakistani officials bilaterally before these talks in Tehran,” which started Monday, he said. As that did not happen, we decided to wait and see what the outcome of the Iran-Pakistan talks are,” the official added. (Posted @ 17:45 PST)
Bombs kill 37 in Iraq in less than 24 hours BAGHDAD, Sept 25 (AFP) - A spate of powerful car and suicide bombings has killed 37 people and wounded 74 in less than 24 hours across Iraq as police in Baquba revised the toll from a suicide attack on Monday evening in a village mosque to 28 killed and 34 wounded. In Baghdad, meanwhile, a double car bombing, 30 seconds apart, on Tuesday morning outside Al-Rafidain bank in Zayunah killed six people and wounded at least 20, while a suicide car bomber in Basra killed three people and injured 20 others. Seven policemen, including three high-ranking officers, were among those killed when the suicide bomber detonated his explosive vest in the crowded Baquba mosque, officials said. (Updated @ 17:30 PST)
Lebanon parliament puts off presidential vote BEIRUT, Sept 25 (AFP) - Lebanon's parliament on Tuesday adjourned for four weeks a crucial session to elect a new president for lack of a quorum and to allow more time for MPs to reach agreement on a consensus candidate, a spokesman for parliament speaker Nabih Berri told reporters. (Posted @ 17:10 PST)
Cricket: Hindu-Muslim riots after India victory JAMMU, occupied Kashmir, Sept 25 (AFP) - Police fired teargas Tuesday to break up clashes between Hindus and Muslims as celebrations over India's nail-biting Twenty20 cricket win over Pakistan exploded into violence, officials said. More than 35 people including policemen were hurt in the fighting, which broke out overnight in Indian Kashmir and continued on Tuesday, police said. “We have rushed additional forces to Rajouri where the two communities are fighting it out,” said Rafeeq Sheikh, civilian administrator of the district bordering Pakistan. “A group of people (Muslims) offering prayers n Rajouri alleged they were attacked by people who were taking out a rally to mark India's victory,” Jammu police chief S.P. Vaid said. In Jammu, some 1,000 fans outnumbered Muslims 10-to-one as they stormed a college, other officials here said. Similar clashes also broke out in Gujarat, where five policemen were hurt after they intervened between rioting Hindus and Muslims on Monday night in the western state, the United News of India said. (Posted @ 17:05 PST)
Police commander among 32 killed in Afghanistan KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, Sept 25 (AFP) At least 32 people including a police commander and several Taliban militants were killed across Afghanistan on Monday, officials said Tuesday. A district police chief, his brother and two other colleagues were killed in a roadside bomb blast in Baghlan province, the provincial head of police said. In a separate incident, a local guard from a US-owned security company was killed after Taliban insurgents attacked a civilian convoy in Farah province, police said. Twenty Taliban fighters were also killed in a gunbattle after the ambush. A roadside blast in the same province claimed the lives of two Spanish soldiers and an Iranian interpreter. Six Spanish soldiers were also wounded in the attack on their convoy. Six other Taliban fighters were killed in Kandahar province, the defence ministry said in a statement. Several other rebels were killed and injured in neighbouring Helmand province, the statement added. Separately, an Afghan army soldier was killed and five others were injured in central Wardak while on security duty, the defence ministry also said. On the same day, a suicide bomber blew himself up in southern Helmand province but only wounded two civilians, the interior ministry said in a statement. (First Posted @ 14:24 PST, Updated @ 16:35 PST)
Myanmar junta's warnings ignored as 100,000 join new protest YANGON, Sept 25 (AFP) In another day of public defiance some 30,000 Buddhist monks dressed in saffron and red robes, followed by about 70,000 supporters, surrounded the Sule Pagoda and nearby city hall in Myanmar’s biggest city Tuesday. “National reconciliation is very important for us. People and monks are gathering here, and the monks are standing up for the people,” noted poet Aung Way said in a speech to the crowd. (First Posted @ 11:27 PST Updated @ 16:25 PST)
Sri Lanka violence leaves 16 more dead COLOMBO, Sept 25(AFP): Sixteen people were killed and 39 others injured as security forces clashed with Tamil Tiger rebels in Sri Lanka's embattled north and east, the two sides reported on Tuesday. Four soldiers died in the northern district of Mannar early Tuesday when the rebels tried to breach a security line, the military said placing guerrilla losses at nine killed and 36 injured. A roadside bomb killed a university lecturer and a civil servant Jaffna while a farmer was shot dead in the eastern town of Akkaraipattu. (First Posted @ 10:25 PST Updated @ 13:08 PST)
Three killed in south Thailand YALA, Sept 25(AFP): Suspected rebels have shot dead three local government employees in Thailand's south, which is battling a separatist insurgency, police said on Tuesday. A 59-year-old elementary school teacher, a police officer and a security guard were killed in different incidents on Monday. (Posted @ 10:17 PST)
Japan's Fukuda wins PM vote TOKYO, Sept 25(Reuters): Japan's Yasuo Fukuda was chosen as prime minister by parliament's lower house on Tuesday, ensuring him the nation's top job and setting the stage to form a cabinet. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) chose Fukuda, a 71-year-old seasoned moderate, as its leader. (Posted @ 09:55 PST)
US Navy helicopter crashes in Guam:1 killed HAGATNA, Guam, Sept 25(AP):: A U.S. Navy helicopter crashed during a training mission on Guam, killing one of four people on board, the Navy said. The helicopter from the Sea Combat 25 squadron crashed into the Fena Reservoir on Navy property near the Naval Magazine in Santa Rita. (Posted @ 09:36 PST)
Squash: Frenchman Gaultier wins British Open MANCHESTER, Sept 24(AFP): Gregory Gaultier became the first Frenchman in the 75-year history of the world's oldest tournament to win the British Open when he beat his friend and compatriot Thierry Lincou in a highly-charged final. The World Open runner-up from Aix-en-Provence beat the former world champion from Marseille 11-4, 10-12, 11-6, 11-3 in a final which both men found difficult, especially when the match threatened to boil over in the tight second and third games. (Posted @ 08:39 PST)
At least five killed in Kenyan steel mill explosion NAIROBI, Sept 25(AFP): At least five people were killed and several others wounded in an explosion at a steel mill in Athi River township, Machakos District about 40kms southeast of the Kenyan capital, a local commissioner told AFP. (Posted @ 08:33 PST)
Karachi Stocks down 21.29, points: KARACHI, Sept 25:At the close of trading the KSE-100 index was at 13198.83, down 21.29, points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 13:00 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, Sept 25: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.69, to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 13:00 PST)
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