DELEGATION OF LAKHI MARWAT DISTRICT BAR CALLS ON HCJP IFTIKHAR MUHAMMAD CHAUDHARY

A 10 Member delegation of Cabinet Members of Lakhi Marwat District Bar headed by President, Mr. Najeebullah and consisting other office bearers called on the Hon’ble Chief Justice of Pakistan Mr. Justice. Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhary today i.e. 15.03.2011 in Supreme Court Building, Islamabad.

The Hon’ble Chief Justice of Pakistan congratulated the Bar Members and said, “a lawyer being a professional, always remains in the pursuit of the legal knowledge and he always remains a student of law in his whole life”.

The delegation thanked the Hon’ble Chief Justice of Pakistan and praised the National Judicial Policy which proved fruitful for lawyers as well as litigants and enhanced the public confidence in courts by providing a speedy and expeditious disposal to them. Further, they informed his lordship that due to the Policy, almost all the old cases have been disposed of in their District and they have achieved the target of speedy justice. Moreover, due to the Judicial Policy the strength of lawyers has increased and they have been encouraged to join the profession of law. The delegation informed his lordship that the movement of rule of law, supremacy of Constitution and independence of judiciary instilled a new spirit and provided a common platform to lawyers to cooperate with one another.

The delegation invited Hon’ble Chief Justice of Pakistan to visit Lakhi Marwat Bar, his lordship conveyed his gratitude, extended his thanks and assured to visit them in suitable time

UK extends support for Pakistan anti-Taliban efforts

Visiting British Foreign Secretary David Miliband reiterated yesterday support for Pakistan’s anti-Taliban offensive in the troubled northwestern region.
Miliband who arrived on three-day visit, is due to meet President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, besides calling on Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and PML-N Chief Nawaz Sharif.
“This visit presents a first opportunity for ministerial discussion of the new UK-Pakistan strategic dialogue,” he was cited as saying by the British High Commission in a statement.
“It also allows me to underline the UK’s support for Pakistan’s current efforts to defeat the extremists and to restore peace and security to areas where extremists operate.”

Security forces enter Kalam, 27 terrorists killed in Swat

ISLAMABAD: The security forces have entered Kalam and carrying out cordon and search operation against the terrorists while 27 more miscreants have been killed in Swat and South Waziristan Agency during the last 24 hours, an update issued by the ISPR here said.
During the period eight soldiers and an officer Lieutenant Haider Nazir embraced shadat while six other personnel were wounded in various operations against the miscreant-terrorists.
The Nazim of Kalam along with notables welcomed security forces and assured full support to the ongoing operation by security forces against the miscreants.
The situation in Mingora is improving after fully securing the city by the security forces as relief activities have been initiated in full swing. The patrolling by troops of important areas is being carried out to fully swap the area. At Buner axis in village Najigram the security forces have completed clearance operation. During an IED blast a soldier embraced shahadat.
A good progress has been achieved by the security forces in cordon and search operation in Peochar valley. In search operation the security forces recovered huge amount of arms and ammunition including binoculars from Dob Banda area.
The security forces destroyed miscreants training facility at Yakh Tangi Kandao, 6 km South East of Shangla. Resultantly, a number of dead bodies of miscreants were found in the training compound.
The security forces have successfully secured Mankial, 14 km NE of Bahrain and consolidated their positions further in Bahrain, Kuz Laikot and Kedai. The miscreants set ablaze Government Girls School at Baidarra, 3.5 km North of Matta.
The security forces killed two miscreants at Umer Zeb check post of Dir during an encounter with miscreants. The cordon and search operation continued at Kumbar bazaar and Kalpani.
The miscreants attacked a security forces check post in Spinkai Raghazai, South Waziristan Agency. The attack was repulsed successfully, inflicting heavy casualties on militants. Reportedly, 15 militants were killed while three soldiers embraced shahadat and 6 others were wounded.
Four other soldiers have been reported missing in the attack by miscreants.

6 killed, 100 injured, President, PM condemn incidents Blasts jolt Peshawar

PESHAWAR: At least six persons were killed and around 100 injured when two simultaneous blasts ripped through historic Qissa Khwani bazaar followed by firing by the snipers yesterday afternoon, police said.
An official of district police said that the blasts occurred in front of Yasir Hotel in congested Qissa Khwani bazar where large numbers of people were busy in shopping.
The dead have been identified by the hospital authorities as Javed, Saifullah, Imtiaz, Naeem Baacha. The condition of five injured is critical as 100 have been brought to the LRH, a doctor at the hospital told APP
Emergency has been declared in hospitals. Police have cordoned off the area and started investigation. The incident is third in a row in Peshawar city during last two weeks that claimed almost two dozen lives.
The police believed to have arrested one terrorist and killed two others after fierce shoot out.
The Chief of Capital City Police Sifwat Ghayyur (Additional IG) who is personally taking part in the operation, told that search operation was still going on and urged the people to keep away from the site of the shooting. The routes connecting City with cantonment have been blocked as safety measure.
Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti has ordered an inquiry into the blasts in the heart of provincial capital.
The Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain told reporters at the site of shooting that the blood game is about to end and the terrorists are at the run.
Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani have strongly condemned the bomb blasts in Peshawar on Thursday, which caused loss of lives and injuries.
The President and the Prime Minister in their separate messages deplored the loss of precious human lives and injuries caused by the blasts.

26 killed, 300 injured Blast rocks Lahore

LAHORE: Lahore came under shock and fear when a powerful blast took over two dozens of innocent lives yesterday.
According to the details, gunmen detonated a car bomb in ‘Rescue 15’ office in Lahore yesterday, killing about 26 people and wounding at least 300, officials said.
At least four men with rifles stepped out from the car and opened fire on the intelligence agency building, then set off a massive blast when security guards returned the fire, officials said.
No one immediately claimed responsibility. Police said two suspects were detained.
The explosion sheared the walls off buildings in a main business district. The ceilings of operating rooms in a nearby hospital collapsed, injuring several people. TV footage showed bleeding bystanders and emergency workers carrying the injured in ambulances. Rescuers rushed to free officials buried in the rubble.
“The moment the blast happened, everything went dark in front of my eyes,” witness Muhammad Ali said.
“The way the blast happened, than gunfire, it looked as if there was a battle going on.”
Sajjad told reporters that a car carrying several gunmen pulled up in a street between offices of the emergency police and the Inter-Service Intelligence agency.
“As some people came out from that vehicle and started firing at the ISI office, the guards from inside that building returned the fire,” he said. As the firing continued, the car suddenly exploded, he said.The spy agency and police building were both badly damaged. Television footage showed officers dragging a man from the scene.

Mastermind arrested
LAHORE: A master mind of Lahore rescue building attack has been arrested from Sheikhupura, Aaj News reported yesterday.Police recovered building map from the culprit, authorities declared the arrest as the big achievement. (NC Report)

Trilateral summit agrees to eliminate terrorism

TEHRAN: Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan yesterday reaffirmed their deep commitment to make every effort to eliminate extremism, militancy and terrorism from the region, stated a joint communiqué issued at the conclusion of one-day trilateral summit. The communiqué was signed by Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad and Afghan President Hamid Karzai.
It was agreed at the summit, which Tehran hosted, to address the root causes of terrorism and extremism, which are in stark contrast with the spirit of Islam and rich cultural traditions and customs of the region.
According to the joint communiqué, the three neighbors agreed to establish a mechanism for holding regular and periodical trilateral consultations on special issues. These consultations will be attended by senior officials, foreign ministers and the heads of the state, or government of the three countries.
While addressing the conference, President Zardari said that the global downturn has impacted Pakistan and Afghanistan most. He said that the present generation was handicapped due to lack of better education and employment opportunities and we would have to do enough for saving our coming generations.
He said that peace and stability was the imperative for progress in the region. He said that Iran and Afghanistan was also facing situation similar to us. He said we could not change our neighbors and we would have to work in unison with our neighbors.
President Zardari said that the world currently suffering several problems and urged the three countries to work in harmony for the betterment of the region. The president thanked Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for hosting the conference

Five killed, 30 injured in bomb blast at Jandola

Suicide bomber rammed on Jandola Fort

D I Khan: At least five people were killed and 30 others were injured in a bomb blast at Jandola Bazaar yesterday.
Sources claimed a suicide bomber rammed an explosives-fitted vehicle into a fortress of law enforcing agencies. The blast also damaged many nearby shops and vehicles parked there.
After the incident the Wana-Wazirstan Road was closed for traffic.
The bodies and injured were shifted to local hospital. Law enforcing agencies cordoned off the area and initiated the probe.

Court’s dignity by stamping out corruption would have to be restored: CJ Iftikhar Chaudhry

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry has said that the real judiciary has been restored after a long time and now the dignity of the court and institution would have to be restored besides the judiciary would have to be cleaned of corruption.

At Room # 1 of the Supreme Court during hearing of a case, the Chief Justice in his remarks said that irregularities would not be tolerated in dispensing justice and added that the stories of corruption from civil judge to supreme court was common besides he urged upon the lawyers to co-operate with him in stamping out corruption.

He further said if there was any complaint of irregularity, then a petition could be filed in the Registrar Office. He said he was thankful to the people on their struggle for restoration of judiciary.

President Asif Zardari reinstates Justice Iftikhar as Chief Justice of Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has endorsed the reinstatement of Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry as Chief Justice of Pakistan, the spokesman of Aiwan-e-Sadr said on Tuesday.

The spokesman said the restored judges include judges of the Supreme Court of Pakistan and High Courts. The Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry will assume charge on March 22.

The formal notification regarding the reinstatement of the deposed judges of the superior judiciary, including Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, is likely to be issued today (Tuesday).

Pakistani People’s power restores Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani early Monday morning announced reinstatement of the deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry and other judges.

“I restore the deposed chief justice and others according to the promise made by me and the President,” Gilani said in a televised address to the nation.

The announcement, in light of the directive of President Asif Ali Zardari, met the main demand of the political parties and the lawyers’ community.

He said, “A notification to this effect is being issued now.” He said Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry would replace Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar, who retires on March 21.

Gilani said and pledged to “continue the politics of reconciliation.” The deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry was removed from service by former President Pervez Musharraf on March 9, 2007, sparking a wave of protest that led to his resignation from his office on August 18, 2008.

The prime minister also announced reinstatement of other judges of the Supreme Court and said the number of judges for the apex court has already been increased through legislation to accommodate the reinstated judges.

The prime minister also announced that the federal government would file a review petition in the Supreme Court seeking reversal of the order of disqualification of Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif, and addressing all issues in light of the Charter of Democracy.

Pir Sahib Pagara sees ‘revolution’ coming

KARACHI: Chief of Pakistan Muslim League (Functional) Pir Pagara Saturday said a ‘revolution’ is on its way to the country.

Talking to newsmen here at Kingri House, he said just like Chaudhry brothers the political future of Sharif brothers is also bleak.

“If people would say wrong things and commit wrong deeds, it automatically paves way for a marshal law,” Pir Pagara predicted.

He observed that the lawyers’ work is to fight cases and not to hold long marches.

Pakistan's World Cup hopes under threat

Pakistan cricket is facing a bleak future, with visiting teams certain to boycott tours to the troubled nation for the foreseeable future in the wake of Tuesday's terrorist attack in Lahore. As international cricket pondered the ramifications, it became almost certain that Pakistan would be stripped of its status as the co-host of the 2011 World Cup.

Asked about plans for the World Cup, ICC president David Morgan was blunt in his assessment. "Things will have to change dramatically in Pakistan, in my opinion, if any of the games are to be staged there."

The chief executive, Haroon Lorgat, was less blunt but the message was the same. "It is pretty, pretty serious and it is very obvious that the landscape and the thinking has changed dramatically," Lorgat told Cricinfo. "We are going to have to reevaluate what we do and where Pakistan plays its cricket."

Those views were echoed by Sharad Pawar, the ICC vice president and former head of the Indian cricket board, a close ally of the Pakistan Cricket Board. India had been forced to abandon their tour of Pakistan in January following a government directive after the attacks on Mumbai.

Visting teams have experienced brushes with terrorism in the past but only now, with the Sri Lankans directly targeted by militants, is Pakistan faced with a blanket boycott. Even those who urged international teams not to abandon Pakistan have now accepted the inevitable.

Wasim Akram, the former Pakistan captain, said Pakistan hosting the World Cup in 2011 was now a "distant dream".

"How do you expect a foreign team to come to Pakistan now? We took pride in hosting our guests," Akram told ESPN Star. "This image has taken a beating. It's sad for Pakistan."

Waqar Younis, Akram's bowling partner, said the chances of foreign teams coming to Pakistan were now remote. "We have to agree with whatever the ICC decides," he said.

Ramiz Raja, another prominent voice in Pakistan, said he had never thought there would be a situation where sportspersons would be targeted in Pakistan.

The series against Sri Lanka was cancelled immediately after Tuesday's attacks, and similar announcements regarding other tours are expected in the coming months.

Australia, India, New Zealand and the West Indies are among the teams to have postponed or cancelled tours to Pakistan in recent years, and New Zealand will almost certainly call off their scheduled series there in November. The Black Caps experienced first-hand the dangers of touring Pakistan in 2002, when a bomb exploded outside their Karachi hotel, and NZC chief executive Justin Vaughan hinted strongly that the team would not return in the near future.

"It's very frightening that for the first time a cricket team appears to be the specific target of terrorist action," Vaughan told NZPA. "That's never happened before - all previous incidents have been about being in the wrong place at the wrong time. This is a very different proposition and I think just a very frightening one for world cricket. You'd have to say this would throw further doubt over that tour but we don't make those decisions off the cuff like that. This is really serious."

Reg Dickason, the security consultant contracted by the ECB and CA, said he had long feared that terrorists in Pakistan would target cricketers. "A lot of the concerns we raised during the Champions Trophy have unfortunately come home to roost," Dickason said. "The notion of sporting teams being a protected species was held by many, but it was not a view that we shared, unfortunately.

"There were a number of factors we considered, including the global exposure an attack on an international sporting team could have. (Tours of Pakistan) are highly unlikely for the forseeable future given the present environment. How could you go there now? The Australians were supposed to have played there in March. This, unfortunately, is the realisation of many of the things we thought, and it is a terrible way to find out."

Geoff Lawson, who served as Pakistan coach until last October, feared the team would suffer from being cast into a nomadic existence. "Cricket won't be played in Pakistan for the foreseeable future," Lawson said. "Pakistan look like they will become a wandering cricket team now. They will be playing at neutral venues, because you can guarantee that there won't be games there [at home]. Obviously, there is no chance of the Champions Trophy or the World Cup going ahead there."

In a small vote of confidence, Cricket Australia confirmed its intention to proceed with an ODI series against Pakistan which, due to security concerns, had already been shifted to the United Arab Emirates.

"We do not expect this to affect the series (in the UAE)," CA spokesman Peter Young said. "We are due to complete a security inspection tour at the end of the week, and that is expected to go ahead as planned." (Cricinfo Report)

Nawaz Sharif, Qazi Hussain Ahmed agree to participate in long march

LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-N Chief Mian Nawaz Sharif and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Qazi Hussain Ahmed have agreed to fully participate in lawyers’ Long March.

Addressing a news conference with PML-N chief at Mansora, Qazi Hussain Ahmed said that November 2 judiciary should be restored without any delay. He termed present situation in the country a constitutional deadlock.

JI Amir said that his party would fully participate in lawyers’ long march; he also thanked Mian Nawaz Sharif for visiting Mansora.