HCJP CONSTITUTES LARGER BENCH

A seventeen member Larger Bench has been constituted to hear the NRO cases on 07-12-2009. The Larger Bench will be headed by The Hon’ble Chief Justice of Pakistan Mr. Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and comprise on Honourable Mr. Justice Javed Iqbal, Honourable Mr. Justice Sardar Muhammad Raza Khan, Honourable Mr. Justice Khalil-ur- Rehman Ramday, Honourable Mr. Justice Mian Shakirullah Jan, Honourable Mr. Justice Tassadduq Hussain Jillani, Honourable Mr. Justice Nasir-ul- Mulk, Honourable Mr. Justice Raja Fayyaz Ahmed, Honourable Mr. Justice Ch. Ijaz Ahmed, Honourable Mr. Justice Muhammad Sair Ali, Honourable Mr. Justice Mahmood Akhtar Shahid Siddiqui, Honourable Mr. Justice S. Khawaja, Honourable Mr. Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali, Honourable Mr. Justice Khilji Arif Hussain, Honourable Mr. Justice Rahmat Husain Jafferi, Honourable Mr. Justice Tariq Parvez, Honourable Mr. Justice Ghulam Rabbani.

Brigadier Anwar ul Haq Ramday and Lt. Colonel Wasim laid to rest

Brigadier Anwar-ul-Haq Ramday and Lt. Colonel Wasim who embraced martyrdom in the GHQ operation against terrorists have been laid to rest with full military honor in Rawalpindi and Swabi respectively, reported Dunya News. The funeral prayer of Brigadier Ramday was attended by top military and civilian leadership including Punjab IG, MI DG and Justice Khalil-ur-Rehman Ramday.

The martyr was laid to rest in Military Graveyard with full military honor. The army had surrounded the graveyard on this occasion. In Swabi, a floral wreath was laid on the grave of Lt. Colonel Wasim from President Asif Ali Zardari, Army Chief General Ashfaq Pervaz Kayani and Punjab Regimental Center.

Military Commanders show great concerns on Kerry-Lugar Bill

122 Corps Commanders Conference was held at General Headquarters today. The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani chaired the day long meeting. The participants were given a comprehensive briefing on the current security situation in the country and the region.

COAS in his opening remarks dilated upon various issues related to national security and impending challenges faced by the country. COAS reiterated that Pakistan is a sovereign state and has all the rights to analyse and respond to the threat in accordance with her own national interests.

Kerry Lugar bill also came under discussion during the conference. The forum expressed serious concern regarding clauses impacting on National Security. A formal input is being provided to the Government. However, in the considered view of the forum, it is the Parliament, that represents the will of the people of Pakistan, which would deliberate on the issue, enabling the Government to develop a National response.

COAS in his concluding remarks reiterated that Pakistan stands committed to global and regional peace, and wishes to live in harmony with her neighbours.

FRENCH AMBASSADOR CALLS ON KARACHI NAZIM

The ambassador of France in Islamabad Daniel jouannau called on City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal at his office on Monday. French Consul General Pierre Siellan and diplomat Ms. Annie Evrad were also present on this occasion.

During the meeting City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal gave detailed briefing to French ambassador about development works completed during last four years in Karachi.

He said that Haq Parast City Government had initiated a rapid development process in Karachi with a view to solve the basic problems of citizens in shortest possible time. Under this vision development works had been carried out during last four years in nearly all sectors of civic life. More than 35 flyovers and underpasses constructed in a few years time while work on four more flyovers is underway.

Nazim Karachi said that so far 62km of roads in Karachi have been made signal free while a total of 316 roads have been constructed during last four years which has besides saving energy provided hurdle free travel facility to citizens in nearly all areas of the city.

He said that Karachi holds much importance in this region and considering this, City Government has provided such a favorable atmosphere to business community especially the investors where they could avail maximum profit on their investment.

Nazim Karachi said that Karachi presently offers attractive opportunities for business and investment and the business community should take the advantage of better conditions and improved infrastructure in Karachi.

He said that the industrial areas in Karachi had been given preference in the development activities where various mega projects of water & sewerage and roads have been completed during last four years.

City Nazim said that the government has also initiated a “Green City” campaign to overcome air pollution. Millions of saplings have been planted so far at different roads and roundabouts to save the environment from further pollution.

He said that more than 348 parks have been constructed in Karachi to provide better and quality recreation facilities to citizens.

Nazim Karachi said that the recently launched CNG Bus Service has also improved the standard of public transport in Karachi. City Government has spent Rs500million on this pilot project.

He said that despite of limited resources and other difficulties, City Government in Karachi has continued development journey and it will carry on this process.

Chaudhry Nisar urges Zardari to disclose details of the deal

Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan Tuesday asked President Asif Ali Zardari to give details of the deal under which Pervez Musharraf was provided safe exit. He said if Musharraf’s escape was a result of any deal then Zardari also became through a deal.

Talking to media outside parliament house Islamabad, Chaudhry Nisar urged President Zardari to tell the nation which international power helped Musharraf escape. He asked why the parliament was fooled if a deal was already made on some guarantees from international authorities to give safe escape to the dictator. The opposition leader said PML-N would table privilege motion and deferred motion in the parliament on the statement of the president.

Arrival of Int'l Lions director Naresh Agarwal @ Karachi

No compromise on verdicts: Cheif Justice

Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry Monday said that National Judicial Policy (NJP) would be vigorously implemented despite shortage of required funds.
Chairing a full court meeting at the Supreme Court building, the Chief Justice said that pending cases were being disposed of expeditiously, however, no compromise would be made on the standard of judgements. The aim of the meeting was to review progress over the implementation of the NJP.
The Chief Justice said that public confidence in judiciary had enhanced and judiciary, in return, would strive further to retain the confidence.
The full court meeting discussed and deliberated over a number of issues and it was decided that disposal rate of cases would be enhanced through discouraging adjournment and all energies would be put together to achieve the purpose. “Adjournments would only be granted in extraordinary situations with pressing reasons,” it was decided.
The meeting decided to devise policy of imposing cost to discourage the culture of frivolous and false cases and penalty would be imposed against persons lodging such cases. Categorisation of cases as per subject matter, both in the criminal as well as in the civil matters, would be carried out and certain categories would be given priority. Special benches would be constituted for hearing the cases continuously for some weeks, the meeting decided.
The formation of committees to monitor the functioning of Anti-Terrorist Courts in the light of Sh Liaquat Hussain’s Case was also discussed and Justice Javed Iqbal, Justice Sardar Muhammad Raza Khan, Justice Khalil-ur-Rehman Ramday and Justice Mian Shakirullah Jan, one for each province, were nominated for the purpose.