Altaf asks Gilani to take action against extortion mafia in Karachi

Daily Times


KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain called Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani and discussed with him the overall political situation in the country and the dwindling law and order situation in Punjab. Hussain informed the PM about the concerns of the business community in Karachi over the rising incidents of extortion. He said the PM that antisocial and criminal elements of Lyari gang-war were threatening the business community to pay extortion money or face dire consequences. He said those who do not comply with the demands of the criminals are threatened that they and their family members would be abducted and murdered. He demanded of the prime minister to exercise his authority to rid the business community of Karachi from the clutches of the criminals. PM Gilani assured Hussain that no one would be allowed to intimidate the business community of the industrial and commercial hub of Pakistan. He said that the government would solve this issue on priority basis.

President, PM approve ‘decisive operation’ for Karachi

Dawm
President Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani directed the Sindh government to act against those involved in the unrest with full force and without discrimination

KARACHI: Approving a ‘decisive operation’ against elements involved in targeted killings in Karachi, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani have directed that peace must be restored in the city at all costs, DawnNews reported.

The decision was taken in a meeting of the Pakistan People’s Party’s senior leadership at the Aiwan-i-Sadr.

The meeting began Friday night and continued till the early hours of Saturday morning.

Key ministers and the party’s central leadership attended the meeting.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik briefed the meeting on Karachi’s law and order situation and the recent spate of targeted killings in the city and steps taken so far to restore normalcy.

President Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani directed the Sindh government to act against those involved in the unrest with full force and without discrimination.

Moreover, Rehman Malik flew to London where he is expected to meet Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain.

Malik is expected to take Hussain into confidence over the government’s planned course of action

Nabeel Gabol takes back resignation

Tribune

ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Ports and Shipping, Nabeel Gabol, who had resigned from his cabinet post on Tuesday, took back his resignation after he met Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani in Islamabad on Friday.

Nabeel Gabol had called on the prime minister and the prime minister had assured him of the redressal of his grievances.

Gabol had resigned from his cabinet post saying that he was quitting because he felt powerless in taking important decisions within his ministry and that he was unable to address the issues of his constituency.

Sources said that Gabol stepped down in protest against a massive operation by Rangers and police commandos in Orangi Town and a possible crackdown in his home constituency of Lyari.

However, a one-line handout by the media office of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani attributed the decision to unspecified personal reasons.

Gabol, a close confidant of President Asif Ali Zardari and a central leader of the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). His residence in Karachi was also allegedly raided by police after his resignation.

There have been several incidents in the recent past where ministers and lawmakers have resigned from the slot they hold, only to be convinced by their parties or the government to rethink their decision.

Govt not amending blasphemy law, says PM

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani. DAWN

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minsiter Yousuf Raza Gilani Tuesday urged religious leaders to propagate the true interpretation of Islam and educate people about its teachings of tolerance and mutual respect for each other’s religions.

Addressing religious scholars at the “Ulema and Mashaikh Conference 2011” at the National Library here, Gilani reiterated that the government had no plans to amend the blasphemy law, but stressed that no law should be misused.

“We are not amending the blasphemy law,” Prime Minister Gilani said in response to the points raised by religious leaders during the conference.

Prime Minister Gilani said a committee was setup by the Pakistan People’s Party at the party level to see whether any legislation that is moved by its members has its endorsement.

He said religious leaders must not have any fear and apprehension that anything would be done contrary to Islam or its teachings by the present government.

On the sanctity of constitution and rule of law, Prime Minister said the law of the land must be adhered to.

“We are not in the favour of amendment in the blasphemy law, but we are not in favour of misuse of the law either…and it does not matter what law it is,” Gilani added.

Prime Minister Gilani said any acts of violence bring bad name to the religion and are seen unfavourably in the West. He said it also makes the lives of Pakistanis abroad miserable. Therefore it is vital that Islam is portrayed in the right perspective and is not distorted, he said.

Gilani urged for closer collaboration between scholars of different religions for better understanding and to bring peace and tranquility.

He rejected the notion that Islam was the cause behind the acts of terror and extremism and said in fact it was a religion of peace and abhorred violence. He said following of real teachings of Islam was the only way to get rid of the scourge of terrorism that had spread its tentacles across the globe.

He said his government believed in taking along all political forces and appreciated the opposition for being supportive of the government on all national issues.

Earlier, religious leaders spoke about Islam’s universal message of peace, love and tolerance and that it believed in peaceful coexistence with people of all religions. The speakers regretted distortion of the religion by certain vested interests and urged a deeper understanding of the Quran and Sunnah by all.

They said Islam did not differentiate between people of any caste, colour or creed.

Religious leaders were of the view that there were no two opinions about the honour and dignity accorded to Prophet Mohammad and pointed that the Quran and Sunnah were very clear about it. They said no one would be allowed to bring any changes in the blasphemy law.

Qadri also remained guard of Zardari, Gilani, others

The News
ISLAMABAD: The self-confessed killer of Punjab Governor Salman Taseer, Malik Mumtaz Qadri, performed a total of 509 VIP and VVIP duties since he was declared a security risk for these tasks in 2004, a report compiled by intelligence agencies says.

The report says that he performed a security duty with a foreign delegation as well on two occasions in 2010. He also performed duties with almost all the prominent politicians several times including President Asif Ali Zardari. He also remained in the security convoy of the Chief Justice of Pakistan, even after he was declared unfit for these duties.

The other politicians with whom Qadri performed guard duties include Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani, Punjab Governor Salman Taseer, Mian Nawaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif, Interior Minister Rehman Malik and Opposition Leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan. He performed all these security duties from April 24, 2008 to January 4, 2011.

He also remained with Interior Minister Rehman Malik as his special security guard in 2010, the report maintains. The report reveals that Qadri was also part of a raid team conducted by Military Intelligence (MI) and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) against terrorist outfits in 2008.

The assassin of the Punjab governor performed duties with him as his personal security guard for four times - on April 15, 2010, May 26, 2010, September 3, 2010, and on January 4, 2011.

The report says Qadri also remained with Taseer on general duties on ten occasions - five times in 2008, once in 2009, three times in 2010 and once in 2011 when he killed him in the Kohsar Market in Islamabad.

The report, compiled by the intelligence agencies after Qadri gunned Taseer down and surrendered himself to be arrested by his colleagues, elaborate the guard duties he performed on a whole. He performed security duties with President Zardari, Prime Minister Gilani and on PAF Base for four times in 2008, eight times in 2009 and six times in 2010.

Gilani calls Altaf, Shujaat, Pagara

Geo


ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Sunday telephoned leaders of various political parties and took them into confidence over prevailing political situation in the country.

Gilani called PML-Q chief Chaudhary Shujaat Hussain, MQM leader Altaf Hussain, ANP leader Asfandyar Wali, JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, PML-F Chief Pir Pagara and others.

According to sources, the Prime Minister exchanged views over political situation in the country besides taking them into confidence over the appointment of Punjab governor.

Gilani was of view that all the political leadership would be taken into confidence after consultation on major decision over national issues.

MQM welcomes PM-Nawaz phone contact

SAMAA
KARACHI/LONDON: Dr Farooq Sattar of Muttahida Qaumi Movment (MQM) has said on Sunday that the telephonic contact between Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and Mian Nawaz Sharif is positive.

He said this from London through his telephonic participation in party's press conference at Nine Zero, Karachi.

Sattar said that his party welcomed PM Gilani's positive response to PML-Nawaz's agenda.

He urged that all political parties to cooperate each other as all political issues could be resolved.

Sattar said that MQM rejoined the coalition government after the assurance of PM Gilani.

He demanded complete eradication of poverty, corruption and unemployment. He also suggested opposition to play its due role for the betterment of the people of Pakistan.

Azam Swati calls PM Gilani “most corrupt”

Former federal minister Azam Khan Swati. Dawn

ISLAMABAD: Former federal minister for science and technology Azam Khan Swati called Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani the most corrupt person in the country’s history.

Speaking to media representatives outside the Supreme Court on Thursday, Swati called both President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani corrupt.

Responding to a question regarding the ongoing Federal Investigation Agency’s probe into the Haj scam, Swati said that the court was well aware that the FIA would not unveil those involved in the corruption scandal.

Azam Khan Swati, a former minister associated with the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-F (JUI-F), was sacked by Prime Minister Gilani for violating discipline.

Swati and former minister for religious affairs Hamid Saeed Kazmi were both sacked for entering verbal bouts against one another over corruption allegations in the Haj operations.

The Blackmailing has begun: Nawaz gives Gilani 72 hour deadline

Tribune

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in its Central Organising Committee meeting chaired by party chief Nawaz Sharif on Tueday has given Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani 72 hours to accept or reject the PML-N’s finalised agenda for the parties to work together.

Sharif said that the meeting finalised a broad, issue-based agenda which the government had 45 days to follow through on, if they chose to accept to work with the PML-N. He added that if the government did not perform effectively on the agenda by February 20, the PML-N may leave the Punjab government. He said the formulated agenda was not the PML-N’s but the “people’s agenda”.

Sharif said that a 30 per cent decrease in government expense was on of their key demands. The plan also includes demands of

According to Express 24/7 correspondent, Sabur Ali Syed, the PML-N decided that it would not, on its own, introduce a no-confidence motion against the prime minister. It was also decided that the PML-N would adopt a very strong and hawkish approach against the policies of the government, especially in the parliament.

The parties met in the backdrop of meetings of their leaders with Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Monday in what analysts described as a desperate bid to shore up support and make new allies after the MQM withdrew.

PML-N’s Central Organising Committee meeting discussed the issue of a no-confidence motion against Gilani. Nawaz also apprised party leaders about the meeting between Prime Minister Gilani and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Monday.

Gilani faces an imminent no-confidence motion in the National Assembly after MQM’s withdrawal stripped the party of its already slender majority in the parliament.

The ruling PPP has 125 members in the National Assembly, 47 short of a simple majority to keep the government in office. It has support from Awami National Party (ANP) with 13 lawmakers, five from the Pir Pagara-led Functional League and around 17 independent members. The PPP needs at least 12 seats to survive in the center.

PML-N had already announced that it would not demand a vote of no confidence in Gilani because to do so would exacerbate instability in the country. The PML-N believes a no-confidence vote would “damage the whole country,” chairman Raja Zafar-ul-Haq told Reuters.

PML-N spokesman Ahsan Iqbal said “at the moment, a no-confidence vote does not look like a possibility”.
“We will not support the government but we will also not become a part of any conspiracy to topple it,” Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, the opposition leader in the National Assembly said.

Nonetheless, if the Nawaz League decides to table a no-confidence motion against Premier Gilani, it’ll need support from the PML-Q, MQM and JUI-F.

President re-affirms confidence in PM

Geo


ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has telephoned Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani and re-affirmed confidence in the latter, said a statement issued by Presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar on Monday.

The President’s move came at a time when all kinds of speculations were circulating about a possible no-confidence move against the Prime Minister, particularly, after Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s joining of the opposition in the National Assembly and Senate.

The President assured the Prime Minister of standing in support of the latter (in case of any move against him), saying in would be ensured that the PM completes his term, the statement said. 

PM Gilani was also assured that he had full support of Pakistan People’s Party.

Gilani seeks support from opposition

Tribune

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani met with Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Monday in what analysts describe as a desperate bid to shore up support and make new allies following the MQM’s announcement of its defection to the opposition benches in the Senate and the National Assembly, which has stripped the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) of its already slender majority in the parliament.

Gilani telephoned Pakistan Muslim League – Quaid (PML-Q) leader Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain early Monday morning seeking his support following the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM’s) decision to sit on the opposition benches. Gilani is expected to meet the PML-Q leader later today.

The ruling PPP has 125 members in the National Assembly, 47 short of simple majority to keep the government in office. It has support from Awami National Party (ANP) with 13 lawmakers, five from the Pir Pagara-led Functional League and around 17 independent members. The PPP needs at least 12 seats to survive and the prime minister is expected to talk about the possible alliance between PPP and PML-Q in today’s meeting.

Gilani faces an imminent no-confidence motion in the National Assembly, forcing the PPP to look for new allies. The PML-Q, which is the second largest opposition group with 51 seats in the National Assembly, said it will not move the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Gilani.

Shujaat said they will listen to Gilani and then consult other party leaders before reaching a conclusion.

PML-Q, JUI-F hold meeting in Lahore

Meanwhile, PML-Q and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazal (JUI-F) held a meeting in Lahore to discuss their future course of action. Addressing a press conference after the meeting with Chaudhry Shujaat, JUI-F leader Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haidri demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Gilani saying that it was better for him to resign with all his cabinet.

Cartoon Of the day 3 January 2010

MQM will not revise its decision : Altaf Hussain

Pakistan Prime Minister 'Yosuf Raza Gilani' phones to MQM founder and leader Altaf Hussain. Both Leaders are discussed regarding the Political situation after the MQM's stance. MQM decided to sit on the opposition benches. By the report of agencies, PM Gilani asked Altaf Hussain to revise his stance, but Altaf Hussain replied negatively..

Govt to stay in power even without MQM: PM

Online News

LAHORE: Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani has said that the government will stay in power without MQM, added there is no crisis as PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif in favour of democratic system.

Talking to media, PM Gilani said he knew through media about the MQM decision about quitting government and noted that the MQM settled issues with provincial government.

He said that President Asif Ali Zardari was in contact with MQM for discussing the issues and hoped the government would stay in power without the MQM and noted there was no crisis.

Gilani said that he did not mind any statement of Maulana Fazalur Rehman and he received the resignations of the JUI-F.

He made it clear that there would be no amendment in blasphemy law in his government and noted that Sherry Rehman had submitted the bill on her personal capacity.

He said that the prices of petroleum products were increased under the international markets.

Gilani said that he was enjoying cordial ties with Nawaz Sharif as he has own programme and manifesto and hoped that the PML-N Quaid would not harm the democracy as he always demonstrated seriousness.

PM declines to take Swati back into cabinet

SAMAA


ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani Tuesday declined to take sacked minister Azam Swati into the federal cabinet, saying he is willing to take other ministers from Jamiat-i-Ulema Islam (JUI-F).

According to sources, PM Gilani refused to take again the removed federal minister into the cabinet, saying the minister in question went against the discipline.

In return, Prime Minister offered Maulana Fazlur Rehman that he is geared up to take various other JUI-F ministers into the federal cabinet.

According to sources, the President House has ramped up their efforts to bring Maulana round thanks to the deadlock between PM and Maulana Fazl; hence, a meeting between President Asif Ali Zardari and JUI-F chief is expected soon.

Prime Minister Gilani should resign, says Fazl

JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman.

Dawn

ISLAMABAD: Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-F (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Tuesday demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, compounding pressure on a coalition government shedding support.

Fazlur Rehman made the call just hours after the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), the main coalition partner of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), announced that it was quitting the federal cabinet, although would not join the opposition.

“The prime minister should resign and the PPP should appoint a new one,” Fazlur Rehman told reporters.

His own Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-F party walked out on December 14 after Gilani sacked one of its three cabinet ministers over a war of words with religious affairs minister Hamid Saeed Kazmi, a PPP member, who was also fired.

Their spat related to a corruption scandal reportedly implicating Kazmi’s ministry in booking accommodation for tens of thousands of Pakistani pilgrims.

“He (Gilani) has sabotaged the process of reconciliation among coalition partners and his actions have caused political instability in the country,” said Rehman.

“The government is under pressure and the president will have to take this step.”

The departure of JUI-F reduced the PPP’s coalition to 185 seats in the 342-member national assembly.

The MQM says it is withdrawing its two cabinet ministers over differences with the PPP, but has yet to join the opposition. The loss of its 25 lawmakers would leave the coalition in a parliamentary minority and could bring down the government.

ISI will never be asked to appear before US court: PM

APP

ISLAMABAD, Dec 23 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani assured the National Assembly on Thursday that ISI (Inter Services Agency), being the country’s extremely important and sensitive organization, would never be asked to appear before a US court. “We are as sensitive about this issue as any other in the House,” the Prime Minister said after Opposition Leader Ch. Nisar expressed apprehensions over summoning of the top intelligence agency officias by a US court.
The Prime Minister though refrained from announcing what he called a ‘policy statement’ on the issue, however, held out a firm assurance that a decision to that effect, if taken, would involve mutual consensus.
He dispelled the perception as if the government was not in the knowledge of certain important developments, saying “we are in know of everything.”
Turning to Balochistan, Gilani said law enforcement agencies, including Frontier Constabulary, Frontier Corps and Federal Investigation Agency, could not take actions on their own without the approval of the provincial government.
The Prime Minister said many a time the government took onboard the nation and all political leadership within as well as outside the House before it launched military offensives against terrorists in Malakand, Swat and South Waziristan Agency.
He said it was an important decision meant to improve law and order a pre-requisite for improving the economy. “Until and unless conducive law and order prevails (in the country), investment will not going to come, a single suicide blast undermines a very good scenario of investment,” he added.
The Prime Minster spelled out two top most priorities of the government that were attached to law and order and economy from day one, and said both were inter-related.
Gilani said it was unprecedented in the history of world that 2.5 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) of militancy-hit areas of Pakistan returned to their homes within the short period of just three months. “It’s our success story,” he said.
Gilani said the whole nation and political leadership were united against terrorism which destablised country’s economy, besides other affairs.
The Prime Minister brushed aside the impression that the government would launch a military action after being influenced by either the US or any foreign country and termed such thoughts as not wise thinking.
“We are ready to sacrifice our lives for the sovereignty and integrity of Pakistan. There wouldn’t be any compromises,” the Prime Minister said.
He said thew nation would decide where to carry out military operation and no one else could dictate Pakistan over it.
The Prime Minister drew attention of the House towards involvement of foreign elements in Balochistan and asked everybody (in the House) to shoulder responsibility and be counted for improving the situation there. “Let’s devise a mutual strategy,” he added.
He commended the people of Balochistan and described them as patriotic as anyone in Pakistan. He said the people of Balochistan had rendered sacrifices for Pakistan.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao reaches Pakistan

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao reaches Pakistan

Dunya News
Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao has arrived in Islamabad for a three-day official visit. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani along with his cabinet members and senior military and civil officials will welcomed him at Chaklala Airbase. Security of the capital has been put on high alert after Premier Jiabao's arrival. Police and Rangers have been deployed at the routes.
As the airplane of Chinese Premier entered the Pakistani airspace, PAF’s two JF-17 Thunders escorted his plane. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Federal Ministers and senior military and civil officials will greet Chinese Premier at the Chaklala Airbase. Guard of honour was also presented to Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jianao. The Chinese Premier will address the joint meeting of Parliament on Sunday. Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani and Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao will hold formal talks today, covering wide ranging topics of bilateral interest to expand decades’ old ever-green relationship, with greater focus on their growing economic partnership. The talks at Prime Minister House will be followed by signing of about 20 agreements and Memorandums of Understandings (MOUs) in areas of economy, energy and communication.
The visit of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to Pakistan targets to set the trade volume between the two friendly countries at US$ 15 billion by 2012.Under the 5 years Development Programme launched in 2006 for strengthening of economic relations, the existing trade is to be enhanced to $ 15 billion by 2012.More than 62 different projects have been identified under this programme for investment in various economic fields and are at different stages of completion.In the last few years, investment of more than $ 1.3 billion was made by China in Pakistan.Over 120 Chinese companies have invested in oil, gas, IT and telecom, power generation, engineering, automobiles, infrastructure and mining sectors of Pakistan.