ANP MNA to ‘support’ Kalabagh Dam

Nawabzada Khawaja Muhammad
Khan (ANP MNA)

The Nation
ISLAMABAD - The caucus of likeminded leaders in ANP, who do not subscribe to the party line on Kalabagh Dam issue and other vital matters, is reportedly growing wider. The party caucus is vocal to slam ANP’s top command for corruption and mismanagement. 

On one hand, the top command of Awami National Party adopts a rigid stance against the formation of Kalabagh Dam and does not deem it worthy even to discuss this subject while on the other hand, senior party leaders like MNA Nawabzada Khawaja Muhammad Khan Hoti believe that opposing KBD for the sake of opposition is actually a deviation tactic to divert the attention of public from key issues like corruption, inflation, joblessness, power crisis and law and order situation.

Talking to The Nation on Friday, Hoti, who heads a powerful caucus of likeminded leaders within ANP, said that Kalabagh Dam should be constructed if all the four provinces were on board on KBD issue. “I think if all the four provinces reach consensus then KBD should be constructed, there is no harm in it. However, alternative arrangements should be made for the lands of the people of Mardan and related region, which could be affected by KBD,” he said.

The MNA said that even if consensus on KBD was not possible, the government had the option to build other dams like Bagliar, Karzar and Bhasha dam. “The real issue is to overcome power shortage.
Had this government constructed dams since last three years, the problem of electricity shortfall would have been addressed,” he said. The former federal minister said that each of the three aforementioned dams was capable of generating 800 mega watts to 1000 mega watts of electricity. 

“If these dams were constructed when the incumbent Government had assumed power, Pakistan would not have seen darkness due to load shedding,” he added.

When reminded that the Government was mulling over constructing Diamir Bhasha dam and it had formed a committee in this regard, Nawabzada Khawaja Muhammad Khan Hoti said in deploring tone, “Well you know, I know and everybody knows about the fate of such titular committees. 

They would not move an inch for anything productive. All these rulers are interested in money. Money by means of corrupt practices is the sole goal of their lives. I say, if not KBD, then build any other dam, but at least do something instead of making hollow promises with the nation. These issues like opposing KBD are just deceptive tactics by the rulers to hush-up their corrupt practices and failures.”

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.

Nawaz supports Baloch insurgent groups: Musharraf

Daily Times
* Former president says India fuelling insurgency in Balochistan to destabilise Pakistan


LAHORE: Former president Gen (r) Pervez Musharraf blamed Baloch leader Shahzain Bugti for being involved in killings of Punjabis in Balochistan and accused Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif of supporting Baloch insurgent groups, a private TV channel reported on Sunday.

Speaking in a talk show, the former president, who is also chief of the All Pakistan Muslim League (APML), alleged that Shahzain and his cousin Brahamdagh Bugti, another Jamhoori Watan Party leader, were getting arms from India through Afghanistan. He added that New Delhi was involved in Balochistan. “India is also supporting various separatists and insurgent groups of the province and fuelling insurgency to destabilise Pakistan,” he said.

Musharraf claimed that Shahzain was involved in killing Punjabis in different areas of Balochistan, adding that he and other factions had even acquired missiles and anti-aircraft guns to battle the Frontier Corps (FC) and the Pakistan Army. Musharraf also criticised the PML-N’s Punjab government and Nawaz Sharif for supporting Baloch nationalists in their cause, describing it an act of ‘political mileage’. “They (Shahzain and his father Talal Bugti) get state protocol, when they come to Punjab and stay at Raiwind House as guests. Nawaz is supporting them just for his political mileage,” Musharraf said.

To a question about summoning of the ISI chief by a US court, the retired general endorsed the government’s stance, saying, “The ISI chief should never appear before any US court.” “This is impossible, we are an independent country,” he affirmed, adding that summoning of the top intelligence agency official by a US court “is just like the Supreme Court of Pakistan summoning head of America’s CIA”, the channel quoted him as saying.

Pakistan gets $633m US anti-terror aid

Arab News

ISLAMABAD: Washington transferred more than $600 million to the Pakistani government this week to pay for its efforts in the fight against violent extremists, the US Embassy said.

The $633 million payment under the Coalition Support Fund (CSF) program came Wednesday, amid reports that top US military commanders in Afghanistan were pushing to expand special forces ground raids across the border into Pakistan's tribal areas.

"The Coalition Support Fund is designed to reimburse the government of Pakistan for expenses incurred fighting violent extremist groups," the embassy said in a statement.

It added that the payment covered the first six months of this year and Pakistan had now received "approximately 8.76 billion dollars" since 2001 under the scheme.

The CSF process reimburses 27 nations, including Pakistan, for logistical, military and other support provided to Washington's overseas military operations.

Pakistan has been fighting militants on its border with Afghanistan for years. On Friday some 150 extremists attacked five security posts in an unusually large and coordinated assault, sparking hours of fighting that killed 11 soldiers and 24 insurgents, officials said.

The top government official in Mohmand, Amjad Ali Khan, said 12 soldiers were wounded in the fighting.

The troops called in helicopter gunships to help push back the militants, said Maj. Fazl Ur Rehman, a spokesman for the Frontier Corps security force. The fighting ended by morning.

The Pakistan Army says 2,500 of its soldiers have been killed by militants in the tribal areas since 2001.

Swati calls Benazir Income Support Program 'bogus'

Tribune

Former Minister Azam Khan Swati of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazlur Rehman (JUI-F) on Tuesday termed the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) as “bogus” and “corrupt.”

Swati said that the government’s decision to cut down the budget for higher education by Rs30 billion to facilitate the BISP may benefit some people, but on the whole, will greatly harm the country.

He said that countries do not move forward on the basis of charity, but rather through advancements in science and technology, higher education and vocational training.

Swati was removed from the post of minister for science and technology after he had alleged former minister of religious affairs Hamid Saeed Kazmi to be involved in the Hajj scam, which according to Interior Minister Rehman Malik included corruption worth Rs1.6 million.

In-house change possible

Speaking alongside Swati, JUI-F Secretary General Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri said that an in-house change is possible, if bigger parties like Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid-i-Azam (PML-Q) take some decision in this regard.

Haideri also blamed the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) for failing to fulfil its promises with its coalition partners.

Citing an example, Haideri said the PPP had gone back on its promise with the PML-N for the restoration of judges.

No decision on leaving provincial governments yet

JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said he has not yet decided whether or not to leave the Balochistan government.

Talking to the media at his residence alongside Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani, the JUI-F chief said his party will reach some decision with mutual consultation for which the party’s central executive committee meeting has been called tomorrow.

Rehman said his party left the federal government but quitting the decision to leave the provincial governments has yet not been taken.

Raisani said he does not feel any danger regarding change of his government. He said he does not care if his government is demolished.

Earlier, both the leaders had a meeting in which they discussed the current political situation in the country as well as political scenario of Balochistan.

Pakistan gets Chinese support in critical time

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani are welcomed

at the Pakistan-China Friendship Centre in Islamabad by

children dressed in traditional attire.

Tribune

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China on Saturday concluded nearly 30 billion dollars’ worth of deals, as Prime Minister Wen Jiabao said that Beijing would “never give up” on its long-term ally.

The deals – 18 agreements and four memorandums of understanding (MoUs) – were signed on the second day of Premier Wen’s trip, which came on the heels of his visit to Pakistan’s archrival, India.

The main focus of Wen’s tour – the first by a Chinese premier to Pakistan in five years – was on boosting trade and investment between the two countries.

The two sides also agreed on carrying out a feasibility study for building small power plants.

“The agreements will fetch nearly $15 billion investment over the next five years,” said Board of Investment chairman Saleem Mandviwala. He also hoped the deals would boost trade to $15 billion.

The latest contracts cover cooperation in defence, oil and gas, mining, space technology, heavy machinery manufacturing, seafood, oceanology and electronics.

The two countries will cooperate and share expertise in these sectors and frame their policies while bearing in mind each other’s sensitivities.

Of the 22 deals, the most important one was signed in the defence sector.

Under an agreement between Pakistan’s Space and Aeronautical Research Corporation and China’s Great Wall Industry Corporation, Beijing will help Pakistan build a communication satellite, PAKSAT-1R. The Chinese government will fund the project with a soft loan of  $200 million. The new satellite will replace the Pakistan Space Craft, which is likely to expire next year.

In the alternative energy sector, the two sides concluded a 6.5 billion dollars’ worth of MoUs. Similarly, another $3.5 billion worth of agreement was signed to improve Pakistan’s power transmission lines.

According to another $275 million deal signed between the National Highway Authority (NHA) and China’s Roads and Bridges Corporation, Beijing will repair a long stretch of the strategic Karakorum Highway damaged by the massive landslide in the Attabad area of Gilgit-Baltistan.

“A great potential has yet to be tapped in the two countries’ practical cooperation,” said Chinese Premier Wen and called for concerted efforts to bring more benefits to the two peoples.

The visiting leader also promised more help for the areas battered by recent catastrophic floods in Pakistan, particularly offering assistance in road repair, food production and relief programmes.

At a briefing at the National Disaster Management Authority, Premier Wen announced $10 million grant for the citizens compensation programme for flood survivors and $400 million concessional loan to help meet their needs.

Currently, the annual volume of China-Pakistan trade is $7 billion, which is tilted in favour of Beijing. China exports over $5.5 billion worth of goods to Pakistan. Chairman of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, Tariq Iqbal Puri said the trade volume would increase to $10 billion by 2012. “And during the next five years it’s likely to reach $15 billion,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Chinese dignitary spent a busy day on Saturday, meeting top political and military leadership during which he vowed to cement the two nations’ cooperation in all fields. During these interactions, the two sides pledged to take forward their bilateral cooperation to new heights, irrespective of any international pressure. Premier Wen will the addressing the Pakistani nation through parliament on Sunday (today).

“Under no circumstances we will give up on our commitment to pursuing this partnership,” the Chinese premier said during a luncheon function.

“We have established an all-weather friendship and engaged in all-around cooperation. Our relationship has withstood the test of time and changes in the international landscape,” the Chinese leader said at another function.

During their delegation-level talks at the Presidency, Wen said a mechanism has been worked out which, he hoped, would provide impetus to further enhancing mutual cooperation.

President Asif Ali Zardari, who hosted a state dinner for the Chinese leader also attended by heads of mainstream political parties, said, “Pakistan was keen to take Sino-Pak multifaceted ties to new heights as the friendship between the two countries has matured into a comprehensive strategic partnership. Strengthening and enhancing cooperation with China in all fields has been and is one of the key principles guiding Pakistan’s foreign policy.”

He said that China was a factor of stability in the region and the convergence of interests and unanimity of views on regional as well issues of international scenario have brought the two countries further closer.

Earlier, Prime Minister Gilani told the luncheon gathering that ties between the two countries were “rock solid”. He said Pakistan supports one-China policy and “condemns any attempt to undermine China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif also met Wen and discussed matters of bilateral interest. During the meeting he urged the Chinese premier to further enhance and expand China’s participation in Pakistan’s economic growth and development. Services chiefs of Pakistan’s armed forces also met with the visiting dignitary.

Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Khalid Shameem Wynne, Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Noman Bashir and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman exchanged views with Wen Jiabao on defence cooperation and other matters of mutual interest, according to ISPR.

Highlights

• Agreements will fetch $15b in investment over next five years

• Beijing will help Pakistan build a communication satellite, PAKSAT-1R

• Feasibility on building small power plants to be prepared

• One agreement stipulates improving power transmission lines

•   China to repair Karakorum portion damaged by Attabad landslide

Sharif prepared for conditional support to PPP-led govt

We are ready to support the ruling PPP if President Zardari implements the CoD
Nawaz Sharif

Hindustan Times
Main opposition PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif on Thursday said his party would be prepared to support the Pakistan People's Party-led government if President Asif Ali Zardari implemented the Charter of Democracy finalised by the two parties in 2006. "All is not lost and the fate of the people of Pakistan can still be ameliorated.

We are ready to support the ruling PPP if President Zardari implements the CoD," former premier Sharif said while talking to reporters here.

His remarks came in the wake of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam's decision to pull out of the PPP-led coalition at the centre following the sacking of one of its ministers by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.

Sharif said he had written a letter to the President about fighting corruption and implementing the CoD but Zardari had not yet responded to it.

He said any meeting between him and the President on the sidelines of an official banquet for the visiting Chinese Premier in Islamabad on Saturday would be "futile" till such issues were addressed.

He also made it clear that the PML-N would not be part of any "unconstitutional and undemocratic" effort to topple the PPP-led government.

"Dictators go in for unconstitutional ways to oust democratic governments.

We will not prefer personal interests over national interests just to please some people," he said.

Sharif said it was regrettable that the PPP had agreed to form a truth commission for transparent accountability but had later presented a guard of honour to a dictator like former President Pervez Musharraf when he quit office in 2008.