Top US lawmakers reject Pakistan aid cuts over Davis issue

WASHINGTON: Top US lawmakers on Thursday rejected talk of cutting aid to Pakistan as leverage to win the release of a US national imprisoned for allegedly shooting dead two Pakistani men.
And US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry, just back from a visit to Pakistan to discuss the fate of Raymond Davis, suggested a solution to the bitter diplomatic dispute over his fate come come within days.
“We just need to work through the process the way we are in the next days, and hopefully we get to a better place,” Kerry said in what amounted to a plea for patience from increasingly angry colleagues.
Asked whether his trip yielded progress towards a way out of the ugly diplomatic feud, Kerry replied “I think so,” but brushed off questions about whether Davis might be sent to the United States for trial.
“I don’t want to get into of the details of what may or may not occur, but hopefully we get a better resolution. And I just think we need to kind of let the process work,” said the Democratic senator.

Raymond Davis case: Kerry arrives in Pakistan

Tribune

US Senator John Kerry arrived in Lahore late Tuesday on a mission to resolve a diplomatic row over the American official charged by police with murdering two Pakistanis.

The chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, who helped spearhead a record $7.5 billion aid package for Pakistan, is well respected in the country.

He will meet government officials to reassure them of long-term US commitment to Pakistan, said a spokeswoman for the US embassy in Islamabad.

“He’s coming tonight to speak with government officials about the relationship and reaffirm support for the strategic relationship,” said spokeswoman Courtney Beale.

Kerry’s visit aims to look for a resolution to the issue and to tone down the pressure on Pakistan’s coalition government, one US official said on condition of anonymity.

US says it will certify Davis has diplomatic immunity

The US government on Monday announced that it will certify before a Pakistani court that Raymond Davis, the US consular employee accused of shooting dead two men in Lahore, has diplomatic immunity, according to a BBC report.

US state department spokesman PJ Crowley said, “On Thursday, we will present a petition to the court to certify that he has diplomatic immunity and that he should be released.”

He said Pakistan had an “international obligation” to release Davis because he “has diplomatic immunity”.

“We respect our international obligations, and we expect other countries, including Pakistan, to do the same,” he added.

Petition to summon Qureshi, Wahab in Davis case

Meanwhile, a writ petition was filed in the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday demanding that statements of former Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and former PPP Information Secretary Fauzia Wahab be included in the Raymond Davis case.

The petition was filed by the judicial activism panel and refers to a public statement issued by Qureshi in which he said that Washington pressured him for the release of Raymond Davis but he had refused to comply on the basis that Davis is not a diplomat.

The petition also requests for the inclusion of Fauzia Wahab’s statement at a press conference in which she claimed that Davis is a diplomat and is eligible for diplomatic immunity.

The petition has called on the court to summon both Qureshi and Wahab to record their statements.

It has also appealed to the court to hold Davis responsible for the death of Shumaila, the wife of one of the men shot dead by him.

US terms Davis remand illegal

Tribune

LAHORE/ISLAMABAD: As a judicial magistrate extended the remand of a US citizen accused of a double murder in Lahore for another eight days on Thursday, the US Embassy has come out and termed the continued detention “illegal.”

The Civil Judge-cum-Judicial Magistrate (Cantt courts) Muhammad Zafar Iqbal, however, did grant bail to Raymond Davis on charges of carrying an illegal weapon against surety bonds of Rs100,000.

On the other hand, the US Embassy took offence to the proceedings. “This morning, the American diplomat was remanded in court without notice to the US government, without his lawyer present, and without translation assistance. He was denied due process and a fair hearing,” said a statement released by the US Embassy.

For Thursday’s hearing, DSP Old Anarkali Safdar Raza Kazmi produced the accused in handcuffs. Davis was brought in an armoured vehicle from the rear door of the court amid tight security. As a security precaution, Davis was produced before the court at 7.35 am, an hour and a half earlier than normal court timings.

Investigation Officer Inspector Munir Ahmed sought further remand of the accused on the plea that police still have to ascertain the facts of the case. He said that the police had recovered the weapon used in the incident, a 9mm pistol, from the accused. He said that Davis was not cooperating with investigators and refused to answer any questions.

Ahmed said that Davis is unwilling to speak about his accomplices whose vehicle had crushed a third person to  death. “The arrest of other accomplices and recovery of the vehicle will only be possible on Davis’ pointation,” he said.

According to sources, Davis reiterated in court that he had killed the pillion-riders in self-defence and claimed he is entitled to diplomatic immunity.

The US Embassy also reiterated the same stance – in strong words. “The United States Government once again calls upon the Government of Pakistan to abide by its obligations under international and Pakistani law and immediately release the American diplomat illegally detained in Lahore. The US Embassy reiterated to the Government of Pakistan today that his continued detention is a gross violation of international law.”

In other courts

Meanwhile, the Judicial Activism Panel has filed a petition in a district and sessions court, challenging the hearing of Davis’ case being conducted before court timings and outside judicial limits under the pretext of a security risk.

Also, a writ petition was filed in the Lahore High Court (LHC), seeking directions that the government prosecute Davis for allegedly committing forgery.

Petitioner Barrister Iqbal Jafree submitted that Davis had obtained a visa under a pseudonym, which made the whole process doubtful and his visa stood cancelled ab initio (from the beginning).

Yet another petition was filed in the LHC, challenging the alleged special treatment being given to Davis.

Petitioner Advocate Ishtiaq Chaudhry submitted that the authorities were treating the accused as a guest. He alleged that the police produced him an hour earlier than the scheduled time to cheat the bereaved families and their lawyers.

FO’s vague stance

“Let me briefly say that on the Lahore incident, I am not in a position to comment on any aspect,” FO spokesperson Abdul Basit said. “Neither do I have any information to share with you at this stage when the matter, as you all know, is sub judice before the court.”

Basit repeated these comments several times when reporters asked him questions on the issue during a news conference – which was then called off as journalists decided to boycott the proceedings over Basit’s vague comments.

Altaf Hussain Asks US To Explain Its Position About Dr. Aafia Siddiqui

LONDON: Altaf Hussain Asks US To Explain Its Position About Dr Aafia Siddiqui
Founder and Leader of Muttahida Quami Movement Mr Altaf Hussain has asked the US Government to explain its position regarding the release of Dr Aafia Siddiqui. He said this in the backdrop of demand by US government to release Raymond Davis seeking diplomatic immunity. "It is for the government of Pakistan to look into the legal and constitutional issues involved but I Altaf Hussain s/o Nazeer Hussain wanted to know as a citizen of Pakistan the position of the US government about releasing Dr Aafia Siddiqui immediately."

US, IMF criticise petrol price hike reversal

Daily Times


ISLAMABAD: The US has raised objections on the Pakistani government’s decision to withdraw increase in petroleum products prices. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says it was a “mistake” for Pakistan to reverse fuel price increase. State Department spokesman Mark Toner said the US did not consider it a wise decision. Increase in prices was vital for Pakistan’s financial stability, he added. The IMF also criticised the decision. “They’re inefficient and untargeted so that the bulk of the benefit from the energy subsidy goes to higher income individuals and large companies,” IMF spokeswoman Caroline Atkinson said from Washington. agencies

MQM Founder & Leader Altaf Hussain criticises US court order

The-News


BHITSHAH: The Chief of Muttahida Qaumi Movement Altaf (MQM) Altaf Hussain strongly reacted to a purported order of a US Court seeking appearance of top Pakistani intelligence personnel to testify in a compensation suit in respect of Mumbai attack.

Pakistan is a sovereign state and if any conspiracy is hatched to malign Pakistan's defenders, US interest will be equally harmed, he said in his telephonic address from London to a public meeting at Malkhra Ground Bhitshah on Saturday.

The MQM Chief urged the government to take the nation and parliament into confidence on the issue.

He said that as a counter measure, a Pakistani court could be asked to issue similar orders in Dr Aafia case and may demand her repatriation.

Altaf Hussain opposed the implementation of RGST as the the people were hard pressed by price hike, unemployment, shortage of water, electricity and gas.

He asked the government to recover the funds of the donors agencies, allegedly plundered by the feudals. If the government wants revenue generation, tax net should be expanded by taxing feudals and landlords, he added.

He said that the MQM was striving for the rights of the poor.He demanded maximum provincial autonomy to the provinces and due share of Sindh in NFC Award.

He said that the MQM if voted to power, would hang those who were involved in honour killing and take punitive action against those who were involved in bonded labour. It would distyribue state land among landless peasants in a transparent manner.

He said that all conspiracies of creating hatred among the people of Sindh on the basis of language would be foiled.

He said that the MQM was the representative of oppressed class people and could not tolerate injustices with the common people. It had established its roots not only in Sindh but also in Punjab, Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhawa and Gilgit-Baltistan. It was not a linguistic party.

The party has now become the voice of the people of Sindh and other provinces of the country, he said and added that in the past division was created among rural and urban population of the province.

He said," an impression is being created that if the MQM quits power there will be communal riots but this time, the conspirators will not succeed in their designs as the people are fully aware that the party is struggling for their rights. The MQM is the only party which has ability to provide all basic rights to oppressed class."

Earlier, Federal Minister and Deputy Convener MQM Coordination Committee Dr. Farooq Sattar while addressing the meeting said that today's meeting would prove to be historic as it would be a first step from the land of Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai for elimination of feudalism and "Wadera Shahi" from the country particularly from Sindh.

He said that MQM has always supported the maximum provincial autonomy with financial rights as well as distribution of state owned land among landless peasants. The public meeting was also addressed by Member MQM Coordination Committee Ashfaq Mangi, provincial minister Nisar Panhwar, MPA Heer Soho, Umer Qureshi, Loung Khan Channa and Ghazi Salahuddin.

Among others, MQM central leadership including Saleem Shahzad, Anis Kaimkhani, former Nazim City District Government Karachi Mustafa Kmala and former Nazim Hyderabad District Kanwar Naveed Jamil were also present on the stage.

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.

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.

US scathing about India’s security forces: WikiLeaks

Online-News

NEW DELHI: The United States may have emerged as a key partner in counter-terror efforts post-26/11, but it has a very dim view of the capabilities of Indian security forces. It also felt till just a couple of years ago that India was reluctant to have an effective anti-terror partnership because of suspicions about American policies towards Pakistan, its independent foreign policy stance and sensitivities over Muslim sentiments.

"India’s police and security forces are overworked and hampered by bad police practices, including the widespread use of torture in interrogations, rampant corruption, poor training, and a general inability to conduct solid forensic investigations," the US embassy observed in a cable it sent on February 23, 2007, after a not-so-satisfactory meeting of an Indo-US counter-terrorism joint working group.

The memo further said, "India’s security forces also regularly cut corners to avoid working through India’s lagging justice system, which has approximately 13 judges per million people. Thus Indian police officials often do not respond to our requests for information about attacks or our offers of support because they are covering up poor practices, rather than rejecting our help outright." The communication disclosed in the cable refers to the US unease over the arrest of a computer expert, Mukesh Saini, who was working with India’s National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), and was arrested on charges of spying for Americans. US’s acting coordinator for counter-terrorism, Frank Urbancic, took up the matter with his Indian interlocutor, K C Singh, then an additional secretary in the MEA. Urbancic called Saini a key working-level interlocutor at the NCTC, dismissed the charge of espionage and said his arrest had cast a "negative shadow" on the functioning of the counter-terror working group.

The criticism of the Indian police only echo the widely-held perception that it is ill-equipped to meet the growing terror threat and other internal security challenges.

The limitations were exposed fully by the Lashkar-e-Taiba gunmen involved in during 26/11 strike, but the brutally candid opinion, coming from a foreign power, that too one seen with a chip on its shoulder, will lead to considerable heartburn. In a communication leaked earlier by the whistle-blower website, the US had raised serious doubts India’s ability to implement its "cold war" doctrine — a rapid, short and limited push within Pakistan’s territory as a reprisal against terror attacks and other hostilities. The cable sent by the serving US ambassador on February 16, 2010, Timothy Roemer, called the doctrine, a "mixture of myth and reality". "The value of the doctrine to the government of India may lie more in the plan’s existence than in any real world application." Saying that India was diffident in teaming up with the US in the war on terror, the 2007 cable said, "India’s lingering zero-sum suspicion of US policies towards Pakistan, its fiercely independent foreign policy stance, its traditional go-it-alone strategy towards its security and its domestic political sensitivities over the sentiments of its large Muslim population, have all contributed to India’s caution in working with us on a joint counter-terrorism strategy".

Al Qaeda repeats call to take revenge over Aafia Siddiqui US sentencing

Siddiqui, a mother of three, was found guilty of grabbing a rifle at
a police station in the Afghan town of Ghazni where she was being
interrogated in July 2008 and of trying to gun down a group of US 

Al-Qaeda has repeated calls to avenge Pakistani neuroscientist Aafia Siddiqui, who was sentenced to 86 years in prison by a US federal court for trying to kill American agents and military officers after Afghan police detained her in 2008.

In a video published by US-based SITE Intelligence Group, Al-Qaeda leader Abu Yahya al-Libi called upon Pakistanis to strike American aircraft, centers, and convoys in revenge for the imprisonment of Siddiqui.

"By Allah, a single shot to the face of those unbeliever aggressors is tougher on them and has a greater effect on their persons than hundreds of demonstrations and thousands of screams, no matter if the throats of the protests become hoarse," the News quoted Yahya, as saying.

Last month, Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri had also called for vengeance.

Siddiqui, a mother of three, was found guilty of grabbing a rifle at a police station in the Afghan town of Ghazni where she was being interrogated in July 2008 and of trying to gun down a group of US servicemen and FBI agents.

Prosecutors said that she opened fire, shouting "death to America!"

However, the 38-year-old had denied the charges, saying that the interrogators had fired on her when she had attempted to flee.

Many of Siddiqui's supporters, including international human rights organizations, have claimed that Siddiqui was not an extremist and that she and her young children were illegally detained, interrogated and tortured by Pakistani intelligence or U.S. authorities or both during her five-year disappearance.

The U.S. and Pakistan governments have denied all such claims.

SIFY

Pakistan gets last batch of 5 F-16s from US

ISLAMABAD: US and Pakistani officials added another chapter in the partnership between the two countries with the delivery of five new F-16 aircraft to the Pakistan government. The aircraft were inducted into the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) in a ceremony at the Shahbaz Air Base near Jacobabad, on Monday.
“The induction into the PAF of five more advanced F-16, Block 52 aircraft represents the near completion of your Block-52 squadron,” said US Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron P Munter. Chief of air Staff Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman said, “Pakistan and the US are friends and partners and both countries have benefited from each other.” All 18 fighter aircraft will be delivered by January 2012. staff report

Kayani, Petraeus discuss security

ISLAMABAD: NATO commander General David Petraeus visited Pakistan on Monday to meet with Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Kayani. They discussed various topics of mutual interest and ways to improve regional security. This was Petraeus’ fourth visit to Pakistan as the NATO ISAF commander. staff report


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