Taliban warns Pakistan against releasing Raymond Davis

Tribune

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani Taliban warned the government on Tuesday it would punish any move to release a US consulate employee accused of murdering two Pakistanis in a case that has inflamed already strained ties with Washington.

“If (Pakistani) rulers hand him over to America then we will target these rulers. If Pakistani courts cannot punish Davis then they should hand him over to us,” said Azam Tariq, spokesman for the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (Taliban movement of Pakistan).

“We will give exemplary punishment to the killer Davis.”

The warning from the al-Qaeda linked Taliban, which has kept up suicide bombings to destabilise Pakistan’s government despite several army offensives, underscores the charged atmosphere surrounding Davis’ case.

US Senator John Kerry was due in Pakistan as part of the Obama administration’s efforts to resolve the crisis.

Raymond Davis, the US consular employee jailed in Lahore for shooting two Pakistanis last month, says he acted in self-defence during an armed robbery.

Washington insists Davis has diplomatic immunity and should be released but the Pakistani government, fearful of a backlash from Pakistanis already wary of the United States and enraged by the shooting, says the matter should be decided in court.

On Thursday, the United States is expected to present a petition to a Lahore court to certify that Davis has diplomatic immunity and should be released.

Religious parties don’t win many votes in elections. But the government can’t afford to ignore the groups who often seize on issues concerning the United States to promote their cause.

“Of course he (Davis) should not be released. He has committed a crime and he should be punished. He doesn’t have immunity,” said Yahya Mujhaid, a spokesman for Jamaat-ud-Dawa, which was blacklisted by the UN over its links to the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militant group blamed for the 2008 attack on Mumbai. It denies it has links to the LeT.

“If he is released, we will register our protest but in a peaceful way. We will hold rallies … Not only us, the whole of Pakistan will protest against any such move.”

Supporters of the slain men have held protests and burned US flags. In addition to the two men Davis shot, a third man was killed when a U.S. consulate vehicle, apparently trying to rescue Davis, struck and killed a passer-by.

SC decides to proceed against PCO judges

Tribune

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Wednesday in its verdict on a set of appeals filed by a number of dysfunctional and retired judges of superior judiciary said that the apex Court would proceed against them by framing contempt charges on February 21 as they had taken oaths under the annulled Provisional Constitutional Order (PCO) of November 3, 2007 in defiance of a restraining order by a seven member bench.

The verdict was announced by Justice Mahmood Akhtar Shahid Siddiqui, who was heading the four member bench.

The order said that the case would be fixed for framing of charges against the respondent judges on February 21.

The respondents, if they so desire appear on that date to enter their pleas on the charges framed or if they choose, enter their pleas through counsel, it added.

The bench, however, dropped proceedings against Justice Zafar Iqbal Chaudhry and Justice Khurshid Anwar Bhinder.

While in criminal miscellaneous plea of Justice Hasnat Ahmad Khan and Justice Syed Shabbar Raza Rizvi regarding issuance of contempt notices to former president Pervez Musharraf, former prime minister Shaukat Aziz and others who were instrumental in carrying out order of November 3, 2007, the bench noted that the case for contempt of court against these persons would have to answer was materially different from the charges to be faced by the respondents.

The bench holds that contempt alleged against these persons is primarily consequent to issuance of proclamation of emergency, PCO and oath of the office order 2007 and hereby launching an assault on the independence of the judiciary.

“It appears, prima facie, that these instruments were issued prior to the passing of the order dated 3.11.2007 and not in the disobedience of the same,” it added.

The bench further said that proceedings against these persons might proceed independently and on their own facts, either before this bench or before some other bench which may be determined by the Chief Justice of Pakistan.

All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) spokesman Barrister Saif said that the contempt of court notices issued by the Supreme Court is a frivolous attempt by some judges to act against their former colleagues and other people listed in the case.

Speaking to Express 24/7, the APML spokesperson said the Supreme Court decision clearly reflects political bias and that move has no legal foundation.

He said the Supreme Court has made this move to gain prominence after it was left with no option but to pursue the case without legal ground.

He said the APML will decide its course of action after a summons is issued to Pervez Musharraf.

A four-Judge bench of Justice Mahmood Akhtar Shahid Siddiqui, Justice Jawwad S. Khawja, Justice Khilji Arif Hussain and Justice Tariq Parvez will announce the verdict over issue of contempt proceedings against these judges.

The bench had reserved its verdict after conducting proceedings over the issue for more than three-months.

The bench was seized with hearing of the matter of contempt of court (determination of legal question/proceedings) against Justice retired Iftikhar Hussain Chaudhry, Justice Khurshid Anwar Bhinder, Justice Hamid Ali Shah,Justice Zafar Iqbal Chaudhry, Justice Hasnat Ahmed Khan, Justice Syed Shabbar Raza, Justice Yasmin Abbasey ,Justice Jehan Zaib Rahim, Justice Sayed Zahid Hussain, Justice (r) Abdul Hameed Dogar, Justice Syed Sajjad Hussain Shah,Justice (r) Iftikhar Hussain Chaudhry and Justice Syed Hamid Ali Shah.

After the judgment of July 31, the PCO judges were issued contempt of court notices for not obeying the Supreme Court’s restraining orders, and taking oaths under the PCO. However, at least 45 judges tendered unconditional apologies for taking oaths, but the rest of them decided to contest the notices issued to them.

Million march against Mubarak in Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA: Hundreds of thousands of protesters marched in Egypt's second city Alexandria on Tuesday calling for President Hosni Mubarak to quit, hoping to swell their numbers to a million on an eighth day of anger.

A vast crowd of smiling protesters massed in a light-hearted atmosphere in front of Qaed Ibrahim mosque near El-Raml station in the Mediterranean port before marching off down the corniche.

However, many protesters were staying away from the corniche, marching through side streets and making it impossible to accurately assess the crowd's size.

Organisers of the protests against Mubarak's three-decade rule called for a "march of a million" in Alexandria after the authorities cancelled all train services in a bid to stymie a similar march in Cairo on Tuesday.

The Alexandria demo took place at the same time as several hundred thousand people massed in Cairo's Tahrir Square, all demanding that Mubarak stand down.

Many demonstrators waved Egyptian flags, including one scrawled with "Get out you scum, go be with Zine El Abidine', in reference to Tunisian strongman Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, forced into exile by popular protests last month.

Members of popular committees set up after police evaporated from the street were checking identity papers, fearing that police troublemakers would infiltrate the crowd.

Nearby a group of angry protesters carried a symbolic Mubarak coffin, shouting "Mubarak is dead without God's mercy."

A sea of thousands cheered as one when a rumour spread quickly through the crowd the Mubarak had left the country, with many protesters prostrating to God.

The United Nations estimates that at least 300 people have been killed in clashes with police since protests began on January 25, demanding that Mubarak quit and calling for democracy, jobs and an end to corruption and human rights abuses.

Just released from hospital after losing his hand when he was caught up in protests on Friday, Osama Maghazi is now demonstrating. Police shotgun pellets blew off the fingers of one hand, which has now been amputated.

The port worker said that on Friday he happened to be passing by the protests when he became embroiled in the violence.

"It's the people's right to define their fate," Maghazi, in his 30s, said. "I never expected the people's will to be stronger than the regime but now it's the people's will that rules."

He said he was happy that the police mangling of his hand had spurred on protesters on Friday.

"The people demand the toppling of the president," the crowd shouted, along with "One people, one demand."

Protesters also sought to stress the popular nature of their demand for Mubarak to go, crying "No parties, no groups; it's a revolution by the youth."

A huge banner flapped under the Mediterranean winter sunshine, proclaiming: "We die and Egypt lives."

As part of the protest headed off down the corniche, they passed a just-married couple driving in the other direction and greeted them with celebratory whistling.

When asked what she thought of the protest, bride Nagla said: "I'm very happy people are happy for me, but I want Mubarak out."

At around dusk, many people began leaving the protest, having ignored the curfew that came into effect at 3:00 pm but with streets haunted by insecurity over looters.

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.

Rallying from Lyari: Aman committee protests against Nabeel Gabol

Tribune

KARACHI: Hundreds of Peoples Aman Committee (PAC) members rode on donkey carts from Lyari to the press club in a rally against MNA Nabeel Gabol on Saturday.

Gabol recently retracted his resignation. He had resigned saying that his demands had not been met for his constituency and an operation was conducted without his knowledge.

The rally reached the press club, shops, banks and offices began pulling down their shutters in fear of the large crowd. Cruising the streets on buses and trucks and holding banners, placards, and pictures of Rehman Baloch as well as an effigy of Nabeel Gabol, they repeatedly shouted: “Defence ka bablu nahin chahiye” [We don’t want a wimp from Defence].

The PAC’s Shahid Rehman said: “Nearly 86,000 residents of Lyari elected Gabol in 2008 but all they got in return were gang wars, target killings, bodies and fake police encounters.”

Rehman condemned Lyari ENT specialist Dr Imran Wasi’s murder. He also added that residents of Lyari have no enmity with Urdu-speaking groups and that they had had nothing to do with the attack on the Shershah market.

The people of Lyari will organise a peace rally on Sunday, from Lyari ground to Mardan house. They will then head to the Punjabi Pakhtun Ittihad and Sunni Tehreek offices, before moving to Nine Zero.

Pakistan Peoples Party’s Habib Jan stressed the need to complete work on the Lyari Medical College and hospital.

PML-N never takes stand against PPP Govt : Sheikh Rasheed

SAMAA
KARACHI: Chief of Awami Muslim League (AML) Sheikh Rashid Saturday said it seems from the overall situation in the country that the government got caught out at slip. 

Talking to media after a meeting with Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Functional) chief Pir Pagara at Kingri House here, AML chief said the national scenario is not quite satisfactory, adding, ‘Muslim League (Nawaz) never takes stand against the federal government, as they dread the formation of coalition government between Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Q) in Punjab.’

It seems Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) is not disposed to quit the coalition government at present, he added.

MQM, JI join hands against RGST

Samaa


THE Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) have agreed to continue opposing the Reformed General Sales Tax (RGST) and to maintain relationship for mutual interest. 

Both the parties reached this understanding after a telephonic contact made by MQM Quaid Altaf Hussain from London with JI Ameer Syed Munawwar Hassan on Monday.

Central Secretary Information JI Anwar Niazi said both the leaders discussed the current political and economical situation in detail and developed a consensus that supporting RGST was out of question as its approval would mean another blow to the lower middle class population of Pakistan, which was fighting against constant price hike.

Sources said both the parties decided to continue contacts with each other and a delegation of MQM parliamentarians would also call upon the JI Ameer very soon in this connection.

Both the leaders also decided to forget the bitter past and to focus on important issues in the current circumstances, which were deteriorating gradually. 

The leaders also voiced concern over the current situation of the country and agreed that all parties must work together in national interest. 

Altaf Hussain also appreciated the protest rallies taken out by JI in the support of Namoos e Risalat