PM cannot write Swiss letter right away

Pleading before the seven-member bench of the Supreme Court (SC) hearing contempt case against Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, Aitzaz Ahsan Wednesday said his client never said the judicial order should not be implemented. Clarifying his point before the apex court’s panel that began contempt proceedings against the PM Gilani, Barrister Aitzaz said his client just has this viewpoint that the apex court’s ruling cannot be put into action for the time being.

Heading the bench, Justice Nasirul Mulk queried, ‘The court wrote in its order that the verdict should summarily be implemented?’ Ahsan replied the charge sheet against the PM Gilani is of negative nature. So, in this case, delaying the implementation is not tantamount to non-implementation, asked Justice Mulk.

Aitzaz said PM Gilani received show cause notice on January 16 and the judicial order dated January 10 was addressed to the Attorney General, adding the AG did not tell the court as a witness that he delivered the judicial order to the premier. The Prime Minister’s counsel further argued that Jan. 16 order has it that the AG after the delivery of the order, gave statement that he had nothing new to tell. Do you want to give the impression that you were not delivered the order, asked Justice Asif Saeed Khosa.

Replying to this, Aitzaz said the AG is up to prove it, adding, “The AG should have stated this on oath before the court; and, in this case, he will have to face my cross-question.” Aitzaz continued that it is not aptly written in January 19 interim order that PM’s counsel emphasized on the immunity of the President under Article-248, adding, “The matter relating the immunity under Article-248-I will come under discussion only when you have the issue of President or governor before you.”

The SC adjourned the hearing till Thursday, while the bench also decided to conduct hearing on a daily basis onwards. The seven-member bench comprises Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk, Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa, Justice Sarmad Jalal Osmany, Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan, Justice Ijaz Ahmed Chaudhry, Justice Gulzar Ahmed and Justice Muhammad Ather Saeed.

Shooter kills several at school

A shooter has opened fire in front of a Jewish school in a southwest French city killing several people, the Toulouse prosecutor said Monday. Michel Valet told The Associated Press that there were "several dead" in the shooting Monday morning at the school in Toulouse. He said it was unclear whether the victims were children. The shooting happened in the same area where a gunman on a motorbike opened fire on three uniformed paratroopers at a bank machine Thursday, killing two and critically wounding the other. The attack in the town of Montauban occurred not far from the soldiers  barracks. Four days earlier, a gunman on a motorbike shot and killed another paratrooper in Toulouse, about 50 kilometers (30 miles) away. Authorities said at the time that forensic analysis showed that the same weapon was used in the shootings in Montauban and Toulouse.

ICC has denied receiving any complaint about Saeed Ajmal's bowling action

Earlier, reports had claimed that Indian team players complained to the ICC over Saeed Ajmal s bowling action. However, the International Cricket Council denied receiving any such complaint and said only the report of umpires on the field matter on such issues. According to the reports, senior Indian cricketers complained to the ICC about Saeed s action. Sources said that senior players felt that Saeed Ajmal chucks while bowling.

Iran’s parliament speaker compared Israel to a barking dog

”They make a lot of fuss about it but don’t dare to attack Iran,” Ali Larijani said of Israel. His comments were posted on the parliament’s website. ”They are like dogs that keep barking but are not for attacks.” ”Israel won’t make the mistake of attacking Iran because it’s not prepared to play with its own destiny,” said Larijani. Larijani is Iran’s former top nuclear negotiator and intensely loyal to the country’s cleric-led regime. His barbed comments are sure to ratchet up tension over Iran’s nuclear program. Israel and the US have threatened that all options remain open, including military action, if Iran continues with uranium enrichment, a program that can be used to produce nuclear fuel or fissile material for an atomic bomb. Israeli officials have increased their verbal threats against Iran in recent months, saying a window of opportunity is closing to militarily halt or delay Iran’s nuclear program because Tehran is moving more of its nuclear installations underground. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said earlier this month that a strike on Iran ”is not a matter of days or weeks, but it’s also not a matter of years.” Israel considers Iran an existential threat because of its nuclear and missile programs and repeated references by Iranian leaders to Israel’s destruction. President Barack Obama warned Iran this week that the window for dealing with its nuclear program through diplomatic channels is ”shrinking.” Recent polls in Israel have suggested that a majority of Israelis oppose an Israeli strike on Iran if carried out without US cooperation. Iran has scattered its nuclear facilities across the vast country and moved key portions underground to protect them from possible attacks. Tehran has already warned that it would respond to an attack against it by barraging Israel with missiles and taking control of the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf, a key passageway where a sixth of the world oil passes through. A new version of Iran’s Shahab-3 missile has a range of 2,000 kilometers (1,250 miles) and is armed with a 1-ton conventional warhead. That would put Israel, Turkey, the Arabian Peninsula, Afghanistan and Pakistan within striking distance. Iran has warned that oil prices will dramatically increase should it be attacked and believes that its threat of choking off the Hormuz strait will be one of the factors deterring Israel and the US from taking military action.

Ch Nisar says President Zardari made false claims about his tenure

Criticising President’s speech, leader of Opposition in National Assembly, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan Saturday said Asif Ali Zardari made ‘false claims’ about PPP government’s performance in five years. Talking to media after walkout from the joint session, he said all opposition parties were part of the protest during the President’s speech. “There was nothing new in Zardari’s speech other than false claims. PPP has nothing delivered to the nation in four years. The president was talking about developments in some other country, and not in Pakistan,” Nisar said. He said the Opposition was united against PPP-led government. “It was our remarkable achievement that the protest was joined by all opposition parties.” “The nation should realize that not even Zardari but PPP allies also share common responsibility for bad governance and worst situation of the country,” he observed. To a query on extortion, Nisar said whole nation knows which party had started extortion in Karachi and now they protesting against it to make their price high. He said President Zardari doing business in the name of consensus and PPP ally parties taking their due price for the deal. Nisar said President was counting so-called achievements but on the ground common man is suffering from infliction, unemployment and lawlessness. PML-N successfully courted the opposition by boycotting Zardari’s speech for which Nisar and other PML-N stalwarts had held meetings with leader of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F), Abdul Ghafoor Haidri, Aftab Ahmed Sherpao, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Hasil Bazanjjo and the leaders of like-minded parties, said Nisar. The Opposition leader also said that the media comes down in the PML-N but in fact it is his party that has always upheld national interest supreme. 

President Asif Ali Zardari addressed the joint session of the parliament

President Asif Ali Zardari addressed the joint session of the parliament

President Asif Ali Zardari has said that the government has successfully met enormous challenges‚ established rule of law and assured supremacy of the Parliament. In a wide-ranging address to the Parliament‚ a landmark fifth‚ and the first in country s history for a civilian elected President Zardari said the government has moved with speed and determination to strengthen the Federation by redressing imbalance between powers of the Centre and the provinces. He said we have pursued the politics of reconciliation and harmony. He said we have worked hard to generate consensus. The President said the coalition government was formed to deepen democracy and all worked together to restore the 1973 Constitution. He said as President‚ I surrendered my powers. And today‚ the Prime Minister‚ the Chief Executive‚ enjoys full authority as required by law. "He described it as "a shining moment for our parliament" and added history will remember this achievement‚ just as the nation remembers Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and the architects of the 1973 Constitution. Mentioning the measures taken to balance the powers of the Centre and the provinces‚ President Zardari said the government abolished the Concurrent List and transferred 18 ministries to the provinces and enhanced provincial autonomy. He said the Council of Common Interests was made fully functional and added this great transformation was achieved with complete agreement of all the stakeholders. This shows complete unity of our nation in adopting legislation to make our country strong and democracy more inclusive. "The President acknowledged that while a lot more needs to be done‚ a strong beginning has been made. "We Pakistanis can be proud of our young democracy‚" he said and pointed the world can today see that the march of democracy goes on and "together we are creating history. "President Asif Ali Zardari also vowed general election to be held in a free and fair manner during the new parliamentary year. The President mentioned the 20th Amendment which he said ensures the independence of Election Commission and the selection of an impartial care-taker government through a process of consultation in the Parliament.The opposition started to chant slogans as soon as the session began and later boycotted the session and left the hall. Acknowleding Prime Minister Gilani s political wisdom, the President said Prime Minister Gilani deserves unqualified appreciation for his political wisdom says Zardari. Ambassadors of different countries were also present in the guests’ gallery to hear the speech of the president.Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, CM Punjab Shahbaz Sharif and Sindh Governor Ishratul Ebad was not present. Tight security has been arranged around the parliament house and across the capital on this occasion.

Afghanistan wants early takeover of security: Karzai

KABUL: Afghanistan wants to take over control of the nation's security in 2013 not 2014 and for US troops to pull out of villages, President Hamid Karzai said Thursday, just days after a US soldier massacred 16 villagers. Karzai told visiting US defence chief Leon Panetta that "Afghanistan is ready to take overall security responsibility", a statement from his office said. "Our demand is that this processshould be executed sharply and the responsibility should be handed over to Afghans." Karzai said both sides should work together so that the process of handing security from international troops to Afghan forces would be completed in 2013 rather than 2014, the statement said. The president also wants the United States to pull all its troops out of villages, where they have outposts, and relocate them in their bases.
International forces should "be withdrawn from villages and relocated in their bases", the statement said. Panetta's visit had been billed as an opportunity to smooth over relations with Afghan leaders, which took a severe knock when a US soldier allegedly massacred 16 villagers on Sunday and copies of the Holy Quran were burnt last month.
Panetta said after the meeting he was "confident" the United States and Afghanistan would work out a treaty allowing a US military presence in the country beyond a pullout in 2014. Panetta said he was optimistic that both sides would reach an agreement on night raids -- a major issue blocking the treaty -- ahead of a NATO summit in Chicago in May. (AFP) 

Cross-examination of Mansoor Ijaz underway

Cross-examination of Mansoor Ijaz underway

ISLAMABAD/LONDON: Zahid Bukhari, the lawyer for former Pakistan ambassador to the US Husain Haqqani said on Thursday that the memogate star Mansoor Ijaz had not travelled to the US in over a year. The proceedings of the memo commission are simultaneously underway at the Islamabad High Court and Pakistani High Commission in London via video-link. Bukhari requested the memo commission to seek Ijaz’s passport so it could be examined for entry and exit stamps. Meanwhile, Haqqani also appeared before the memo commission via video-link. Prior to cross-examination, when Bukhari had arrived at the Pakistani High Commission he claimed he would be successful in proving that Ijaz was an enemy of Pakistan. Bukhari while speaking to the media added that he was appearing before the commission to prove that Haqqani was not a liar. 
The counsel for the former ambassador further said that it was not a big deal for the Blackberry sim to be lost, and Ijaz was formulating a conspiracy which is why he was so careful with his sim. Mansoor Ijaz prior to appearing before the commission said that during his cross-examination, Haqqani counsel will try to use misleading tactics rather than answering the charge of what was his (Haqqani’s) role in the memo issue.“If he can’t answer any of those questions than his best defence is diversion” Ijaz said. 

Pakistan beat Sri Lanka to reach Asia Cup final

Pakistan beat Sri Lanka to reach Asia Cup final

DHAKA: Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by six wickets on Thursday to virtually book their place in the final of the Asia Cup one-day tournament here at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Saturday. Chasing 189, Pakistan made a disastrous start losing three early wickets for 33 but captain Misbah-ul-Haq and young Umar Akmal came to rescue and steered their team to a comfortable victory in 39.5 overs.
This was Pakistan’s second successive win after a 21-run victory over Bangladesh on March 13. Now, Pakistan will face India in their last league match on March 18.Both hit half-centuries, 19th for Misbah and 14th for Umar in one-day international cricket. They were involved in an impressive fourth wicket partnership of 152 runs which was Pakistan’s second century stand for any wicket in this tournament. Misbah remained not out on 72, scored off 93 balls with a six and nine fours while Umar hammered 77 from 72 balls with two sixes and seven boundaries. 
For Sri Lanka, paceman Suranga Lakmal claimed two wickets for 37. Earlier, the defending champions were bowled out for 188 runs in 45.4 overs after captain Mahela Jayawardene won the toss and decided to bat first.
Kumar Sangakkara (71) and Upul Tharanga (57) hit half-centuries while only openers Jayawardene (12) and Tillekaratne Dilshan (20) were the only other batsmen to get into double figures. Paceman Aizaz Cheema was the most successful bowler with four wickets for 43 runs and later won the man-of-the-match award while off-break bowler Saeed Ajmal captured three for 27 and pacer Umar Gul two for 20. Umar Gul also completed his 150 ODI wickets – the tenth Pakistani bowler to reach this milestone.
Sri Lanka were well-placed at 161-4 following a 96-run fifth wicket stand between former skipper Sangakkara before losing their last six wickets for 27 runs. Saeed Ajmal started the slide when he bowled Tharanga and then removed Farveez Maharoof and last-man Suranga Lakmal. Cheema, who conceded 21 runs in his first two overs, came back strongly to dismiss openers Mahela Jayawardene (12) and Tillakaratne Dilshan (20) in quick succession before removing Sangakkara and Lasith Malinga. The Pakistani bowlers were backed by their fielders, with Younis Khan taking a superb catch to his left in the slips to account for Dinesh Chandimal off Gul. Sri Lanka raced to 33 in the opening five overs before they were reduced to 65-4, with Cheema taking two wickets and Gul and Hammad Azam one apiece. 

Will not write letter to Swiss authorities: PM Gilani

Will not write letter to Swiss authorities: PM Gilani

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has clearly stated he would not be writing the letter to Swiss authorities to reopen corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari. Gilani added that he was willing to face the six month imprisonment sentence for contempt of court. Speaking during a rally in Mailsi the Prime Minister repeated what he had said earlier while speaking to students in Bahawalpur. The prime minister reiterated that writing the letter would be in violation of article 6 of the constitution which was treason and carried the death sentence. Gilani said that if he did not write the letter he would be sentenced to six months imprisonment for contempt of court. Prime Minister Gilani further said he could leave politics but could not betray the PPP adding that he was the Prime Minister and not a peon. 

Husain Haqqani has accepted having contacts with Mansoor Ijaz

Husain Haqqani has accepted having contacts with Mansoor Ijaz but denied writing memo.

The former Pakistani envoy to the United States reiterated in his reply submitted to the memo Commission that he did not write or ask Mansoor to write the memorandum which had sought US intervention to avert any perceived military coup after the May 2 incident. The reply has been submitted to the Memo Commission by Haqqani’s counsel Sajid Tanoli. The counsel also handed in over 100 articles written by Mansoor Ijaz against Pakistan’s nuclear programme and sensitive agencies.Haqqani admitted having contacts with Mansoor Ijaz but denies ever discussing memo with him.The former envoy also said he had not been given access to records of evidence presented to the Memo Commission by Mansoor Ijaz as part of his testimony via video link from London.Haqqani has also submitted phone bills for May to November 2011.

Nayyar Bokhari and Sabir Baloch have taken oath

Nayyar Bokhari and Sabir Baloch have taken oath

Syed Nayyar Hussain Bokhari has taken oath as new Chairman of the Senate. Senator Afrasayab Khattak‚ who was nominated by President Asif Ali Zardari to chair the special session of the Senate‚ administered oath to Bokhari.

The chair formally declared Syed Nayyar Hussain Bokhari as elected unopposed as no other nomination papers were received for the office of the Chairman Senate.After taking oath‚ the new Chairman administered oath of office to newly elected Deputy Chairman Senate Sabir Ali Baloch‚ who was also declared to have been elected unopposed.Earlier‚ Fifty four newly elected Senators took oath at a special session of the House on Monday. After taking oath they signed the senators roll.

Krasna Horka castle in eastern Slovakia went up in flames

The 14th century Krasna Horka castle in eastern Slovakia went up in flames

The blaze at the castle near Roznava town in Kosice region was probably caused by cut dry grass which caught fire. Eleven regional fire services were called to attend the conflagration. A helicopter dumped water onto the fire.The castle s wooden roof was completely burned and the interior of the building was destroyed, fire service officials said.Krasna Horka Castle was built up in 14th century. The first written reference to the castle was in 1333.The castle was built to protect a mining trade route.The aristocratic dynasties of Mariassy, Bebekov and Andrassy have owned the castle in the past.The castle had been restored and opened to the public in April last year.

News anchor Saba Qamar hit by Dengue fever

News anchor Saba Qamar hit by Dengue fever

LAHORE: Geo News anchor Saba Qamar has been hit by the Dengue virus, Friday.Sabahat Qamar, polularly known as Saba Qamar, is suffering from Dengue from the past three days. She is currently appearing in Geo News program ‘Hum Sab Umeed Se Hain’ and a new drama serial ‘Jo Chalay To Jan Se Guzar Gaye’.The virus has spread across the province and many people including politicians, players and actors have lost their lives after suffering from the virus. 

Veena steals show as show-stopper

 Veena steals show as show-stopper

 JAIPUR: Film star Veena Malik dazzled the audience with her glamour on the third day of Jaipur International Fashion Week (JFIW).The Pakistani actress who has now become a sizzling star of Bollywood modled the dresses of Mumbai based designer Riyaz Gangj.Being a show stopper, the gorgeous Veena Malik, held the breath of many as she walked with a black long gown wrapped around.No doubt, she made the show a big success. 

Vidya Balan wins National Award for 'The Dirty Picture

Vidya Balan wins National Award for 'The Dirty Picture

MUMBAI: Bollywood actress Vidya Balan has reportedly bagged the National Award in the Best Actress category for her performance in ‘The Dirty Picture’ while Girish Kulkarni has won the Best Actor award for ‘Deool’.The official announcement of the awards came out on March 7 in the capital.Director Onir's "I AM" was declared the best Hindi film at the 59th National Awards announced here, while Amitabh Bhattacharya won the best lyrics award for the song "Agar Zindagi" in the film.Shah Rukh Khan's superhero film "RA.One" was named for best special effects.

Nayyar Bukhari named Chairman, Sabir Baloch Dy Chairman Senate

Nayyar Bukhari named Chairman, Sabir Baloch Dy Chairman Senate

ISLAMABAD: In a high-level meeting held under the chair of President Asif Ali Zardari PPP’s Nayyar Bukhari and Sabir Baloch have been named as Chairman and Deputy Chairman Senate respectively, Geo News reported.According to presidency spokesman, Farhatullah Babar, senior leaders of the ruling alliance attended the meeting held here at Aiwan-e-Sadr.Earlier, the names of former law minister Babar Awan, senior leader Raza Rabbani, presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar Aitzaz Ahsan and Nayyar Bukhari were deliberated by the PPP leadership.Moreover, Awami National Party chief Asfand Yar Wali Khan was told that Senate Deputy Chairmanship could not be given to the ANP as the PPP was considering giving the seat to a senator from Balochistan. After the announcement Senator Nayyar Bukhari expressed gratitude over his nomination as the Chairman Senate vowing to live up to the expectations of his party. 

Faisal Saleh Hayat has been appointed member of Strategic Committee of FIFA

Faisal Saleh Hayat has been appointed member of Strategic Committee of FIFA

Makhdoom Sayed Faisal Saleh Hayat, President Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), has been appointed member of “Strategic Committee” of Federation Internationale de Football Associations (FIFA) in addition to his continuation as member of Players’ Status Committee.FIFA Strategic Committee deals with global strategies for football and its political, economic and social status and out of 26 FIFA Committees, FIFA Strategic Committee in the only committee which is headed by the President FIFA Mr. Joseph S. Blatter.According to the press release issued here by PFF, it is highlighted that in 64 years history of Pakistan, Mr. Hayat holds the unique distinction of becoming member of dual Committees of FIFA from South Asian region.The appointment of Makhdoom Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat as a member FIFA Strategic Committee is a great honour and pride for the nation and entire football family of Pakistan as he has been entrusted with yet another elite and prestigious assignment which reflects trust reposed by FIFA in the leadership of Makhdoom Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat in recognition of services rendered by the President PFF for the promotion of soccer in Asia.

Educational Boards of Punjab have demanded delaying online system for a year.

Educational Boards of Punjab have demanded delaying online system for a year.  

 The Chairman of the Boards Committee says Rs 500 million could not be arranged required to fully introduce the online exam checking and calculation system.The Committee, comprising members from all educational boards of the provinces, have written a letter to the Punjab government to convey their demand.Mehr Bashir Ahmed, the Committee Chairman and head of the Gujranwala Board, sent the letter to Secretary Higher Education Commission Punjab Ijaz Munir.The letter reads that the financial situation of all educational boards is thin, while the staff is also not fully trained. It says that immediate implementation of the online system is not possible; therefore the government should delay it for a year.The Committee has estimated the cost of full implementation of the system at Rs 500 million. The Committee decided that if the government wanted immediate implementation of the online system, it could provide Rs500milliongrant. 

John Abraham faces a 15-day prison

Bollywood actor John Abraham faces a 15-day prison term in a rash driving case from 2006, local media reported on Friday.Abraham, 39, will remain in court custody till Friday afternoon, when his bail plea comes up for hearing in the Bombay High Court, after a local Mumbai court upheld an earlier order sentencing to 15 days in jail.The actor was charged with negligent driving, when his bike skidded and injured two persons. Neither was seriously hurt. Abraham, whose love of bikes is well known,

is the brand ambassador for bike manufacturer Yamaha.