1-Abbottabad Commission report: Fazl questions failure to fix clear responsibility
Pointing out certain incomplete references and ‘loopholes’ in the Abbottabad Commission report, Maulana Fazlur Rehman questioned why the report failed to fix clear responsibility for the security lapse which allowed the US Navy Seals helicopters to fly into Pakistan.
“Why were the radars on sleeping mode on the night of the raid? How did the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) manage to establish its intelligence network in Pakistan?” questioned Jamiat-e-Ullema Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief, adding that the report failed to clearly state the reasons and pinpoint the responsibility on individuals for the lapse that undermined Pakistan’s sovereignty.
“Why were the radars on sleeping mode on the night of the raid? How did the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) manage to establish its intelligence network in Pakistan?” questioned Jamiat-e-Ullema Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief, adding that the report failed to clearly state the reasons and pinpoint the responsibility on individuals for the lapse that undermined Pakistan’s sovereignty.
2- Sheikh was killed at the same location as Benazir’s security officer
The venue where the chief security officer of Benazir Bhutto, Munawar Suharwardy, was killed on June 17, 2004, witnessed the death of the personal security officer of President Asif Ali Zardari, Bilal Sheikh, nine years later – a suicide bomb blast near Gurumandir on Wednesday claimed the life of the 43-year-old jiyala along with killing three other people, including the alleged bomber.
3- Final report: EU observers satisfied with May 11 elections
The European Union’s Election Observer Mission, in its final report, has said the May 11 polls were much more free and fair than previous elections in the country. It cautioned, however, that not implementing certain legal provisions has left future elections vulnerable to malpractice.
Released at a news conference on Wednesday, the findings of the EU observer mission concluded that despite escalating militant attacks and procedural shortcomings, the May 11 electoral process progressed with a high level of competition, a marked increase in voter participation and overall acceptance of the outcome.
Released at a news conference on Wednesday, the findings of the EU observer mission concluded that despite escalating militant attacks and procedural shortcomings, the May 11 electoral process progressed with a high level of competition, a marked increase in voter participation and overall acceptance of the outcome.
4- Abbottabad Commission report: Laws meant to oversee NGOs must be reviewed
Questioning the activities of certain non-governmental organisations, the Abbottabad Commission has recommended that laws relating to foreign non-governmental organisations must be reviewed by the law ministry in order to meet present-day needs.
Headed by Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal, the commission made the recommendations as the Societies Registration Act 1860 was mum about many important aspects of the work of NGOs and INGOs.
Headed by Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal, the commission made the recommendations as the Societies Registration Act 1860 was mum about many important aspects of the work of NGOs and INGOs.
5- Legal obligation: Political parties asked to submit asset details
Election Commission of Pakistan on Wednesday asked political parties to submit details of their bank accounts, assets and liabilities for financial year 2012-13 before August 29.
According to law, heads of all the political parties registered with the ECP are required to submit statements of accounts of the party every year.
The statements, duly audited by a chartered accountant, should include annual income and expenses, sources of funds, assets and liabilities in the name of a political party.
According to law, heads of all the political parties registered with the ECP are required to submit statements of accounts of the party every year.
The statements, duly audited by a chartered accountant, should include annual income and expenses, sources of funds, assets and liabilities in the name of a political party.
6- Zardari’s security officer killed in suicide attack
The top security official of President Asif Ali Zardari was killed along with his driver and a fruit vendor on Wednesday when a suicide bomber blew himself up near his bulletproof vehicle on a congested Karachi road, police said.
Bilal Sheikh, 45, who had been serving as the chief security officer of President Zardari since 2008, asked his driver to stop his vehicle to buy fruit from a roadside vendor near Guru Mandir at around 5.15pm, they said.
Bilal Sheikh, 45, who had been serving as the chief security officer of President Zardari since 2008, asked his driver to stop his vehicle to buy fruit from a roadside vendor near Guru Mandir at around 5.15pm, they said.
7- Like predecessor, present govt seems unlikely to bring back criminals: CJ
Chief Justice (CJ) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on Wednesday observed that the present government was like the previous government and perhaps did not want to bring back the criminals.
He remarked that the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had failed to deliver in the National Insurance Company Ltd (NICL) scam, as it has not yet apprehended Mohsin Warriach, who managed to flee the country.
He remarked that the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had failed to deliver in the National Insurance Company Ltd (NICL) scam, as it has not yet apprehended Mohsin Warriach, who managed to flee the country.
8- UK says Altaf Hussain’s ‘disband ISI’ letter is authentic
The British government has confirmed that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Altaf Hussain wrote to the then Prime Minister Tony Blair in September 2001, calling for the abolition of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Pakistan’s premier spy agency.
According to information released under the Freedom of Information Act, the letter was dated 23 September 2001, signed by Altaf Hussain and delivered to 10 Downing Street by Nirj Deva, who is currently a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for the Southeast of England.
According to information released under the Freedom of Information Act, the letter was dated 23 September 2001, signed by Altaf Hussain and delivered to 10 Downing Street by Nirj Deva, who is currently a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for the Southeast of England.
9- Drones violate national sovereignty: Nawaz
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday said drone attacks are against the national sovereignty and peace and security are intertwined. “Pakistan has suffered long from terrorism and we cannot afford inaction anymore. Curbing terrorism is my government’s top-most priority,” he added.
10- Pak-US trade ties to be enhanced, says Dar
Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has said that the economic ties between Pakistan and the US would be further expanded. He expressed these views while talking to the US Ambassador to Pakistan Richard G Olson on Wednesday.
Ambassador Olson congratulated Senator Ishaq Dar on PML-N’s victory in the general elections with a clear mandate from the people.Olson, while talking to the minister, said that the initiatives taken by the new democratic government to revive the economy and stabilise the macro-economic imbalances were encouraging.
Ambassador Olson congratulated Senator Ishaq Dar on PML-N’s victory in the general elections with a clear mandate from the people.Olson, while talking to the minister, said that the initiatives taken by the new democratic government to revive the economy and stabilise the macro-economic imbalances were encouraging.
