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Two Muttahida men acquitted
Politicians demand provincial autonomy: MQM holds seminar
Four persons arrested for killing: IG
Doctors to be provided arm licences, guards: IGP
Kidnapper gunned down, five hostages freed
Vehari police kill three LJ terrorists
Punjab closes canals for Sindh
PPP activists' arrest termed state terrorism
Musharraf can be tried for high treason: Sajjad
US indicts Omar
Two Muttahida men acquitted
KARACHI, March 14: The additional district and sessions judge, Central, Ghulam Qadir Leghari, acquitted on Thursday two workers of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement in a case ofshootout with a police party.
The Muttahida men, Muhammed Amir and Waseem Ahmed, were booked by the New Karachi police in 1990 under sections 324 and 353 and 13-D of the Arms Ordinance for allegedly attempting to kill the policemen during the shootout.
The judge exonerated the workers from all charges as the prosecution could not bring sufficient evidence on record against the accused.
Politicians demand provincial autonomy: MQM holds seminar
KARACHI, March 14: Provincial autonomy is a guarantee to survival of the country, as without it there couldn't be a true and strong democracy, nor there could be stability in the country.
This was the consensus of speakers at a seminar on "provincial autonomy", organized by the coordination committee of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, at a local hotel on Thursday.
The speakers included former caretaker prime minister Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi, Prof N.D. Khan (PPP), Nafees Siddiqui (CDD), Qamoos Gul Khattak (ANP), Amir Bux Bhutto (SNF), Naheed Afzal (Tehreek-i-Istiqlal), Dr Farooq Sattar of the MQM, Syed Jalal Mehmood Shah (Ponam), former Sindh chief secretary Syed Sardar Ahmad, Yusuf Haroon and M.B. Naqvi.
Welcoming the guests, the deputy convener of the MQM coordination committee Aftab Shaikh, highlighted the subject and recalled a brief history of autonomy from 1935 Acts to 1973 Constitution.
He said he had studied the three volumes of the Debate on the Constitution, and there was no commitment from the government side that the Constitution would be reviewed after eight years as claimed by the leaders of UDF - the opposition alliance of eight parties.
Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi termed the 1956 Constitution a black chapter in which the majority province of the federation, former East Pakistan with 56 per cent population, was reduced to a minority which paved the way for the separation of the eastern wing.
He held the proponents of strong centre responsible for the present state of affairs and said Pakistan was a federation where situation could not improve without removing injustices. "Internal stability could only be ensured through fair treatment to all the four federating units. He warned the rulers against opening the Pandora's box of autonomy by amending the 1973 Constitution.
Nafees Siddiqui warned the rulers against amending the 1973 Constitution as this was the sole prerogative of the parliament. Saying that the ground realities had now changed and the quantum of provincial autonomy in 1973 Constitution was insufficient so there was a need for a new social contract.
Qamoos Gul Khattak said a strong centre and strong Pakistan were two different matters as strong centre. Pakistan could only be strong, if its federating units were strong. He said those who plead for a strong centre had, in fact, been weakening the foundations of the country.
The ANP leader said talking about provincial autonomy without making the Senate authoritative was meaningless. Amir Bux Bhutto said in a multinational federation, like Pakistan, pre-requisites for internal security are democracy, economic stability and law and order which infuse trust and harmony among the people.
He termed the 1940 resolution a "founding document" and basis of a social contract for independence in which provinces are assured autonomy and sovereign status within Pakistan.
He said in view of the developments taking place in the country, it appeared as if the rulers had not learnt a lesson from the history and had once again been following the same path which had earlier led to the break-up of the country.
Mr Bhutto termed talk of devolution a conspiracy against the demand of provincial autonomy as districts were being brought direct under the federal rule where for recovery of taxes federal guards would be deployed to run the system. He said there was no harm to frame new a Constitution as the 1973 Constitution did not comprehend the present-day ground realities.
Dr Farooq Sattar stressed the need for bringing in a reformation in the country and said that we should realise our mistakes in the past. If Pakistan had to be saved today, there was a need to pledge to frame a new Pakistan. "We have to take a decision whether to frame a new Constitution after the debacle of another Dhaka or to frame it immediately to avoid another tragedy of Dhaka.
Syed Sardar Ahmad highlighted the subject from academic and historical perspective and said provincial autonomy was the only guarantee for the survival of the country. He proposed to bring all cantonments within the purview of local government.
RESOLUTIONS: Presenting the resolutions, which were unanimously adopted by the participants of the seminar, MQM leader Nasreen Jalil said the seminar unanimously was of the view that full provincial autonomy could only ensure internal stability.
She said the seminar expressed its grave concern over water shortage in Sindh and demanded that all controversial projects in Sindh be disbanded forthwith and till a new formula was evolved with consensus for distribution of water, 1991 Water Accord be strictly followed.
The seminar also condemned the arrest of those holding protests for water scarcity in Sindh and demand that all those arrested be freed immediately. Prof N.D. Khan said the issue of provincial autonomy be decided with in the parliament with consensus.
Syed Jalal Mehmoud Shah said that without provincial autonomy the issues being faced could not be resolved. He said that provinces should be given financial, judicial and administrative autonomy and the centre should stop interference in the affairs of the provinces.
Four persons arrested for killing: IG
KARACHI, March 14: Four persons involved in the killings of doctors in the city have been arrested, IGP Sindh Syed Kamal Shah told the PMA members here on Thursday.
Sindh home secretary, Brig Mukhtar Ahmed, capital police officer Asad Jehangir and DIG operations Tariq Jamil were also present on the occasion. The IGP told that a man involved in one of the killing incidents had been arrested and the information given by him had led to the arrest of two more accused.
He added that an accused named Ejaz Sami had also been arrested, while his three accomplices were still at large.
The IGP said that it would be suggested to the government that doctors be issued licences for weapons for their protection. The IGP stated that a list had been sought from the PMA for the provision of security guards to the doctors.-APP
Doctors to be provided arm licences, guards: IGP
KARACHI: Four accused involved in the killings of
doctors in the city have been arrested. The Inspector General of
Police (IGP), Sindh, Syed Kamal Shah informed the members of Pakistan
Medical Association (PMA) at a meeting here on Thursday. Sindh Home
Secretary, Brig (Retd) Mukhtar Ahmed, Capital Police Officer, Asad
Jehangir, and DIG Operations, Tariq Jamil, were also present on the
occasion.
The IGP said that an accused involved in the
February 12 incident had been arrested and on his information two more
accused were picked up. An accused Ejaz Sami has also been arrested
while his three accomplices are at large.
The IGP said it would be recommended to the
government that doctors be issued weapon licences for their
protection. IGP stated that a list has been sought from the PMA for
the provision of security guards to the doctors. He informed that
guards would immediately be deployed at all the big medical complexes
and hospitals.
He was of the view that the doctors had been killed
in an organised manner and under a conspiracy aimed at spreading
sectarian hatred. He assured the members of PMA that it was the duty
of the police to provide protection to the doctors and in order to
achieve this objective all the available resources were being
utilised. The IGP appealed to the people and the doctors that in case
of observing any suspicious activity or elements they should
immediately inform the police through 15 and secure entry number also.
Kidnapper gunned down, five hostages freed
KARACHI: Surjani Town police gunned down an alleged
kidnapper and recovered five kidnapees including a minor boy and a
girl, sources said on Thursday. According to sources, a mobile police
team noticed a cab (JM-2161), parked near a nullah in Gulshan-e-Maymar
in suspicious manners. As they got closer to the cab some accused
standing near the vehicle started firing. Police also returned the
fire as a result one of the accused was injured and fell on the ground
while his two accomplices managed their escape.
Later, the police found five people trussed with
ropes in the cab. During initial questioning it was transpired that
the injured accused was a kidnapper and he along with his accomplice
had kidnapped them. The wounded accused was identified as Shafi
Jamali. Police said the accused had allegedly kidnapped the victims
Abdul Aziz, a poultry farm owner, his friends Khuda Bukhsh and Nisar,
and children of Nisar Hajira and Fareed. The wounded accused, however,
died on way to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital. Police also recovered a
klashnikov.
BURN VICTIMS DIE: Javed, a young jobless motor
mechanic, in his early-20s, lost his life at Civil Hospital's Burns
Ward. Sources said the victim was admitted to the burns ward with
severe burn wounds two days ago after he tried to immolate himself in
his house within Steel Town police limits.
Aatif Iqbal, a resident of Soldier Bazaar in his
mid-20s and another victim of self-immolation also lost his life at
the same ward. According to source, the victim had set himself on fire
after sprinkling patrol over the body when his parents scolded him on
some domestic issues a day ago. He was rushed to Civil Hospital with
critical injuries where he breathed his last. Meanwhile, Tehmina, a
teenaged girl of Orangi Town sustained serious burn injuries when her
clothes caught fire while she was cooking. She was also rushed to CHK
burns ward.
BODY FOUND: Manghopir police found bullet-riddled
body of an unknown victim from a ground near a cement factory.
ROBBERIES: Armed bandits looted cash, gold
ornaments and electronic appliances from Ali Irshad's house in
Azizabad police area; cash, jewellery and other valuables from
Saeedullah's house in Korangi police limits; cash and other valuables
from Nisar Ahmed's shop in Bahadurabad. Moreover, robbers intercepted
Khalil Ahmed in Ferozabad police limits when he was returning home
after drawing money from a bank and snatched Rs 300,000 from him.
ARRESTED: Pirabad police arrested Umer, Hameed,
Arshad, Shah Wali, Naimat Ullah and recovered five TT pistols from
them. The police claimed that the accused were allegedly involved in
robbing coaches and minibuses.
VEHICLES hijacked: Armed carjackers took away seven
cars and six motorbikes from different parts of the city.
Vehari police kill three LJ terrorists
VEHARI: The Vehari police, in an encounter, killed
three Laskar-e-Jhangvi alleged terrorists, involved in at least 11
cases of murders, dacoities, car-snatching and highway robberies, said
Vehari SSP Dr Jameel Ahmed on Thursday.
Addressing a press conference, Dr Jameel said
Fayyaz Ahmed Tarar, Javed Iqbal Rajput and Muhammad Amjad of
Lashkar-i-Jhangvi, all proclaimed offenders and wanted by the Khanewal
and Vehari police in 11 different sectarian murders and dacoities,
were killed Wednesday night in an encounter with the police. He added
one of them, Fayyaz Tarar, carried Rs 500,000 head money.
He said the killed terrorists were also involved in
the murders of District Nazim Mumtaz Khichi's uncle, Ahmedyar Khichi,
on October 27, 2001, Allama Nazir Ahmed in October 2001 and of Dr
Tanveer Shah in February 2001. They also killed a local trader,
Muhammad Hanif Kamboh's car driver in June 2001.
The SSP said during the general hold-up Wednesday
night, City SHO Abdul Basit and other police officials were standing
on Vehari-Khanewal Road. Meanwhile, three motorcyclists were going
from Vehari to Khanewal. As they neared the police party, the SSP
said, the three men were signalled to stop at a police check post on
Khanewal Road by City SHO Abdul Basit but they ignored the signal and
tried to escape on their motorbike, firing in the air. On receiving
information from the City SHO, the Saddar SHO, along with his force,
also joined the chasing police.
The police chased them who entered a field on
Burewala-Luddan Link Road near Chak No 180/EB and opened fire on the
police. The police fired in retaliation, killing all of them, the SSP
said. The SSP said these terrorists were the close associates of Riaz
Basra and Shakeel Anwar.
Punjab closes canals for Sindh
LAHORE, March 14: The Punjab government on Thursday decided to close down all its canals and gift inflows of Indus, Jehlum and Chenab rivers to Sindh.
Lt Gen Khalid Maqbool, the Punjab governor, took this decision on the instruction of President Pervez Musharraf and "with a sense of sacrifice for Sindhi brothers. " According to the decision, the Punjab will close down all its canals from Friday and let all the river flows go to Sindh.
On Thursday, these river inflows were in access to 48,000 cusecs with Indus river at Tarbela flowing at 13,300 cusecs, Jehlum at Mangla 17,600 cusecs, Chenab at Marala 8,700 cusecs and Kabul at Nowshera 8,800 cusecs.
According to the plan, the Punjab will not use any water from river inflows for the next 16 days (till March 31) in order to facilitate sowing of cotton in Sindh. It will, however, start drawing a supply of 5,000 cusecs from April 1 to help sowing of cotton in Layya and Muzaffargrah districts. The province will resume to full share from 15th April.
An official of the Punjab government said Punjab had also expressed this gesture, but this time it would take its full share from April 15 for the cotton crop. He said last year it delayed resumption to full share till May 1 and the province suffered. Mangla dam starts filling by March 20.
PPP activists' arrest termed state terrorism
ISLAMABAD, March 14: Pakistan People's Party (PPP) on Thursday condemned the arrest of over 450 party workers and leaders in Sindh and termed it as a blatant manifestation of state terrorism.
Speaking at a press conference, PPP secretary-general Mian Raza Rabbani warned the government to immediately release all those arrested throughout the province otherwise the party would be compelled to take "appropriate action."
The PPP Punjab president, Qasim Zia, PPP NWFP president Khawaja Muhammad Hoti, PPP Punjab secretary-general Rana Aftab and Nawaz Khokhar were also present at the Press conference.
Musharraf can be tried for high treason: Sajjad
LAHORE, March 14: Former chief justice of Pakistan Syed Sajjad Ali Shah has said that Gen Pervez Musharraf can be tried for high treason for suspending the Constitution
as Jamaat-i-Islami amir Qazi Husain Ahmad has warned the government of a country-wide protest if it attempts to obstruct the holding of March 23 public meeting in Rawalpindi.
Speaking at a lawyers' convention here on Thursday, Mr Shah quoted clauses of the Constitution under which suspension of the constitution was amounted to its abrogation and the accused was to be tried on high treason charge.
He said Gen Musharraf wanted to abolish Islamic clauses from the Constitution and make Pakistan a Turkey like country. "If the parties do not unite, no one knows what will be done to the country?" he warned.
He said the army government had failed to achieve any of the goals it had set for itself while overthrowing a democratic government in October, 1999. "There is no economic development in the country, people are committing suicides for poverty, sectarian killings are continuing unabated."
Criticizing the accountability process, the former chief justice said NAB authorities recovered millions from the accused who had devoured billions of rupees of the nation and released them without making public the deals signed with them. "No one is allowed to question the NAB authorities," he regretted.
Terming the army take-over a kind of terrorism, he said the rulers violated the Constitution by allowing the use of its soil against a Muslim country while it demanded the government establish brotherly relations with Muslim states.
Mr Shah also criticized increasing interference of the US in the country's internal affairs. "The US interference has reached the extent that its envoy is telling a specific party's leaders that they will have to take the responsibility of running the country."
US indicts Omar
WASHINGTON, March 14: British-born militant Ahmed Saeed Omar Shaikh was indicted on two counts of hostage taking in the kidnapping and slaying of US reporter Daniel Pearl, according to documents released by the Justice Department on Thursday.
The indictments were handed up by a federal grand jury in Newark, New Jersey, and charged him with one count of hostage taking and one count of conspiring to take hostages resulting in the death of Pearl.
The US has been pressing Pakistan to hand over Shaikh Omar, the confessed mastermind of Pearl's abduction.-Reuters