Curfew Lifted In Wana
Friday, August 29, 2008 at 9:29 am
WANA:Curfew has been lifted in the agency headquarters Wana while Wana-Jandola road was opened for traffic on late Thursday.
This was decided during a peace jirga meet here at the office of Political Agent Syed Shahab Ali Shah. Jirga members Mahamamd Ali, Malik Ajmal Khan, Malik Sarwar and another 140 chieftains and maliks of the area attended.
Sources in Jirga said that several rounds of discussion on these issues were held with political administration, which lastly proved successful. In addition to lifting of curfew, Wana-Jandola road was opened for vehicular traffic. Likewise, 39 people arrested by the law enforcing agencies the other day have also been released after assurance that they will remain peaceful in future.
PML-N not withdraw their presidential candidate : Nawaz Sharif
Thursday, August 28, 2008 at 10:26 pm
ISLAMABAD: With the Presidential race heating up, Pakistan People’s Party co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari calls Pakistan Muslim League-N Chief Mian Nawaz Sharif to withdraw PML-N candidate, Justice Saeed-uz-Zaman Siddiqui.
Meanwhile, Nawaz Sharif has said ‘No’ to Asif Ali Zardari’s request.
Addressing PML-N parliamentary meeting here, Sharif said that it has been conveyed to PPP co-chairman that PML-N will not withdraw its Presidential candidate. Nawaz said that presidential election did come into discussion but the PML-N was committed to having a neutral person elected President.
At the same time, PML-N Chief made it clear that the decision to move out from coalition was well thought-out and taken after the judges issue failed to be resolved.
CEC Clears Nomination Paper Of Major Candidates
Thursday, August 28, 2008 at 12:21 pm
ISLAMABAD: The Chief Election Commissioner has accepted the nomination papers of Asif Ali Zardari, Justice Saeeduzaman Siddiqui and Mushahid Hussain after scrutiny here on Thursday.
Chief Election Commissioner Qazi Muhammad Farooq has scrutinized the papers on which no objection has been filed from any side.
Thirty-two candidates had submitted their nomination papers for presidential polls. The candidates would withdraw nominations till Saturday whereas final list would also be issued on the same day.
The presidential poll will be held on September 6.
Asif Ali Zardari Has Clear Edge In Election Race
Thursday, August 28, 2008 at 9:46 am
ISLAMABAD:The split in two main parties in the coalition government has culminated in the emergence of two top presidential candidates - Asif Zardari from the Pakistan People’s Party and former chief justice Saeed-uz-Zaman Siddiqui from the Pakistan Muslim League (N). The opposition, consisting of the Pakistan Muslim League (Q), has fielded its Secretary General Mushahid Hussain Syed for the post.
The numbers game has begun with all the parties proactively campaigning for their candidate of choice. Interestingly, while the PML (N) is talking of merit, high moral ground, supported by the past history of its candidate as its campaign strategy, the PPP is “comfortable” with the numbers on their side, as stated by Information Minister Sherry Rehman.
The president’s electoral college consists of 702 members. There are 342 in the National Assembly, 100 in the Senate, while all the four provinces have 65 votes each. While the Punjab Assembly, with greater numbers, with 6.5 MPAs equal to one electoral vote, Sindh with 2.58 members equals to one vote, Balochistan’s each MPA has one vote and NWFP 1.90 members equal one vote.
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, criticising Asif Zardari’s statements about political agreements, linked his party’s votes with ending of the operation in tribal areas. He jolted the PPP high command into offering him two more ministries. The new verdict of support to the PPP Co-Chairman has brought him clearly on the side of the PPP.
The PPP has a total strength of 217.5 - National Assembly: 124; Senate: 10; Punjab Assembly: 18.77; Sindh: 36.04; Balochistan: 134; and NWFP: 15.78. Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), firmly allied with PPP, has a total strength of 50.76 - National Assembly: 25; Senate: six; and Sindh Assembly: 19.76. The JUI (F) total strength 36.3 - National Assembly: seven; Senate: 12; NWFP: 7.3; and Balochistan: 10.
Awami National Party (ANP) total strength of 44.26 - National Assembly: 13; Senate: two; Sindh: one; and NWFP: 25.26; and Balochistan: three. Thus with its allies, the PPP has a total strength of 348. The PML (N) has a 131 strong vote bank - National Assembly: 91; Senate: four; Punjab Assembly: 30; NWFP: four; and Balochistan: one.
It is expected that Jamaat-i-Islami with 5.5 elecotral votes and Balochistan National Party (BNP) with 10 votes, Pukhtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party with three and National Peoples Party (NPP) 2.2 would give the PML (N) candidate a grand total of 151 votes. The PML (Q) has a 119-vote strength - National Assembly: 54; Senate: 38; Punjab assembly: 14.7; Sindh 3.48; NWFP: 3.15; and Balochistan: six.
With addition of one, i. e. PPP (Sherpao), totalling 7.15, and 13 from like-minded members in Balochistan would give a total of 139. If the PML (N) and (Q) field one candidate, then their total strength reaches a respectable 290. This does not take account of independents with 45 electoral votes plus PML (Functional), JUI (S), JWP and National Peoples Party with a total of 13 votes. If all these go with the PML (N), then is the grand total of 348, which could tie the two candidates. But to achieve this total would require hectic lobbying on the part of PML (N).
The PML (N) on its own cannot present a serious challenge to Asif Zardari’s candidacy. If the PML (Q) decides to support PML (N) presidential candidate and withdraws its own, an additional 139 votes would give a grand total of still not be sufficient to challenge the candidacy of Zardari.
There is speculation that if a secret ballot is held, an option, provided under Article 41 (3) of the Constitution for the presidential election, it may provide an edge to former chief justice Siddiqui over Asif Zardari. At present, Asif Zardari has a vote bank of at least 348, but in case of secret ballot, Amin Fahim and other disgruntled PPP stalwarts, who have been sidelined by Asif Zardari after the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, may opt to vote for his rival.
Fahim is said to have some clout with Senators, MNAs and MPAs of the party and may subvert the candidacy of his party’s Co-Chairman. However, Fahim has announced his support for the PPP Co-Chairman and is unlikely to renege on his promise in an open ballot. The winner requires at least 352 votes in the 702-member electoral college. However, with three or more candidates in the running, the person bagging the highest number of votes will be declared the victor.
NAB Ordinance repealed, new law to be enacted: Sherry Rehman
Wednesday, August 27, 2008 at 8:48 pm
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Cabinet Wednesday decided to repeal the National Accountability (NAB) Ordinance and replace it with a new bill which will be presented before the parliament.
Federal Information Minister, Sherry Rehman said this while briefing the media on the decisions taken by at the Federal Cabinet meeting here.
Amendments will also be made in the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority’s Ordinance.
She said the Cabinet has approved a 50 per cent increase in taxes on import of 350 items described as luxury goods including expensive vehicles.
It was also decided to table a bill before the parliament to regularize the service of contractual employees of Grade-1 to 15.
Sherry Rehman said the daylight savings time will continue till October 31, 2008 instead of earlier date of August 31, 2008.
The Cabinet also decided to enhance representation of minority in the Senate, the Information Minister said.
To a question she said, increase in import tax will also bring reduction in the import bill of the country.
Notification regarding restoration of 8 SHC judges likely today
Wednesday, August 27, 2008 at 10:28 am
A notification for the reinstatement of eight deposed judges of Sindh High Court (SHC) is likely to be issued today (Wednesday), a private TV channel reported. Quoting the sources, the channel further said that the sworn-in ceremony of deposed judges is also expected on Wednesday.
Sources in Federal Law Ministry said that a proposal has been tabled before the government to increase the strength of SHC judges from 28 to 40 and there could be some development on the issue tomorrow.
Presidential Race Begins
Wednesday, August 27, 2008 at 10:11 am
ISLAMABAD - PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari, Justice (r) Saeeduz Zaman Siddiqui and Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed were amongst over 30 candidates who filed their nomination papers with the Chief Election Commissioner Tuesday to contest September 6 presidential election.
According to the Election Commission of Pakistan, PPP filed papers for Asif Zardari while the former Chief Justice of Supreme Court Saeeduz Zaman Siddiqui filed papers as candidate nominated by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and Mushahid Hussain filed nomination papers as the nominee of Pakistan Muslim League (Quaid).
Sources said Makhdoom Amin Fahim, ANP President Asfandyar Wali Khan, MQM leader Dr Farooq Sattar, Rehmatullah Kakar, Shahid Hassan Bugti, Sardar Sanaullah Zehri and Shahbaz Bhatti filed fourteen nomination papers on behalf of Asif Zardari. The PPP also submitted nomination papers of Faryal Talpur as covering candidate. Read more
Presidential Election : Nomination papers filed
Tuesday, August 26, 2008 at 2:59 pm
ISLAMABAD: The candidates of Peoples Party, Pakistan Muslim League (N) and other parties have filed their nomination papers for presidential bid on Tuesday.
Federal Law Minister Farooq Naek has submitted the nomination papers of Peoples Party co-chairman Asif Zardari to Chief Election Commissioner Qazi Muhamad Farooq.
Federal Information Minister Sherry Rehman, ANP Chief Asfandyar Wali, Minster for Water and Power Pervez Ashraf, Minister for Labour and Manpower Syed Khurshid Shah, Defence Minister Ahmad Mukhtar, Senator Baber Awan, Senator Raza Rabbani, advisor to prime minister Manzoor Watto, Rehmatullah Kakar and others were also present at this occasion.
Peoples Party has submitted Faryal Talpur’s nomination papers as covering candidate. A larger number of Peoples Party workers were gathered outside Election Commission, chanted slogans in favour of Asif Zardari.
PML-N has submitted nomination for former chief justice of Pakistan Justice Saeeduzzaman Siddiqui. Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Iqbal Zafar Jaghra, Javed Hashmi and other party leaders were present in Election Commission.
PML-N supporters gathered outside Election Commission chanted slogans. Roedad Khan submitted nomination papers as covering candidate of PML-N.
PML-Q has submitted nomination papers of Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed for presidential bid. Opposition leader in National Assembly Chaudhry Pervez Elahi, PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and other leaders accompanied him.
Scrutiny would be held till August 28 whereas candidates could withdraw papers till August 30.
The final list would be issued on August 30. Returning officer of presidential election chief election commissioner is receiving nomination papers.
Dr. Afia Siddiqui is in critical condition, lawyer Elizabeth
Tuesday, August 26, 2008 at 10:48 am
WASHINGTON: Dr. Afia’s lawyer Elizabeth Fink demanded to US government that Dr. Afia should immediately be admitted to the hospital because of her critical health condition.
Addressing a press conference, Elizabeth said Dr. Afia should be hospitalized immediately as her health was worsening.
She revealed: “ A letter has been sent by US officials in which they have admitted to have the custody of her son”
The lawyer further said Dr. Afia was being incarcerated and abused on the name of search by US authorities.
Public campaign would be launched for her release, she said and added post cards would be sent to US government at first step.
She said Pakistani lawyer Salim Rizvi has been added to her legal time on Dr. Afia’s request.
PML-N Decides To Sit In Opposition
Monday, August 25, 2008 at 6:22 pm
ISLAMABAD:Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief, Nawaz Sharif announced to leave the coalition, and decided to sit in opposition benches
PML-N announced the decision right after its party Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting here on Monday
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