Blog | FunStylers

KABUL: Afghanistan’s parliament on Saturday rejected more than half of President Hamid Karzai’s nominations for his cabinet, including at least two close allies and the powerful former guerrilla commander Ismail Khan.

Women’s affairs minister Husn Bano Ghazanfar was the thirteenth of 24 candidates who failed to win approval, when she fell two votes short of the total needed for confirmation.

The justice, commerce, energy, economy, public health and communications portfolios were among posts left empty after parliamentarians made use of a rare opportunity to flex their political muscle. AGENCIES

MIRANSHAH: At least three militants were killed Friday in a US missile strike in North Waziristan.

The morning attack by a drone aircraft struck a vehicle carrying militants in Navana village in tehsil Mir Ali killing three militants. This was the second drone attack in tehsil Mir Ali during last 24 hours. The first attack was carried out in Machikhel in which five militants were killed. Eight militants were killed in these two attacks.
The NEWS

SWAT: The chief of outlawed outfit Tahreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, Swat and militant leader Maulvi Fazallulah and his six aides declared proclaimed offender by anti terror court of Swat. The court has ordered accused to appear before the court within seven days.

According to sources, the judge of special anti terror court Khalil Khan Khalil has declared Maulvi Fazallulah and his six associates proclaimed offender and ordered them to appear in local police station or court within seven days otherwise action will be taken against them.

More than 100 cases including murder and attempt to murder had been registered against militant leader who is currently hidding at unknown location. The local courts in Swat started functioning after improvement in law and order situation.
The NEWS

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said that Pakistan has taken the recent statement of Indian Prime Minister “very seriously” and asked the neighboring country to share the information is supposed to have regarding any plans of attack on India by alleged Pakistani terrorist groups.

Talking to media after addressing a function at Foreign Services Academy, Qureshi said we want an exchange of that credible information that India supposed to posses on which this allegation is based as the two countries had decided in Sharm El Shiek to cooperate in information sharing with each other for curbing menace of terrorism.

“We can’t take any such statement lightly. Pakistan wants peaceful and friendly relationship with all its neighbors and that’s why it wants that the misunderstandings should be ratified. So, let’s see what they respond to us,” the FM told the media persons.

To a query, Qureshi said US wants a long-term relationship with Pakistan and its economic assistance for the country is a proof of its ambitions.

About meeting with US special envoy Richard Holbrooke, foreign minister said it was a crucial talks in which Pakistan’s priorities being discussed for the first time. He said load-shedding is affecting trade activities and US has given assurances in this connection.

The NEWS

ISLAMABAD: US special envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke Sunday said Pakistan is facing worst energy crisis and assured of US support to tackle the problem.

Addressing a joint press conference along with Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi after their meeting, Holbrooke said now the focal point of US attention in Pakistan is the energy crisis.

“The United States is a close ally and friend of democratic Pakistan,” the US envoy asserted.

He said he would undertake first ever visit to Karachi in which he would make some important announcements in connection with power. “I will also brief the US congress and other forums about Pakistan’s energy crisis,” he added.

The US envoy said in his today’s meeting with Shah Mehmood Qureshi matters relating to Pakistan’s economy and energy were discussed.

He said Pakistani Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud has been taken out and it is considered to be good progress by Pakistanis. Pakistani armed forces achievements are satisfactory, he added.

To a question, Richard Holbrooke said efforts are being made to cut the funding to terrorists and also to find out the sources of the funding. He, however, added that it is a difficult task and will take time.

“The US also attaches importance to the Balochistan issue and talks were also held with the Pakistani leadership in this regard,” he pointed out.

He said he would take stock of the situation in Swat by undertaking a visit to Mingora tomorrow.

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi responding to questions said Pakistani Taliban have so far failed at appoint their new chief after the death of Baitullah Mehsud and claimed that a rift has been created in them.

He vowed to root out terrorists from every part of the country where they exist. We will pursue the terrorists wherever the government’s writ is challenged, he said.

Shah Mehmood Qureshi claimed that second and third tier of the Taliban leadership have been eliminated by launching a targeted operation in Swat and Malakand.

The NEWS

SKARDU: Thirty-four people have been killed when a passenger bus traveling from Rawalpindi to Skardu has plunged into River Indus near Malopi Rando.

According to reports, a bus bound for Skardu fell into River Indus due to over speeding and brake failure. Police said all passengers have been dead because of high flow of water.

Large number of people and police started rescue operation at the incident site. Majority of people belonged to Punjab. Some of the passengers are Muhammad Iqbal, Ghulam Muhammad, Muhammad Taqi, Muhammad Kazim, Shabbir Hussain, Muhammad Adeel, Sadaqat Ali, Muhammad Irfan, Sadaqat Hussain, Akhter Mahmood, Shafqat Riaz, Ghazar Mumtaz, Sajid Hussain, Muhammad Naveedul Hasan,Wasim Ijaz, Furqan Ameen, Muhammad Sharif, Qamar Siddiqi, Zaheer Abbas, Irfan Khan, Muhammad Tanveer, Jameel, Waris, Rizwan, Saif Mahmood, Muhammad Khan, Muzahid, Amir,Zuhair, Muhammad Razi and Fayyaz Muhammad.

“The NEWS”

By Khalid Azeem

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani government’s two appeals challenging the release of Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, the chief of the Islamic hardliner party Jamaat ud Dawa (JD), were adjourned indefinitely Monday.

Saeed is the founder of the militant Islamist Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) group. India blames it for the Mumbai attacks.

The appeals hearing last took place two weeks ago for the appeals filed by the federal and Punjab governments. Attorney General Latif Khosa told the three-member bench, including Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, that the records of the case were with Punjab AG Raza Farooq who resigned. He was meant to appear in court Monday.

No objections were raised from either side, following which the court adjourned the matter indefinitely. Saeed is being represented by AK Dogar.

Saeed was put under house arrest in early December. But in May, a Pakistani high court ordered his release, saying there was no evidence of his involvement. He denies any role.

According to Reuters, India says it has handed over sufficient evidence to Pakistan regarding Saeed’s involvement and wants him rearrested.
SAMAA News

LAHORE: Four lawyers accused of physically beating two journalists and a policeman have been ordered to remove their coats and ties, while the fifth lawyer had his bail withdrawn when he appeared in court.

When the proceedings for the day began, the five accused lawyers were not present. The two-member bench hearing the case, headed by Lahore High Court Chief Justice Khwaja Muhammad Sharif, expressed its annoyance and ordered officials of the Lahore High Court and the lawyers representing the accused to present them before the court. Four of the accused lawyers, Rana Saeed, Rana Sajjad, Rana Asif and Malik Hanif Awan, later appeared before the court, while Meher Jahangir remained absent. The court cancelled Jahangir’s bail.

The accused lawyers’ representatives explained to the court that the five were absent from the proceedings because of the heavy contingent of police posted outside the court. Justice Ijaz Chaudhary reminded the representatives that the five accused are on bail so they cannot be arrested. A journalist told the court that the reporter and cameraman who had been attacked by the five accused had left the city after receiving threats from the five accused lawyers. He also said that the strong turnout of lawyers in the court was intended to influence the court, to which the court replied that no such influence can be exerted.

The proceedings were put off till August 6. SAMAA

ISLAMABAD: Attorney General Latif Khosa said former President Musharraf could be tried by simple majority resolution of Parliament.

Talking to media in oath taking ceremony of Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali, attorney general said cases of Supreme Court’s Justice Faqir Khokar and Justice Javed Batter will be send to Supreme Judicial Council (SJC).

SJC only hears matters of citing judge and if any judge tender resignation during proceedings, reference against him could not be hear. A judge retains his position till the verdict of SJC.

Replying to a question about action against former President Musharraf, attorney general said Parliament is supreme in this issue.

GOJRA: Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif will reach Gojra in the evening today to review the situation and present cheques to the relatives of deceased and burnt houses.

According to sources, a meeting headed by chief minister was held on Monday morning to review the law and order situation in the province.

Interior secretary Nadeem Hasan Asif and Law Minister Rana Sanaullah briefed Shahbaz Sharif about Gojra incidents and law and order situation.

Chief minister has expressed grief over the loss of lives and property damage. The meeting informed that the mishap could be averted if administration and police functioned effectively. Sources said action will taken likely against DCO AND DPO Toba Tak Singh.
The NEWS