Democracy panacea for all problems: Gilani

Democracy panacea for all problems: Gilani: "
ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said on Sunday democracy is guarantor of peace and prosperity and the government will continue building consensus with all political parties to resolve issues facing the country.
In his address to the nation at a ceremony held here at Convention Centre to celebrate the country’s 65th Independence Day, he said the parliament is about to complete its four years and political leadership of Pakistan agrees that it will succeed in stabilising democracy, which is solution to all the problems. The Prime Minister felicitated the nation on its 65th Independence Day and paid tribute to the founder of Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and leaders of Pakistan Movement for providing a spirited leadership which created the world’s first ideological state through democratic struggle.
“The creation of Pakistan was the best example of democratic struggle,” he noted.
The Prime Minister also praised Pakistan People’s Party leaders Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto for laying down their lives for democratic ideals and rights of people.
He vowed to continue working for strengthening democracy by sustaining the process of reconciliation through consultations with the political parties. “All issues can be resolved through consensus and understanding,” he added.
The Prime Minister mentioned recent reforms in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) which brought changes in Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) and allowed political parties to start activities with extension in Political Parties Order, 2002 and said the reforms will enable the people to take hold of their destiny.
He lauded the scientists of SUPARCO for bringing Pakistan at par with other countries in the field of space technology by launching a new satellite to meet communication needs of Pakistan.
He said that people of Pakistan were democracy minded and democratic friendly in their temperament and attitude and think that it is vital that at federal level rights of provinces should be protected.
It is top priority of the democratic government to run affairs in provinces with mutual agreement and in this spirit provincial autonomy was given under the 18th Amendment, he added.
He said after a decade, through the 7th National Finance Commission (NFC) award, federal government substantially increased the financial resources of provinces which is a big success.
Prime Minister Gilani said those regions which were ignored in the past, have been given rights, powers and recognition by the government and now Gilgit-Baltistan has internal autonomy.
He assured that the federal government will not ignore the education sector despite devolution of ministry to the provinces under the 18th Amendment.
Soon a national education conference will be held with the consultation of provinces and decisions will be taken with mutual understanding to promote the process of creating harmony in education, he added.
He said his government took important steps to empower women including quota for seats in assemblies and appointment of ombudswoman.
The assembly has approved a law to end the tendency of harassment of female employees after which they can perform their jobs with more confidence and freedom, he told.
He expressed satisfaction that more women are gaining higher education and are fully participating in progress and development of national life.
He assured that all available resources were being used for the welfare of the younger generation.
Gilani said Pakistan is faced with the challenge of terrorism but the whole nation is united to thwart the threat.
All political leaders and people are backing the government in the war against terrorism and officers and jawans of armed forces, police and personnel of law enforcement along with civil society and administration are performing an exemplary role for end of terrorism, he added.
On behalf of the nation, the Prime Minister saluted the officers and jawans of armed forces who laid down their lives and expressed the determination to completely eradicate terrorism.
Referring to rehabilitation of three million displaced people of Swat and Malakand in a short period, he said the government spent more than Rs8.5 billion to provide financial assistance of Rs25,000 to every person.
Gilani said after the restoration of peace in Malakand and Swat, now the nation and law enforcement institutions are making coordinated efforts to keep peace in South Waziristan.
He mentioned the heroic role of armed forces in helping nation in every hour of need.
“Last year during floods our army jawans saved lives of citizens while putting their lives in danger and they deserve appreciation of the nation.”
The Prime Minister said floods of last year and terrorism severely damaged the national economy and economic losses due to terrorism amount to $65 billion.
He said the government inherited the energy crisis as during the past dictatorial rule not a single mega power project was planned.
He pledged that the nation will soon get rid of unannounced loadshedding due to effective steps of the government.
“Work is continuing on Bhasha and Munda dams and it has been decided to provide necessary funds for Thar Coal project. Despite unfavourable conditions, 3000 megawatts of electricity have been added,” he continued.
Gilani said a committee headed by Federal Minister for Finance has been set up which will give suggestions on emergency basis to overcome the energy crisis.
The Prime Minister said the government was formulating a strategy with the help of provinces to decrease price hike.
During Ramazan, he said subsidy of Rs2 billion has been given to the Utility Stores Corporation (USC) so that people could get essential items at lower prices and financial help has been given to six million families through Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP).
Workers are being made shareholders in Benazir Stock Option Scheme and internship programme has been launched for unemployed youth, he added.
Pension of retired government employees has been increased by 15 to 20 percent and substantial raise has been given in the salaries of government employees, armed forces and judiciary. Temporary employees have been made permanent and employees sacked in 1997 have been restored to their jobs, he enumerated.
Touching upon foreign relations, the Prime Minister said Pakistan’s policy was being formulated on principles of peaceful co-existence and mutual harmony and understanding.
“We want to promote relations with all countries on basis of goodwill and equality.”
He said Pakistan’s relations with China are of historic importance and friendship with it is an important pillar of the country’s foreign policy.
“Pak-China friendship, in real terms is higher than the Himalayan mountains and deeper than sea.”
“With the brother Islamic country Saudia Arabia, our relations of brotherhood will continue forever,” he said adding that during his recent visit to Saudi Arabia, Saudi King Shah Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz stated that ties between their people go beyond the relations as a friend and brother.
He said relations were being promoted with all Islamic countries and people and government of Turkey have deep appreciation for Pakistan.
He said Pakistan has historic and geographical ties with Iran and implementation will soon start on an agreement on the gas pipeline project with Iran.
Gilani said Pakistan sincerely desires restoration of peace in Afghanistan and wants to see it as a prosperous, stable and independent country.
The Prime Minister further said Pakistan wants to resolve issues with its neighbour India through process of dialogue so that both countries can get rid of blights of poverty, illiteracy and backwardness.
Calling relations with the United States vital for Pakistan, he said: “We are ever ready for cooperation with our friends but we will not accept hegemony of anybody.”
He said relations are being further improved with all countries of European Union including Britain and efforts are underway to gain access to American and European markets and in this connection some success has been achieved.
The Prime Minister said nobody can deny the reality that Kashmir is the jugular vein of Pakistan and the international community has accepted the right of self-determination of Kashmiris.
Pakistan will continue to provide unhindered moral, diplomatic and political support to Kashmiris so that they can get their rights, he added.

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Relief package for affectees announced

Relief package for affectees announced: "
BADIN/TANDO MOHAMMAD KHAN (Agencies) - Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Monday visited rain-hit areas of Tando Mohammad Khan and Badin and assured provision of relief to the calamity-hit people. He said the federal and Sindh governments would offer all kinds of support to the people to help them recover from the disaster.
Addressing gatherings of representatives of affected people in Tando Mohammad Khan and Badin, the prime minister ordered immediate provision of 15,000 tents for the homeless, issuance of Watan Cards by Nadra for compensation, widening of Benazir Income Support Programme area to the rain-affectees for humanitarian assistance, interest-free loans by the Agricultural Development Bank and for the implementation of a drainage scheme to avoid such losses in future.
The prime minister, accompanied by Speaker National Assembly Dr Fehmida Mirza, Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Federal Ministers Syed Khursheed Shah and Syed Naveed Qamar, had an aerial view of the vast areas affected by the rains in Badin, Tando Mohammad Khan districts and Sindhri area of Mirpurkhas.
He said National Disaster Management Authority has been directed to look into the needs of the affected people including tents, food, water, medicines and ensure their availability.
“I have asked the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the other concerned departments to assist in the rescue and relief efforts,” Gilani said.
Gilani said the people of Tando Mohammad Khan had supported Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and appreciated their courage. He said the people of Sindh faced unprecedented floods last year and stayed at relief camps for long. He assured that the federal and provincial governments would extend all the assistance to them to mitigate their sufferings.
Speaking on the occasion, Sindh Chief Minister declared rain affected areas of Tando Mohammad Khan and others as calamity-hit.
Minister for Water and Power Syed Naveed Qamar briefed the prime minister about the losses due to rains and said the whole area looked like a sea. He demanded of the government to declare the area as calamity-hit and necessary assistance should be extended to the affected people.
Later, Gilani witnessed the distribution of relief items among the affectees.
“I feel very sad that the people of Badin have once again become victims of a natural disaster,” he said and added that the people of the area were brave and resilient as they turned a new leaf of their lives every time they were struck by a disaster.
The prime minister said, “I will direct the Finance Ministry to look into the matter of waiver of loans owed by the rain-affected people”.
The prime minister accepted the request of DCO Badin Kazim Hussain Jatoi who sought support of the Air Force for resuce operations.
The Prime Minister also visited a classroom of children set up at the relief camp in Badin where he handed over gifts to the children. He also visited a medical camp where he spoke to patients and doctors.

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Sindh shut to protest LG system

Sindh shut to protest LG system: "
KARACHI/JACOBABAD – A complete strike was observed across the province including provincial capital on Saturday in response to a call given by the nationalist parties of Sindh against abolishing commissionerate system and revival of nazims-led local government system.
All the cities and towns from Karachi to Kashmore, remained shut and public and private vehicles remained off the roads including on National Highway leading to other provinces.
The Sindh Save Committee, comprising different nationalist parties including Sindh United Party, Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz, Sindh National Front, Jeay Sindh Tehreek and Jeay Sindh Mahaz had given shutterdown strike call, which simultaneously supported by all opposition parties, Awami National Party, Jamaat-e-Islami, JUI-F, Awami Tehreek, Tehreek-e-Insaf, Punjabi Pakhtun Ittehad, Sunni Tehreek, NPP and other political parties, civil society organisations, trade bodies and others.
However, the Karachi Transport Ittehad had already announced not to bring the public transport on the roads on strike day, while all the commercial areas of metropolis also remained closed.
The ANP’s support to the call of nationalist parties led to the successful strike in the commercial hub of country, Karachi, which has been a victim of violence for last many years due to a number of reasons including political strife.
All the commercial markets including Zainab Market, Zaibunisa Street, Empress Market and bazaars in Saddar Town which is a commercial hub of city, and other areas of metropolis including Tariq Road, Tower, Kimari, Lyari, Kharadar, Korangi, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, North Nazimabad, Orangi and other areas remained shut due to strike call given by the nationalist parties.
Meanwhile, nationalist parties including Awami Tehreek, Sindhiani Tehreek, Jeay Sindh Tehreek and other political parties staged protest rallies in different areas of the city, demanding of the PPP government to withdrew the ordinance of revival of nazims-led local government system in the province.
Awami Tehreek workers led by advocate Mazhar Rohojo rallied from Numaish Chowrangi to Karachi Press Club and also staged sit-in on MA Jinnah Road.
Besides that, a large number of workers of Jeay Sindh Tehreek led by its chairman Dr Safdar Sarki took out rally from Gulistan-e-Johar to Press Club.
According to Safdar Sarki, when their rally reached at Allauddin Park, some miscreants attacked on the participants, in which two workers suffered bullet injuries.
Complete shutterdown was also observed in all the cities and towns of Hyderabad, Mithi, Larkana, Nawabshah, Dadu, Badin, Nausheroferoze, Ghotki, Naudero, Shikarpur, Kashmore, Jacobabad, Shahdadkot, Qambar, Umerkot, Sanghar, Khairpur and other towns.
Meanwhile, nationalist leaders including Syed Jalal Mehmood Shah of SUP, Dr Safadar Sarki of Jeay Sindh Tehreek and others, while addressing a press conference at Hyder Manzil in city, thanked the people of Sindh, who observed shutterdown strike in response to their call.
They appealed the people of Sindh to get rid of ruling PPP as they believed that PPP had compromised over the interests of the Sindh.
They demanded of the PPP government to give honour to the opinion of the people of Sindh, who expressed their verdict in form of shutting down all businesses and revive the commissionerate system immediately.
They said they would hold national conference on August 21 in city to chalk out the future strategy. All the stakeholders including opposition parties except ruling PPP and MQM will be invited in the conference.
Terming the successful strike as referendum against nazim-led local government system, they said PPP should restore the commissionerate system which was passed by the Sindh Assembly.
They said that miscreants attacked the nationalist parties’ workers in Karachi and Hyderabad and their two workers embraced martyrdom in Hyderabad.
They further said that people of Karachi, observing a peaceful strike, had rejected the politics of violence in city.
Nationalist leaders blamed that government and MQM had used force to fail the strike call. They said 22 workers had been arrested by the police and 15 were injured in the province in various incidents.
They said they would not hold talks with government until government withdrew the local government ordinance.
Partial strike was observed in Mirpurkhas on the call of Nationalist organisations, while complete strike was observed at Mirwah Gorchani, Digri, Tando Jan Mohammad, Jhuddo and Kot Ghulam Mohammad.
MAJinnah Road, Mirwah Road, Station Road, Municipal Shopping Centre, Police Shopping Centre, Cloth Market and Grain Market remained closed while Lalchandabad, Umerkot Road, Market Chowk, Gharibabad, Toorabad, Sir Syed Road, Iqbal Road, Satellite Town , Hameedpura Colony, Hirabad were open. Complete shutterdown strike was observed in Mirwah Gorchani, Digri, Tando Jan Mohammad, Jhuddo, Naokot and Kot Ghulam Mohammad Town and all the markets and shops were closed. Transport remained off the roads as result of which people had to face a lot of hardships to go to their destinations. Petrol pumps and CNG service centres were also closed in the city and motorists faced difficulties to get fuel. Strict security arrangements were made by SSP Mirpurkhas. Police personnel were deployed at main chowks, roads and entry and exit ways of the city to avert any untoward incident.
On the call of nationalist parties, a complete shutterdown strike was observed in Jacobabad on Saturday. The traders expressed their solidarity with nationalist parties and kept their shops and trade centres shut.
To protest division of Sindh and restoration of corrupt system of zila nazim in Sindh, the main trade centres, Shahi Bazaar, Sarafa Bazaar, Quaid-e-Azam Road and Tower Road remained closed. The town presented deserted look and even the small shops, located at different Mohallas, also remained closed. The political parties JSQM, Front, JSM, PP Shaheed Bhutto took out protest rallies led by Mir Mola Bux Khoso (Front), Sardar Khalid Jhulan (JSM), Ali Lashari (STP), Nadeem Qureshi (PP Shaheed Bhutto), Zulfiqar Solangi (SUP), Nizam Mastoi and others. The rallies marching through the main roads of the town reached at Gadai Chowk where they held a Jalsa.
The speakers while addressing the participants said they were thankful to traders and people for responding to their strike call. They said Sindhis were master of their lands and no one would be allowed to disintegrate Sindh. They demanded of the government to annul local government system and restore commissionerate system.
Meanwhile, a complete shutterdown strike was also observed in all eight talukas of Khairpur district on the call of nationalist parties against abolition of commissionaires system in Sindh on the direction of MQM, on Saturday.
As per details, the shutterdown strikes was observed in all eight talukas including Khairpur, Kingri, Gambat, Sobhodero, Tharimirwah, Faiz Gunj, Kotdiji and Naro. All business centres, shops, markets were completely shut down, transporters did not bring their vehicles on roads, while the government and private institutions also remained closed in the district.
Separately, the lawyers also boycotted the court proceedings against government ordinance.
The nationalist parries took out relies in different areas and their leaders addressed the gatherings and criticised the PPP government. They said the PPP government was ruling on Pakistan by the votes of Sindhi people and now they were working against their interests.
The protesters also staged demonstration in front of DPO Khairpur office and blocked National Highway and burnt tyres and raised slogans against the PPP government.
Six Khairpur police arrested six miscreants from different parts of the district.
In Hyderabad, a complete strike was also observed on Saturday in response to shutterdown and wheel-jam strike call by nationalists throughout Sindh.
Some miscreant resorted to firing in different areas of the district resulting in death of a person and injuring many others. Three vehicles were also set alight.
Shopping centres, markets and main bazaars remained shut in Hyderabad and Qasimabad but bazaar and shops remained open in Latifabad.
Traffic remained thin on the roads including Super Highway, National Highway and Induce Highway.
Miscreant resorted to indiscriminate firing in Hyderabad killing Sindh Taraqi Passand Party activist Dilshahad Abro and injured his brother Zamir Abro and Ali Nawaz, Fasial, Imran, Shakir and some others. Miscreant torched bus on Super Highway. They had also set alight three vehicles on Friday night in Hyderabad, one of them of Radio Pakistan Hyderabad on Fatima Jinnah Road near state bank.
Hyderabad police have arrested 30 activists of different nationalist parties including Mahzer Ali, Amir, Habib Ashiq, Mir Mohammed Farhan, Yasir Aftab and others. Police also recovered weapons from their possession and some stolen motorcycles.
Workers of Sindh Taraqi passed party, Sindh United Party, Sindh National Front, Jeay Sindh Mahaz and others took out protest rallies in various areas of the city and marched on different roads and gathered at Hyderabad Press Club. They staged protest demonstration in favour of their demands.
Meanwhile, complete shutterdown strike was also observed in Kotri, Jamshoro, Tando Jam, Tando Muhammad Khan and Tando Allahyar while all four universities of Jamshoro and Hyderabad districts including University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Mehran University of Sciences and Technology, Jamshoro, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro and Sindh Agriculture University, Tando Jam also remained closed, besides public and private sectors schools and colleges of Hyderabad.
A complete shutterdown strike was also observed in Naushahro Feroze, Moro, Kandiaro, Mehrabpur and other towns of Naushahro Feroze against the Sindh Local Government Ordinance.
The business centres remained completely shut. The activists of many nationalist parties staged rallies.

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New political era dawns in Fata

New political era dawns in Fata: "
ISLAMABAD – The federation on Friday unveiled a major plan of political reforms and development in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) as part of efforts to blunt the appeal for militancy by allowing greater political activities through key amendments in the relatively tough federal laws and initiating comprehensive development projects.
President Asif Ali Zardari signed the decree that allows political parties to operate freely in Fata. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani was also present who announced development projects for Fata. The law amendments include changes in Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) and extension of Political Parties Order 2002 to tribal areas. The Fata has been in the international focus since 9/11 terrorist attacks and later the US-led international war against terror, as the area is not only has strongholds of defunct TTP, headquartered in Waziristan, but is also considered by the US as the global headquarters of al-Qaeda. In his speech at a ceremony at the President House, President Zardari declared: “In the long run we must defeat the militant mindset to defend our country, our democracy, our institutions and our way of life,” Zardari said, describing the system of justice in the tribal belt as ‘obsolete’. The president also accepted the demand to set up a hospital in Fata and assured that it will be constructed on fast track.
The two orders signed by the president will set into motion the far reaching administrative, judicial and political reforms in the tribal areas he had announced on the eve of Independence Day two years ago but the implementation of which had been stalled for various reasons.
“Henceforth the political parties, subject to appropriate regulations to be framed, will be freely allowed to operate in the tribal areas and present their socio-economic programmes,” the Presidential Spokesman Farhatullah Babar said. Babar said that by allowing political parties to operate freely means ‘a vacuum has been filled’ and that parties would now liaise with tribal elders in order to carry out their activities in a peaceful manner.
Under the reforms, an accused has to be produced before an authority within 24 hours of his arrest and has the right to bail. The practice of arresting tribesmen under the notion of ‘collective responsibility’ will also be softened, said Babar.
Prime Minister Gilani in his remarks said the government had launched the second cadet college in Wana, South Waziristan, and three more such colleges would be constructed. Similarly, the government has started work on two highways of international standard and work on two more is about to start, he added. The PM said, “We shall ensure that all traditional routes of the historical passes are brought up to international standards to facilitate trade with Afghanistan, Central Asian States and beyond.”
The Pakistani security forces have been fighting against foreign and homegrown militants in much of the tribal belt, but because of long porous border they have been enjoying a fair degree of freedom of movement, despite action against them on the both sides of the border over the past decade.
Security experts believe that this was largely due to the lesser number of security checkpoints set up either by the Nato/ Isaf forces and lack of will and action on part of the Afghan government that led to increase in cross-border incursions in Pakistan from the Afghanistan side. In past few months, even those local militants who had fled operations by Pakistani military and slipped into Afghanistan, have been returning to mount major attacks on the security forces and police in Fata.
Afp ads:Talking to the media explaining the salient features of the reforms package Babar said contrary to past practice an accused shall have right to bail and it will be mandatory to produce him before the concerned authority within 24 hours of arrest. Women, children below 16 and aged above 65 shall not be arrested or detained under collective responsibility.
He said that henceforth the whole tribe will not be arrested under the collective responsibility clause. Step-wise action will be taken, at first immediate male members of family will be arrested followed by sub-tribe and then by other sections of the tribe, he said.
Cases will now be disposed of in a fixed timeframe and checks placed on arbitrary power of arrest under the notorious Section 40-A of the FCR.
Appeals will lie before appellate authority comprising of commissioner and a dedicated additional commissioner (judicial) to be notified by the governor.
The reforms envisage setting of a Fata tribunal headed by chairman and two other members out of whom one shall be a person who has been civil servant of not less than BPS 20 having experience of tribal administration and other member shall be a person qualified to be appointed as judge of high court well conversant with Rewaj.
The FATA tribunal shall exercise power of revision against orders/judgments of appellate authority and shall have powers similar to high court under Article 199 of the Constitution.
A new section has been added for action against false prosecution in civil and criminal matters. Under it the defendant will be entitled to adequate compensation in criminal matters and compensatory costs in civil matters.
He said that no person shall be deprived of his property without adequate compensation as per prevailing market value in accordance with the procedure laid down in the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 procedure in settled areas.
For the first time the funds at the disposal of the political agent shall be audited by Auditor General of Pakistan, the spokesperson said.
Section 58-A has been added to make provision for jail inspections by FATA tribunal, appellate authority and political agent. Rules will be framed for regulating the Agency Welfare Fund.
The political reforms are expected to gradually help Pakistani government to tighten its writ through political means and purge Fata of terrorism and extremism. The observers also opined that this development might lead to creation of another province for administrative purposes.
Local tribesmen were alienated as result of US-imposed war against terror on Pakistan a decade ago, making it easier for militant networks to recruit young men to take up arms to fight the Pakistani government and avenge a covert American drone war. During this course thousands of Pakistani civilians and security personal embraced martyrdom.
Held in the jam packed hall of the Presidency the signing ceremony was witnessed by tribal elders drawn from all the seven tribal agencies, five frontier regions, Fata parliamentarians, KPK governor, provincial cabinet of KPK, diplomats, civil society members, media persons and representatives of a number of NGOs.
Farhatullah Babar said representatives of various political parties who had earlier formed a multi parties Joint Committee on FATA Reforms and had called on the president in March this year calling for early implementation of the promised reforms also witnessed the signing ceremony.
The political parties represented included ANP, PML-N, JI, PPP-S, PML-Q, MQM-S, NP, PKMAP and JUI (F). The prime minister, federal ministers, secretaries and diplomats also attended the function.
Tribal elders, FATA parliamentarians and representatives of political parties behind the President’s desk signalled the broad based consensus of all stakeholders as the driving force behind the reforms package, he said.
Speaking on the occasion the President said that his head bowed in gratitude before Allah for having fulfilled yet another promise made with the people of FATA. He congratulated the tribesmen for harmonising reforms with their tribal customs and traditions.
He said that the legal and political reforms would rid the tribal people from a century of bondage and usher them into mainstream of national life while respecting local customs and traditions.
Some may say that the reforms are not enough and much more needs to be done, he said adding “let it also not be forgotten that no one took even a single step in the last one hundred years to reform the FCR and give political rights to the people”.
The president said that the door had been unlocked and it is for the people of tribal areas to decide how much reforms they wanted in their system of governance. Any system imposed on them from outside would be counterproductive, the president cautioned.
Babar said the reforms hammered out in consultation with all stakeholders approved in principle on August 12, 2009 in a meeting in the Presidency that was also attended by the prime minister. The meeting had left it to the president to announce it any time he deemed fit.
Although the president had announced the reforms two days later on the eve of 63rd Independence Day, its implementation was stalled for a variety of reasons, Babar said.
The signing today has made the process of reforms irreversible, he said. Any attempt to undo it will require dismantling of consensus among the stakeholders and another order to be signed by the president, Babar said.
The century old Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) will be tamed to make it responsive to the human rights of the people, he said.
The permission to political parties to sell their programs in tribal areas will counter the pernicious one-sided campaign of militants to impose their ideological agenda on the people rejecting the state, the Constitution, democracy and indeed our very way of life, he said.
President Zardari said the law had been changed in accordance with the aspirations of the people and democratic principles while respecting local customs and traditions.
Babar said after the amendments in the law the arbitrary powers of arrest and detention without the right to bail had been curtailed.
He said that the FCR was a draconian law under which there is no provision of appeal, wakeel or daleel (no right to appeal, or engaging lawyer or reliance on reasoning) against the orders of the executive. The tribesmen were subjected to the whims of administration officials. People have been arrested and kept in jail for long years without trial under the FCR. Under it, a person could be sent to jail for three years without trial. The jail term could be extended indefinitely in installments of three years and under the territorial responsibility women and children had been arrested and sent to jail in the past.
The amendments have changed the most obnoxious provisions of FCR, Babar maintained.
Giving background of the efforts made in the past to bring about the changes, Babar said, in November 2004, the Senate passed a unanimous PPP resolution calling for changes in the FCR.
In 2004, the former prime minister Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto formed a special committee of the PPP called the Fata Reforms Committee.
Subsequently, she also filed a petition in the Supreme Court for political reforms in the tribal areas.
In November 2004, the Senate adopted a PPP resolution for reforms in Fata.
In August 2005 the Senate adopted the report of its Committee of Human Rights that called for changes in the FCR.
In August 2008, the Bhutto Foundation invited hundreds of tribesmen from all tribal agencies to solicit their views on the FCR and on political reforms in the tribal areas who unanimously recommended a minimum set of reforms.
In January 2009, the President invited Fata tribesmen to the Presidency and heard them say what they had to about the FCR and political reforms. The cabinet committee on FCR under Farooq Naek considered all of these and other previous reports that had recommended changes in the law in accordance with the wishes of the people.
Next month the Cabinet approved the report of the cabinet committee on FCR which were also approved by the President, he said.
In March 2011, representatives of major political parties called on the President in the Presidency demanding an early implementation of the reforms package.

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Kareena plays a pivotal role in ‘Bodyguard’

Kareena plays a pivotal role in ‘Bodyguard’: "

If you thought Salman Khan would outshine or overshadow Kareena Kapoor in ‘Bodyguard’, then director Siddique’s statement would prove you wrong.

According to him, Kareena who will be seen essaying a Management student in the flick has a powerful role in it. Her character will appear as worthy enough as Salman’s character. She will make herself noticeable even though she is paired opposite someone as good as Salman.

Kareena’s role has been kept as it was in the film’s Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu version. “That’s right, there are no changes that have been brought to Kareena’s characterization in BODYGUARD,” confirms Siddique.

He further adds, “When she was roped in the film, everyone was quite clear about the fact that she would be playing exactly the same character as has been originally written. When you would see the film, you would realize by yourself that her role is something that just cannot be tampered at all.”

“Kareena has seen Malayalam as well as Tamil version and knew from the very beginning where the girl’s character was headed towards. This is what excited her most about doing the film. Also the very reason behind her being approached for the part was some strong performance which was expected from the leading lady here. We needed a star performer here and Kareena fitted in just right. I am very happy with her performance. And why just me? I am sure after seeing the film; audience too would say that amongst the current bunch of actresses, only Kareena could have played this role,” he signed off.

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Furore in PA over Punjab partition

Furore in PA over Punjab partition: "
LAHORE - As the Punjab Assembly speaker did not entertain any of the resolutions on creation of new provinces, the house witnessed a pandemonium on Thursday when lawmakers started speaking on the issue on point of orders and nobody was ready to listen to the divergent views of others on both sides of the political divide.
Though the opposition had requisitioned the session to discuss law and order situation, alleged financial indiscipline in Punjab and prevailing sense of deprivation in the southern belt, but two legislators, PML-Q’s Ch Zaheeruddin and PML-Z’s Shahid Anjum, later submitted two separate resolutions in assembly secretariat seeking creation of south Punjab (Saraiki province) and Bahawalpur province, respectively. Ali Haider Noor Niazi of MMA, however, came up with a resolution in the middle of Thursday’s sitting, demanding making of ‘Thal Province’.
Interestingly, Shahid Anjum and Ali Haider Niazi both are part of the government alliance in Punjab. It seems that PML-N decided not to come to the forefront and instead choose the coalition partners to demand for other provinces to neutralise the demand for Saraiki province coming from its rival parties, PPP and PML-Q.
Speaker Rana Muhammad Iqbal did not entertain any of the three resolutions, maintaining that they were in conflict with the constitution. The movers, however, were given the opportunity to speak out their mind on the issue which gave rise to an uproar in the house.
Opposition Leader Raja Riaz pleaded his party’s case on the issue. The treasury members condemned the speeches of Raja Riaz and PML-Q parliamentary leader Ch Zaheeruddin Ahmad, as both spoke in favour of a separate province for southern Punjab. Conversely, the members on the opposition benches created commotion through continuous sloganeering when Shahid Anjum of PML-Z and Ali Haider Noor Niazi of MMA pleaded their case for creation of Bahawalpur and Thal province respectively. As the session started, Ch Zaheer stood on a point of order and diverted the chair’s attention towards the resolution he wanted to move in the house. He also requested the speaker that he be allowed to move it out of turn by suspending the relevant rules.
While citing a previous resolution on the same subject submitted way back in June 25, 2010, and which got lapsed due to adjournment of the session, Zaheer said that PML-Q wanted a new province for southern Punjab on administrative grounds and not on linguistic basis. He said neighbouring India had 14 provinces at the time of partition, but now it has got 29. He said creation of more provinces had not weakened India, rather strengthened it. Zaheer also pointed out the long distance of district Rahimyar Khan from Lahore and proximity of Amratsar with it to substantiate his point for separate province status for southern Punjab.
He said there was no voice for separate province except in Punjab, and hence there was no need for setting up of any national commission on the issue as proposed by the PML-N. He threatened that if rejected, this peaceful demand for creation of a new province in southern Punjab may take ‘some other course’.
Opposition Leader Raja Riaz said that nobody could suppress the voice of new province in Punjab. “Now the opponents will not only have to listen to this demand, they will have to implement it”, he averred, adding, Takht-e-Lahore will be overturned this time.
Raja said his party had been saying time and again that sense of deprivation in south Punjab was on a rise due to unequal distribution of resources. He said his party was ready to give blood if needed for creation of new province.
Frequent interruptions from Treasury members marred opposition leader’s speech. PML-N MPAs Abdur Razzaq Dhiloon and Ghazala Dar were prominent among the legislators who tried to disrupt the opposition leader’s address by their frequent reference to shortage of electricity in the country. The opposition members responded by raising slogans: Taira Khawab, maira Khawab, Janoobi Punjab, Janoobi Punjab. Hum sab ki hai aik aawaz Bun k rahay ga Janoobi Punjab, Lay k rahain gay Janoobi Punjab.
Noor Niaz came up with a demand for creation of Thal province and asked the chair to allow him move the resolution in the house in this regard. He called opposition members as traitors and chauvinists because they were demanding a separate province on linguistic grounds. He alleged that opposition wanted to break the country by demanding new province on ethnic grounds.
On being called traitors, the opposition members showed their resentment by raising slogans against him. A PML-Q legislator Majida Zaidi threw copies of assembly agenda on him in protest. Niazi got furious, turned back and walked a few steps towards the opposition benches to see who had performed that ‘obnoxious’ act. Finding no clue, he reportedly uttered objectionable remarks before coming back to is seat.
This was enough to provoke PPP’s Fauzia Behram who gave him a push (while he was passing by). Later, she walked up to his seat and pushed him again. Seeing this, around a dozen MPAs from the treasury and opposition benches rushed to the ‘place of incident’ to set them apart. The speaker’s call for order fell on deaf ears. He gave five-minute time to members to come back to their seats and the threat worked. But, the House was in disorder again when Noor Niazi resumed his speech and continued with his tirade against the opposition members. This time, the speaker decided to adjourn the house for an hour.
When the session resumed after one-hour break, the speaker asked Niazi to apologise for the objectionable remarks. But he refused to comply with speaker’s order saying he had committed no offence. The opposition members insisted that he should tender and apology.
In the meantime, Shahid Anjum of the PML-Z stood up on a point of order, and started reading out his resolution regarding creation of Bahawalpur province. He pleaded that Bahwalpur province should be created first before taking decision on any other province. He also sought speaker’s ruling about maintainability of his resolution but the chair reserved its ruling for some other day. The opposition members disrupted Anjum’s speech by raising slogans against him. Nothing was audible in the house when speaker prorogued the session sine die.
Earlier, the session started at 11:54am, one hour and 54 minutes behind its scheduled time. The one-day session cost the exchequer around Rs16 million, while the assembly did not take up the agenda for which the session had been convened.

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Ranbir and Imtiaz to team up again

Ranbir and Imtiaz to team up again: "
After working together in ‘Rockstar’, actor Ranbir Kapoor and filmmaker Imtiaz Ali would be joining hands once again. The duo would team up for a film to be produced by Sajid Nadiadwala.

Ranbir had vowed never to repeat working with the same director. He had a bitter experience with Siddharth Anand and took the decision after ‘Bachna Ae Haseeno’ and ‘Anjaana Anjaani’ faux pas. Even Imtiaz had thought not to repeat actors in any of his films. But it seems the ‘Rockstar’ actor- director duo is going to make an exception for Nadiadwala this time.

An insider informed, “There has been a lot of speculation surrounding Ranbir’s frequent visits to Sajid Nadiadwala’s office. Many even believed that Ranbir may replace Shah Rukh Khan in Nadiadwala’s 2 States. But that’s not true. Sajid actually wants Ranbir in a hardcore action film. And he wants Imtiaz Ali to direct Ranbir in his first full fledged action film.”

“The action genre is something that Imtiaz hasn’t dabbled with so far. Sajid too is ready to invest really well for the project,” added the source.

Sajid Nadiadwala however confirmed his plans of hiring Ranbir after Anjaana Anjaani, but he did not say anything about signing Imtiaz for the same film. He said, “Ranbir is so versatile. I want him to do something he hasn’t done so far. Yes, we’re looking seriously at an action film. However who will direct it I can’t say at the moment.”

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Ameesha wants to join Race2

Ameesha to join Race2: "
Insiders from the film circle have revealed that Ameesha Patel would be joining the eclectic star cast of Abbas-Mustan’s next venture ‘Race2’ soon.

The sequel of 2008 hit film already has an ensemble cast comprising of Deepika Padukone, John Abraham, Sonakshi Sinha and Anil Kapoor. Now Ameesha’s inclusion will definitely add to the magnetism of the movie.

Reportedly, the serene actress will be seen in a fresh avatar altogether. She will go all glam for the role and will be seen wearing hot dresses. “I will play a super sexy, glamorous girl. I can’t reveal much, but this is definitely one of the most exciting roles I have done.”

Ameesha is quite upbeat about working in the film. She reveals, “It feels phenomenal. It’s a great feeling. “Race 2″ is a big film to be associated with. This year has been amazing for me, from turning producer to going back to working with Abbas-Mustan. I am also thrilled to be working with Saif after “Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic”.

The second part is said to be steamier, racier, and with more twists and turns than the prequel.

When asked if she has any apprehensions in wearing skimpy clothes, she says, “Not at all. I fully trust Abbas-Mustan. We have worked together in the past, so I have full faith in them. Even during “Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic”, I was thrilled with the response I got to the “Lazy Lamhe” song. I don’t have any inhibitions for the role.”

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Katrina scared of working with SRK

Katrina scared of working with SRK: "
Glam- doll Katrina Kaif who is usually seen with young actors like Ranbir Kapoor or Imran khan or Hrithik Roshan in films these days says that she is scared of working with senior actors.

At the beginning of her career she was often paired with Salman Khan or Akshay Kumar on screen but she gradually shifted to the young lot. The actress feels it is more fun to work with the same age group than with those who are 1 or 2 decades elder than her. She stated, “I don’t think anyone will mind if I say that it is very different working with older heroes because the age difference is of about 20 years, and just about two to three years with the younger heroes with who you can even do nonsense on the sets. For instance, Imran would come on the sets; he would kick me playfully…at times there would be nothing constructive what we were doing. there is so much bachpana..”

And one senior actor Katrina is petrified working with is Shah Rukh Khan with whom she will be seen in Yash Raj banner’s forthcoming movie. “I don’t know what it will be like working with Shah Rukh but I have heard that he makes his heroines very comfortable which is good. I am only on hi, hello terms with him and now I am doing Yash Chopra’s romantic film with him! I look at him longingly but am always short of words while in his company,” says Katrina.

When asked if like her contemporaries she has also grown up watching SRK films, Katrina said, “I have not grown up watching his movies at all. He is now, he is there and I am here now and I look at it from that angle. And I definitely don’t think Shah Rukh Khan has seen me growing up either.”

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John and Bipasha avoid each other

John and Bipasha avoid each other: "
John Abraham and Bipasha Basu, who were in a relationship since 2003, had a full- blown split a month ago. Since then both are not on talking terms and are often seen trying to avoid crossing paths with each other.

Recently, when this tinsel town’s ex couple ran into each other at a gym in Bandra (where they both work out) they were caught giving what we call ‘the cold shoulder treatment’.

Normally, they have different timings, but on Tuesday they coincidentally found themselves at the gym at the same time but tried to pretend that they did not notice each other. An eyewitness present at the same place insisted that both the B- Town stars kept their distance with each other. He said, “Both looked a little taken aback when they realized they’d both landed up at the same time at the gym. But they decided not to leave and instead finish their workout. They both have different trainers, so they managed to keep their distance from each other.”

Both of them finished working out and even exited the gym at the same time. When they came out, they were surprised to see paparazzi gathered outside. Bips quickly rushed into her car, while John met up with the media people. While Bipasha said, “No comments! Yes, it’s my gym and I go there every day!” John said, “I am not aware of what you are talking about.”

More At : Google News

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