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| US, EU concerned over violation of SC ruling |
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Tuesday, September 11, 2007
By Mariana Baabar
ISLAMABAD: The United States and the European Union have taken exception to the fact that despite clear orders from the Supreme Court of Pakistan, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif was once again sent into forced exile to Saudi Arabia.
Spokesperson at the US Embassy in Islamabad told The News: “The Pakistani government’s decision to deport Mr Sharif to Saudi Arabia runs contrary to the Pakistani Supreme Court’s decision on his return. Since this is still a matter under legal consideration, we’re not going to offer further comment at this time.”
“It is important that the transition to a new, elected government proceed in a legal and constitutional manner,” he said. “With regard to the pledge that Mr Sharif made not to return to Pakistan, these are matters between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Mr Sharif himself. The United States plays no part. We hope that all involved in the current political transition will act peacefully and avoid violence. The question of Mr Sharif’s legal status is an internal matter of Pakistani law. I refer you to the Pakistani authorities regarding further information available on Mr Sharif,” the US embassy spokesperson concluded.
The EU was also quick in its response even before one could hear from Washington and it clearly stated that Nawaz Sharif should be allowed to return from exile and be given the chance to defend himself against corruption charges in a Pakistani court.
EU spokeswoman Christiane Hohmann told reporters in Brussels that Pakistan’s government should respect an August ruling by the country’s Supreme Court that Sharif should be allowed to return to Pakistan and that authorities should not obstruct him. “In our view the Supreme Court ruling is very clear and should be respected,” Hohmann said. “So if there is any legal case against Mr Sharif, he should have a chance to defend himself in a Pakistan court,”she said.
The United Kingdom from where Nawaz Sharif came to Pakistan has also expressed its apprehensions on the deportation of the former prime minister. Agencies add: The White House on Monday described deportation of Nawaz Sharif as an "internal matter" of Pakistan but urged the upcoming elections to be "free and fair". "This is an internal matter for the Pakistanis to deal with," said national security spokesman Gordon Johndroe. Asked what impact the deportation might have on Pakistan's upcoming election, Johndroe said: "We will continue our discussions with various Pakistani parties" for there to be "free and fair elections."
India also said the deportation was "an internal matter," but hoped Pakistan would remain peaceful and stable. "This is an internal matter," Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee told reporters, when asked about political "instability" in Pakistan, following Nawaz's brief return to Islamabad and subsequent expulsion. "We want a peaceful, prosperous and stable neighbour," Mukherjee said.
Meanwhile, Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said on Monday the EU statement about the return of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif has not taken into account the background of this matter. "There is a background to this matter which the EU statement has not taken into account", the spokesperson stated when asked to comment on the EU statement regarding former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. The spokesperson, however, added the interior minister has already responded stating that Nawaz Sharif's return to Saudi Arabia was in accordance with the law.
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Three killed as Sh Rashid escapes attempt on life
By Shakeel Anjum
RAWALPINDI: Awami Muslim League (AML) Chief and a candidate for NA-55 (Rawalpindi) by-election Sheikh Rashid Ahmad was wounded, while three people — a guard and two party workers — were killed when four gunmen more |
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12 soldiers killed in South Waziristan
ISLAMABAD: Twelve soldiers embraced martyrdom while two others were injured in a clash with militants during the ongoing operation Rah-e-Nijat in South Waziristan Agency (SWA), the ISPR said on Monday.
S more |
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Plan to attack five-star hotel foiled
By our correspondent
LAHORE: The CIA police here on Monday claimed to have foiled an attack on Americans staying at a five-star hotel and arrested six terrorists, including a suicide bomber.
Addressing a press conference, SS more |
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Govt taking court for a ride
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ISLAMABAD: She fought her case in the media. She won her battle in the judicial forum too. But still the government is bent on making an example out of her for refusing to follow the illegal dictates of her min more |
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Pakistan against arms race: Gilani
By Azeem Samar
KARACHI: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Monday said Pakistan does not want to be engaged in an arms race with any country.
Speaking as chief guest at the induction ceremony of second Chinese-m more |
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Punjab-Sindh water row Centre’s intervention sought
By our correspondent
ISLAMABAD: Tension between Punjab and Sindh over opening of the Chashma-Jhelum and Taunsa-Punjnad link canals has touched a new high as the former has sought the Centre’s intervention.
The Punjab has sai more |
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French, Dutch fight over giving LNG to Pakistan
By Khalid Mustafa
ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin and his team is all set to thwart the attempt of an unscrupulous combine of oil industry heavyweights and some functionaries of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Re more |
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Nine killed as no let-up in rains
By Nisar Mahmood
PESHAWAR: Nine people were killed and scores of others injured as heavy rains and snowfall lashed various parts of the country for the fourth consecutive day on Monday.
Reports from the Shangla district more |
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Malik orders NUML closure as protest enters 5ht day
ISLAMABAD: The protest of the students of the National University of Modern Languages (NUML) against thrashing of Professor Malik Tahir by Registrar Brigadier (R) Obaidullah Ranjha entered its fifth consecutive more |
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Malik insists no Blackwater in Pakistan
By Muhammad Anis
ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Rehman Malik while responding to an accusation from a PML-N parliamentarian told the National Assembly that Blackwater was not providing security to the president and the prime mini more |
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FBR gets list of properties rented out to foreigners
By Hanif Khalid
ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has received list of properties from Foreign Office, which were in use of foreigners in Islamabad, Karachi, Peshawar and Lahore, but these were not shown in annual tax more |
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Repealing of 17th Amendment
By our correspondent
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has begun efforts to create consensus on repealing the 17th Amendment before presidential address to the joint sitting of the parliament.
The prime minis more |
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Three suspects held in Mohmand
By our correspondent
GHALLANAI: The security forces arrested three suspected persons during search operation in Safi subdivision of Mohmand Agency, official sources said Monday. The sources said the security forces carried out sear more |
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No presence of Blackwater, DynCorp in Pakistan, NA body told
ISLAMABAD: Secretary Interior Qamar Zaman again negated on Monday the presence of Blackwater, DynCorp or any other foreign security agency in the country. “Neither the Blackwater and the DynCorp nor any other s more |
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Govt urged to take up water issue with India
By Asim Yasin
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Q, Parliamentary leader in the National Assembly, Makhdoom Faisal Saleh Hayat while urging the government to take up the issue of ‘water terrorism’ with New Delhi, has question more |
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Avalanche kills 17 Indian soldiers in held Kashmir
HELD SRINAGAR: Seventeen Indian soldiers were killed on Monday in an avalanche that slammed into a group of 70 combat troops at a high-altitude warfare training camp in Kashmir, the army said on Monday.
more |
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Taliban defiant as Afghans flee ahead of assault
KANDAHAR: The Nato commanders urged the Taliban to surrender as troops dug in on Monday for a major assault on their key stronghold in southern Afghanistan, sending thousands of residents fleeing.
The Ta more |
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Plea to freeze foreign accounts
By our correspondent
LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday ordered the federal government to submit a reply within four weeks on a petition seeking freezing of accounts in foreign banks and recovery of illegal assets accumu more |
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Attack on Sh Rashid
RAWALPINDI: The PML-N candidate for by-polls from NA-55, Malik Shakil Awan, has announced suspension of electioneering for a day to mourn the death of those killed in the attack on the office of his rival, Shei more |
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Indian forces to halt Kashmir rally outside UN office
HELD SRINAGAR: The held Kashmir authorities deployed thousands of police and troops on Monday to prevent a protest outside the UN office here over the recent killing of two teenage boys by Indian security force more |
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briefs...
20 die in Afghan floods, avalanches
KANDAHAR: Twenty people have died in floods and avalanches triggered by some of the heaviest rain and snow in Afghanistan for 50 years, an official said on Monday. At more |
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ISSN 1563-9479 
