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WEEKLY
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| Nation unites to defend sovereignty |
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Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Consensus on security matters; APC condemns Mumbai attacks; laments unsubstantiated Indian charges; offers cooperation in probe
By Asim Yasin
ISLAMABAD: Political parties and leaders of all shades of opinion on Tuesday showed complete solidarity with the government on the issue of national security and firmly supported the government and the armed forces in defending Pakistan’s security interests.
The conference on national security, chaired by Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani at the Prime Minister’s House, was attended by heads of more than 58 political parties of the country, including those in the ruling coalition and the opposition.
The conference, which lasted more than five hours, issued a seven-point declaration, stating that the leaders and representatives of the political parties of Pakistan unanimously condemned the terrorist attacks in Mumbai.
It stated that the people of Pakistan share the grief of the people of India and extend sympathies to the families of the victims. The declaration expressed the unwavering resolve of the Pakistani nation to defend its honour and dignity as well as Pakistan’s sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity.
It said all the political parties and democratic forces firmly support the government and the armed forces of Pakistan in defending Pakistan’s security interests. The statement expressed Pakistan’s abhorrence of any act of violence perpetrated against innocent persons.
It said the political parties took strong exception to the unsubstantiated allegations made in haste against Pakistan and reiterated Pakistan’s desire to pursue constructive engagement with India in a comprehensive manner with a view to building confidence and mutual trust for establishing friendly and good-neighbourly relations with India on the basis of settlement of all outstanding disputes. It also stated that the prime minister lauded the unequivocal support extended to the government on the matter of national security by political parties across the country.
Meanwhile, talking to newsmen outside the Prime Minister’s House at the conclusion of the conference, Information Minister Sherry Rehman and Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said the all-parties conference signified the power and unity of Pakistan’s democracy. The information minister said that all parties stand united in supporting the elected government in dealing with any regional problem.
Responding to queries of newsmen, Shah Mahmood Qureshi said the entire political leadership of the country has shown great political maturity. “At the same time, I also appreciate the role of the Pakistani media, which acted responsibly while the Indian media jumped to hasty conclusions,” he added.
The foreign minister said Pakistan is willing to fully cooperate with India in the investigation of the Mumbai attacks. “Pakistan’s approach is positive and the Indian leadership should also adopt a responsible attitude,” he added.
He termed terrorism a major challenge and a common enemy that needed to be tackled through joint efforts. He said the region was passing through a critical phase and both sides needed to show tolerance, seriousness and patience and avoid finger-pointing.
He said the prevailing situation does not allow any irresponsible act by any side, adding there should be no blame game and finger-pointing from any side. He said Pakistan’s response and attitude was balanced and conciliatory. The foreign minister said the government of Pakistan has offered a joint investigative mechanism to probe the matter.
Responding to a question regarding the two letters received from India, he said India has not accused the government and state of Pakistan and it is a positive development. “We have replied to the letter received on November 29 and consultation on the second letter that was received the other day was going on and it would be responded soon,” he added.
Commenting on the recent statement by Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee regarding attack on Pakistan as being an option with India, the minister said India is backtracking from its previous statements. He said Pakistan desires good relations with India.
The composite dialogue process between Pakistan and India is progressing at a good pace and it is important that the two sides continue it, the minister said. Meanwhile, in his inaugural address Prime Minister Gilani said there is complete unanimity of views among all political parties and the message has been conveyed to the world that the Pakistani nation is united to safeguard its national interests and territorial integrity of Pakistan.
The prime minister said the conference has been convened with a view to creating “political consensus” on the situation in the wake of the Mumbai mayhem and the Indian allegations against Pakistan.
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Adviser on National Security Mehmud Ali Durrani also briefed the leaders on the situation in the wake of attacks in Mumbai. Political leaders in their speeches urged the government to adopt such a stance that exhibits the will of the nation.
The participants included PML-N Quaid Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Chief Minister Punjab Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, Leader of the Opposition Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Maulana Fazlur Rehman (JUI-F), Sardar Atique Ahmad Khan (AJK PM), Dr Farooq Sattar and Syed Haider Abbas Rizvi (MQM); Haji Muhammad Adeel and Ms Bushra Gohar (ANP); Justice (retd) Abdul Razaq Thahim (PML-F); Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao (PPP-S); Haji Munir Khan Aurakzai (Fata); Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi (NPP); Mehmood Khan Achakzai (PkMAP); Sheikh Rashid Ahmad (PML-A); Syed Nusrat Ali Shan (TI); Tahir Bizenjo (BNP); Qazi Hussain Ahmed (JI); Israrullah Zehri (BNP Awami); Imran Khan (PTI); Prof Sajid Mir (Jamiat-e-Ahl-e Hadith); Allama Sajid Ali Naqvi (TNFJ); Dr Raheeq Abbasi (Tehreek-e-Minhaj-ul Quraan); Syed Shujat Ali Bukhari, (Pak Wattan Party); Maulana Samiul Haq (JUI-S); M Sarwat Ejaz Qadri (Sunni Tehrik), Haji Muhammad Hanif Tayyab (Tehreek-e-Nifaz-e-Islam), Qari Zawwar Bahadur (JUP-N); Rasool Bukhsh Palejo (Awami Tehreek) and Shahid Hassan Bugti (JWP).
Mian Raza Rabbani, Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination, Ch Ahmad Mukhtar, Minister for Defence, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sherry Rehman, Minister for Information & Broadcasting, Farooq H Naek, Minister for Law & Justice, Rehman Malik, Adviser to PM on Interior, Shahbaz Bhatti, Minister for Minorities, Maj-Gen (retd) Mahmud Ali Durrani, Adviser on National Security, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Dr Babar Awan, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs also attended the meeting.
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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
By Ansar Abbasi
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.
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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 
