Kayani chairs Corps Commander meeting in Rawalpindi

Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani chaired the Corps Commanders Meeting at the General Head Quarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi on Thursday. Sources disclosed that the meeting discussed the Waziristan situation in detail after the death of Baitullah Mehsud. The meeting also discussed law and order situation in Swat after the return of IDPs. Pakistan’s internal and external situation also came under discussion. Statements by the former military officers were also talked about in the meeting, sources maintained.

Source by Dunya News

Pakistan concerned over reports of new India nuke test: FO

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is concerned on reports that India is again preparing for a new nuclear test, Geo News reported Thursday.

In his weekly news briefing, Foreign Office Spokesman Abdul Basit said the recent US statements on nuclear scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer and nuclear proliferation are quite baseless, adding Pakistan like any other responsible country is full-fledged alive to its responsibility.

The spokesman said there are reports that India has a new nuclear test in the works, adding these reports are rather embarrassing to Pakistan; Pakistan is however steadfast on its policy of maintaining minimum defence deterrence and does not want arms race in the region.

Responding a query regarding Mumbai investigations, the spokesman said Pakistan is serious to take those responsible to the book; while, the dossier recently delivered to Pakistan by India is same as the previous one.

Spokesman said Pakistan is opposed to the thorough physical search of Dr Afia before presenting her to the court, adding if such search is conducted, Pakistan will not condone it.

Sources by The News

Aitzaz urges govt to register case against Musharraf

Former president of Supreme Court Bar Council Aitzaz Ahsan demanded the government to register case against former President Gen (rtd) Pervez Musharraf under Article-6 of the constitution. There is no need of parliament resolution or any judicial order for the purpose, he said. Aitzaz said Musharraf’s confessional statement has necessitated action against him. Those who are holding Musharraf trial as impossible, they are trying to save him, he said.

Source by Geo News

FO rejects U.S apprehensions on Dr Khan’s release

Pakistan Foreign Office has rejected American apprehensions on the release of nuclear scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan. The FO said Pakistan didn’t want to be a part of arm race however it would keep its nuclear power at minimum deterrence level. Giving a weekly briefing in Islamabad FO Spokesman Abdul Basit maintained, “Pakistan is a nuclear power and knows how to defend its nuclear assets”. The spokesman revealed Pakistan had offered India to have an agreement for not doing atomic experiments on regional level to which India didn’t have a positive response. “There are reports that India wishes to do more atomic tests,” the spokesman said. On a question about Dr Afia Siddiqi Basit conveyed Pakistan had reservations on the ‘detailed search’ of Dr Siddiqi, adding that Pakistan would take up the issue with U.S.

Source by Dunya News

US judge allows Pakistan’s lawyers to defend Dr Aafia

A US judge has allowed a team of lawyers appointed by Pakistan Government to defend Dr Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuro-scientist, who is accused of trying to kill US officials in Afghanistan. The lawyers, hired by the government of Pakistan, are Ms Linda Moreno, Ms Elaine Sharp and Charles Swift. Another lawyer Chad Hadgar will assist the team. Judge Richard Berman described the new team of lawyers as a ‘strong defence panel’ while allowing them to represent Ms. Siddiqui when her trial begins on Nov 2. Dr Siddiqui said she didn’t want to get the services of lawyers appointed by Pakistan Government. The court showed anxiety over nude-search of Dr Siddiqui and instructed the jail administration to find some substitution to it. Pakistan Government’s appointed lawyer Moreno said that Dr Siddiqui was a daughter of Pakistan and it had right on her.

Source by Dunya News

Kerry-Lugar Bill: US cuts Pakistan aid to $174 million

U.S will provide Pakistan only $174 million for the budgetary support during 2009-10 out of $1.5 billion annual assistance under the Kerry-Lugar bill. The rest of the money will be spent through U.S institutions. Obama Administration has conveyed the decision to Pakistani Officials that it will spend $1.32 billion through its institutions. Pakistani officials have objected to this mode of aid while officials from both the sides are trying to resolve the issue. U.S wants to spend the said money without any intervention from the Pakistan Government while Pakistan says it should have the mandate to spend it. According to the Ministry of Finance, it has informed the U.S that if it doesn’t provide Pakistan with the promised money there is no substitute arrangement to fill the vacuum.

Source by Dunya news

Three sons of Sufi Muhammad arrested from Peshawar

Law enforcement agencies have arrested three sons of Sufi Muhammad, chief of the banned Tehreek-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Muhammadi (TNSM), from Wazir Colony area of Peshawar. According to the sources, the men were arrested right after aftari along with a woman when forces raided a house in Wazir Abad to arrest Abdullah, Fazl Farooq and Abdul Rehman. They were shifted to unknown location. The arrested people came to Peshawar 25 days before. It is noteworthy that sensitive agencies arrested three sons of Sufi Rizwanullah, Ziaullah and Hayatullah from Sethi Town 40 days ago

Source by Dunya News