Pakistan concerned by continued TTP presence in Afghanistan

Pakistan has expressed concern over continued presence of safe havens of TTP elements in Kunar and Nooristan provinces of Afghanistan. Responding to questions by newsmen at the weekly news briefing in Islamabad on Thursday, Foreign Office spokesman Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry said these elements were carrying out undesirable activities against Pakistan. He said Pakistan had taken up the matter many a times with Afghanistan at all levels and hoped that these TTP safe havens would be eliminated. Chaudhry said the presence of safe havens was a serious matter but Pakistan would continue to remain in cooperative mode as this was the best way to defeat evil forces. When his attention was drawn towards accusatory statements coming from Afghan president and foreign minister‚ the spokesman said both sides had concerns and Pakistan believed that the best way to remove concerns and misunderstandings was to keep all channels of communication open. He said Pakistan was following a policy of goodwill towards Afghanistan and wanted its reflection in Afghan policy as well. Referring to Afghan decision of not sending military delegation for a training course in Quetta‚ he said training activities were meant to build trust and confidence between the two countries and one should not miss that opportunity. As for the excuse presented by Afghanistan for the purpose‚ the spokesman said there was some intrusion from Afghan side and our troops only responded and that too in a disciplined and responsible manner. He said there was no artillery shelling as alleged by the Afghan side. The spokesman emphasised that Pakistan and Afghanistan had to work together in harmony to promote peace not only in Afghanistan but also in the entire region. Pakistan would continue to make use of its good offices for bringing reconciliation‚ peace and stability in Afghanistan. To a question Chaudhry said Pakistan supported intra-Afghan dialogue and that was why it instantly agreed to release prisoners and provide safe passage to Afghan Taliban at the behest of Afghan High Peace Council. About drone attacks‚ he said Pakistan also conveyed its point of view to the UN special rapporteur who would be presenting the report at the UN Human Rights Council and may be at the UN General Assembly session. Asked to comment on a statement by Indian prime minister about relations with Pakistan‚ the spokesman said Pakistan believed that good‚ healthy and constructive relationship was in the interest of the people of the two countries and the region. About renewed interest being shown by India for joining IP gas pipeline project‚ he said India had not formally approached Pakistan for the purpose and “we will respond when New Delhi does so”. To a question on the death of an Indian prisoner in Lahore, the FO spokesman said details were being sought from the Interior Ministry and Home Department of Punjab. He said representative of Indian High Commission was present during the post-mortem.

Taliban Terrorize Karachi as the New Gang in Town

By DECLAN WALSH and ZIA ur-REHMAN

This seaside metropolis is no stranger to gangland violence, driven for years by a motley collection of armed groups who battle over money, turf and votes. But there is a new gang in town. Hundreds of miles from their homeland in the mountainous northwest, Pakistani Taliban fighters have started to flex their muscles more forcefully in parts of this vast city, and they are openly taking ground. Taliban gunmen have mounted guerrilla assaults on police stations, killing scores of officers. They have stepped up extortion rackets that target rich businessmen and traders, and shot dead public health workers engaged in polio vaccination efforts. In some neighborhoods, Taliban clerics have started to mediate disputes through a parallel judicial system. The grab for influence and power in Karachi shows that the Taliban have been able to extend their reach across Pakistan, even here in the country’s most populous city, with about 20 million inhabitants. No longer can they be written off as endemic only to the country’s frontier regions. In joining Karachi’s street wars, the Taliban are upending a long-established network of competing criminal, ethnic and political armed groups in this combustible city. The difference is that the Taliban’s agenda is more expansive — it seeks to overthrow the Pakistani state — and their operations are run by remote control from the tribal belt along the Afghan border. Already, the militants have reshaped the city’s political balance by squeezing one of the most prominent political machines, the Pashtun-dominated Awami National Party, off its home turf. They have scared Awami operatives out of town and destroyed offices, gravely undercutting the party’s chances in national elections scheduled for May. “We are the Taliban’s first enemy,” said Shahi Syed, the party’s provincial head, at his newly fortified office. “They burn my offices, they tear down my flags and they kill our people.” The Taliban drift into Karachi actually began years ago, though much more quietly. Many fled here after a concerted Pakistani military operation in the Swat Valley in 2009. The influx has gradually continued, officials here say, with Taliban fighters able to easily melt into the city’s population of fellow ethnic Pashtuns, estimated to number at least five million people. Until recently, the militants saw Karachi as a kind of rear base, using the city to lie low or seek medical treatment, and limiting their armed activities to criminal fund-raising, like kidnapping and bank robberies. But for at least six months now, there have been signs that their timidity is disappearing. The Taliban have become a force on the street, aggressively exerting their influence in the ethnic Pashtun quarters of the city. Taliban tactics are most evident in Manghopir, an impoverished neighborhood of rough, cinder-block houses clustered around marble quarries on the northern edge of the city, where illegal housing settlements spill into the surrounding desert. In recent months, Taliban militants have attacked the Manghopir police station three times, killing eight officers, said Muhammad Aadil Khan, a local member of Parliament. In interviews, residents describe Taliban militants who roam on motorbikes or in jeeps with tinted windows, delivering extortion demands in the shape of two bullets wrapped in a piece of paper. A factory owner in Manghopir, speaking on the condition of anonymity out of fear for his safety, said that several Pashtun businessmen had received demands for $10,000 to $50,000. The figure was negotiable, he said, but payment was not: resistance could result in an assault on the victim’s house or, in the worst case, a bullet to the head. Mr. Khan said he had not dared to visit his constituency in months. “There is a personal threat against me,” he said, speaking at the headquarters of his party, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, which represents ethnic Mohajirs, in the city center. The militant drive has even distressed Manghopir’s most revered residents: the dozens of crocodiles who inhabit a pool near a Sufi shrine here. The Muslim pilgrims who come here to pay homage to the shrine’s saint have long also brought scraps of meat for his reptile charges. But lately, as visitor numbers have dwindled from hundreds per day to barely a few dozen, the roughly 120 crocodiles here have grown hungry, according to the animals’ elderly caretaker. Police officials, militant sources and Pashtun residents say that three major Taliban factions operate in Karachi — the most powerful one, which is rooted in South Waziristan and dominated by the Mehsud tribe, and two others from the Swat and Mohmand areas. A senior city police officer, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that militant commanders with those factions send operational orders to Karachi from the tribal belt; while some captured militants have tried to justify their activities by citing the authorization of religious clerics in the northwest. In cases, he added, regular criminal groups have posed as Taliban fighters in a bid to increase their power of intimidation. Just why the Taliban are adopting such an aggressive profile in Karachi right now is unclear. Some cite the greater number of militants fleeing Pakistani military operations in the northwest; others say it may be the product of dwindling funds, as jihadi donors in the Persian Gulf states turn to the Middle East. In any event, it has shaken the city’s bloody ethnic politics. Since the 1980s, armed supporters of the Mohajir-dominated Muttahida Qaumi Movement have engaged in tit-for-tat violence with those of the Pashtun-dominated Awami National Party. In the worst periods, dozens of people have died in a day. Now, faced with a common enemy, figures in both parties say they have declared an uneasy, unofficial truce. As well as the attack on the Awami party — which have seen it close 44 of its district offices across the city — the Pakistan Taliban claimed responsibility for two attacks on the Muttahida Qaumi Movement — first, a bombing that killed four people, then the assassination of a party parliamentarian. In a recent interview with The New York Times in North Waziristan, the Taliban spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan said the group was targeting both parties — as well as President Asif Ali Zardari’s Pakistan Peoples Party — for their “liberal” policies. The security forces, shaken out of complacency, have begun a number of major anti-Taliban operations. The latest of those occurred on March 23 when hundreds of paramilitary Rangers raided a residential area in Manghopir, near the crocodile shrine, confiscating a cache of more than 50 weapons and rounding up 200 people, 16 of whom were later identified as militants and detained. “I don’t think the Taliban would like to set Karachi aflame, because they fear the reaction against them,” said Ikram Seghal, a security consultant in Karachi. “The police and intelligence agencies have very good information about them.” Other factors limit the Pakistani Taliban’s ingress into Karachi. One of the more provocative ones is that allied militants — particularly the Afghan Taliban — might not like the added publicity. The Afghan wing has long used the city as place to rest and resupply. There are longstanding rumors that the movement’s leader, Mullah Muhammad Omar, is taking shelter here, and that his leadership council, known as the Quetta Shura, has met in Karachi. In such a vast and turbulent city, the Taliban may become just another turf-driven gang. But without a determined response from the security forces, experts say, they could also seek to become much more.

Bureaucracy of Punjab to be changed in a week

Caretaker Chief Minister Punjab Najam Sethi said on Thursday that the whole bureaucracy of the province will be changed in a week. While talking to media‚ he said the cabinet would consist of five to six ministers. Sethi said the IG Police Punjab will be appointed this week. Najam Sethi has said the whole bureaucracy of Punjab will be changed in a week.

President Obama favorability up, poll shows

http://www.wjla.com/

Things are looking up for President Obama. A new Washington Post-ABC News poll released Wednesday is showing that a majority of Americans have a favorable impression of the president. The poll shows that 57 percent of those polled had a favorable impression, while 41 percent had an unfavorable impression. The poll was conducted from March 20 to 24, 2013 among a random national sample of 1,014 adults. President Obama’s high marks came as the poll results revealed increased discontent for the U.S. Congress. Of those polled, 65 percent had an unfavorable impression of Congress, while 30 percent had a favorable view.

Kerry Hears Afghan Fears From Women in Business

By MICHAEL R. GORDON

After meeting again with the leader who is at the top of the Afghan pyramid, Secretary of State John Kerry paid a visit on Tuesday to a group of women who have managed to make their way in male-dominated Afghan society. The event, held in the secured confines of the American Embassy compound, was intended to demonstrate the progress that women have made in Afghanistan since the days of Taliban rule. But it also highlighted the women’s apprehensions about the course their country will follow after 2014, when the government in Kabul is scheduled to take full responsibility for security in the country, and the American-led international presence will shrink. Hassina Syed, who runs companies involved in trucking, construction and catering, told Mr. Kerry at the meeting that with the transition approaching, “there is a lot of negative effect on the business sector.” The encounter illustrated the tensions between the American vision for Afghanistan, which still includes a democratic system that ensures women’s rights, and worries that Afghanistan’s military and civic institutions might not be able to manage the transition. Mr. Kerry, who had earlier met for a second consecutive day with Afghanistan’s president, Hamid Karzai, displayed the political skill he developed as a senator from Massachusetts as he asked the women about how they had built up their businesses, and headed a soccer ball with one of Afghanistan’s top female players. He then spoke to a group of civic leaders preparing for Afghanistan’s 2014 election. “You’re engaged in a remarkable effort, and the whole world is watching,” he said. Afterward, the entrepreneurs expanded on their concerns. Even with American troops still in the country, Ms. Syed has plenty of challenges, she said, estimating that one-third of her budget is spent on security. Her major worry now, she said, is that many of the new businesses that have opened in Afghanistan, particularly those in construction, transportation and hospitality, will wither without a steady infusion of foreign spending, and may not survive. “Most especially, construction and other businesses are shutting down slowly,” Ms. Syed said. Getting orders from the Afghan government that might make up for some of the lost international spending will be hard, she said, because those contracts will be steered to companies with friends in high places. “Only a few people who are really connected with the government, they will just take those things,” she said. “The normal businesspeople, they are not going to get benefit out of the government.” Many businesspeople who have been successful in recent years, but who are apprehensive about the future, are already looking to move their money to the United States, Britain or the United Arab Emirates, Ms. Syed said. Nadima Sahar, who sells jewelry, pottery and artwork made by a network of artists and craftsmen, studied in the United States on a scholarship, earning a master’s degree from the University of Massachusetts. “As a woman and also as an Afghan, I have my concerns,” she said, citing the challenges of maintaining security and women’s rights. “I don’t think that my country mates are really ready to take over the transition process and to handle it as effectively as the U.S. troops have been doing so far.” “With the international community’s presence, I think they in a way encouraged women to get involved further and further,” she added. But Ms. Sahar wonders what will happen if Afghan officials negotiate a peace accord with the Taliban, whose leaders are determined to reinstitute restrictions on the role of women. “I have family members who are fleeing the country because they have concern that the situation wouldn’t remain that stable,” she said. Roya Mallboob, who manages a software company in the western Afghan city of Herat that makes educational programs available to women, noted that she had some measure of insulation from trouble because much of her work was done online. Still, she said, “I am worried about the security and who will be the next president.” For all their concerns, though, none of the women who met with Mr. Kerry on Tuesday said they planned to rush for the exit. Each insisted she would to try to make a go of it as Afghanistan takes control of its own security and holds national elections next year. “I will be the last woman who will leave Afghanistan,” Ms. Syed said.

Despite threats, ANP steams ahead with its campaign

The Express Tribune

With the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) breathing down their neck, the Awami National Party’s (ANP) Sindh leadership has decided to carry out a door-to-door political campaign for the upcoming elections, The Express Tribune learnt on Monday. The party’s Sindh president, Shahi Syed, verified the information, saying that the security threats by the TTP-backed Taliban were making it difficult for the party to conduct large public meetings and rallies. The party will, however, contest elections on almost 15 seats of the Sindh Assembly and eight seats of the National Assembly. Activists will hold public meetings and gathering at their relevant localities. “Almost 35 leaders and office-bearers of our party have been killed by the Taliban, who have even claimed responsibility for their killings,” said Syed, who avoids travelling unnecessarily in Karachi and makes undisclosed visits because of the threats. “Almost five leaders of our party have left Karachi and migrated to Islamabad because of threatening calls from different people who identify themselves as the Taliban. The TTP has also accepted these calls. The callers ask for payment of extortion money and demand the leaders to leave ANP.” Around 35 offices of ANP at Sohrab Goth, Ittehad Town, Manghopir, Sultanabad, Kwanri Colony, Pashtunabad and Landhi have been closed by the militants, Syed told The Express Tribune. Party flags have reportedly been removed from these areas while some of the offices have also been attacked.

Do or die

When asked if the party will boycott the elections, Syed replied in the negative. “We will participate in the elections at any cost. We will die fighting if we have to – those who boycott the elections, eventually vanish from the political scene altogether.” He said that their party leaders have taken nomination papers from the election commission and the ANP’s parliamentary board will decide the names of the candidates for the provincial and national assembly seats. “Despite all the threats and difficulties, our party will be successful in the public’s court. We will come through with high achievements in the elections due to the party’s historical sacrifices for the country.” ANP’s central committee member, Sultan Khan Mandokhail, was in agreement with Syed’s opinions. “It is not easy for us to hold large rallies in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Karachi because of the security threats from militants. But we will still go, meet our people and ask for their votes,” said Mandokhail who has been associated with the party for decades. “We will hold rallies and public meetings at every constituency, no matter who threatens us,” said Zaman Chagharzai of the ANP. If granted a ticket from the party, Chagharzai will contest the elections on the National Assembly seat NA-239. “Our party has been threatened at every period on different grounds – we have been called traitors and infidels, but we will continue our struggle.” To contest or not to contest ANP Sindh won two seats of the Sindh Assembly in Karachi, PS-93 and PS-128, on which former provincial labour minister, Ameer Nawab, and Amanullah Mehsud were elected respectively. This time around, however, both constituencies, which cover SITE, Landhi, Feature Colony and Quaidabad, will be tricky for the party because of the security threats posed by the Taliban presence in these areas. According to Chagharzai, the party has threats at PS-90, PS-93, PS-94, PS-96, PS-128, PS-129, and PS-126. Voters boundaries The following constituencies of the Sindh Assembly cover the areas of Pashtun majority PS-90 Ittehad Town, Baldia Town, Mawach Goth PS-93 Frontier Colony, Metrovill, Pathan Colony, Banaras PS-94 Areas of Orangi Town, including Fareed Colony, Faqeer Colony, Afridi Colony and Tori Bangash PS-96 Qasba Colony, Kuwanri Colony, Pukhtunabad, Mianwali, Baloch Colony, Bukhari Colony, Aligarh, Pirabad and a portion of Manghopir PS-128 Muslimabad, Bilal Colony, Sherpao, Dawood Chali, Feature Colony, Mansehra Colony and Sharafi Goth PS- 129 Quaidabad, Qazafi Town, Gulistan Society, Rehri Goth, Muzffarabad, Cattle Colony PS-126 Covers the areas of Gadap Town, Sohrab Goth and Super Highway.

Afghan army cancels Pakistan visit over 'shelling'

http://www.globalpost.com

Afghanistan on Wednesday cancelled a planned army visit to Pakistan to protest against alleged cross border shelling, the latest sign of deteriorating relations between the troubled neighbours. The Pakistani army invited 11 Afghan officers to take part in a military exercise and drill in the southwestern city of Quetta, the Afghan foreign ministry said. "This visit will no longer take place due to the resumption of unacceptable Pakistani artillery shelling against different parts of Kunar province," it said. Kunar provincial governor Fazlulah Wahidi told AFP that up to 50 rockets, fired from the Pakistani side of the border, landed in two districts on Monday and Tuesday, damaging property. A Pakistani military official told AFP it had "no details" of the cancellation and declined to give any other immediate response. Afghanistan and Pakistan are deeply distrustful of each other and trade blame for Taliban violence plaguing both sides of their 2,400-kilometre (1,500-mile) border, known as the Durrand Line, drawn up by British colonialists. Relations had recently improved, building up to a three-way summit hosted by British Prime Minister David Cameron on February 4 as part of efforts to end 11 years of war in Afghanistan. Western officials believe that Pakistan, which backed Afghanistan's 1996-2001 Taliban regime, has a crucial role to play in shoring up peace efforts between Kabul and Taliban insurgents. But since the London talks, there have been a series of public accusations and fallings-out between Afghan and Pakistani officials. In a report released on Tuesday, Pakistan's ISI intelligence agency said there was "strong support" in Afghanistan for members of the Pakistani Taliban, which have been fighting against Islamabad for nearly six years. Submitted to the Supreme Court as part of a long-running investigation into how the ISI holds terror suspects, the agency wrote of a "nexus" between members of the Pakistani Taliban and the Afghan government. "The strong support of miscreants, through provision of logistics, training and finances by the anti-Pakistan elements, specially from across the border, is one of the main factors for increased militancy," the ISI said in English. Last month, a conference of Afghan and Pakistani religious scholars aimed at pushing forward the peace process was called off due to disagreements. The head of Pakistan's Ulema Council, Allama Tahir Ashrafi, said there was no point to the meeting unless the Afghan Taliban were invited. He was then accused in Afghanistan of condoning suicide attacks in a television interview, in which he insists he was misunderstood. His public opposition against suicide attacks is well documented. There was another spat over Maulvi Faqir Mohammad, a senior Pakistani Taliban fighter arrested recently in Afghanistan. Pakistan demanded he be handed over, but Kabul indicated he would be held as a bargaining chip for prisoner exchanges. Pakistan has released at least 26 Afghan Taliban prisoners in recent months -- a move that Kabul welcomed in the hope that they could help persuade the Taliban to enter into peace talks. But there is little evidence that the prisoners have done so and Kabul is now increasingly impatient that other detainees, including former Afghan Taliban deputy leader Abdul Ghani Baradar, have not been handed over. "In recent months unfortunately, Pakistan's commitments, specially very strong commitments made during London talks were not fulfilled and we missed some good months," Afghan foreign ministry spokesman Siamak Herawi told AFP recently. A senior Pakistani security official was quick to hit back. "The overall effort seems to be to sabotage the peace talks and not let Pakistan get close to the driving seat," he told AFP on condition of anonymity. Britain's Cameron held a telephone conversation with Afghan President Hamid Karzai Wednesday evening to follow up on the London talks and discuss Afghanistan's relations with Pakistan, according to an official statement that did not elaborate further.

Afghanistan says ready to work for peace without Pakistan help

Afghanistan is shocked by Pakistan's "complacency" in the nascent Afghan peace process and is ready to work without Islamabad's help on reconciliation, Deputy Foreign Minister Jawed Ludin told Reuters on Wednesday. It was the first time Afghanistan has suggested the possibility of going it alone without its neighbor. Regional power Pakistan is seen as critical to stabilizing Afghanistan because of its long ties to insurgent groups. Ludin also said the government would look to senior Taliban figures recently handed over by the United States in Bagram prison to urge militants to pursue peace. He did not elaborate. Afghan officials had been pushing Pakistan hard to encourage the Taliban and other groups to join reconciliation efforts and Kabul had spoken of progress after Islamabad released some Taliban prisoners who could promote peace. But Ludin, widely believed to shape foreign policy, told Reuters in an interview that Afghanistan had noted a shift in Pakistan's position towards peace efforts that are gaining more urgency as foreign forces prepare to leave by the end of 2014. "We here in Kabul are in a bit of a state of shock at once again being confronted by the depth of Pakistan's complacency, we are just very disappointed," he said. "But what has happened in the last few months for us, (we)see that Pakistan is changing the goal post every time we reach understanding." Afghanistan also said it had canceled a military trip to Pakistan due to "unacceptable Pakistani shelling" of the country's mountainous eastern borderlands. More than two dozen Pakistani artillery shells were fired into Afghanistan's eastern province of Kunar on Monday and Tuesday. The cancellation of the trip and days of angry diplomatic exchanges have placed further strain on a fraught relationship. Afghanistan expressed its concern about what it called Pakistan's attempt to sideline President Hamid Karzai's government to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry during his visit to Kabul this week, said Ludin. The deputy foreign minister, who is closely involved in peace efforts, said Afghanistan insisted that its High Peace Council, formed by Karzai, should spearhead any peace efforts. Ludin said Pakistan had been trying to get the Taliban to talk to other parties, like the opposition, something he said would reverse gains. "Suddenly, there is a new notion of the peace process now being introduced by Pakistan and that's 'well why should the Taliban talk to President Karzai or the High Peace Council?'" said Ludin. "They (Taliban) should in fact talk to other political parties. That's what they have told us," Ludin said. "Pakistan's concept of the peace process is one that will reverse the achievement of the last 10 years that will negate the centrality of the Afghan state." Although there have been several meetings in Western capitals over the last few months in which representatives of the Taliban met Afghan peace negotiators, there are no signs of any breakthrough. RENEWED TENSIONS Karzai is due to visit the Gulf Arab state of Qatar soon to discuss the opening of a Taliban office that could be used for peace contacts in the future. Kabul has long been suspicious of Pakistan's intentions, accusing it of harboring the Taliban leadership in the city of Quetta, and using militants as proxies to counter the influence of rival India in Afghanistan. But a few months ago, Kabul was encouraged after Pakistan released some Afghan Taliban prisoners from its jails. Now relations seem to have taken a sharp turn for the worse as the United States winds down the war, now in its 12th year. This week, Pakistani officials accused Karzai of being an impediment to the peace process. Ludin suggested Pakistan wanted Afghanistan to remain unstable so that militant groups allegedly backed by Islamabad would be in a position to capitalize on instability after 2014. "What they would like is again a fragmentation of the Afghan state and going back to the drawing board so that they can have another 10 years, at least another decade, of weak, compromised Afghan state," he said. Ludin stressed that Pakistan was a pivotal player and Afghanistan would still welcome its support. "The sad reality is though Pakistan still remains the most important missing link in this whole vision that we have," he said. Karzai had worked too hard and taken too many political risks to let Pakistan dictate how peace efforts should proceed, Ludin said. "He (Karzai) has spent his political capital on this, he has basically staked his own political capital, his own reputation, on this and he has really mobilized the whole country, the whole region in support of the process," said Ludin. "It is laughable, laughable if Pakistanis think that the whole notion of the President Karzai is impediment to peace." Karzai's government, he said, would now turn to some of the most senior, hardcore Taliban leaders behind bars in Bagram in its quest for peace. "We will try to appeal to them and say: 'Look, continued reluctance of Taliban to stay away from peace process and any buy in to this whole Pakistani design that they should not to speak to the Afghan government, is dangerous,'" said Ludin. "Now that we have them we will see who is ready to help in this process."

Peshawar gunmen kill female teacher

http://centralasiaonline.com

Unidentified gunmen fatally shot a female head teacher in the Shah Kas area of Jamrud near Hayatabad March 26, officials and family told Central Asia Online."My wife, Shehnaz, was the head teacher of the Government Primary School in Takhta Beg Jamrud," Ishtiaq Ahmad, a resident of Kohati Gate in Peshawar, said. "She was going home with our son Danyal when men wearing hoods shot her." She was shot in a tribal area, police in Hayatabad said. Danyal, 14, escaped injury but is in shock, Ishtiaq said. His wife had taught for 24 years and had worked in Jamrud two years, he added. Meanwhile, authorities reported finding the body of a 20-year-old woman, Noor Bibi, in a bathroom in Lady Reading Hospital (LRH). She had been strangled and stabbed. Two senior doctors will lead an inquiry, LRH spokesman Jamil Shah said.

Zardari makes Sharifs eat humble pie

Though the PML-N is one of the biggest stakeholders in Pakistani politics and the upcoming general election, it was completely knocked out on the issue of the caretaker set-up, as its nominees for the caretaker prime minister and caretaker Punjab chief minister were rejected. No doubt, Najam Sethi was selected by the Parliamentary Committee but the PML N had no option, as the credentials of its candidates were very poor. Najam is a man of integrity and a clean person but he was the one who faced the wrath of Sharifs when he printed a report in his weekly on their loan and tax default. Soon after the publication of this report, the Punjab police raided his house in the middle of night and arrested him. He enjoyed the ‘hospitality’ of the police on the direct orders of Sharifs and was only rescued by the courts. In his magazine, Najam criticized Sharifs’ government and later being an editor of a daily newspaper that was known as Sharifs’ critic. This newspaper was owned by late Governor Punjab Salmaan Taseer and his relations with Sharifs is no hidden thing. The appointment of Mir Hazar Khan Khoso as the caretaker prime minister brought embarrassment to the PML-N. The point of concern for the PML-N was the rejection of its candidates at the federal and Punjab level instead of selection of the PPP’s candidates. The PML-N’s wrong selection of candidates and poor decision policy was responsible for this awkward situation. It seems it had not done any home work or checked the credentials of its nominees before putting them on board. Though some leaguers blamed Chaudhry Nisar alone, the buck stops with the top leadership. The PML-N leadership should admit that the criterion for choosing their candidates was just ‘personal loyalty” and PPP’s enmity and nothing else. Did they think why their nominees could not win the confidence of an independent Election Commission? Did they do homework before pitching Justice Nasir Aslam and Rasool Bukhsh Palejo as their nominees or they ignored it despite knowing their past? In fact, they left no option for the Election Commission to go for a dark horse. By appointing Khoso, the Election Commission played wisely and secured its credibility. This decision will surely help Baloch nationalists to participate in elections, and Ataullah Mengal’s return is a good sign. How the PML-N dropped Justice Shakirullah Jan speaks of its political immaturity. In this connection Ch Nisar went out of his mind because of his aversion to property tycoon Malik Riaz. In this madness he withdrew the name of Justice Shakirullah Jan. Instead of embarrassing Justice Shakir, the PML-N should have checked all odds against him before his nomination. It indicates that the PML-N’s decision making is very poor. The result was obvious — the electoral alliance or adjustment between the PML-N and JUI broke down and the worst thing was that it had no regrets and this attitude would be alarming for future allies as well. Despite all odds, the PPP carried its allies in all decisions. PML-N insiders disclosed that Chaudhry Nisar was dead sure that the Election Commission will nominate their candidate. The nomination of Mir Hazar Khan Khoso was a surprise for them. The question is why it was so sure and why it faced disappointment? The reason was that the party has always played on home ground with its own empires. For the first time, it was playing with neutral empires in neutral grounds and that’s why it was completely beaten. The PML-N agreed in the federal parliamentary committee that no PCO judge would be nominated as the caretaker prime minister. They had no knowledge that their own candidate Justice (R) Nasir Aslam Zahid was a PCO judge. Instead, Chaudhry Nisar defended his nomination despite knowing this fact. The dual policy of PML-N came out when it objected to the PPP’s nominee Justice Zahid Hussein for being the PCO judge while defending their PCO judge (Nasir Aslam Zahid). On the other side, the PPP’s nominees were not angels, but at least they were acceptable and that’s why their candidate was chosen. In Punjab, its nominee Justice Amir Raza was active during the Pakistan National Alliance movement against ZA Bhutto. He was among those lawyers who welcomed Ziaul Haq and was appointed advocate general and later as the high court Judge. Apart from it, he enjoyed various luxurious posts during the PML N’s regime. The other candidate ex-bureaucrat Khawaja Zaheer was accommodated by the PML-N governments and was part of the team that framed cases against Asif Ali Zardari. The PML-N rejected the name of Justice Zahid, as he was a PCO judge. In this situation, only Najam Sethi was left and it had no choice but to accept him as a neutral caretaker Punjab chief minister. People have started talking about the outcome of the extreme follies of the PML-N leaders. The result came in the shape of Zardari making Sharifs bite the dust. Zardari played his cards very wisely. Before nominating PPP candidates he kept in view of the fact that if the matter reaches the Election Commission what would the criteria of any candidate’s selection there. Zardari knew that distance of the nominee from the party that nominates him would be more important than the competence and experience of the nominee. That is why he selected such candidates whose links with the party could not be found. While the PML-N nominees were devoid of this most important quality that was necessary to win the selection.

Balochi Language Writer, Journalist Goes Missing From Karachi

The Baloch Hal News

A Balochi language writer, journalist and social activist, Haji Abdul Razaaq Baloch, has gone missing from Karachi’s Liyari area, family sources confirmed. Mr. Baloch’s family sources said he went missing between 9:00 pm to 11:00 pm on March 24. No one knows about his whereabouts since he was seen last. They said he had remained affiliated with Daily Tawar, a pro-Baloch nationalist newspaper whose reporters had been kidnapped, tortured and killed in the past as well. Mr. Baloch was employed by the Karachi Electric Supply Corporation and the sole breadwinner for his family. The family has made a passionate appeal to the government authorities to ensure his safe and immediate recovery. Several Baloch political activists kidnapped from Balochistan have been found dead in Karachi in the recent times.

Musarrat Shaheen hopes to win against Fazl, Kundi

The Frontier Post

Chairperson of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Musawat and ex-film star Mussarat Shaheen has announced to contest elections from NA 24 D.I. Khan, the same constituency on which JUI chief Maulana Fazalur Rehman and ex-Deputy Speaker National Assembly Faisal Karim Kundi are of PPP are also in run for the national assembly seat. Musarrat Shaheen, talking to The Frontier Post said she was not against Maulana Fazlur Rehman rather she was contesting polls against the male dominated society and all those who had usurped the rights of the womenfolk in her constituency. Musarrat also came hard on Faisal Karim Kundi and said she would give tough time to Kundi as well in the next general elections. "He has not visited his home town during the last five years. We just watch him on TV. He only cares for his attire more than helping the poor and needy community of his area," Musarrat Shaheen added. She was hopeful of winning the elections saying by saying that the time had changed and now the people had realized the real faces of the politicians. She also criticized Rehaman Malik and said he refused to extend any kind of help to her regarding security during electioneering. "Rehman Malik and Khwaja Saddiq are sitting in the president house and they have replied clearly to provide me security at a time when I am facing life threats," she said. She accused Rehman Malik for granting the contract of bullet proof vehicles to his brother Khalid Malik who is taking four million per car. "I don't need their security rather I rely on the support of the public who respect me and love me," she said while commenting on the security threats in the area. Replying to a query she said the women of Fata should be given representation in National Assembly and at least two women from each agency should have reserved seats for women. "As long as you don't empower women in Fata, you will have to suffer from the threats of militancy in one way or another," Shaheen opined. When asked about the increasing number of women now contesting direct elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, she said that when she entered into politics in 1997 there were hardly any woman councilor in whole KP and at that time she had taken part in the elections. "As a result of my struggle for the women rights and awareness there was a time when there were over 6000 women councilors in KP and today more and more women are following her footsteps and contest direct elections," Musarrat Shaheen added. Mussarat Shaheen is a super Film star and has worked in Pashto and Urdu movies. She started taking part in politics in 1997 and contested against the JUI-F chief Maulana Fazalur Rehaman which gained a lot of attention of the media notwithstanding the fact that she was defeated by a high margin. She also wanted to take part in the previous election from NA 40 North Waziristan Agency but she withdrew after she was threatened by the local militants.

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Rights Groups Fears for Hunger Strikers in Bahrain

Thirteen pro-democracy activists were sentenced to 10 years in jail Tuesday in Bahrain over allegations they attacked police officers in the latest fallout from protests that rocked the country more than two years ago. Meanwhile, a rights group has expressed fears about a father and daughter who have been on hunger strike since March 17 to protest their detention in the Gulf nation. They had stopped taking water Sunday but resumed late Tuesday. More than 60 people have been killed in more than two years of unrest inspired by the Arab Spring. Bahrain's Shiite majority is seeking a greater political voice in the strategic Sunni-ruled kingdom, which is home to the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet.An attorney Jassim Sarhan confirmed the 13 were sentenced Tuesday over charges they attacked two police officers and set fire to a police car. They are among dozens convicted of playing a role in the uprising. In the case of the hunger strikers, Freedom House said in a statement it was "deeply concerned" for Zainab al-Khawaja and her father Abdulhadi al-Khawaja. It also called for authorities all political prisoners. They went on "dry hunger strike" on Sunday after being denied a family visit in prison, it said. The Bahrain Center for Human Rights said doctors warned Zainab al-Khawaja that she risks "organ failure, cardiac arrest or coma" if she continues. Al-Khawaja was sentenced to three months for insulting a public employee related to her calls for the release of her father, eight opposition figures given life sentences. Last year, Abdulhadi al-Khawaja went on a three-month hunger strike.

PAKISTAN: The houses of Ahmadis are under attack and the police are providing protection to the attackers

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information regarding the attacks on the houses belonging to Ahmadis. The attackers were from two religious organizations, the Sipah-e-Sahaba (SP) and Khatm-e-Nabowat (KN) and were provided with protection by the police during the attack. The local in-charge of the Ahmadiya Jamat was seriously injured when he was beaten by the crowd and dumped on the street as if he was dead. The members of the Ahmadiya community are virtually under house arrest and the police have warned them to vacate the houses. The member of the national assembly from the ruling party of Punjab province and the highest police officer from the district have extended their support to the attackers in order to get votes in the coming elections. CASE NARRATIVE: Yesterday, (March 25), a crowd of more than 60 persons attacked the house of Mr. Malik Maqsood Ahmed Anjum, a resident of Shamsabad, sub district, Choonia, district Qasoor, Punjab. The family members including women and children locked themselves inside for their protection but the crowd broke open the doors and dragged all of them out. Anjum was beaten by the crowd with iron rods, sticks and fists and kicked before the family, forced to convert to “Islam” and leave the Ahmadi sect. When he fell unconscious the attackers left him on the road thinking that he was dead. When the attack was conducted there were 10 policemen present at the scene but they did not intervene to prevent the violence. After the incident the police party from Chooni police station arrived and rather than providing medical assistance to the victim threw him in a police jeep thinking that he was dead. The police took him to the district hospital of Choonia and when Anjum was found to be still alive the police left him and ran away. They have announced in the Shamsabad village that all the Ahmadis should immediately leave their houses and vacate the village as the local people do not want Ahmadis in their village. It was also announced that the attackers were from a banned organization, the Sipah-e-Sahaba (SP) and also from Khatm-e-Nabowat (KN) and they will no longer tolerate Ahmadis, not only in the village but in the entire province of Punjab. The attackers have told the Ahmadis that they should learn a lesson from the death of the former governor of Punjab, Mr. Salman Taseer, who was killed by his police guard. The attack on the Ahmadis in Shamsabad village has been in preparation since the month of January as the general elections were foreseen in the month of May. At the start of the New Year, four Ahmadis houses were attacked and the residents were beaten and taken to the police station at Choonia. At the station they were asked to take the compensation for the wreckage of their buildings as they would not be paid the actual prices of the house. When Station House Officer (SHO) Inspector Tariq Awan, forced and threatened them they agreed to take a meager amount and left the houses. During these incidents the elder brother of Anjum was also forced to take out his son from the government degree college. To force their demand the crowd from the banned organization, the SP, took out a procession and attacked his house and the principal of the college was forced to rusticate the student, Ahmad Jamal. In the month of February members and representatives of the Ahmadiyya community met with district police officer (DPO) and informed him of the situation. The DPO, Mr. Syed Khurram Ali, assured them that for the protection of the Ahmadis he will construct a police kiosk. But when construction of the kiosk started the local people with the help of one Inspector of Police, Asghar, stopped the construction. They also got help from Mr. Rana Ishaque, the member of the national assembly (MNA) from the ruling party of the Punjab province. Mr. Rana also threatened the DPO for providing protection to Ahmadis. Due to the nexus between the police and banned religious organizations, Mr. Malik Hayat, Mr. Malik Mehmood, Mr. Nasir Kumhar, Mr. Mistri Muhammad Hussain and Iftekhar Ahmed were forced to leave their houses. The Ahmadis remaining in the village are under house arrest and might be attached at any time if not provided with protection by the government. SUGGESTED ACTION: Please write letters to the following authorities calling upon them to stop the forced eviction of the Ahmadis from Shamsabad, sub district, Choonia, district Qasoor, Punjab. Please urge them to take strong action against the police and the banned religious organisations who want to rouse the people for sectarian riots before the general election. Please also urge them to re-house the Ahmadis and provide full protection so as to ensure their safety. The member of the national assembly must be taken to task for his involvement in the attacks on the Ahmadis. The AHRC is writing separate letters to the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief and the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Latest Tourist Sex Attack In India

Deobandi militants slaughter 17 soldiers of Pakistan Army in N. Waziristan. Will Gen Kayani wake up now?

http://criticalppp.com/

Deobandi militants of ASWJ-Taliban slaughtered 17 soldiers of Pakistan Army in North Waziristan. The news report, including identification of culprits, was largely ignored or obfuscated by right-wing dominated Urdu media and fake liberals dominated English media. In recent past, both right-wing Jamaat Islami and fake liberal Jinnah Insitute (ironically both are JI) have campaigned for dialogue with the Deobandi militants, humanizing the terrorists and their mentors. Will Pakistani generals wake up now and recognize the real enemy of Pakistan and Pakistan army? The death toll from Saturday night’s suicide attack on a security checkpost in North Waziristan’s Miramshah area reached 17, the military said. North Waziristan is perhaps the most notorious of Pakistan’s tribal districts on the Afghan border, a known stronghold of the Taliban and Al-Qaeda-linked Deobandi operatives belonging to Taliban (TTP) and Sipah-e-Sahaba (ASWJ-LeJ). The deaths were a reminder of the serious security threat in the country by the Deobandi militants. “In last night’s attack on a security forces’ checkpost in North Waziristan, 17 security forces personnel embraced shahadat (martyrdom),” the military said. Security officials explained the sudden increase in the death toll after it jumped from six by saying that many of the dead had been trapped under the rubble following the blast. Another 10 soldiers were also wounded in the attack on a checkpost operated jointly by the regular army and the Frontier Corps paramilitary. Troops have fought for years against Saudi-funded homegrown Deobandi insurgents in the tribal belt on the Afghan border. A car packed with explosives had exploded next to a pair of fuel tankers at an army checkpost in North Waziristan, killing 17 soldiers and wounding dozens, officials said Sunday. Most of the security personnel killed belonged to the Tochi scouts who were deployed for the security of FWO officials. The FWO is engaged in several development projects in the area. The blast set the fuel tankers on fire and destroyed two residential army barracks, said intelligence officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media. Janan Dawar, who lives about 14 kilometers away from the attack site in the town of Mir Ali, said he heard a huge explosion and saw flames leap into the air. The blast killed 17 soldiers and wounded 34, said the intelligence officials. Three civilians were also wounded. The area has become a greater problem for the Pakistani military because domestic Deobandi ASWJ-Taliban militants have increasingly used it as a base of operations and conduct periodic attack against soldiers based in the area. Apparently, the advice “You can’t keep snakes in your backyard and expect them only to bite your neighbours. Eventually those snakes are going to turn on whoever has them in the backyard” given by former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to Pakistan, is proven correct yet again. Having sown the wind of Jihadi-Deobandi terrorism to target Afghanistan, India and others, Pakistan army and nation is currently facing a blowback which will further intensify in the next few years, unless Pakistan army generals take a U-turn and stop humanizing and supporting Deobandi militants ASWJ, Taliban etc. Also, given that these poor soldiers were not killed by drones, so there ain’t much evidence of condemnation of the attack by fake liberals Mosharraf Zaidi, Ejaz Haider, Najam Sethi or right wingers Ansar Abbasi, Hamid Mir, Umer Cheema etc.

Teenage Girls Face Another Body Image Obsession

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"Thigh gap" refers to the space in between one's thighs when standing with your feet together.

President Obama Names Julia Pierson as First Female Secret Service Director

President Obama is appointing veteran Secret Service agent Julia Pierson as the agency’s first female director. Pierson will take over the helm from Mark Sullivan, whose leadership came under intense scrutiny after the agency became mired in a prostitution scandal last year. During preparations for a presidential visit to Cartagena, Colombia, last April, more than a dozen agents and officers allegedly solicited prostitutes, raising serious questions about the agency’s male-dominated culture. “Julia is eminently qualified to lead the agency that not only safeguards Americans at major events and secures our financial system, but also protects our leaders and our first families, including my own,” President Obama said in a written statement. “Julia has had an exemplary career, and I know these experiences will guide her as she takes on this new challenge to lead the impressive men and women of this important agency.” Pierson has held an array of positions during her 30 years at the agency, working in training, management, fraud investigations and protection of the president. She currently serves as chief of staff. Sullivan announced his retirement last month.

Obama shows off soccer talent

http://www.latimes.com

President Obama celebrated with the champion Los Angeles Kings and the Galaxy in the White House on Tuesday and then looped some of the players into an event for First Lady Michelle Obama’s favorite cause: her campaign against childhood obesity. Obama praised the hockey and soccer teams for their 2012 championship seasons, noting that, besides sharing a hometown, “they share a pretty good comeback story.” The president noted that the Kings beat the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday, but pointed out that Coach Darryl Sutter “got good training” when he was playing for and later coaching Obama’s hometown hockey team. The teams and their coaches stood behind Obama in the East Room and smiled as the president accepted jerseys from both -- #1 from the Galaxy and #44 for the Kings (Obama is the nation’s 44th president) – and then tossed and headed a soccer ball handed to him by Landon Donovan. Hosting winning sports teams is one of Obama’s favorite pastimes as president. The events rarely turn political, with the exception of last year’s visit by the Stanley Cup-winning Boston Bruins. Goaltender Tim Thomas refused to make the trip, explaining it was because the “government has grown out of control.” Sutter, however, had planned to press Obama to allow the construction of the Keystone oil pipeline from Canada through the U.S. The owner of a ranch in Alberta, Sutter told the paper he supports the controversial project to transport oil to the Gulf Coast. The Obama administration so far has withheld approval of the project. It was unclear whether the coach brought the issue up with the president. He did not speak to the media and the White House was not saying. But the two made nice, at least during the public ceremony. After meeting with the president, a handful of players talked fitness, sports and food with some Washington schoolchildren at a forum hosted by Assistant White House Chef Sam Kass, who is the director of Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” program to promote exercise and healthy eating. Donovan revealed that his favorite healthy snack is avocado and his favorite exercise is running. Midfielder Mike Magee emphasized the importance of training and practice to winning games. Defender Todd Dunivant put it plainly, if team members get out of shape, “We lose our jobs and that’s not a good thing.” Kings players were put on the spot when asked by the one child if they’d ever been in a fight. “I have,” admitted right wing Dustin Brown sheepishly. “It happens.” “But they regret every second of it,” Kass interjected.

U.S. special envoy underlines Pakistan's role in Afghan peace

Visiting U.S. Acting Special Representative on Afghanistan and Pakistan, Ambassador David Pearce, met Pakistani foreign secretary and underlined Islamabad' s importance in the ongoing peace process in Afghanistan on Tuesday. Ambassador David Pearce met Pakistani Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani at Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and discussed bilateral relations and regional situation including latest the developments in Afghanistan, the foreign ministry said. Both sides exchanged views on furthering bilateral relations under the strategic dialogue process in the coming months, a statement said. Ambassador Pearce briefed the foreign secretary about his recent visit to Afghanistan and appreciated Pakistan's role in supporting peace and stability in Afghanistan. The foreign secretary in his remarks reiterated Pakistan's commitment to remain positively engaged in supporting peace and reconciliation efforts in Afghanistan. The meeting comes a day after U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Pakistan's army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani met in Jordan and discussed "reconciliation process in Afghanistan." The army said Monday that Kayani and Kerry discussed Afghan peace process ahead of Kerry's visit to Kabul. The role of Pakistan and the United States is considered important to peace process in war-torn Afghanistan at a time when the NATO forces are packing up. Pakistan is believed to have deep influence on the Afghan Taliban and can play a key role to encourage the Taliban to enter peace process. The Taliban have so far refused to talk to the Afghan government on the plea that it does not have powers to make decisions.

بشري حقونو سازمان د تېرا په وضع اندېښنه ښودلې

http://www.mashaalradio.org

د پاكستان د انساني حقونو كميشن په خيبر اېجنسۍ تيرا کې د وسلوالو ډلو تر مينځ د جنګ له وجې د ځايي ولس په بېكوره کېدو سخت غبرګون ښودلی دی. او په دې لړ کې انساني حقونو كميشنپاکستان بېګا ماښام په یوه خبره پاڼه کې له حكومته غوښتنه كړېده چې په سيمه کې دې د ولسي وګړو د حفاظت لپاره ګامونه پورته كړي- د خيبر اېجنسۍ د تيرا د صورتحال په اړه د پاكستان د بشري حقونو د كميشن ددي تازه غبرګون په باب د دغه ياد سازمان د خېبر پښتونخوا مشر شېر محمد خان مشال ريډيو ته وويل: ((په دې باندې زموږ دا ردعمل دی چې دا تر ډيره د حكومت او پوځي قيادت د ناكامۍ غټه نښه ده، په دومره لويه سيمه کې د ګڼو خلکو حفاظت يې ونه كړو او هغوی په خپلو كورونو او وطن کې بېكوره شو، او هغوی په دومره لوی شمېر کې له خپلو کورونو کډه کولو ته اړوېسستل شول، موږ له حكومته غوښتنه كوو چې په كار ده حكومت خپل فرض تر سره كړي او كوم خلك چې حكومتي عملداري نه مني د هغوی علاج دې وكړي)) تر دې دمه د آفتونو د نظم لپاره كاركوونكو ادارو لا كره حساب نه دی لګولی چې له تيرا څومره خلك بېكوره شوي دي خو د پاكستان د بشري حقونو د كميشن د پښتونخوا د څانګي مشر شير محمد خان وايي، له تيرا تر پنځوسو زرو نه د يو لاك په مينځ کې خلك بېكوره شويدي: ((د بېكوره شويو خلكو د كره شمېرې پته ځکه نه لګېږي، چې هلته د حكومت رسايي نه شته. خو زما په خيال تر پنځوسو نه يو لاك په مينځ کې خلك بېكوره شويدي)) په تيرا کې د روانو نښتو او هلته د وسله والو ډلو په باب د دفاعي چارو د كارپوه ريټایېرډ بريګيډيېر محمود شاه وايي: ((تيرا له سلو واخلې تر دوه سوه ميله لويه دره ده، د باړي سر ته لشكر اسلام دی، او په مينځ کې دا ځای خالي وو او هغې ته د دره آدم خيل طالبان ننوتي دي، اوهغه سر ته د انصار الاسلام ډله ده چې په سره خاوره وغيره علاقو کې دي، انصار الاسلام يو پير پرست ډله ده او لشكر اسلام ديوبنديان دي)) د يادونې وړ ده، چې له دې وړاندې د خيبر اېجنسۍ د باړې په زرګونو خلك د خرابې امنيتي وضع له وجې بېكوره شول او اوس له تيرا هم په زرګونو خلكو كډې وكړي، چې له وجې یې د خيبر اېجنسۍ ولس د سيمې د امنيت په اړه انديښمن دي.

U.S: We Don’t Care Who Wins Pakistan Elections

http://www.ibtimes.com

The United States does not favor one candidate over another in Pakistan’s upcoming general elections, according to the U.S. State Department.Speaking to Pakistani journalists in Washington, State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland said the U.S. government does not necessarily favor the incumbent Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) of President Asif Ali Zardari in May parliamentary elections that will witness an aggressive campaign by opposition figures like Nawaz Sharif, Imran Khan and now former President and army chief Pervez Musharraf. “We have no favorites among Pakistani politicians and we are looking forward to work with whoever is elected on May 11,” Nuland said.Dawn, an English-language Pakistani daily newspaper, reported that U.S. officials are likely eager to squelch the general perception that Washington wants to heavily influence political policy in Pakistan. Indeed, the new U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry canceled a planned trip to Islamabad this past week in order to prevent any discussions that his presence was meant to interfere with May elections (such conspiracy theories of U.S. domination of their government abound in Pakistan, often encouraged by local media). When Kerry made an unannounced stop in Kabul, Afghanistan, a senior U.S. official told reporters that the secretary did not journey next door to Pakistan because the country “enters a very historic period on this electoral process and we wanted to fully respect those institutions and the on-going process.” Nuland herself noted that “the Pakistani people don’t have good information” about U.S. policies. Dawn reported that unnamed U.S. officials also want to eliminate the perception that they are hostile to Sharif and Khan and insisted that Washington would be eager to cooperate with whichever party ends up in power in Pakistan. Khan, however, is outspoken about his opposition to Pakistan’s close military ties with the U.S. and reportedly has ties to Islamic militants. Separately, the anointed future leader of Pakistan, may have his ambitions delayed. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the son of President Zardari and his deceased wife, former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, has departed for Dubai and will not lead the PPP campaign during the May election, even though he is the PPP chairman. PPP leader Sharmila Farooqi told Dawn that “security concerns” were cited for Bilawal’s sudden absence from Pakistan’s political circus. However, the Press Trust of India reported earlier that Bilawal left Pakistan after a heated argument with his father over a number of party policy issues, including PPP’s apparent tepid response to the Malala Yousufzai shooting and the recent wave of bomb attacks on the Shia community in the cities of Karachi and Quetta. Hasham Riaz, Bilawal’s chief of staff, dismissed those rumors to Dawn.

Family, PPP reject Zardari-Bilawal tiff reports

In a twitter message Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari has strongly rejected the reports published in certain circles of press as baseless and malicious. She said circulating rumours against PPP leadership was not anything new.PPP Sindh Information Secretary Sharjeel Memon also rejected the news reports about differences between Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and his father Asif Ali Zardari. He said it had been decided that Bilawal would not lead the election campaign in the wake of security threats. Earlier it was reported that Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had left for Dubai after a tiff with his father over the affairs of the PPP. According to reports, Bilawal developed differences with Zardari and his sister Faryal Talpur, over the party s handling of key issues, including militant violence, sectarian attacks against Shias and the award of party tickets for the polls. The 24-year-old nominal chief of the PPP was angered by Faryal Talpur s refusal to award tickets to certain candidates in Sindh province that he had recommended, a source was quoted as saying.

President Zardari felicitates Najam Sethi

Radio Pakistan

President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday felicitated journalist Najam Sethi on his nomination for caretaker chief minister Punjab.In his message of congratulation‚ the president said nomination of Najam Sethi is a testimony of the confidence and support extended to him for his ideals and values.

Pakistan: Public versus vested interest

EDITORIAL

Daily Times

An unfortunate aspect of our polity as it has evolved over the years is the dominance of the ‘philosophy’ that public office is to be obtained purely for the purpose of private gain. Thus the concept of public service has been abandoned. Across the board, the suspicion of all parties pursuing this practice is not without weight. Particularly in the dying moments of an outgoing government, there is a flurry of activity in evidence to leave behind facts on the ground in the form of decisions intended to favour favourites and privilege the already privileged. Something along these lines seems to have occurred according to a story published in Daily Times yesterday. The story speaks of a number of decisions taken amidst the dying embers of the outgoing PPP-led government by the short-lived Finance Minister Salim Mandviwalla, who replaced Hafeez Sheikh. The story says that while the jury is still out on the performance of Dr Hafeez Sheikh as the Finance Minister, his successor managed to get decisions through in a hurry (time was short after all) that had been either rejected earlier or lay pending because of reservations about their impact. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources pushed through several dubious decisions for which the fertilizer industry, oil refineries, natural gas industry and oil marketing companies had been lobbying for years. The first decision related to the supply of gas to fertilizer factories in direct violation of the Gas Allocation Policy of the ECC. This gas has been diverted from power generation, which is arguably the number one problem for the economy. This decision was rushed through despite the objections of the Planning Commission on, amongst other grounds, the fact that the cost of power generation from oil is three times higher than from gas. Another decision relates to the oil refineries and marketing companies. The approval of Inland Freight Marginalisation (IFEM) for a coastal refinery, which had been twice turned down by both the ECC and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources itself, was done over the objections of OGRA and the Planning Commission. Another decision concerned deemed duty, which originally was intended as an incentive for oil refineries to carry out modernisation. Except one, none of the refineries did, but nevertheless got the benefit of deemed duty from the outgoing government. Last but not least, oil dealers’ margin was increased at the cost of the consumer without any apparent rhyme or reason. These examples, while causing concern, are perhaps only the tip of the iceberg. Government decisions favouring favourite vested interests have become a routine fact of life in Pakistan’s polity. What lends the above examples added resonance is the timing. An outgoing government uses the last possible moments of its tenure to take decisions that favour some interest at the expense of the public interest. If the petition moved in the Supreme Court by Dr Mubashir Hassan regarding last minute appointments, postings, transfers, regularisation of contract employees, development funds’ allocations to make electoral gains by the incumbents is any guide, the iceberg of this form of corruption is titanic. Over time, the country and society at large have seen the exponential growth of a culture of throwing principles, ethics, integrity out the window and replacing them with the Machiavellian approach of achieving personal ambition and aggrandizement without scruples or hesitation. While democracy is in the process of being consolidated, the thoughtful amongst us also need to reflect on the downward spiral we are caught in in terms of becoming a lawless and unprincipled society, where success has many fathers, and ‘failure’ (to achieve, get somewhere, be someone) is an orphan. A sad statement on our collective state and one that needs the most determined effort by those who see this as more destructive of state and society than any other threat it faces to start a public consciousness campaign for the elimination of this spreading evil that has us in its octopus-like grip.

Italy foreign minister resigns over return of marines to India

Italian Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi has resigned in protest of his government's decision to send two Italian marines, accused of killing two Indian fishermen, to Delhi for trial. The case sparked a major diplomatic row between India and Italy. "My reservations about sending the marines back to India were not listened to," Mr Terzi told Italian MPs. Prime Minister Mario Monti said he was "astonished" by the decision. He is due to speak in parliament on Wednesday. Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone are charged with shooting the fishermen off the Kerala coast in February 2012. They said they mistook them for pirates. The accused were shuttled back and forth between Italy and India in recent months while the two governments argued over the legal consequences of an alleged crime committed in international waters, the BBC's David Willey, in Rome, reports. Italy then announced last week that it would send the marines back to Delhi to stand trial.

'Unheard' voice

On Tuesday, Mr Terzi said he was resigning because his voice had gone "unheard" by Prime Minister Monti and his caretaker administration. "I can no longer be part of this government," Mr Terzi said. "I am resigning because I have maintained for 40 years and I maintain more forcefully today that the honour of the country, its armed forces and the Italian diplomacy must be safeguarded. I am resigning because I support the two marines and their families." Mr Monti responded to the resignation with surprise. He said he had met Mr Terzi earlier on Tuesday and the foreign minister had not mentioned his intention to quit. Meanwhile Defence Minister Giampaolo Di Paola said he would not step down over the crisis because he did not want to "abandon a ship in difficulty". "I have always acted for the good of the marines and Italy. If I haven't managed that, I ask forgiveness from everyone, and first of all from both of them," he told MPs shortly after Mr Terzi's announcement. "It was me who told them about the decision to return them to India, I looked them in the eyes and told them." The marines had been guarding an Italian oil tanker when they killed the fishermen last year. The Indian government had allowed the men to return to Italy to vote in last month's election. But when they failed to return, India's Supreme Court ruled Italy's ambassador was barred from leaving the country. In response, the Italian government said last Thursday the marines had agreed to return to Delhi following a meeting with Mr Monti and other ministers. The diplomatic dispute comes as Italy battles a political crisis after last month's inconclusive election result.

Pakistan: Swat Taliban, Afghan govt nexus may give rise to terrorism

A recent nexus of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Swat militants with the Afghan government may give rise to increased terrorist incidents on Pakistan’s border areas including Mohmand, Bajaur Agencies, Dir, Swat and Chitral, said a report by Pakistan’s premier intelligence agencies. The report submitted Tuesday before the Supreme Court by Advocate Raja Mohammad Irshad on behalf of the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) and the Military Intelligence (MI) on military operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province and FATA suggested that the Swat Taliban, after being dislodged from the area, have resorted to IED (improvised explosive devices) attacks on the law enforcing agencies and Aman Lashkars (pro-government militias). A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry hearing a petition challenging the Action in Aid of Civil Power Regulations 2011 had asked for the report on the setting up of internment centers in KP. The report also carried graphic pictures of decapitated victims along with compact discs (CDs) and annexure showing statistics of casualties, suicide attacks, target killings, and schools and colleges destroyed from 2008 to 2013. The government had established internment centers near the Pak-Afghan border at Landi Kotal, Parachinar (Kurram Agency) a tribal area of the KPK which allows the civilian government to detain persons accused of terrorism. Read out by Advocate Raja Irshad in the open court, the report alleged that sectarian outfits took the leading role by victimisation of the Shia community especially in Quetta and Karachi, and the message conveyed was that the war on terror was not yet over rather the profile has changed and the TTP (Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan) has merged itself with sectarian outfits. The TTP and the allied groups, the report said, have again resorted to conventional methods of gathering funds like collection of chandah (charity), bank dacoities and abduction for ransom. Referring to the importance of the regulations in the current environment, the report explained that the regulations were enacted to provide legal umbrella to the military and to deal with the unprecedented ground realities. Furthermore, continuous stationing of armed forces in territories secured from miscreants in the FATA/PATA is necessary and therefore it is imperative that proper authorisation be given to the forces to take measures to incapacitate the miscreants by detaining them during the continuation of the Actions in Aid of Civil Power. The regulation is also necessary to ensure that the armed forces carry out operation in accordance with the law, the report said. The apprehended militants, the report explained, have been shifted to internment centers established under the FATA/PATA regulations (Actions in Aid of Civil Power Regulations 2011). On Jan 24, Attorney General Irfan Qadir had conceded for the first time before the Supreme Court that 700 suspected terrorists were in custody under the regulations. Meanwhile, the report suggested that the regulations were applicable only during the duration of the action in aid of the civil power and were not applicable once the operation was over or the notification under Article 245 of the Constitution to call the army in aid of civil power was withdrawn. Those interned, the report disclosed, include some of the most-hardened miscreants and terrorists. If released for any reason, the government is convinced that they would attack the state again and would make every effort to rejoin private armies and carry out terrorist activities and offences against the state, in particular the KP government. It will become difficult to confine them to KP and they will slip away to main cities like Lahore and Islamabad to start another wave of terrorist strikes, the report said. In these circumstances it is necessary that the detainees must be confined to the internment centers. Their internment orders document the reasons of their detention, the nature of charges and other details, the report said. Through a comprehensive de-radicalisation programme, attempts are being made to revive their loyalties towards Pakistan and its Constitution, adds the report. Advocate Ghulam Nabi, representing Prof Ibrahim of the Jamaat Islami who had assailed the regulations, told the court that he would file a reply to the report by Wednesday. The Supreme Court subsequently adjourned further hearing until Wednesday.

More than 9000 terrorism-linked deaths in KP, FATA since 2008

More than 9000 people including military, paramilitary and police officials along with members of government-backed tribal Aman Lashkars have been killed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and FATA during the last five years, Pakistani spy agencies told the Supreme Court on Tuesday. The agencies submitted the report to a three-member SC bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry. The bench was hearing a petition challenging the Actions (in Aid of Civil Power) Regulation, 2011. These regulations allow detention of arrested militants in specially built internment centres in the tribal areas near the Pak-Afghan border. Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) KP Ameer Prof Ibrahim had challenged the regulations in the court. The report also said that recent nexus of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Swat militants with the Afghan government may give rise to increased terrorist incidents on border areas including Mohmand, Bajaur Agencies, Dir, Swat and Chitral. The report said that a total of 235 suicide attacks, 9,257 rocket attacks and 4,256 bomb explosions have taken place in KP and FATA since 2008. Among the fatalities, 5,152 were civilians, 1,489 army officials, 675 Frontier Corps, while 1,717 belonged to the police force. In targeted attacks, 243 people belonging to lashkars were killed and 275 were injured, while 995 schools and 35 colleges were also destroyed in the last five years. The agencies’ report cited 475 major and 135 small raids while 6000 search operations by the security forces in which, it said, 3,051 militants were killed. Militancy in the region was at its peak during 2007 and 2008. However, actions taken by the law enforcement agencies had restrained the militants’ strength, it added. Moreover, the report predicted more attacks against the state in case the detained militants are released. It will be difficult to contain them in KP and they could start a new wave of violence in cities like Karachi and Lahore, said the report. The spy agencies claimed in the report that the militants are also being rehabilitated in the mentioned internment centres so that their allegiance with Pakistan and its constitution could be restored. The court has directed a response from the petitioner’s counsel and adjourned the hearing till Wednesday.

PAKISTAN: The Supreme Court must ensure that Ahmadis should not be disfranchised

http://www.humanrights.asia

A Golden Opportunity to abolish self-contradictory Franchise System and Restore true Justice and Democracy in Pakistan

The world has strongly and repeatedly drawn the attention of Pakistan to its self-contradictory franchise system which denies the Ahmadi Muslims the fundamental right to vote. The Supreme Court of Pakistan has judiciously taken a firm action to open a petition submitted in 2007 by Kanwar Idrees, a Former Minister of the Sindh Government and a member of the Ahmadiyya Community in Pakistan. Kanwar Idrees argued that the law discriminated against Ahmadis in particular, while it allowed other non-Muslim Communities to be registered in the joint electoral rolls. In the hearing on Thursday 28 February 2013, Idrees maintained that as Pakistani citizens, he and other Ahmadis should be treated equally in accordance with the Constitution of Pakistan. The Supreme Court three-member bench presided over by the Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry directed the Attorney General and the Election Commission of Pakistan to respond to the five year old petition of Kanwar Idrees and explain the Constitutional status of Former President Pervez Musharraf's 2002 Order which inserted Articles 7 (b) and (c) in the Constitution and allowed the creation of separate electoral rolls for Ahmadis. The hearing of the petition was deferred to Monday 11 March when it is hoped that sanity and justice will prevail and justice will triumph. It is tragic that Pakistan which is now at the threshold of another General Election and takes great pride in claiming to be a democracy has completely ignored and defied the international and fundamental civic rights in ensuring that all its subjects, without any discrimination whatsoever regarding faith, belief or ethnic origin, are allowed to vote. All the major international organisations including the UN Human Rights Council, the Asian Human Rights Commission and the European Union, together with the Parliamentary Human Rights Groups of UK, Sweden, Holland, Belgium, Germany, France and also the State Department of USA have been repeatedly drawing the attention of Pakistan to its failure to implement and enforce universal franchise in the country. However, the Government and the Election Committee of Pakistan have totally turned a blind eye to this gross defect in their electoral system. They have so far not grasped the significance that under the Constitution of Pakistan every citizen has the right to vote. Moreover, Article 25 of the International Convention of Civil and Political Rights states that every citizen shall have the right and opportunity to vote and be elected. Similarly, Article 19 and 21 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights guarantees the right to vote to every citizen. This is one of the most basic fundamental rights which must be guaranteed to every citizen and without which a State cannot call itself a democracy. Internationally, a democracy is defined by a government elected by the people. However, in Pakistan there is an exception to this rule in that Ahmadis on account of their faith and belief are excluded from the electoral system. These devious and unacceptable procedures have usurped the fundamental civic rights of Ahmadis and for decades now they cannot stand as candidates for any assembly, national, provincial or even district. Ahmadis have no representation even in the town council of their own town Rabwah where they make up 95 per cent of the population. This form includes a warning that a violation will be punished with imprisonment. The irony of the matter is that Article 20 of Pakistan's Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and Pakistan is also a signatory to the UN Charter of Human Rights, which makes it obligatory upon the government to safeguard the fundamental rights of all without any discrimination whatsoever, based on religion, faith or belief. The Supreme Court of Pakistan now has a golden opportunity to prove to the world that it stands fearlessly for justice and is committed to upholding the International Conventions especially the ones that ensure the fundamental civic rights and fundamental freedoms of all especially the tragically deprived groups like the Ahmadi Muslims in Pakistan.

Pakistan: Clerics attack Ahmadi house, torture family in Punjab

Local clerics attacked a house belonging to an Ahmadi family in the Kasur district of Punjab on Tuesday and subjected the family members to violence allegedly over their religious belief, The Express Tribune has learnt. A mob led by a local cleric chanted slogans against Ahmadi families, their religious beliefs and their community before breaking into Mansoor’s* house in the Shamsabad area. The five members of Mansoor’s family tried to take refuge in a room but the mob broke into the room as well. Police personnel were reportedly present at the spot but did not take any action against the mob. Mansoor was severely tortured after which he lost consciousness, while his wife and his 70-year-old uncle were also beaten. Mansoor was shifted to a hospital where authorities claimed that he is in critical condition. Sheikh Yousaf, Head of the Ahmadi community in Kasur, told The Express Tribune that he had repeatedly asked the DPO Kasur to establish a police check post in the area as they had been receiving threats since six months. He said that the DPO had agreed to his demands but the local MNA created hurdles in establishment of the check post. He claimed that the police had deliberately left the Ahmadi family at the mercy of the mob, and the clerics who attacked that threatened the family to convert to their religion or face consequences. The house was attacked when Mansoor refused to convert, Yousaf added.

Pakistan Minorities under attack: Ahmadi family tortured by mob

In a continuing vicious cycle of attacks on minorities, local clerics on Tuesday attacked a house belonging to an Ahmadi family in Kasur district. According to news reports, a mob led by a local cleric entered the house of an Ahmadi family after chanting slogans against their community and their religious beliefs. Sources said that the five members of ravaged house tried to hide in a room. However, the mob broke into that room and proceeded to torture the family members. One of the victims was beaten so badly that he fell unconscious while an elderly man and a woman were also tortured. The victims were taken to the nearest hospital where one of them was stated to be critical. Sources said that the police was present at the scene but did not take any action to prevent the mob from entering the house and torturing its occupants. Head of the Ahmadi community at Kasur Sheikh Yousaf, while talking to journalists, said he had asked Kasur DPO to establish a check post in the area since the Ahamdi community had been receiving threats over the last six months. He further accused the police of leaving the victims helpless against the mob, adding that the mob had demanded the Ahamdi family to convert or face consequences. The house was attacked when the family refused to convert, he said.

Imaandaar - Aur Iss Dil Mein Kya Rakhha Hai Tera Hi Dard

Israel Music: Sarit Hadad - I'm wishing you

Passover 2013: What You Need To Know About This Popular Jewish Holiday

Video of press conference between US President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu

Bangladesh celebrates Independence Day

The nation will observe its 43rd Independence and National Day tomorrow (Tuesday), paying homage to the martyrs of the War of Liberation of 1971. On this day in 1971, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman formally declared independence and urged the Bengali nation to liberate the country from the clutches of the Pakistani occupation army. Unarmed Bangladeshis, who had been attacked and massacred by Pakistani soldiers, started an extensive bush war against the occupation forces. After the nine-month war with the supreme sacrifice of three million people and modesty of some two lakh women, the Bengali nation achieved the cherished independence on December 16, 1971. The day will be heralded with a thirty-one gun salute at dawn. Acting President Abdul Hamid Advocate and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will place wreaths at the National Memorial at Savar at sunrise. The national flag will be hoisted atop government and private buildings, while the government and semi-government buildings and other public places will be illuminated on the auspicious occasion. Road islands and dividers have been decorated with flags and colorful festoons welcoming he Independence Day. In the capital city, Dhaka Metropolitan Police took all-out security measures to maintain the law and order for smooth observance of the day. The day is a public holiday. Acting President Abdul Hamid Advocate, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Leader of the Opposition Khaleda Zia issued separate messages, greeting the country’s people on this solemn and joyous occasion. In his message, the acting President underscored the need for concerted efforts from all strata, irrespective of party affiliation to achieve the desired goals of independence and build a happy and prosperous Bangladesh.

Pakistan: Punjab Police admits failure to protect Badami Bagh victims

Daily Times

The Punjab Police has admitted before the Supreme Court on Monday that when the crowd gathered at Badami Bagh stated pelting stones on the police, all the officials and officers fled the area and failed to protect the Christians. Submitting a report in pursuance of the court order during the hearing of suo motu case regarding Badami Bagh incident, CCPO Muhammad Amlesh Khan told the court that policemen had started retreating as the crowd started throwing stones at them. Police entered a godown and closed the doors. SP Multan Khan took refuge on the third floor of the godown, while the SHO and DSP along with the force closed the main gate. On this, the crowd returned to Joseph Colony and set ablaze the quarters of Christians. They also brought belongings from the house to the main road and set them on fire. The report also notes that the officers returned to Joseph Colony when much of the damage had been done. The court has granted another seven days to the CCPO Lahore to thoroughly investigate burning of Joseph Colony houses. The court also directed the Establishment Division secretary to appoint the inspector general of police in Punjab with consultation of chief secretary of the province. Punjab advocate general informed the court that the IGP’s post has been vacant since January 1, 2013. He said that despite repeated requests so far the federal government has not appointed the IGP in the province. The court noted that similar situation was prevailing in Sindh where the IGP post has been lying vacant since March 6, 2013, and ultimately the court had to pass an order to the Establishment Division secretary to appoint the IGP for maintenance of law and order in the province. A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and comprising Justice Gulzar Ahmed and Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed was hearing the case related to the burning of Christian colony in Badami Bagh, Lahore. The high-ups of police also admitted in the report that the incident is the result of instigators in both the groups – Aman and Ittehad – whose names have been mentioned in the report. The court noted that prima facie the police failed to protect the properties of the residents of Joseph Colony. The chief justice remarked that the CCPO has noted this conduct of police officers in the conclusion of his report. Advocate General Asther Ausaf told the court that 48 persons have been arrested and 67 have yet to be arrested. Directing the SC registrar to send the copy of this order to the Establishment Division and the Punjab chief secretary, so they could make arrangement for the appointment of the Punjab IGP, the court adjourned the hearing until April 1.

Newtown residents upset about NRA robocalls

http://xfinity.comcast.net

Some residents of the Connecticut community devastated by December's school shooting said they're outraged over robocalls they've received from the National Rifle Association only three months after a gunman killed 20 first-graders and six educators at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Newtown residents said the automated calls from the NRA began last week and urge people to tell their state legislators to oppose gun control proposals. Some also said they received postcards from the NRA supporting gun owners' rights. "It's ridiculous and insensitive," Newtown resident Dan O'Donnell told Hartford-area NBC affiliate WVIT-TV, one of several media organizations to report about the robocalls. "I can't believe an organization would be so focused on the rights of gun owners with no consideration for the losses this town suffered." A message seeking comment was left Monday at the NRA's headquarters in Fairfax, Va. Like Congress and other state legislatures, Connecticut's General Assembly has been considering gun control measures in the wake of the school shootings, including banning assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines. The NRA strongly opposes many gun control proposals including an assault weapons ban, saying government officials should better enforce existing gun laws and not impede on people's Second Amendment rights. Wayne LaPierre, executive vice president of the NRA, has said his organization supports getting the records of those adjudicated mentally incompetent and dangerous into the background check system for gun dealers and beefed up penalties for illegal third-party purchases and gun trafficking. Shortly after the Newtown shooting, LaPierre also called for armed security guards in schools. A 20-year-old gunman killed 26 students and educators and himself at Sandy Hook on Dec. 14, after having shot his mother to death at their Newtown home. Another Newtown resident, Christopher Wenis, told The Huffington Post that he received three of the NRA's robocalls last week. "I've got a 5-year-old son who went to preschool on the Sandy Hook Elementary School campus," Wenis said. "And this was a really hard week for me on a lot of levels. These calls were the very last thing I needed."

China defends deal to build 1000 MW nuclear plant for Pakistan

Tacitly confirming reports of signing of an agreement with Pakistan to build a huge 1000 MW nuclear power plant, China today defended the deal saying that it confirmed to safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and rejected allegations that it has violated Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) norms. "China has noted the relevant report", Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a media briefing in Beijing today. He was replying to a question on reports from Washington that Beijing has secretly entered a deal with Pakistan to construct the plant at Chashma in Punjab province. On allegations that the deal violated the norms set by the 46 member NSG, which regulates the issues relating to nuclear proliferation and commerce, Hong said, "I want to point out that relevant cooperation between China and Pakistan does not violate relevant norms of the NSG". In recent years China and Pakistan have had some cooperation in the field of civilian nuclear cooperation, he said. All this cooperation is for peaceful use and this cooperation is in compliance with our respective international obligations and subject to the safeguards of the IAEA, Hong said. A Washington-based news report had said two days ago that China has secretly signed the deal to construct a new power plant at Chashma. China has so far aided and assisted Pakistan in constructing four power plants at Chashma. Chashma I and II were stated to be 300 MW each and as per the previous plans the III and IV were stated to have 340 MW each. While I and II were already commissioned, three and four were expected to be commissioned in 2016. It is not clear whether the 1000 MW reactor would be a fifth one to be constructed there or the third reactor would be upgraded.

Bloomberg says he told Rupert Murdoch to quit Twitter

http://news.yahoo.com

Michael Bloomberg may have his own Twitter account, but he doesn’t necessarily think it’s a good idea. At a news conference on Monday afternoon in Brooklyn, the New York City mayor went on an extended riff about the dangers of social media, even confessing at one point that he advised News Corp. Chairman Rupert Murdoch to stop using Twitter. “I’ve told your boss, I think he should stop twittering,” Bloomberg told a reporter for the New York Post, which is owned by Murdoch. Asked later if he was actually referring to Murdoch, Bloomberg smiled and replied, “I don’t know who that would be.” Bloomberg was responding to questions about a series of city employees who have been suspended or forced to resign after the media discovered racist rants they had posted on Twitter. The mayor said he had looked into the idea of putting limits on how city employees use social media—especially on city-owned computers—but admitted there were First Amendment issues about such a crackdown. But then, Bloomberg proceeded to unload on users of sites like Twitter and Facebook, admitting that he’s dumbfounded about how some people don’t seem to realize their posts could come under public scrutiny and come back to haunt them. "No. 1, I don't understand why people don't understand that anything you write, anything you send out, is going to be retweeted, re-Facebooked, re-this, re-that," Bloomberg declared, clearly exasperated. "You should write down, No. 1, only things you believe, and No. 2, then think about how it would look if somebody else sees it. There are just a lot of young kids who are doing things on their Twitter account, their Facebook account that later on is going to come back and bite them. I know you want to share information, and it’s nice to be able to express yourself, but you have to have the maturity to understand (what you’re doing).” Bloomberg said it was difficult to comprehend how some adults don’t understand that “someday, somebody is going to take a look at what they do.” “It’s very addictive. It’s easy. You hit a button, and nobody thinks that the rest of the world is looking at them,” Bloomberg continued. Another problem, Bloomberg added, was Twitter messages could be taken “out of context.” “It’s dangerous,” the mayor declared. “One hundred and 40 odd characters doesn’t give you a chance to explain what you really mean. It’s just a phrase that can be taken out of context. … Anything you say in 140 characters is going to be taken out of context. It’s just not a good forum. You can’t talk about a complex subject or a controversial subject in a sound bite.”