PAKISTAN’S PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION LEAVES FOR UGANDA TO PARTICIPATE IN UPCOMING IPU ASSEMBLY

PAKISTAN’S PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION LEAVES FOR UGANDA TO PARTICIPATE IN UPCOMING IPU ASSEMBLY

     Islamabad, 31ST March, 2012

A Parliamentary delegation led by Chairman Senate Syed Nayyar Hussain Bukhari left for Uganda which will participate in the upcoming 126th Inter-Parliamentary Union’s (IPU) Assembly going to be held from 31st March to 5th April, 2012. The Parliamentary delegation, comprising of both the members of the National Assembly and the Senate, will actively participate in the discussions regarding political, economic and social issues.



The overall theme is “Parliaments and people: bridging the gap”. Chairman Senate Syed Nayyar Hussain Bukhari will address the IPU Assembly to apprize the participants on the agenda. Besides, panel discussion will also take place in which issues like young children: the role of Parliamentary and making the law work for the response to AIDS: zero new infectors zero discrimination and Zero AIDS- related deaths.



Moreover, an emergency item has also been placed on the agenda regarding the Syrian Golan, occupied since 1967, promoting an inter-Parliamentary contribution to the efforts of the UN, Arab League, the Gulf Cooperation Council and international efforts to halt the bloodshed and killing in Syria, and forging an inter-Parliamentary initiative based on respect for international law and international humanitarian law, the situation in Syria, the role of Parliamentarian in strengthening regional and international efforts to halt the violence and killing in Syria and to support the Arab League Plan for a peaceful transition of power.



On the sidelines, the Chairman Senate will also hold meetings with his counterparts from different countries to inform them on the core issue of Kashmir and role played by Pakistan in war against terrorism for ensuring regional as well as global peace and stability.

Other members of the Parliamentary delegation include Mr. Faisal Karim Kundi, Deputy Speaker, National Assembly, Senator Baz Muhammad Khan, Senator Mr. Hasil Khan Bizenjo, Dr. Abdul Wahid Soomro,MNA,  Ms. Surayia Jatoi,MNA,  Mrs. Behlum Hasnain,MNA, Waseem Akhtar, MNA and  Ch. Mahmood Bashir Virk, MNA.



It is pertinent to mention here that IPU was created in 1889 as a forum for promoting the concepts of peace and international arbitration. As an international organization of Parliaments of sovereign states, the IPU is considered a useful platform for dialogue and is contributing in the advancement of international cooperation and creating understanding on issues being faced by the world.

Chief Of Jui Maulana Fazlur Rehman addressing on Shaikh Ul Hind conference

Chief Of Jui Maulana Fazlur Rehman addressing on Shaikh Ul Hind conference

    AT  convention centre Islamabad 31 March 2012

Photos AKRAM ABID

CONFERENCE EXCLUSIVE VIEWS

PIC AKRAM ABID

Kashmir, my dream, which cannot be forsaken

PR
Kashmiri American Council
Kashmir, my dream, which cannot be forsaken
Dr. Syed Ghulam Nabi Fai
(This statement was issued at Alexandria Court House, Virginia, USA)
I fight a worthy fight - Freedom for Kashmir
I sacrifice for a worthy cause - Independence for Kashmir

Kashmir Question At The United Nations

The Kashmir question is one of the oldest unresolved international problems in the world. The experience of six decades has shown that it will not go away and that an effort is urgently required to resolve it on a durable basis.  It is imperative, whatever be the rights and wrongs in the equation as far as arguments go, real populations with a pronounced sense of identity of their own, with their suffering and their aspirations rather than just legal title and merit are involved.

When the Kashmir dispute erupted in 1947-1948, the United States and Great Britain championed the stand that the future status of Kashmir must be determined by the will of the people of the territory and that their wishes must be ascertained through an impartial plebiscite under the supervision and control of the United Nations. The U.S. was a principle sponsor of the resolution # 47 which was adopted by the Security Council on April 21, 1948 and which was based on that unchallenged principle. Both the US and  Great Britain sponsored all of the Security Council resolutions, which called for a plebiscite. These were not resolutions in the routine sense of the term. Their provisions were negotiated in detail with India and Pakistan and it was only after the consent of both Governments was explicitly obtained that they were endorsed by the United Nations. They thus constitute a binding and solemn international agreement about the settlement of the Kashmir dispute.

The commitment of the United States and Great Britain was indicated by a personal appeal made by America's President Harry Truman and Britain's Prime Minister Clement Atlee that differences over demilitarization be submitted to arbitration by the Plebiscite Administrator, a distinguished American war hero: Admiral Chester Nimitz. India rejected this appeal and, later on, objected to an American acting as the Plebiscite Administrator.  India also created controversy only after India realized that she could not win the peoples vote in Kashmir.

Kashmir: Distinguishable Characteristics

There are certain characteristics of the situation in Kashmir, which distinguish it from all other deplorable human rights situations around the world.

It prevails in what is recognized - under international law - as a disputed territory.
It represents a Government's repression not of a secessionist or separatist    movement but of an uprising against foreign occupation, an occupation that was   expected to end under determinations made by the United Nations.  The   Kashmiris are not and cannot be called separatists because they cannot secede        from a country to which they have never acceded to in the first place.
It is a paradoxical case of the United Nations being deactivated and rendered        unable to address a situation to which it had devoted a number of resolutions and         in which it had established a presence, though with a limited mandate.  The United Nations Military Observers Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) is    one of the oldest peacekeeping operations of the U.N.; the force is stationed in             Kashmir to observe the cease-fire between India and Pakistan.
Mr. N. Gopalaswami Ayyangar, Indian delegate said at the Security Council on     January 15, 1948 that “the question of the future status of Kashmir, whether she           should withdraw from her accession to India, and either accede to Pakistan or remain independent, with a right to claim admission as a Member of the United     Nations – all this we have recognized to be a matter for unfettered decision by the     people of Kashmir, after normal life is restored to them.”
All this may be regarded as history but there is no reason why, when the human, political and legal realities of the dispute have only not changed but have become more accentuated with the passage of time, it should now be regarded as irrelevant.

The Current Uprising

“Once known for its extraordinary beauty, the valley of Kashmir now hosts the biggest, bloodiest and also the most obscure military occupation in the world. With more than 80,000 people dead…arbitrary arrests, curfews, raids, and checkpoints (are) enforced by nearly 700,000 Indian soldiers,” wrote Pankaj Mishra in Guardian, London on August 13, 2010. By comparison, the U.S. currently has less than 100,000 troops in Afghanistan, a country six times the size of Kashmir. In April 2007, the Economist magazine reported that an average of three people were being killed every day in Kashmir, or roughly 1,000 per year. The United States, Department of State in its Country report on Human Rights issued on April 8, 2011 reported that 8,000 to 10,000 people have disappeared in Kashmir.

More than 2,700 mass graves were discovered in Kashmir in August 2011 where tortured victims have been dumped by the occupying forces while "half-widows," women are unable to officially bring closure to their lives since their husbands have disappeared. The abuses are so pervasive as to extend beyond those directly affected. The pattern of abuses reaches every man, woman and child in the Valley of Kashmir. The people live under the constant threat of the abuses. The prevalence of military personnel and bunkers serve as a constant reminder to Kashmiris of the potential for them to fall victim to such a horrible occurrences.

The scale of the popular backing for the resistance in Kashmir can be judged from the established fact that virtually all the citizenry of Srinagar (Capital city of Kashmir) - men, women and children - came out dozens of times on the streets to lodge a non-violent protest against the continuance of Indian occupation. The fact that they presented petitions at the office of the United Nations Military Observers Group shows the essentially peaceful nature of the aims of the uprising and its trust in justice under international law. At times the number of people in these peaceful processions exceeded 1 million. India has tried to portray the uprising as the work of terrorists or fanatics. Terrorists do not compose an entire population, including women and children; fanatics do not look to the United Nations to achieve pacific and rational settlement.

This popular and non violent resistance is a living proof that the people of Kashmir will not compromise, far less abandon, their demand for self-determination which is their birthright and for which they have paid a price in blood and suffering which has not been exacted from any other people of the South Asian subcontinent. Compared to the sacrifice Kashmir has had to endure, India and Pakistan themselves gained their freedom through a highly civilized process.

Therefore, the world powers must realize that there is only one solution to the problem we face and that is to bring Kashmiris to the table. It is only the people of Kashmir who can decide their own future, not by military means or by the use of violence or as a consequence of an occupation by hostile forces through exacerbating intimidation, but through peaceful negotiations in which democratic process is available for people to freely decide for themselves whether they want to accede to India or Pakistan or want to remain independent. This is our answer, and it is the answer to the threat which now exists of nuclear annihilation throughout the whole region of South Asia – home to one-fifth of total human race.

Kashmir: My Story

While American youth grow up idolizing their favorite football stars or Hollywood heroes and yearning for the latest technological innovation, it is no surprise that by the time Kashmiri youth go to college, their most driving passion is the passion for freedom and right to self-determination, a passion that has become the very bread and butter of their lives. This by now deeply embedded culture of resistance is a call of conscience and duty that is laid upon every child of Kashmir from the time that they are born until they die, firmly planted in the minds of every man, woman and child and every succeeding generation since the formal acknowledgement of this country's distinct identity more than 65 years ago. The words freedom & independence (Aazadi) are more commonly on the lips of Kashmiri youth than the words iPhone and iPod are on American college campuses today.

My own passion for the plight of Kashmir is clearly nothing unique. As a child of Kashmir, born and raised in this environment myself, I am just one of the hundreds of thousands of youth who, through no fault or choice of their own, have become directly or indirectly involved and deeply and passionately motivated to do something positive for their country, however insignificant in the context of global affairs, to make a difference. A country can be destroyed but a nation cannot be defeated. Our struggle for freedom from this tyranny is the song in our heart, the poetry on our lips, and the vision that solidly unites us. It is the bedrock of our determination to continue unrelentingly to seek justice and truth for the people of Kashmir, despite our seeming powerlessness in the face of this occupation. Our hope is in our unity, in our love for one another as a people, as a nation, and as a divine spirit that pervades our history as a people with a unique cultural identity regardless of race, religion or creed, and our lasting belief that we cannot be denied our birth right to self-determination.

In 1980, an important event took place that touched my life in a very personal way. It has had the historic significance, not only in having an impact in a very real way upon my own survival and the personal vision I came to adopt for the rest of my life, but how it came to shape the very destiny of Kashmir itself.

I was in my early 30s then with a driving zeal, as is in every young man's heart in Kashmir. We all wanted to make a significant impact somewhere and somehow on life's stage. At this particular time, I had been placed in charge of the international section of a major conference being held in the capital of Kashmir, Srinagar. I was successful in inviting  the Imam of Kaa’ba in Makkah whose presence became instrumental in energizing and internationalizing the issue of Kashmir on the right to self-determination.

The main conference was attended by tens of thousands of people who came to listen to the Imam. It was then that the greatest moment of my role in the conference was realized,: to adopt a resolution calling for the implementation of the United Nations Security Council resolutions. The conference resolution was unanimously adopted by a show of hands. This was accomplished without a single window being broken, or a single stone being thrown but in an environment of peace and tranquility, in the presence of thousands who were able to express on that day that the voice of the people of Kashmir was unified and firm in expressing their resolve for Kashmiri people's right to self-determination.

This was a momentous occasion in the history of Kashmir. To call for the implementation of United Nations Security Council resolutions on Kashmir is even now considered a crime by the government of India. Then, however, the presence of the Imam of Kaa’ba and his participation prevented officials from enforcing the law, at least through direct intervention. It was a day that would forever seal my fate in Kashmir as a man whose deep affection for his own country would become common knowledge and a man perhaps most loathed on that particular day by the government of India.

A few days later, after the Imam’s departure, the state Administration discussed the impact of Imam’s visit on Kashmir where tens of thousands of people were able to listen to him in many cities and where the United Nations resolutions, which were considered seditious and illegal to even mention, were declared as legitimate. I was blamed for this evolutionary revolution in the consciousness of Kashmiris by raising the topic of the United Nations Security Council resolutions in every speech and the hope now more instilled that we would one day see freedom of Kashmir. The senior staff in the office of the chief minister wanted to have a word with me.

Next day, rather than meeting with the officials, I left India, knowing that I was for the foreseeable future to live in exile, honored by my countrymen, condemned to a fate that I must either embrace or die from the sheer weight of it. As it had then become clear to me, Kashmir was my friend, my lover, my country, my honor, and my dignity, and my only dream or hope of any future at all. I was not about to forsake it.

My Approach

In the time since I left Kashmir, I have always worked for its freedom, justice and right to self-determination. When I reached the United States in 1981-1982, I was extremely overjoyed to discover that its official policy conformed to the wishes and aspirations of the people of Kashmir. American presidents from the Truman Administration to the current Administration of President Obama have all been public and forthright about the need to resolve the Kashmir crisis according to the wishes of all parties involved, including the Kashmiri people themselves.

I was honored to receive a letter from President Bill Clinton on December 27, 1993 saying that “I share your belief that, in order to face the dilemmas of a post-Cold War global landscape, we all must look closely at our policies with regard to human rights. I am confident that we can bring about changes that are consistent with what the U.N. founders envisioned. I look forward to working with you and others to help bring peace in Kashmir and I appreciate your input.”

It was most gratifying for Kashmiri American community when President George W. Bush said on February 22, 2006 that the United States supports a solution of Kashmir dispute acceptable not only to India and Pakistan but also to “citizens of Kashmir.”

It was equally satisfying for us when President Barack Obama said on October 30, 2008, “We should probably try to facilitate a better understanding between Pakistan and India and try to resolve the Kashmir crisis so that they can stay focused not on India, but on the situation with those militants.”

It was in 1989 that the latest phase of the resistance was initiated by the people of Kashmir. In response to this peaceful struggle, the Kashmiri American community became active in the United States to urge the US Administration to help resolve the issue of Kashmir. Then in 1990, we joined together to establish the Kashmiri American Council (KAC) with the same purpose. Our program has included public events, academic conferences and a constant attempt to have all the parties to the conflict – India, Pakistan & Kashmiri leadership -- meet, discuss and plan strategy without any pre-condition from any side.

The eleven International Kashmir Conferences which I organized in Washington, D.C. were meant to create an atmosphere for dialogue among the participants with varied opinions from India, Pakistan and Kashmir. I tried to bridge gap in understanding while at the same time to promote harmony and peace between India and Kashmir.

I invited Dileep Padgaonkar, currently the chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir interlocutor’s team appointed by Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh. Upon his return to India, he wrote an article in the ‘Times of India’ on March 12, 2005, "The talk inside and especially outside the conference hall focused on the need to adopt what Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Executive Director of KAC, called a 'pragmatic, realistic and tangible strategy' to resolve the vexed issue.”

Ms. Harinder Baweija, Editor ‘Tehelka’ Magazine in India, after attending our conference wrote an article on August 15, 2009,  "Dr. Fai's opening remarks at the two-day conference in Washington were fairly innocuous and accurate: The meet, Fai said, was to achieve the Kashmiris' aims in the sprit of reconciliation not confrontation, through equality, not discrimination, and with hope not despair."

Another delegate from India Sultan Shahin wrote in Hong Kong-based Asia Times on March 8, 2005, about the Kashmir conference, "The tone of realism and a sincere desire to explore options for Kashmir was set by the chief organizer of the conference, Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai of the Kashmiri American Council, who stressed the following repeatedly at the very outset: Since we are concerned at this time with setting a stage for settlement rather than the shape the settlement will take, we believe that it is both untimely and harmful to indulge in, or encourage, controversies about the most desirable solution. Any attempt to do so at this point amounts to playing into the hands of those who would prefer to maintain a status quo that is intolerable to the people of Kashmir and also a continuing threat to peace in South Asia. We deprecate raising of quasi-legal or pseudo-legal questions during the preparatory phase about the final settlement. It only serves to befog the issue and to convey the wrong impression that the dispute is too complex to be resolved and that India and Pakistan hold equally inflexible positions. Such an impression does great injury to the cause.”

I have always tried to represent the sentiments of the people of Kashmir, irrespective of their religious background and cultural affiliations. Sometimes it meant to state the hard facts which people in the halls of power in New Delhi or Islamabad might not always find agreeable. This fact can be understood from an article which was published in ‘Washington Times’ on January 18, 2004, "Finding a solution to the stalemate over self-determination in Kashmir, however, is vastly more complex than articulating the problem. Some in India profit from Kashmir's tumults. They appeal to extreme Hindu nationalists who insist on Muslim inferiority and envision India as an expanding sun in the South Asian universe. Likewise, some in Pakistan gain by keeping Kashmir unresolved. It distracts attention from Pakistan's enormous domestic faults, and provides indigenous militants with an outlet unthreatening to [its own] government."

I also wrote an article in ‘Boston Globe’ on January 5, 2002, "There are suggestions in some quarters that the United Nations should broker a deal on Kashmir between India and Pakistan. Kashmiris wish to stress that their land is not real estate that can be parceled out between two [non-resident] disputants but the home of nation with a history far more compact and coherent than India's and far longer than Pakistan's. No settlement of their status will hold unless it is explicitly based on the principles of self-determination and erases the so-called line of control, which is in reality the line of conflict. "

My approach has been consistent and there was absolutely no reason for me to do otherwise, and that is to inform the United States Administration that India and Pakistan by themselves are not able to resolve the issue of Kashmir. They have tried over decades but failed. It needs the engagement of the United States with both these neighboring countries.

Indian Intelligentsia

Of late, there have appeared positive signs of a change in Indian thinking on Kashmir. As a matter of fact, there have always existed saner elements in India which have questioned both the ethics and the practical advantage of India’s intransigence on Kashmir. As they have received little support from outside, they have remained mostly subdued. But the apparent failure of India’s policies, the tattered regime it maintains in Kashmir and the losses it has made to sustain in the Valley, despite the deployment of an overwhelming force to brutalize the people into submission – all these seem to be bringing home to more and more people in India, even in its army, that the game is not worth the candle. But this constructive trend will vanish if the U.S. is seen as tolerant of India’s obduracy and unmindful to healthier opinion in India itself about what is best for India.

As early as in 1990’s, we realized that the most important constituency for Kashmiri Americans to address was the people of India themselves. The Indian public as a whole did not know the facts on the ground in Kashmir. A great deal of work was needed in this area to bring about any change in the attitudes of those who determine policy in New Delhi. It was then that I started exploring the possibility of opening the channels of communication with the policy makers from New Delhi.

I met with a three-man delegation in Washington, D.C. in December 1993 which was sent by then the prime minister of India, P. V. Narasimha Rao. The delegation was headed by former Cabinet Minister (Name withheld). During the two-days meeting a lot was discussed from militancy to the political leadership and the role of Kashmiri diaspora. And there was an understanding from both sides that this initiative could be pursued for the sake of peace in the region of South Asia.

In 1994, I met with former Interior Minister of India, (Name withheld) who was also sent by Prime Minister Rao to explore ways and means to bring peace to resolve the conflict of Kashmir. This meeting was in Washington, which lasted for 3 to 4 hours. The next meeting took place in New York City the following week which also lasted for four to five hours and was attended by Ambassador Yusuf Buch. Later, I submitted a written brief of these meetings to Mr. Ron Lorton, then the Director, South Asia Division at the United States, Department of State in the context of the United States Government’s concern over the conflict in Kashmir. The names of all members of the Indian delegation were mentioned in the brief.

I also had more than dozen meetings with the emissaries of the Government of India, including cabinet ministers, diplomats and politicians between 1994 to 2009 which were also attended either by Dr. Ayub Thuker, London or Ambassador Yusuf Buch, New York.

In late 2009, a member of the Cabinet of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh (Name withheld)  called me on the telephone to meet at the Embassy of India. That was the first time that I have ever visited Embassy of India in Washington, D.C. We discussed the issue of peace process between India & Pakistan; the Kashmiri leadership, the role of Kashmiri diaspora and many other issues of mutual concern.

I told the guest that I am hopeful for a constructive atmosphere for dialogue. I reminded him that it has been a characteristic of the Kashmir problem that, at one point in time, hopeful signs emerge of its being solved and, at the next point, these signs prove wholly deceptive. Therefore, our objective should be not to answer what is the correct or best solution of the Kashmir problem but how that solution can be arrived at. In other words, it should by itself neither promote nor preclude any rational settlement of the dispute, be it accession to India or Pakistan or independence.

Meeting with Indian officials was fundamental to my strategy to find the means by which we, as Kashmiri Americans could contribute to peace in that part of the world and in resolving the crisis of Kashmir. Therefore, during the past eleven years, I have met with four different officials at the Indian embassy who succeeded each other periodically and introduced me to the new incoming official before leaving for a new post. An interesting call and a voicemail from an Indian official (who shall remain anonymous) called me either on July 18 or July 19, 2011, the day I was arrested. He left a voicemail that we must meet, which I heard ten days later after my release. I intended to save that voicemail but for reasons unknown to me it was deleted.

The Principle of Right of Self-determination

I have always pleaded for an unrestricted right of self-determination which means that Kashmiris are to be given the right to accede to India or Pakistan or to choose independence.

I wrote in the Washington Post on July 7, 1990. "There is nothing in the United Nations plan that is incompatible with pluralism. We do not wish to foreclose any of the three possible options for the people: independence, accession to Pakistan or accession to India (despite all the atrocities committed by India). We refuse to believe that fairness is an impractical proposition."

I wrote in Washington Times, on April 2, 2000 "Kashmiris recognize that any solution must also answer the genuine national security and communal concerns of both India and Pakistan. Thus, if independent statehood is approved, the 13 million people of Kashmir would accept permanent neutrality like Austria in the 1955 State Treaty that ended foreign occupation."

I wrote in Washington Times on July 8, 2001, "The United States should also offer India tangible rewards for acceding to Kashmiri self-determination subject to safeguards to prevent Kashmiri independence from threatening India's national security interests: support for permanent Indian membership in the Security Council: grand fathered nuclear status under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty; the ending of sanctions for India's 1998 nuclear tests; and closer military ties that would strengthen India's hand in its border and companion quarrels with China."

I again wrote in Washington Times on October 21, 2001, “As was done in East Timor in 1999, the United Nations Security Council should organize and conduct a plebiscite on Kashmir's future and deploy a peacekeeping force to ensure a free and fair voting climate. The voter registration and campaigning should consume six to 12 months. India and Pakistan should be ordered to maintain a cease-fire and to thin their military presences. The plebiscite should offer three choices: accession to India, accession to Pakistan, or independence.”

I also wrote in 1993 that “the right of self-determination, by definition, is an unrestricted right. By entering into the agreement, India and Pakistan excluded, and rendered inadmissible, each other's claim to the State until that claim was accepted by the people through a vote taken under an impartial authority. They did not, as they could not, decide what options the people would wish to consider. No agreement between two parties can affect the rights of a third: this is an elementary principle of law and justice which no international agreement, if legitimate, can possibly flout. Therefore, India and Pakistan could not tell the people of Kashmir that they can choose independently but they cannot choose independence. It would make a mockery of democratic norms.”

Fallacious Proposals For The Solution Of Kashmir

An indication of the misplaced focus is the wrong-headed talk about the "sanctity" of the line of control in Kashmir. It is forgotten that this line continues to exist only because the international agreement which had been concluded between India and Pakistan, with the full support of the United States. This line was originally formalized by that agreement as a temporary cease-fire line pending the demilitarization of the State of Jammu and Kashmir and the holding of a plebiscite to determine its future. As long as it will remain clamped down on the state, it will continue to impose a heavy toll of death on the people of the land. They have had no hand in creating a line which has cut through their homes, separated families and, what is worse, served as a protecting wall for massive violations of human rights. They are not resigned to its becoming some kind of a border.

Equally distressing has been the reported canvassing by some quarters of the idea of autonomy for Kashmir with the Indian Union. Kashmiri leadership has the support of mass opinion for its stand that this is totally unacceptable as:

It would be liable to revision or repeal by the Indian legislature, with or without a change of Administration:
Most importantly, it would not be incorporated in an international treaty or agreement with the expressed support of all states neighboring Kashmir as well as the permanent members of the Security Council;
Kashmiris have had the experience of a limited autonomy, which was first practiced under a personal understanding between Nehru and Abdullah and later provided for by Section 370 of the Indian Constitution. It was eroded and eventually whittled away by the forces of circumstances.
One consideration becomes compelling clear that it is virtually impossible that a settlement, no matter how pleasing to the present leadership of India and Pakistan and even of certain interested foreign powers, will endure and carry a stamp of genuineness unless it has a rational framework, rests convincingly on principle and is transparently democratic.

Kashmir: A Way Forward

All that is needed for the settlement is going back --- yes, going back --- to the point of agreement which historically existed beyond doubt between India and Pakistan and jointly resolving to retrieve it with such modifications as are necessitated by the passage of time. The point of agreement was one of inescapable principle- -- that the future status of Kashmir shall be decided by the will of the people of the State as impartially ascertained in conditions free from coercion.

True, sixty-five years have passed since the resolutions were adopted but as many years have gone since the Charter of the United Nations was adopted. Lapse of time does not invalidate international agreements. However, India, Pakistan and the Kashmiri leadership must signify their willingness to consider any arrangement which conforms to the same principle as did the United Nations resolutions and may be more feasible in the changed circumstances of today.

I believe that the United Nations can, and should, lead the effort to achieve a fair and lasting settlement of the dispute – fair to the people most immediately involved and fair to its own commitments to democracy and human rights. By doing so, the United Nations can strengthen the principles of a just world order. It will also earn the gratitude of generations in Kashmir, in Pakistan and even in India itself.

The UN can play a more activist, mediatory role in regard to Kashmir by initiating a peace process. This can take the shape of a polygonal dialogue – U.S., China, India, Pakistan and Kashmir – or an appropriate use of the newly – developed procedures and mechanisms at the United Nations. The U.S. by itself or through the U.N. would supply the catalyst that is needed for a settlement.

We urge the members of the United Nations Security Council to maintain, indeed to intensify, their watch over the situation in Kashmir and not to be lulled into the belief that the dialogue between India and Pakistan, in the form and at the level it appears to be contemplated at present, will soften the conflict or lessen the urgent need for mediatory initiatives. The policy that aims at merely defusing the situation, whatever that may mean, and not encouraging a credible settlement has not paid in the past. It is likely to do even less now.

What is desperately needed is an affirmation by the Indian and Pakistani leadership at the highest level of the necessity of taking new measures to effect the settlement of the dispute within a reasonable time frame. To that end, India and Pakistan must together prepare a plan for the demilitarization of the State with safeguards for security worked out together. Confidence that a real peace process is being launched would be inspired by the ending of repressive measures within the Indian-held area by both the federal and the state authorities. If sincerity is brought to the process in place of cheap trickery, the dawn of peace will glow as never before over the subcontinent.

The global initiatives in Kashmir will not only end the bloodshed and suffering in Kashmir, but also have a direct positive effect on international security by eliminating regional fighting, national tensions, and the risk of a nuclear war between India and Pakistan. It is in everyone’s interest to settle the Kashmir conflict peacefully without further delay. We don’t want to see the horrific nightly scenes from Bosnia, Kosovo and Darfur replaced by an even greater catastrophe in Kashmir

Earth hour day celebrat/ Light candle In Parliament house

Earth hour day celebrated in pakistan

Light candle In Parliament house

AND

Switching off non-essential lights for one hour

DETAIL

 March every year, asking people to turn off their non-essential lights and other electrical appliances for one hour to raise awareness about the need for action on climate change.

Parliamentary Committee on National Security recommends no foreign footprint on Pakistani //soil NATO supply=Nation won't be disappointed/Chairman,PCNS

  Parliamentary Committee on National Security recommends no foreign footprint on Pakistani soil
NATO supply=Nation won't be disappointed/Chairman,PCNS
31 march

The Parliament’s National Security Committee’s meeting was held under the chair of Senator Raza Rabbani, while deadlock remained over resumption of NATO supply. JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman strongly rejected all the options to restore the supply.

The PML-N and the PML-Q also remained firm on their decision to link restoration of NATO supply with halt of drone attacks.  A proposal to seek details of US withdrawal from Afghanistan and guarantee to implement the parliamentary committee’s recommendations was also put before the committee.

The committee adjourned its meeting till Monday evening. New member of the committee Qamar Zaman Kaira was also present on the occasion.

FURTHER

              Parliamentary Committee on National Security recommends no foreign footprint on Pakistani soil

Members of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS) on Saturday unanimously agreed to include two clauses into the draft about not allowing foreign security contractors to conduct covert operations on Pakistani soil and not giving bases to any foreign nation, especially to the United States.

The committee, which met here at the Parliament House with Senator Raza Rabbani in the chair, held deliberations for over three hours.

The meeting was also attended by PPP leader Qamar Zaman Kaira who has replaced Senator Babar Awan.

The initial recommendation draft included that “the activity of foreign private security contractors to be made transparent and subject to Pakistani law” and “parliamentary approval for any use of Pakistani bases by foreign forces, and drafting new flying rules by the defence ministry/PAF and Isaf/US/Nato for areas contiguous to the border.”

Opposition parties including Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Jamiat ul Ulema Islam (JUI-F) had raised their reservations regarding these clauses and regarded them to be tantamount to providing a legal cover to the covert operations.

Raza Rabbani today told media representatives that the committee was discussing all the recommendations and would make decisions with consensus.

“No definite time period can be stated to review the draft of the recommendations,” Rabbani told while speaking to the media representatives after the meeting.

He said the political parties would not disappoint the nation as they had done in the recent past.

JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazul ur Rehman remained steadfast to his earlier stance of not resuming the transportation of supplies to Nato forces in Afghanistan.

“The decision regarding Nato supply routes should not be changed by the parliament.” Fazl said.

Also on Saturday, the ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) government has revoked former Law Minister Babar Awan’s membership from the PCNS, replacing him with Kaira.

Rabbani said that the replacement was the decision of senior party leadership, and declined to give any further comments.

courtesy=dawn and dunya tv channels,

Conference National Unity Wing P T I=Attended by eminent Christians, Hindus and Sikh members of the party

 
Press Release
Islamabad (31-03-2012)
The National Unity Wing of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf met in the party’s central secretariat under the chairmanship of Brigadier Samson Simon Sharaf (Retired) today in Islamabad. The conference was attended by eminent Christians, Hindus and Sikh members of the party to deliberate the organization in the best interests of the party.  Notable amongst those who attended were Mr. George Clement, Dr. Austin Bhatti, Pandit Channa Lal, Mr. Pasu Mall Kohistani, Mr. Rufas Solomon, Mr. Arshad Gill, Mr. Radesh Singh Tony, Mr. Ravi Kumar, Advocate Gabrial Francis, Mrs. Shazia Sharaf and Bishop Wilson Gill.
In light of the new constitution, the meeting discussed the role of minorities in Pakistan and resolved to appoint working committees at National and Provincial levels as a preliminary to establishment of the a full fledged working and inclusive organization. The conference reposed full trust in the leadership of the Chairman Imran Khan. Mrs Fauzia Kasuri also addressed the meeting and reiterated that PTI is an equal opportunity party.

Central Media Cell PTI

URGENT APPEAL HRCP=/ Abduction of Three Sindhi Nationalist leaders by Rangers

URGENT APPEAL HRCP=/
Abduction of Three Sindhi Nationalist leaders by Rangers
  Human Rights Commission of Pakistan requests your urgent intervention in the following situation

 Description of the situation:
P R

Mr. Sachal Gopang, a member of Central Committee, Jeay Sindh Taraqi Pasand Party, Mr. Qarban Gopang and Mr. Musa Sheikh Hyderabad district office bearers of Jeay Sindh Taraqi Pasand Party were stopped by Rangers on March 28, 2012 at about 8. p m at Hala Naka, Hyderabad, Sindh Pakistan. According to eye witnesses they were beaten and blindfolded by rangers before taking them away to unknown place.

Action requested

Please write to the authorities in Pakistan urging them:

1. To disclose the three nationalist leaders whereabouts and the reason for their arrest.
2. To release the detainees immediately if they are not to be charged with a cognizable criminal offense.
3. To allow the families of the detainee to meet them.
4. They should be provided lawyers access.
5. To protect them from torture and other ill-treatment while they are in detention.


Sample

We express our deep concern on the abduction of Mr. Sachal Gopang, a member of Central Committee, Jeay Sindh Tarqi Pasand Party, Mr. Qarban Gopang and Mr. Musa Sheikh Hyderabad district office bearers of Jeay Sindh Tarqi Pasand Party by Rangers on March 28, 2012 at about 8. p m at Hala Naka, Hyderabad, Sindh Pakistan.


We demand that they must not be tortured.
We urge that they are dealt with according to law.
We urge you that if there was no case against them they should be immediately released.
We urge you to provide them all kind of medical facilities.
We demand that their families should be allowed to meet them
We demand that they should be allowed to meet lawyers of their choice.

It would be appreciated if you send a copy of your letter to HRCP/Urgent Appeal (Zaman Khan)


Address:


Address:

1. Mr. Asif Ali Zardari
President of Pakistan
President's Secretariat
Islamabad
PAKISTAN
Tel:92-51-9204801-9214171Fax.92-51-9207458 s
Email:publicmail@president.gov.pk

2. Mr. Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani
Prime Minister
Prime Minister House
Islamabad,PAKISTAN
Fax: +92 51 922 1596
Tel: +92 51 920 6111
E-mail:secretary@cabinet.gov.pk

3. Dr. Faqir Hussain
Registrar
Supreme Court of Pakistan
Constitution Avenue,
Islamabad
PAKISTAN
Fax: + 92 51 9213452
E-mail:mail@supremecourt.gov.pk

Price control is a provincial subject and should be dealt at the local and provincial levels= responsibility of the state to protect life and property of citizens BUT law and order situation in Karachi is a complex issue.= Wrong policies of previous governments responsible for loadshedding: PM Gilani SPEAK programme "Prime Minister Online" broadcast on Pakistan Television

Price control is a provincial subject and should be dealt at
the local and provincial levels=
responsibility of the state to protect life
and property of citizens
BUT
law and order situation in Karachi is
a complex issue.=
Wrong policies of previous governments responsible for loadshedding:
PM Gilani SPEAK
programme "Prime Minister Online" broadcast on Pakistan Television

      ISLAMABAD, Mar 30: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani
Friday said owing to the wrong policies of the previous governments,
the present government inherited power shortage and the country was
facing loadshedding.
      Replying to questions of the people in his monthly TV
programme "Prime Minister Online" broadcast on Pakistan Television
and Channel Five, the Prime Minister said that energy crisis is not
a new issue.
      The Prime Minister said an important Energy Conference is
being held on April 9, which will be attended by representatives
from all the provinces to discuss and find solution to the energy
crisis.
      Prime Minister while referring to the Independent Power
Producers (IPPs) initiated by Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto in 1994 during
her first term said, she was criticized for this initiative.
      The Prime Minister said many corruption cases were made
against Benazir Bhutto and matter was taken to the courts and the
investors in this IPP project ran away from Pakistan.
      Gilani said, "this situation created energy crisis in the
country, and it was failure of the previous governments that we are
facing energy crisis today".
      He said despite remaining in the government for eight years,
even President Parvez Musharraf did not contribute any thing in
energy sector.  
      The Prime Minister said, "We have added 3400 MW in the
national system with the help of short term projects and added that
more electricity will be added by end of the year when many mid term
projects will be completed."
      He said many other projects like Bhasha Dam, raising of Mangla
Dam and other hydal projects are under construction to improve
electricity and reduce loadshedding.
      Gilani said, "I am from Punjab, and cannot do
discrimination with other provinces on the issue of loadshedding."
      The Prime Minister said the provinces have been permitted to
generate electricity, therefore, provinces are equally responsible
for energy crisis.
      The Prime Minister said government is also making efforts to
get energy from Iran. He said during his informal talk with Indian
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for getting 500 to 1000 MW electricity
from India.
      He said the Committee constituted by him on energy will meet
daily to look into the present severe condition of loadshedding.
      The gas shortage is also a problem directly effecting the
shortage of electricity, as many power projects use gas and even
provision of gas for fertilizers also create shortage for power
projects, he added.
      He said the government is also making efforts to import LNG
from different countries to meet the demand in energy sector.
      Replying to a question about energy losses, the Prime Minister
said PEPCO and Ministry of Water and Power have been restructured
purely on professional basis and all areas have been made
independent and it will improve the situation and reduce corruption
and line losses.
      The Prime Minister said he had directed that there will be no
new tax in the next budget and relief will be given to the people.
      He said over 100,000 jobs will be created to provide jobs to
youth especially the graduated people.
      About change in Federal Cabinet, the Prime Minister said its
a routine matter and it should not be a concern for any one. All the
members of Cabinet are elected representatives and they are
politicians.
      He said the politicians are elected and they deserve to be
included in the federal cabinet as they have the experience.
      About a solution for loadshedding during cricket match, the
Prime Minister said it can be managed through different measures
only for some important days and due to shortage of electricity it
cannot be a routine matter.
      The Prime Minister said efforts are being made to minimise the
load shedding using the available sources present in the country.
      To a question for recognition of degrees of the students who
got education in China, the Prime Minister said, "We have good
relations with China and I am leaving for China tomorrow and giving
concentration on exchange of students between the two countries and
assured that the matter of degree recognition will be resolved."
      About allegations of corruption against his sons, the Prime
Minister said these are wrong allegations and added that even
Supreme Court has stated that his son was not involved in Hajj
corruption case, but still the press was projecting this issue.
     
     
      The Prime Minister said elections for local governments were
not held, because of which there were no local elected officials to
control prices.
      Price control is a provincial subject and should be dealt at
the local and provincial levels, he said adding the provincial
governments should take notice of the problem of adulteration in
edible items.
      To a question about the situation in Karachi, he said Karachi
is mini Pakistan with a large population and different dynamics.
      Gilani said it is responsibility of the state to protect life
and property of citizens but law and order situation in Karachi is
a complex issue.
      The provincial government should fulfill its obligation and
perform the primary duty to maintain law and order, he said adding
army, rangers and other law enforcement agencies of the federal
government are available as and when required.
      Gilani said despite the fact that all the three main parties
in Sindh are in the coalition government, it is not a guarantee that
law and order situation will be under control all the time.
      "It is responsibility of everybody to maintain law and order."
      To a question, he said Pakistan is reviewing its relations and
rules of engagement with the United States, NATO and ISAF.
      The parliament is holding a discussion on the recommendations
of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security to redefine
relations with the US, he added.
      The Prime Minister said US President Barack Obama during a
meeting in Seoul told him that his country respected both
sovereignty of Pakistan and the process of review of ties with US by
the parliament.
      But Obama also said that US has security concerns and he
wanted a balanced approach which takes care of the security of
American citizens, he added.
      Obama raised the issue of foreigners including Uzbeks, Afghans
and Chechens in tribal areas and said they were responsible for
carrying out attacks on Americans, who should be provided security,
Gilani continued.
      Recommendations of the parliamentary committee are property of
the parliament, he observed.
      He said democracy is taking roots in Pakistan and now the
parliament is deciding about the foreign policy, whereas in the past
it was complained that foreign policy was not the domain of elected
representatives.
      He said leaders of parties in the parliament and chiefs of
armed forces had attended a meeting to evolve consensus on foreign
policy issues.
      Foreign Minister, Finance Minister, Interior Minister, Army
Chief, Air Chief and Pakistan's Ambassador to the US gave a briefing
to the leaders of parliamentary parties to address their concerns,
he added.
      The meeting was an effort to move towards a consensus
resolution till April 5 for reviewing of ties with the US, he said
adding the parliament should speak with one voice and send a loud
and clear message on relations with the US.
      To a question about Nawaz Sharif who recently said that the
Prime Minister sought advice from children on Swiss case, Gilani
said the matter is sub judice and he does not want to comment on it.
      He said health and education are his areas of concern and he
has been addressing convocations of colleges and universities to
encourage students.
      The students of university in Bahawalpur and Kinnaird College
Lahore are not children as they are of voter age and qualify to be
members of National Assembly, he explained.
      In response to question of a caller, the Prime Minister gave
orders for filling of posts in schools and hospitals in Azad Kashmir
and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which were rebuilt in the earthquake hit
areas by ERRA.
      The Prime Minister said Pakistanis were proud of the people of
Swat and Malakand for their bravery, sacrifices and fight against
terrorism and militancy.
      Militants destroyed schools, especially those which were
giving education to female students, he recalled.
      The Prime Minister said Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project was
on track and the government was looking into alternatives for
financing of the project and import of gas to meet energy needs.
      The Prime Minister asked Minister for Information to
look into the matter of non-payment of salaries to employees of news
organizations.
      The Prime Minister also ordered Secretary Establishment to
look into the matter of restoration of job of son of a caller, who
requested for help.
      He directed Secretary Establishment to examine the case of a
caller for regularization in National Bank of Pakistan.

      Prime Minister Gilani, in a response question about Maulana
Fazalur Rehman's statement regarding the next general elections,
said after the 18th Constitutional Amendment, which had done away
with Article 58-2B, it is now his prerogative to dissolve the
National Assembly and announce new elections.
      Gilani, however, added that as there was a coalition
government with Maulana Fazalur Rehman not its part, he would
consult the coalition partners before taking any decision in this
respect.
      "I have a lot of respect for Maulana Fazalur Rehman. He also
studied in Multan and is also my friend. Maulana has his own views,
but I will take any decision after consulting the coalition
partners," he remarked.
      Responding to caller, who took up the issue of extortion in
Karachi, the Prime Minister said he himself would visit Karachi and
review the law and order situation.
      To another question about the role of PML-N as an opposition
party, the Prime Minister said the PML-N cannot be termed as a
"friendly opposition" but a "responsible opposition", as whenever
there was any issue of national interest, they cooperated with the
government.
      He referred to the approval of historic Constitutional
Amendments to strengthen parliament and other national institutions
and said all the political parties including the PML-N stood united
for national cause.
      Replying to a question about Pak-India trade, he said the
federal cabinet had decided to improve balance of trade with India
and assigned the Ministry of Commerce to hold talks with the Indian
side, while keeping in view our national interest. "Currently, these
talks are in progress, which is a positive sign," he added.
      To a question about the situation in Balochistan, the Prime
Minister said, the people of Balochistan like people belonging to
other provinces are equally sincere and patriotic and are not
separatist.
      He, however, added that as far as their concerns regarding the
injustices done with them in the past are concerned, these are
justified.
      The Prime Minister further said that there are few people in
Balochistan, who are working on the signals from abroad, adding, but
they do not have any support from the main-stream political parties.
      Gilani said he also raised the issue of Balochistan with US
President Barack Obama during his recent meeting in Seoul and said
President Obama assured him that the United States had no official
policy about the independence of Balochistan, and some Congressmen
in America, who are talking about Balochistan, did not have the
support of US government.
      About the All Parties Conference on Balochistan issue, the
Prime Minister said he has already directed the provincial
government to talk to the Baloch leaders in main-stream political
parties, and whenever he gets a signal, he would convene the APC.
      To a question as to what results the PPP expects in the next
general elections, Gilani said, the masses have reposed their
confidence in the PPP in all the by-elections, as they know this
party was working to address their problems with all sincerity.
      Gilani said with energy crisis being the only issue, the
present PPP-led government has fulfilled all promises and would go
in the elections on the basis of its performance.
      About seat adjustment with coalition partners, the Prime
Minister said in this respect the PPP and its coalition partners
will work out a strategy before the elections.
      Responding to a caller, the Prime Minister said the present
government has reinstated thousands of sacked employees and assured
the caller that if his son was missed, he would also be reinstated.
      To a question, the Prime Minister said as per parliamentary
practice, the recommendations of the Parliamentary Committee on
National Security were not made public before presenting these in
the Joint Sitting.
      The reports carried out by newspapers only reflected the
people's aspirations and nobody had prior information about these
recommendations, he added.
      Responding to the request of a female caller, the Prime
Minister directed the Inspector General Islamabad Police to appoint
her bother, as it was the government's policy to give job to one of
the heirs of employees, who die during the job.
 
COURTESY
 PM
CAMP OFFICE

Virginia court announces two-year sentence to Kashmiri leader Ghulam Nabi Fai

Virginia court announces two-year sentence to Kashmiri leader Ghulam Nabi Fai  

On Soft Launching of IDEAS-2012= Pakistan does not harbour any aggressive designs against any state /The dream of a stable peace/

 

On Soft Launching of IDEAS-2012

Pakistan does not harbour any aggressive designs against any state

The dream of a stable peace/

hoped following the end of cold war, 

Pakistan, due to its vital geo-strategic location 

hoped following the end of cold war, 

Address of Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani

Prime Minister of Pakistan

  (March 30, 2012)

*****

·        Excellencies,

·        Distinguished guests,

·        Ladies and Gentlemen,

Assalam o Aliakum

I am pleased to attend Soft-Launching of this prestigious global Defence Exhibition IDEAS 2012, which rightly showcases Pakistan’s distinguished position in the defence industry of the world. At the very outset, I would like to congratulate Senior Federal Minister for Defence Production and Industries Chaudhary Pervaiz Elahi, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, General Khalid Shameem Wynne, and Major General Tahir Ashraf Khan, on organizing this mega event in a beautiful manner.  

I am also thankful to you for inviting me to the Soft Launch ceremony. It is, indeed, a matter of immense satisfaction to learn that International Defence Exhibition and Seminar, more popularly known as ‘IDEAS’ is gaining strength with every passing year. The fact that it has become a global event in a short span of eleven years speaks volumes about the dedication, commitment and professionalism of its organizers.

The exhibition has grown in scope and stature.  I am satisfied to see that Pakistan has made spectacular achievements in this relatively new field. Over the years, The dream of a stable peacehave been challenged by the menace of terrorism and extremism.

Pakistan, due to its vital geo-strategic location and shift in the regional and global security environment, finds itself at the forefront of collective struggle against this new form of threat to the world peace.  We, in Pakistan, are the worst affected victims of this formidable threat, which, as I have often said, is nameless, face-less, religion-less and region-less.

Cognizant of its responsibilities and as a responsible member of the international community, Pakistan is determined to secure peace and stability in the region as well as beyond. Our armed forces and the people of Pakistan continue to make monumental sacrifices for a better tomorrow. Through these sacrifices both in human  and material, we have added a glorious chapter in the annals of human history.

 We would like the international community to support our efforts to bring peace back to the region as early as possible. I assure you that we shall neither be found lacking in resolve nor in commitment. At the same time, we also expect our partners to show trust and understanding in this vital struggle.

Ladies and Gentlemen

While we fight the scourge of extremism and terrorism, we cannot be oblivious to the need of addressing the root causes that are at heart of these problems. Pakistan has achieved phenomenal successes in this war against terrorism. However, durable solution to this cancer lies in following a multi-pronged approach that on the one hand addresses the root causes and which also ensures wellbeing of people on the other. This is where I would ask the international community to come forward to lend helping hand in meeting these challenges, including the peaceful settlement of longstanding disputes.            

Let me make it clear that Pakistan does not harbour any aggressive designs against any state. But we are determined to defend our territorial integrity and safeguard our sovereignty. That is why we need to maintain a balance in conventional forces suitably backed by minimum credible deterrence.

Pakistan will, therefore, continue to develop her military potential that guarantees peace with honour and dignity.   It is heartening to note that by the grace of Almighty Allah, we have been able to do so by significantly developing indigenous capabilities for production of sophisticated weapon systems and equipment. Our military capability is basically for deterrence purpose while peace remains the ultimate cherished goal for us. We believe that military weakness invites aggression from stronger nations. At the same time, Pakistan does not wish to be dragged in an arms race as socio-economic well being of our people is on the top of the present government’s agenda.

It is a matter of great satisfaction that after meeting the domestic requirements, our defence industry has now moved towards marketing products at the international level.  Our arms, ammunition and more complex products like tanks and other armoured vehicles, air-launched munitions and aircraft related technology are of world class standards. Our defence industry which is primarily geared to meet requirements of Pakistan Armed Forces, has a great potential to export its products on competitive basis in the world.

Honourable Guests!

On internal front, we will have to ensure that the process of extensive reforms to strengthen the state institutions and democracy continues unabated. There are strong reasons to believe that the government’s socio-economic initiatives will help marginalize the extremist elements that thrive in an environment of ignorance and poverty. At the end of the day, as a consequence of a comprehensive policy of the government, we will emerge as an economically vibrant, truly democratic, socially tolerant and externally secure country, playing a significant role in the region as well as beyond.

The Armed Forces of Pakistan are battle hardened and known for their professionalism, the world over. Our contribution towards the UN’s peace- keeping missions and our performance around the globe is a clear manifestation of our devotion to duty and the professionalism of the armed forces. This also highlights our commitment to global peace and harmony.

Ladies and Gentlemen

The holding of IDEAS is a reflection of the Government’s consistent efforts to galvanize the industrial activities for production of defence equipment through collaboration and joint ventures, in addition to the indigenous production.  The steady graph of IDEAS and its success suffered a slight dip, when, unfortunately, IDEAS-2010 had to be cancelled at the eleventh hour due to the unprecedented and devastating floods in the country.

However, we are back in the business with renewed zeal and zest.  I wish the organizers of this event a roaring success in the conduct of IDEAS-2012 and look forward to an overwhelming participation from defence industries from the world.  We would warmly welcome the foreign defence delegations and trade visitors to IDEAS-2012, to be held in November this year.  I also congratulate all the defence related business community who have selected this mega event of international repute for participation and sponsorship.

In the end, I declare the Launching of International Defence Exhibition and Seminar at Expo Centre Karachi from 7th – 11th November 2012.

I Thank you all!   

Pakistan Paindabad

stop foreign spy agencies for working in Pakistan , Parliamentary Committee on National Security /links NATO supply restoration with drone attacks halt

stop foreign spy agencies for working in Pakistan

Parliamentary Committee on National Security

links NATO supply restoration with drone attacks halt


   Friday  March  30 , 2012  6:21:24 PM



The Parliamentary Committee on National Security has agreed to review the recommendations regarding ties with the US.

The decision was taken in a PCNS meeting chaired by Senator Mian Raza Rabbani.

The meeting decided to link Nato supply restoration with Drone attacks. It also decided to stop foreign spy agencies for working in Pakistan.

Chairman PCNS Senator Raza Rabbani while talking to media after the session of the committee said that he would try to remove the reservations of the opposition. He added that the amended recommendations would present in the house.

He said that the committee meeting will remain continue on daily basis till April 5, but the date was not deadline.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that permanent principals would adopt for foreign policy. He said that Army Chief General Ashfraq Pervez Kayani has clarified that he was not contacted for Nato Supply restorations which was a good.

The PCNS will resume on tomorrow 10 am.

PCNS mulls linking Nato supply to halt in drone strikes
ISLAMABAD: The meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS) was held under the chair of Raza Rabbani, Geo News reported on Friday.

According to sources, the meeting discussed reopening of the Nato supply route on the condition of halting drones strikes.

The PCNS dropped recommendations over foreign intelligence operations in the country. The proposals of parliamentary committee on airbases were also dismissed, sources added.

Earlier, the Parliamentary Committee on National Security had approved over 35 recommendations relating to the new terms of engagement with the US and foreign policy.

The PCNS was re-evaluating ties with the United States following the Nato attack on a Pakistan check post in which 24 soldiers were killed.


EARLIER

PCNS links NATO supply restoration with drone attacks halt
 
   The joint session of the Parliament held under the chair of Deputy Speaker Faisal Karim Kundi.


The session discussed the recommendations put forward by the Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS).

Mushahid Hussain Syed said that the US has realised that now only Pakistan’s Parliament will decide all the matters not any other institution. He also stressed not to allow transportation of weapons on the name NATO supply. He said the NATO supply should not be restored until the missile strikes on Pak soil are brought to a halt.

Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said all parties including the opposition have uniform stance over Pak-US relationship.
PML-N MPs were also present but they did not participate in the debate.

courtesy Tv chenals

parliament to decide re-engagement with US, NATO PM Gilani

parliament to
decide re-engagement with US, NATO
PM Gilani
PR
ISLAMABAD, March 29 Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani
on Thursday said Parliament will decide the matter of re-engagement
with the United States, NATO and ISAF, in a respectful manner, as the
whole world was waiting for this decision.
He said this parliamentary process and the recommendations of
the parliamentary committee were being appreciated and viewed with
great respect by the whole world.
The Prime Minister expressed these views while chairing an
important meeting of the Parliamentary leaders here at the PM House,
to evolve a consensus regarding resolution of the Parliament on policy
recommendations for future course with US and NATO.
The meeting was attended by Speaker National Assembly Dr Fehmida
Mirza, Leader of the Opposition in NA Ch. Nisar Ali Khan, Leader of
Opposition in Senate Ishaq Dar, PML-Q Chief Ch. Shujaat Hussain,
Mushahid Hussain Syed, JUI Chief Maulana Fazal ur Rehman, Deputy
Parliamentary Leader of MQM in NA Syed Haidar Abbas Rizvi, ANP leader
Afrasiab Khattak, Kalsoom Parveen, FATA Parliamentary Leader in NA
Haji Munir Khan Orakzai, Senator Muzaffar Shah, Foreign Minister Hina
Rabbani Khar, Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Minister for Religious
Affairs Syed Khursheed Shah, Senator Mian Raza Rabbani.
Chief of the Army Staff Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Chief of the
Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt, DG ISI, Lt. Gen.
Zaheer ul Islam, Pakistan's Ambassador in US Ms Sherry Rehman also
attended the meeting.
The Prime Minister appreciated the hard-work of Parliamentary
Committee on National Security for finalizing the recommendations,
adding, the Parliamentary Committee has given its input, which is now
property of the House, which has to take a decision.
"It is not a matter of US alone, but 148 countries," Gilani said
and added the decision should be taken with consensus.
"The role of parliamentary leaders is very important, as your
vision will decide the future line of action," he added.

BEAUTIFUL VIEWS PARLIAMENT OF PAKISTAN/Courtesy ,Na

PARLIAMENT OF PAKISTAN

Energy conference on April 9, 2012/evolve a national policy to deal with the energy problem faced by the country

PRIME MINISTER’S HOUSE
(MEDIA OFFICE)

Prime Minister chairs meeting to review the energy situation

Islamabad: March 29, 2012

Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani directed the Ministry of Finance to immediate release Rs.6 billion to the M/o Water and Power for its payment to the generation companies for enhanced power generation to reduce the load shedding across the country.

The Prime Minister further directed the M/o Petroleum and Natural Resources to take immediate steps for the provision of natural gas to the power plants so that more electricity may be included in the system, to minimize the load-shedding hours.

The Prime Minister gave these directions while presiding over a meeting to review the energy situation in the country at PM’s House here this evening. The meeting was attended by Minister of Water and Power, Syed Naveed Qamar, Minister for Finance, Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources, Dr. Asim Hussain, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar, Deputy Chairman Planning, Dr. Nadeem ul Haq, Secretaries of the relevant  Ministries and other high government officials.

While emphasizing the need for continuous coordination and discussion for resolution of the energy issues faced by the country, the Prime Minister directed the Energy Committee of the Cabinet to hold its meeting on daily basis. The meeting of the Committee on daily basis would resolve issues coming in the way of implementation of various decisions, the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister also directed for holding of the energy conference on April 9, 2012 to consult various stake holders and evolve a national policy to deal with the energy problem faced by the country.

The Prime Minister also directed the Minister for Water and Power to hold meeting with defaulting Provincial Governments and Private sector for recovery of the outstanding dues which will boost the revenue source and further reduce the circular debt.

The Prime Minister further directed the Minister for Water and Power to hold meeting with business community and other stakeholders to take them onboard regarding the government’s polices and seek their views.

The Prime Minister said that resolution of the energy issue is the top priority of the government and in this regard every step would be taken. He said that the shortage of energy is the main hindrance in the way of foreign investment in the country.

The meeting was briefed by the Minister for Water and Power regarding the current energy shortfall and the steps taken so far to rationalize the loadshedding. He informed the meeting that due to the long winter spell the water inflow has not been to the expected mark and therefore the hydel production has suffered. He said that in the April the water inflow is expected to rise resulting in the increased hydel production which in turn will lead towards the reduction in the loadshedding hours.

The Minister for Finance, who was especially invited to brief the meeting about the views of foreign investors, apprised the meeting that a large number of foreign investors from different countries have shown keen interest in various sectors in Pakistan.

Minister for Petroleum put forth different suggestions to improve the supply of gas to the power plants for increased power generation.

The Finance Minister apprised the Prime Minister about different long, medium and short term measures which the Energy Committee has so far deliberated upon.

Foundation University Holds Sports Gala 2012 IN RAWALPINDI

FUI  PRESS  RELEASE
March 29, 2012


Foundation University Holds Sports Gala 2012
PR
ISLAMABAD
Prof. Dr. Belal A. Khan, Rector, Foundation University, Islamabad (FUI) has said that the importance of sports and other co-curricular activities in the university life cannot be underemphasized.

“Such events play a significant role in the character building, spirit of competition, discipline and comradeship of students. Besides, these activities help to keep good physical health for all participants,” he made these remarks while speaking at the closing ceremony of the FUI Sports Gala 2012 held in Pasban Sports Complex, Rawalpindi on Thursday.

The events of the Gala included 100 meter race, 60 meter race, 400 meter relay, chatti race, sack race, 3-legged race and tug of war.

The Rector said that sports are an incredibly important contributor to human nature. He said that the lack of responsibility seen and avoidance of risk taking often swells to a point where people avoid any kind of competitive activity for inherent fear of failure.

“Participation in sports and games are healthy activities which kindle the fire of struggle, excellence and competition,” he added.

Dr. Belal said that it is heartening to note that FUI constituent colleges are cognizant of the importance of sports and are making dedicated efforts to provide ample opportunities to their respective students for participation in both indoor as well as outdoor activities.

“I take this opportunity to congratulate those who won prizes in different competitions. However, those who could not secure a position should not lose heart. They should persistently keep working hard to be on the victory stand next time,” he said.

Russia, Pakistan/ agree develop a joint strategic plan to control drug menace in the region.

PAK-RUSSIA COUNTER NARCOTICS COOPERATION   ENHANCED
Islamabad:
March 28, 2012

Islamabad

Russian delegation headed by Mr Viktor Petrovich Ivanov, Director Russian Federation Services on Narcotics Control visited Ministry of Narcotics Control on Wednesday and held meeting with Federal Minister for Narcotics Control, Haji Khuda Bux Rajar. Russian Ambassador H.E. Mr Andrey Budnik, also honored the occasion. Federal Secretary Narcotics Control, Zafar Abbas Lak, and Director General Anti Narcotics Force, Major Gen Syed Shakeel Hussain were also present in the meeting.

During the meeting, both countries agreed to exchange real time information, enhance operational cooperation, share experience in professional area and impart training and develop a joint strategic plan to control drug menace in the region. H.E.Mr. Victor P.Ivanov, Director of the Federal Service of the Russian Federation for Narcotics Control, said in the press briefing that there is common understanding between Pakistan and Russia to control poppy cultivation and trafficking of narcotic substance. He further said that the role of  China, Iran, Central Asian Republic States  to uproot  production and trafficking of drugs from this region is also very important and mutual effort from all these countries in this regard needs to be enhanced.

On this occasion Federal Minister for Narcotic Control said, “that bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Russia on Narcotics Control has significant for elimination of drugs in the region. We share Russian concern about narco-trade and poppy cultivation in Afghanistan and would continue to play proactive role to improve the situation in regional context.”
Pr Govt pak

PAKISTAN HIGHLY VALUES ITS TIME-TESTED RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA:

SENATE SECRETARIAT
PAKISTAN HIGHLY VALUES ITS TIME-TESTED RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA: ACTING PRESIDENT     

         Islamabad, 29th March, 2012
Acting President Syed Nayyar Hussain Bukhari has said that Pakistan highly values its all weather and time-tested relationship with China which is based on complete mutual trust and respect. He expressed these views while talking to Chinese Ambassador Mr. Liou Jian who called on him at the Parliament House here today.

The Acting President said that both Pakistan and China enjoy complete convergence of views on all bilateral, regional and international issues. He underscored the need to explore new avenues of cooperation, saying that there was vast scope for investment in different sectors.

The Acting President observed that Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was the pioneer of development of friendly ties between Pakistan and China and the current government is taking keen interest to further consolidate the bond of friendship between the two.

He appreciated China’s steadfast support for Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and expressed his gratitude for the support and assistance extended for several economic and strategic projects besides acknowledging the timely assistance in the aftermath of devastating floods and earthquake.

He expressed the desire to further deepen the cordial relations by encouraging people to people contacts and enhancing cooperation in the field of trade and business.

Chinese Ambassador Liou Jian thanked the Acting President for the warm welcome and said that both the countries stood with each other through every thick and thin. He agreed with the views of Acting President that cooperation needs to be enhanced through closer cooperation in energy, agriculture and trade, etc.

He said our relations are marked by a high degree of trust and commonality of interests. He also informed the Acting President about the ongoing projects and investment made by Chinese investors in Pakistan. He said exchange of delegations at different levels can pave the way for strengthening the existing ties.

The Acting President conveyed his best wishes to the government and the people of China.  

Pakistani MPs call for foreign policy safeguarding national interests

MPs call for foreign policy safeguarding national interests
28 MARCH

ISLAMABAD: Lawmakers at the joint sitting of the parliament on Wednesday called for a relationship with the United States, based on mutual respect and understanding, and keeping national interest supreme.

Discussing the recommendations of Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS) regarding future relationship with the US and Nato, the parliamentarians complained of the discriminatory attitude of the US with Pakistan and called upon the government to frame a foreign policy focused on safeguarding country’s sovereignty and integrity.

Taking part in the discussion, Senator Usman Saifullah said Pakistan needs to decide what kind of future relations it wants with the United States. “Pakistan wants to be global player for which drafting foreign policy is necessary.”

He said, “We don’t want animosity with any country but want relations of equality.”

Saifullah said if Russia, which was in cold war with the US, allows its territory for logistics, then what is wrong with Pakistan doing the same.

He said Pakistan should learn from the foreign policy of China and Turkey towards US for protecting and safeguarding their national interests.

He suggested that Pakistan should demand more market access and ending drone attacks on its territory, compensation for the damage to road infrastructure and refuse to allow the route for supplying weapons into Afghanistan.

MNA from FATA Zafar Baig Battani said, “Our foreign policy should be on principle of equality.”

He said US is not our enemy but we only want reformulating a foreign policy based on mutual respect and dignity.

He said the country has already suffered due to the wrong policies of a dictator, adding in the last ten years, the so-called war on terror has claimed 40,000 lives and economic losses of more than 70 billion dollars.

“Now is time to rectify our foreign policy as the country can not afford further adventurism,” he said.

Maulana Asmatullah said US attitude is not of a friend but in reality it wants to subjugate Pakistan. He stressed the need of change in policy for protecting sovereignty of the country.courtesy dawn tv

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