President-Blood Donation‏

Islamabad, 21 June 2012;
On the 59th birth anniversary of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, President Asif Ali Zardari and Polio Ambassador Ms. Aseefa Bhutto Zardari donated blood in the presidency today in the memory of the great leader who laid down her life fighting militancy and for the cause of democracy in the country.
Spokesperson to the President Senator Farhatullah Babar said that 21st day of June each year is celebrated by the workers and the leadership of Pakistan Peoples Party commemorating the valiant struggle of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto against extremism, militancy, dictatorship and exploitation of the most vulnerable segments of society and paying tribute to their leader and other martyrs of the country by donating their blood in the country wide blood donation campaign launched by the Party.
Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Vice Chairman PPP Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani, former Prime Minister, also donated  blood at Naudero House, Larkana.
The blood collections are sent to the hospitals to be used by those valiant sons of soil who sustain injuries in their fight against militants and extremists.
The Spokesperson said that the President and the Co-Chairman PPP in his message on the day has reiterated that the Party and its leadership would continue to uphold supremacy of the Parliament and the Constitution and would continue its struggle for building a modern, egalitarian and pluralistic society in which everyone is allowed opportunity to shape his or her own destiny—the values for which our great leader, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, stood and fought for and when the time came even laid down her life for it.
The President in his message said that Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto was the only leader who rightly comprehended the threat that was being posed to the very fabric of our society. She led from the front the battle for democracy against all sorts of bonapartes and extremists. She believed in a moderate and pluralistic Pakistan where ballot determined the ultimate choice of the people and where the House elected by the people representing their will was supreme. She also fought courageously against the militants and extremists bent upon forcing their ideological agenda on the people through brute force, the President said. He said that her clarion call to stand up against extremism, dictatorship and to banish poverty and ignorance is our road map to make Pakistan a modern and pluralistic state.
The President, on this day, has also asked the Party workers to donate blood for all those who have also shed their blood or suffered otherwise for Pakistan.

Message of President of Pakistan & Co-Chairman PPP On Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto’s 59th birthday

Message of
President of Pakistan and
Co-Chairman PPP
On Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto’s 59th birthday
 June 21, 2012
The people of Pakistan would never permit the undermining of the Parliament behind different pretexts and they know how to ensure the supremacy of the Parliament and the Constitution. The era of packing the Parliament through the back door by using the defunct Article 58 (2) (b) is over for all times and no back doors and side doors will be allowed to be reopened for sending the elected Parliaments home. Our people will also not suffer a destiny thrust upon them by militants and extremists in the name of religion or in any other name.
The President said this in his message on the eve of 59th birthday today of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.
On the eve of her 59th birth day I wish to reiterate our commitment to the values of supremacy of the Parliament and the Constitution and the building of a modern, egalitarian and pluralistic society in which everyone is allowed opportunity to help shape his or her own destiny--values for which she stood and fought for and when the time came even laid down her life for it.
Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto led from the front the battle for democracy against all sorts of bonapartes and extremists. She believed in a moderate and pluralistic Pakistan where ballot determined the ultimate choice of the people and where the House elected by the people representing their will was supreme. She also fought courageously against the militants and extremists bent upon forcing their ideological agenda on the people through brute force.
As she shed her blood in the fight against militancy and for the supremacy of the Parliament and the Constitution I ask the Party workers to donate blood on this day for all those who have also shed their blood or suffered otherwise for Pakistan.
On her birthday let us recall the advice she gave to the people a few weeks before her assassination: “Please continue the fight against extremism, dictatorship, poverty and ignorance”. It was not a mere slogan; she acted upon it herself by leading the fight from the front.
On this occasion I wish to reiterate that the PPP will continue its forward march to strengthen democracy and for the uplift of the marginalized as envisioned by her. We will not be deterred by conspiracies against it or by the hurdles created in our way. Let there be no doubt or mistake about it.
The Party survived even the judicial murder of its founder Chairman and the country’s first directly elected Prime Minister Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the abuse of judicial processes to chase and hound Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto into exile culminating in her assassination and the accusations and witch hunting of its leaders and workers. It will continue to defy odds and grow from strength to strength.
On this occasion, let us also remember all our martyrs. Our brave soldiers and members of law enforcing agencies have laid down their lives so that the nation lives in freedom and without fear. The martyrs of democracy have suffered incarceration, exile, torture and executions. We salute them all on this day.

Foreign Affairs ministry to pay special attention to develop and further strengthen bilateral ties with countries in the South Asia ,,Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs,

CONTOURS OF GREATER SOUTH ASIA ARE DRIVEN BY ENERGY AND ECONOMY-SENATE BODY

Islamabad, 20th June, 2012

The Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan directed the ministry of Foreign Affairs to pay special attention to develop and further strengthen bilateral ties with countries in the South Asia, Central Asia and Gulf region at bilateral as well as regional block levels besides focusing on west.  The Committee was presided over by its Chairman Senator Haji Muhammad Adeel at the Parliament House today.

During the two days’ deliberations, the Committee thoroughly discussed Pakistan’s relations with Central Asian States besides SAARC and OIC countries and also the US-NATO issue. Members of the committee were of the view that the fast changing situation at regional and global level requires us to formulate policies that may protect and promote our national interests. They expressed satisfaction over the fact that the foreign policy is now reflecting the aspirations of the people of Pakistan and solid steps have been taken to protect the national interests keeping in view the changing regional realities.

They proposed that the contours of greater South Asia are driven by energy and economy, adding that the government should focus on enhancing trade and business ties with regional players besides cooperation in the energy sector to bridge the demand and supply gap. South and central Asian region is most important for us, the members observed. The Committee stressed upon the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to focus attention on the region and further consolidate the ties to have a say in the regional affairs.

Members observed that the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Senate would play an effective role to promote peace and stability in the region and would formulate recommendations in this regard. Senators also stressed upon the ministry to take steps for making the Pakistani missions abroad proactive in promoting soft image of the country and resolve issues of the Pakistani community living abroad.

Earlier in its meeting, the Committee reviewed in detailed the losses inflected by the free of charge NATO supplies. It was observed that the road infrastructure from Karachi to Peshawar and Chamman has been seriously damaged which require billions of dollars for rehabilitation. Haji Adeel said that Pakistan places its bilateral relationship with US in high esteem but Pakistan would never compromise on its sovereignty and stability. The United States should respect the parliamentary resolutions, apologize for the Salala attack besides taking concretes steps for putting the bilateral relationship on the right track.

Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs Jalil Abbas Jilani briefed the committee about current developments for ensuring peace and stability in the region and the role played by Pakistan at different international forums. He apprised the members of the initiatives taken by the government during last couple of years for further improving regional and international cooperation. He said that dividends of the new initiatives have started coming out which would help Pakistan to play a meaningful role.

Senators    Aitzaz Ahsan, Sehar Kamran, Muhammad Jehangir Badar, Syeda Sughra Imam and Mushahid Hussain Sayed attended the meeting. Senior Officials of the Ministry and Special Secretary Senate Mr. Amjed Pervez were also present.
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NA SPEAKER Message on the 58th Birth Anniversary of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto

 NA SPEAKER CALL UPON ALL THE POLITICAL FORCES TO RISE ABOVE PARTY LINES TO WORK FOR DEMOCRACY AND PROGRESS AND PROSPERITY IN THE COUNTRY.

            Islamabad; June 20, 2012: Dr. Fehmida Mirza, Speaker, National Assembly has said that Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto was a visionary and a stateswoman and always aspired for a world, free from exploitation and discrimination between privileged and underprivileged, men and women. She fought for the downtrodden and oppressed and longed for a forward-looking Pakistan, where women were not subjected to humiliation, torture and treated with respect as equal partners to progress and prosperity. She said this in her message on the 58th Birth Anniversary of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto being observed tomorrow.

            Dr. Fehmida Mirza said that Shaheed Mohtarma had a towering and multi-dimensional personality and was bacon of light for the downtrodden, oppressed and marginalized segments of the society. She said that Mohtarma had the courage to challenge the worst dictatorship of the times when compared with other contemporary politicians. Dr. Fehmida Mirza said that Mohtarma worked diligently as twice-elected Prime Minister towards the well-defined goals of women empowerment. Shaheed Mohtarma brought women to the main-stream by appointing them as judges of the superior courts, opened first women bank, ensured state protection for women.

             The Speaker said that Mohtarma strongly believed in reconciliation and forbearance and tried to look for similarities rather than to seek differences and believed in building bridges and not living in isolation, both on the international level as well as on the national front. The Speaker said that today as the nation finds itself encircled by challenges and threats, therefore, we should follow the footsteps of the Mohtarma in order to steer the country out of the present quagmire. She said that Mohtarma was a strong believer of solidarity of Federation and provincial autonomy. She said that the people of the four provinces had their confidence in her and whenever the nation was given a relatively free chance to choose, her political party returned successful from all the four federating units.

             Madam Speaker called upon all the political forces to rise above party lines to work for the democracy and progress and prosperity of the country and rebuild Pakistan as Mohtarma dreamt, aspired and worked for. She termed it the befitting way of paying homage and remembrance, Benazir Bhutto deserves as a cherished off-spring of the Indus and a visionary of present times. May Allah Rest the soul of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto in eternal peace (Ameen), the Speaker prayed.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SUMMONED TO MEET ON 22nd JUNE, 2012 AT 5:30 P.M FOR ELECTION OF THE PRIME MINISTER === Islamabad; June 20, 2012: The President of Islamic Republic of Pakistan has summoned the session of the National Assembly on 22nd June, 2012 at 5:30 p.m. in the Parliament House, Islamabad for election of the Prime Minister. The President has summoned the National Assembly Session in exercise of powers conferred by clause (1) of Article 54 of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan. This session will be the 43rd session of the 5th Parliamentary year of the incumbent National Assembly.

SCHEDULE FOR THE ELECTION OF THE PRIME MINISTER === Islamabad; June 20, 2012: The President of Islamic Republic of Pakistan has summoned the session of the National Assembly on 22nd June, 2012 at 5:30 p.m. in the Parliament House, Islamabad for election of the Prime Minister.

Islamabad; June 20, 2012: The President of Islamic Republic of Pakistan has summoned the session of the National Assembly on 22nd June, 2012 at 5:30 p.m. in the Parliament House, Islamabad for election of the Prime Minister.  
            The nominations of the candidates for the Premiership duly signed by the proposer and the seconder and by the candidate shall be delivered to the Secretary National Assembly by 2.00 p.m. on 21st June, 2012. 
            The Speaker shall in the presence of the candidates or their proposers and seconders who wish to be present, scrutinize the nomination papers at 3.00 p.m. on the same day. 
            The voting shall be recorded in accordance with the procedure set out on the second schedule of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly, 2007 on 22nd June, 2012 at 5.30 p.m.

Short Order dt 19.06.2012, PM Disqualification Case ======= IN THE SUPREME COURT OF PAKISTAN = (Original Jurisdiction)

(Original Jurisdiction)
Present:
Mr. Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, HCJ.
Mr. Justice Jawwad S. Khawaja
Mr. Justice Khilji Arif Hussain
Const. Petition No.40 of 2012 & CMA No.2494/12
Muhammad Azhar Siddique  Vs.   Federation of Pakistan etc.
const. Petition No.41 of 2012 & CMA No.2495/12
Imran Khan  Vs. Federation of Pakistan etc.
Const. Petition No.42 of 2012
Kh. Muhammad Asif   Vs.   Federation of Pakistan etc.
Const. Petition No.43 of 2012
Syed Zafar Ali Shah Vs.   Federation of Pakistan etc.
Const. Petition No.44 of 2012
S. Mehmood Akhtar Naqvi Vs.   Federation of Pakistan etc.
Const. Petition No.45 of 2012
Ch. Khalid Farooq, ASC Vs.   Federation of Pakistan etc.
Const. Petition No.46 of 2012 & CMA 2496 OF 2012
Shahid Naseem Gondal, Adv. Vs.   Federation of Pakistan etc.
Const. Petition No.47 of 2012
Ch. M. Asghar Saroha  etc.   Vs.   Mohtarma Dr. Fehmida Mirza, Speaker National Assembly etc.
Const. Petition No.50 of 2012
Lahore High Court Bar   Vs.   Speaker National Assembly
Association, thru. Sh. Ahsan and others
ud-din, President of High Court

For the petitioners: Mr. A. K. Dogar, Sr. ASC
Mr. Azhar Siddique, ASC
Mr. Mehmood A. Sheikh, AOR
(in Const.P. No.40/2012)

Mr. Hamid Khan, Sr. ASC
Mr. M. Waqar Rana, ASC
S. Safdar Hussain, AOR
(in Const. P. No.41/12)

Kh. Muhammad Asif, MNA (In person)
(in Const. P. No. 42/12)


S. Zafar Ali Shah, Sr. ASC (in person)
(in Const. P. No.43/12)

S.Mehmood Akhtar Naqvi (in person)
(in Const. P. No.44/12)

Mr. Abdul Rehman Siddiqui, ASC
(in Const. P. 45/12)

Mr. A.K. Dogar, Sr. ASC
(in Const. P. 46/2012)

Khan Attaullah Tareen, ASC
Ch. M. Asghar Saroha, ASC
(in Const. P.47/12)

Mr. Taufiq Asif, ASC
(in Const. P. 50/2012)

On Court Notice: Mr. Irfan Qadir,
Attorney General for Pakistan

For Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani: Ch. Aitzaz Ahsan, Sr. ASC

For the Federation: Mr. Muhammad Munir Peracha, ASC
Mr. M.S. Khattak, AOR

For the Speaker, N.A: Mr. Muhammad Latif Qureshi,
Joint Secretary (L), N.Assembly

For the ECP: Mr. Muhammad Nawaz, Director (L)

Date of hearing: 14,15,18 & 19 June, 2012

O R D E R

Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, CJ.— For reasons to be recorded later, the titled petitions are disposed of as under: -
(1) This Court in exercise of jurisdiction under Article 184(3) of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan is competent to ensure enforcement of the fundamental rights of the citizens in all matters of public importance;
(2) The Speaker of the National Assembly under Article 63(2) of the Constitution exercises powers, which are not covered by the definition of internal proceedings of Majlis-e-Shoora, therefore, this Court, in exercise of power of judicial review, is not debarred from inquiring into the order dated 25.05.2012. Reference in this behalf may be made to the cases of Mining Industries of Pakistan (Pvt.) Ltd. v. Deputy Speaker, Balochistan Provincial Assembly (PLD 2006 Quetta 36), Madad Ali v. Province of Sindh (1996 SCMR 366), Shams-ud-Din v. Speaker, Balochistan Provincial Assembly (1994 MLD 2500), Muhammad Naeem Akhtar v. Speaker, Sindh Provincial Assembly (1992 CLC 2043), Farzand Ali v. Province of West Pakistan (PLD 1970 SC 98); Muhammad Anwar Durrani v. Province of Baluchistan (PLD 1989 Quetta 25); Jagjit Singh v. State of Haryana (AIR 2007 SC 590) and Rajendra Singh Rana v. Swami Prasad Maurya (AIR 2007 SC 1305);
(3) As a Bench of 7 Hon’ble Judges vide judgment dated 26.04.2012 followed by the detailed reasons released on 08.05.2012 has found Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani guilty of contempt of Court under Article 204(2) of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973 read with section 3 of the Contempt of Court Ordinance, 2003 and sentenced him to undergo imprisonment till rising of the Court under section 5 of the said Ordinance, and since no appeal was filed against this judgment, the conviction has attained finality. Therefore, Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani has become disqualified from being a Member of the Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) in terms of Article 63(1)(g) of the Constitution on and from the date and time of pronouncement of the judgment of this Court dated 26.04.2012 with all consequences, i.e. he has also ceased to be the Prime Minister of Pakistan with effect from the said date and the office of the Prime Minister shall be deemed to be vacant accordingly;
(4) The Election Commission of Pakistan is required to issue notification of disqualification of Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani from being a member of the Majlis-e-Shoora w.e.f. 26.4.2012; and
(5) The President of Pakistan is required to take necessary steps under the Constitution to ensure continuation of the democratic process through parliamentary system of government in the country.

2. We place on record our thanks and appreciation to learned counsel appearing for the parties for providing valuable assistance in deciding these petitions.
CHIEF JUSTICE

JUDGE

JUDGE
Islamabad, 19th June, 2012
ANNOUNCED IN OPEN COURT