US Senate approves Richard Olson as next ambassador to Pakistan

WASHINGTON: The US Senate on Saturday approved veteran diplomat Richard Olson as the new American ambassador to Pakistan.
President Barack Obama had nominated Olson and Robert Stephen Beecroft as ambassadors to Pakistan and Iraq respectively in June this year. Their appointment, though was subject to the Senate’s approval.
On Saturday, a voice vote in the Senate favoured the appointments of the nominees.
The appointment of Olson, a 30-year veteran of the State Department who was envoy to the United Arab Emirates between 2008 and 2011, meanwhile will aim to turn a page in diplomatic relations with Islamabad.
The outgoing American ambassador to Pakistan, Cameron Munter, resigned in May after a turbulent tenure in which a covert US forces raid killed Osama bin Laden near a major military academy, humiliating the country’s powerful army.
Until June Olson served in the US embassy in Kabul as the coordinator for development and economic affairs, a key priority for Washington as the United States prepares to withdraw its forces.
Beecroft has served at the US embassy in Baghdad since July 2011, first as the deputy chief of mission and from June this year as the charge d’affaires.
Earlier he was US ambassador to Jordan 2008-2011, and has held positions at the American embassies in Saudi Arabia and Syria.
In mid-June Obama’s original pick for the Iraq job, Brett McGurk, withdrew his candidacy after the revelation of racy emails sent in 2008 between the married diplomat, then stationed in Baghdad, and Wall Street Journal reporter Gina Chon. The two are now married.

Pope condemned Rimsha case but stayed mum on anti-Islam film: Khosa

MULTAN: Governor Punjab Latif Khosa said on Saturday that Pope Benedict XVI condemned the blasphemy accusations leveled against Christian girl Rimsha Masih, but remained silent on the anti-Islam film, Express News reported.
Speaking to the media at Multan airport, Khosa said that when the Rimsha case surfaced, the entire world including the Pope “made a lot of noise” and questioned why they are tight-lipped over the anti-Islam film.
He said that Pakistanis living abroad should not only be used for strengthening their economy, but be given the rights of citizens.
The blasphemy charges leveled against the Christian girl Rimsha of allegedly burning Quranic pages in breach of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws caused an uproar in the world, with humanitarian organisations demanding her release.
Rimsha was arrested in a poor suburb of Islamabad on August 16 after a neighbour accused her of burning papers containing verses from the Quran, in breach of Pakistan’s strict blasphemy laws.
On September 7, the court had granted bail to Rimsha against two surety bonds of Rs500,000 each. She was then transported by a helicopter to an undisclosed location after her release from jail.

Federal minister announces $100,000 bounty on anti-Islam filmmaker

PESHAWAR / LAHORE: Federal Railway Minister Ghulam Ahmed Bilour announced that $100,000 will be awarded to the person who kills the maker of the anti-Islam blasphemous film “Innocence of Muslims”.
Speaking to the media on Saturday, Bilour said that there was no other way to lodge a protest and instill fear among the blasphemers other than murder of the filmmaker. “I request all the rich people to bring out all their money so that the killer can be loaded with dollars and gold.”
The minister admitted of knowing that he was committing a crime by instigating people for murder, but said that he was ready to be a criminal for this cause. “If there is a case lodged against me in the international court or in this country’s court, I will ask people to hand me over to them… I want to show these countries that we will not tolerate any such things.”
He added that if he is punished, the country should not end ties with the US as this was a matter between him and his prophet.
He also commented on the burning down of a church in Mardan by protesters on the Ishq-e-Rasool Day and expressed grief over the incident. “The minorities over here, the Christians and the Hindus, they are all our brothers. They are also Pakistani.”
Traders’ association Sheikhupura announces Rs5m reward
The Markazi Anjuman Tajran (MAT) Sheikhupura announced a reward of Rs5million for the person who kills the maker of the anti-Islam film, The Express Tribune has learnt.
MAT Sheikhupura President Muhammad Pervez told The Express Tribune that the association has unanimously taken this decision and the announcement is not his individual act.
Pervez said that the members of the association are ready to sacrifice their parents, children and properties for Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and will never tolerate the act of the filmmaker of blasphemous movie.

PPP fails to woo Maulana Fazlur Rehman

JUI-F chief says it would have been better if the PPP had come to him before picking a candidate. PHOTO: INP/FILE
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ISLAMABAD: A delegation of the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and its coalition partners has failed to convince Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman to drop his candidacy four hours before the Parliament is due to vote for a new prime minister. The JUI-F chief has asked for more time and says he will take the decision after consulting party members.
The PPP had earlier today announced that Raja Pervaiz Ashraf will be their candidate for the post of prime minister.
A delegation of the ruling party, led by senior leader Khursheed Shah and accompanied by coalition representatives, had arrived at Rehman’s residence for talks.  The JUI-F chief had filed nomination papers on Thursday.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, Shah said that the PPP had come to the JUI-F chief for help and had requested him for support. The senior PPP leader said that Rehman’s decision will be acceptable to them.
Rehman said that it would have been better if the PPP had come to him before picking a candidate. He said that a final decision will be taken after consultation with party members.

TV show host Obaidullah Baig passes away

KARACHI: Prominent scholar and TV show host Obaidullah Baig passed away early Friday morning in Karachi, Express News reported.
Baig, of game show Kasauti fame, will be laid to rest following funeral prayers offered at Madiha Masjid in Clifton, today.
He leaves behind a wife and three daughters.
The scholar gained popularity in the 1970s when his show Kasauti, teamed with Ghazi Salauddin, was aired on PTV.

Prime minister candidates: Enter Maulana Fazlur Rehman

ISLAMABAD: As the race to file nomination papers for the prime minister slot nears an end, it has been reported that the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) has decided to field its own candidate. Their candidate is none other than party chief, Maualan Fazlur Rehman.
Express News has also reported that FATA representatives may field their own candidate as well.
Both Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) have been in talks with coalition and opposition parties. The PML-N has reached out to other parties in Parliament to garner support against the ruling party.
Makhdoom Shahabuddin, the PPP nominee, along with senior party leader Raja Pervaiz Ashraf filed his nomination papers today. Ashraf has been nominated as the covering candidate.
Shahbuddin was also accompanied by Imtiaz Safdar Warraich and Awami National Party (ANP) leaders.
In brief remarks at the national assembly, Shahabuddin showcased his loyalty by thanking Zardari and extending greetings to members of the PPP on the birthday of his late wife.
“I am thankful from the bottom of my heart (to Zardari),” he told reporters.
“Today is a special day because it is Benazir Bhutto’s birthday and I send my congratulations on this birthday to all party workers,” he added.
The PML-N also announced it will field a candidate in what is likely to be a symbolic move as the PPP leads a majority in the assembly.
“We will contest the election for the new prime minister and Sardar Mehtab Ahmad Khan will be our candidate,” Siddiqul Farooq, a PML(N) spokesman told AFP.
The speaker will scrutinise the nominations in the presence of the candidates, their proposers and seconders within an hour after the nominations are filed to her office. The deadline to file nomination papers is 2pm.
Voting for the new prime minister will take place at 5:30 pm on Friday.
Under the Constitution, only a Muslim member of the National Assembly can contest for the office of prime minister, and has to be elected by a majority of the 342-member lower house of parliament, which comes to 172 votes. The PPP-led coalition enjoys a comfortable majority to secure the votes for its candidate to get elected.

Obama's pick for Iraq ambassador withdraws

LOS CABOS, MEXICO: President Barack Obama’s nominee for ambassador to Iraq has withdrawn from the running, a US official said Monday, following claims of impropriety and opposition from Republicans.
National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor said the White House regretted seeing Brett McGurk “withdraw his candidacy” but praised him as a “skilled diplomat” who had served tirelessly during two administrations.
Six Republican senators had urged Obama to pull McGurk’s name, saying he lacked sufficient managerial experience and also raised questions about his judgment following the publication of racy emails he sent to a reporter.
The emails dated from 2008, and some were of a sexual nature, apparently between McGurk, who was then married and serving the Bush administration in Iraq, and Wall Street Journal correspondent Gina Chon.
Chon, who is now married to McGurk, resigned from the newspaper last week.
The Republican senators said the allegations of impropriety could shred McGurk’s credibility, and insisted the racy emails would undermine his ability to work in Iraq.
In a letter to Obama and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton obtained by the New York Times, McGurk said he was withdrawing his nomination with a “heavy heart” but that the move was in “the best interests of the country.”
“Iraq urgently needs an ambassador. The country is in the midst of a political crisis and our mission is undergoing rapid transformation,” McGurk wrote, adding that “nothing should be allowed to distract from the pressing work that must be done to build a better future there.”
He said he had come to his decision during a visit to the Arlington military cemetery with Chon on Saturday where many of those killed in Iraq and Afghanistan are now buried. Both of them had lost friends in Iraq, he said.
The hardest thing in recent weeks “was watching my wife become part of it. She is the most precious thing in the world to me and the depiction of our relationship has been both surreal and devastating,” McGurk added.
News that McGurk had withdrawn from the bid to replace US Ambassador James Jeffrey came a day before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee had been due to vote on his nomination.
The White House had stood by McGurk as recently as Sunday, despite calls by political opponents on Capitol Hill for the president to name a new nominee to run America’s largest foreign embassy.
Vietor said McGurk had always shown “his commitment to the national interest” and had been “willing to take on some of the toughest challenges at the toughest times in a difficult region.”
“While we regret to see Brett withdraw his candidacy there is no doubt that he will be called on again to serve the country,” Vietor added in a statement.
McGurk reportedly helped work on negotiations with Iraqis in 2008 over a potential deal which would have left a small US military presence in Iraq.
But that deal fell through, and Obama ordered all US forces to withdraw from Iraq last year.
News of McGurk’s withdrawal surfaced while Obama was in Mexico for the G20 summit.
McGurk would have been the first US ambassador since the withdrawal of US forces. He has served in a variety of roles in Iraq and is now an adviser to Jeffrey, also an appointee of Obama.

FIA, NAB and police to probe Malik Riaz saga

LAHORE:  Following the Supreme Court ruling to investigate the alleged payments made by property tycoon Malik Riaz to the chief justice of Pakistan’s son, Dr Arsalan Iftikhar, the Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP)’s office has constituted a three-member Joint Investigation Team (JIT) which will probe the entire saga, sources privy to the development told The Express Tribune.

According to sources, the JIT consists of the Inspector General of Islamabad Police, as well as directors from the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). The members and mandate of the JIT has been suggested and finalised by the PPP-led coalition government – and the details were sent to the AGP’s office on Monday night for a notification to be issued.
Sources told The Express Tribune that AGP Irfan Qadir would, in coming days, issue the notification – which could come as early as Tuesday (today). The AGP will monitor the JIT and later submit the findings to the court.
Former chairman Bahria Town Malik Riaz had accused Dr Arsalan of financial impropriety, claiming that he had taken bribes from him and promised to have his cases pending in court settled amicably.
The Supreme Court on June 14 had directed the AGP to proceed according to the law and take required action against business tycoon Malik Riaz, his son-in-law Salman and the chief justice’s son Dr Arsalan Iftikhar.
JIT’s mandate
According to sources, the JIT has been mandated to investigate the following: the wife of the chief justice, his son Dr Arsalan Iftikhar, his “pir” (mentor) Hakeem Abdul Wahab, Malik Riaz and his son-in-law Salman Ali Khan. Besides these two families, JIT would investigate businessman Ahmad Khalil, alleged to be the go-between, and renowned lawyer Hamid Khan.
According to sources, Hakim Wahab is suspected to be a partner of Dr Arsalan.
According to sources, Riaz had claimed that the bribes were given primarily for two cases – both of which would be investigated in close detail. The JIT, said sources, would investigate Riaz’s allegation that he was asked to hire Hamid Khan for these two cases.
One case pertained to the car race accident, which took place in December 2010, as a result of which five persons were killed. Riaz’s son, Ali Riaz, faced murder charges. The second case is said to be the one pertaining to the murder of a Bahria Town guard Fayyaz Ahmad.
AGP Irfan Qadir, while talking with The Express Tribune, confirmed the formation of the JIT. He promised that everything in this matter would be unveiled.

Imran expert in fixing matches, says Sana

LAHORE

Provincial Minister for Law Rana Sanaullah Khan said that Imran Khan is internationally famous for “Noora Kushti” (fixed matches) and his frequent political summersaults have exposed his dual political standards.

In a statement, Rana Sanaullah said, “Imran Khan, the champion of “Noora Kushti” on one hand abuses America while on the other meets secretly with the American ambassador but now the nation has become fully aware of his tactics.” He said that Imran Khan could not further hoodwink the masses through his summersaults.

Provincial Minister for Law Rana Sanaullah Khan said that the expertise of Imran Khan in “Noora Kushti” could be judged from the fact that he had been fooling people in Karachi successfully by fighting “Noora kushti” with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement for eight years but his prescription also lost its utility and the people of the country including Karachi became fully aware of his dual policy.

Provincial Minister for Law Rana Sanaullah Khan pointed out that an important reason of failure of “Noora kushti” of Imran Khan was that his “master” had now retired from wrestling.

After high drama, MQM ‘boycotts’ its boycott

ISLAMABAD / KARACHI:  While the ruling party’s sights would have been set on a possible sabotage by the opposition, the first threat to a historic moment for the president came at the hands of a coalition partner.

However, for yet another time, after high drama, sources said the situation was pulled back from the brink in a manner that has become the hallmark of the president.
After staging strong protests in the Sindh and National assemblies on Friday, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), an ally in the ruling coalition, announced that it will boycott the joint session of Parliament in protest against what it called increasing incidents of extortion in Karachi.
However, according to sources, the party took back its decision in light of assurances given by President Zardari in a phone call to MQM chief Altaf Hussain.
There was no official announcement regarding the reversal of the boycott decision.
The initial decision was made in a joint session of the MQM’s Coordination Committee in London and Karachi.
Late on Friday, however, the president called Altaf Hussain – and assured him that he had taken note of the situation, and had directed Interior Minister Rehman Malik to take action on the matter, sources said. Zardari also assured the MQM leader that he himself would call a meeting to address MQM’s concerns.
Altaf assured President Zardari that his party would support him if he took action against extortionists and criminals in Karachi.
The assurance worked – and, in a late night development, the MQM said that its lawmakers would attend the address, sources added.
The MQM had cited the government’s alleged ‘inaction’ and ‘non-serious attitude’ towards its demands to step up against extortionists in Karachi as the reason for its boycott.
Earlier protests
Earlier the National Assembly witnessed an uproar supporting the MQM’s demands – by both the opposition and the MQM itself. While the government remained silent, refusing to make any contradictory or reconciliatory announcement, the MQM amped up its protest.
“We will not let the president deliver his speech if the government does not take notice of the issue,” warned MQM lawmaker Waseem Akhtar, as angry lawmakers chanted: “stop extortion” and “save Karachi”.
The protests continued for about half an hour after the question hour session till Deputy Speaker Faisal Karim Kundi prorogued the house.
“We have approached every responsible person in the government, have given lists of identified criminals but there is no action,” Akhtar claimed.
He added that Karachi was a major contributor to the national exchequer and warned not to ‘expect this contribution’ if things remained unchanged. Religious Affairs Minister Syed Khursheed Shah expressed his bewilderment over the MQM’s protest saying, “I cannot understand against whom you are raising slogans”.
“Everyone knows who is behind extortion in Karachi … we need MQM’s support to curb the menace,” he said while urging the MQM to be realistic.
He also welcomed a suggestion by Sheikh Rohael Asghar of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) for the constitution of a committee to probe the matter and report back to the house. “Those (political parties) who are found guilty (of extortion) have no right to be in politics,” he added.
Sardar Mehtab Abbasi from the PML-N said that all coalition partners share the Sindh government but the ruling PPP was mysteriously silent.
Questioning the interior minister’s credibility, Abbasi underlined the need for an ‘operation’ against those involved in extortion, irrespective of their party affiliations.
Advocate Parvez Khan from the Awami National Party (ANP) questioned MQM members, saying, “What steps have you taken to improve the law and order situation of Karachi?”
The MQM had supporters, but some cautious ones.
Sheikh Waqas Akram from the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) was almost prophetic in his support. He sought a commitment from the MQM to not back off under the guise of ‘reconciliation’ with the PPP.
“Do not go for reconciliation with the PPP on extortion the way you have been doing in the past; otherwise we will believe your protests are nothing but a drama,” he said.
MQM’s firestorm of protests resonated in the Sindh Assembly as well, with Friday’s proceedings marred by intense demonstrations on the floor of the house. There were heated arguments between PPP and MQM members, while the latter left their seats, raised slogans and even carried banners in front of the speaker’s dais.
“Despite our complaints, some elements are supporting these criminals, giving them a free hand to loot and plunder Karachi’ites,” said MQM’s Raza Haroon.
“We want to tell these criminals who have the full backing of jagirdars (feudal lords) that this is Karachi, a city of Altaf bhai.”
The MQM also called for a “peaceful protest” in Karachi today (Saturday) against what it terms to be the “autocratic and undemocratic attitude” of the PPP’s representatives in the Sindh Assembly.

I appeared before the SC once, will appear again: Gilani

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has said that he will honour the Supreme Court’s summons over the contempt case, as he had done before.
Speaking on the floor of the National Assembly, he said, “When they called me earlier, I appeared before the [Supreme] court. This time they have called me and I will again appear before the court.”
“If we will not respect the institutions, then who will,” said the premier.
Regarding the formation of a parliamentary committee over the issue, Gilani said that the matter was sub-judice and that they should wait for the court’s decision before forming a committee. He said that they would respect the verdict of the courts.
He added that all institutions were answerable to the parliament. If parliament sought answers and wanted to constitute a committee, he and his party will cooperate.
Gilani was also of the view that if all institutions adhered to their prescribed roles under the constitution, there will be no need for criticism.
Committee formed to look into prices of petroleum products
After the speaker suggested that prices of petroleum products be brought down, Gilani said that he would ask the finance minister to look into the matter.
MNA Ahsan Iqbal though moved a resolution, demanding that the recent hike in petroleum prices be withdrawn.
The NA, however, unanimously chose to form a committee headed by the finance minister to revise oil prices. The committee will present its recommendations within a week.

Gilani summons PPP, coalition leadership meeting

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has summoned a meeting of senior Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leaders and coalition partners in Islamabad, Express News reported on Thursday. 
The meeting has been called to discuss Gilani’s summoning by the Supreme Court of Pakistan and will also be attended by Aitzaz Ahsan – the prime minister’s lawyer, who will brief him on today’s proceedings.
Gilani has been summoned by the court on February 13, to be indicted with contempt over his refusal to pursue corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari.
The court said today that it was “satisfied prima facie that there is enough case for further proceedings.”

Gilani takes political parties, allies on board for 20th amendment draft

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani on Wednesday took its ally and coalition partner, the Pakistan Muslim League –Quaid (PML-Q) along with the rest of the cabinet into confidence regarding the likely presentation of 20th amendment in the National Assembly.
Information minister Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan told media after the Cabinet meeting chaired by the Prime Minister that consultation with political parties and allies of the government over the draft of the 20^th amendment.
She added, The Prime Minster took the cabinet and coalition partners into confidence regarding by-polls and their legal and constitutional aspects for which the National Assembly session was been summoned for Wednesday. Awan said that on the overall constitutional requirements of the Election Commission with regard to holding by-polls in different constituencies, the Prime Minister Gillani held consultation sessions with the cabinet members.
As part of the consultative sessions, Gilani took PML-Q President Ch. Shujjat Hussain into confidence.
Talking to the PML-Q leader at the Prime Minister House, Gilani discussed present political situation in the country as well.
He said the political alliance with the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) would continue as it would strengthen the democracy and the federation.
Hussain assured the Prime Minister that his party would extend their full support to the government, as one of the coalition partners, committed to resolve all important issues of national importance with consultation and consensus.
Minister for Religious Affairs Syed Khursheed Shah and Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo were also present during the meeting.
Prices of petroleum products increased following international market
Responding to a question regarding recent increase in petroleum prices the information minister said that increase in the prices of petroleum products in the international market had compelled the government to raise their prices.
“Govt was compelled to increase POL prices as the prices of petroleum products in the international market are climbing-up” she said
The minister said that a fear was expressed during the briefing given to the cabinet, that inflation which had been brought to a single digit in December, might rise due to the hike in petroleum prices.


Awan further said that upon the directions by prime minister, the finance minister has been tasked with evolving a strategy, in consultation with the provincial governments, to ensure provision of daily use items at controlled rates.
With the reference of the data compiled by the Pakistan bureau of statistics (ministry of Finance) by January 26 minister said that prices of 18 items witnessed increase, while those of 12 items decreased. Responding to a question regarding recent prominent price hike in POL products, she added that the quarters concerned had been advised to interact with the media to explain the recent price hikes in petroleum products.
MoU for energy projects with Qatar agreed to
The information minister said that the federal cabinet had given their nod to signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Qatar’s Ministry of Energy and the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA). This MoU will be signed during Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani’s upcoming visit to Gulf state.
The cabinet also authorised Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar to sign a MoU between Pakistan and Russia on scientific cooperation on her forthcoming visit.

US has concerns over ISI ties with extremists

WASHINGTON: While declining to comment on the BBC story on a leaked NATO report which links Pakistan to the Afghan Taliban, the US said that they have had concerns about ties between the Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI), Pakistan’s premier spy agency, and some extremist networks.
Pentagon spokesperson Captain John F. Kirby told The Express Tribune on Wednesday: “We have long been concerned about ties between elements of the ISI and some extremist networks.” He added that the Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta has been clear that “he believes the safe havens in Pakistan remain a serious problem and need to be addressed by Pakistani authorities.”
On Tuesday, briefing a Senate committee on intelligence, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said that Pakistan has had limited success against militants.
While the CIA director Gen. (Retd) David Petraeus addressing the same committee said success against some al Qaeda leaders was a result of cooperation from Pakistan.

Muhammad Amir released from prison

Fast bowler Muhammad Amir has been released from prison in England, where he was serving a six-month sentence for spot-fixing.
Once considered cricket’s most promising star, 19-year-old Amir was found guilty in the scandal that shook the cricketing world in May 2010. Amir, along with then skipper of Pakistan’s test team Salman Butt and fellow fast bowler Muhammad Asif, had taken bribes from bookie Mazhar Majeed for bowling no-balls in a test match with Australia.
Undercover reporters from now defunct British publication News Of The World secretly videotaped the transaction.
In November 2011, Amir, Asif and Butt were found guilty by a London court.
Although Amir has served out his prison sentence, he is yet to finish his five-year ban period.

Pakistan crush England in second Test

ABU DHABI: Pakistan defeated England by 72 runs on the fourth day of the second Test to win the series 2-0 at Abu Dhabi Stadium here on Saturday.
England were shot out for their lowest Test score of 72 against Pakistan in all Tests. Left-arm spinner Abdul Rehman took six wickets.
Pakistan won the first Test by ten wickets in Dubai. The third Test will be played in Dubai from February 3.
England captain Andrew Strauss top-scored with 32.
England earlier dismissed Pakistan for 214 to give themselves a target of 145 to win in Abu Dhabi, but Andrew Strauss’s men again failed to deal with the host’s triple spin threat of Rehman, Saeed Ajmal and Mohammad Hafeez.
Ajmal finished on 6-25, while Ajmal’s figures were 3-22.
Pakistan, who play their home matches in the Gulf due to security problems at home, won last week’s first test in Dubai by 10 wickets.
Scores: Pakistan 257 and 214; England 327 and 72

Punjab government promises Mansoor Ijaz a safe visit

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Thursday offered ‘adequate security’ to Mansoor Ijaz if he comes to Punjab to record his statement in the Memogate scandal. 
Talking to Express News, Sharif said that he will take personal responsibility of providing complete security to Ijaz during his visit to Pakistan.
He said that he will welcome Ijaz and will provide him security till the last moment he is in Pakistan, and also offered the judicial commission probing the controversial memo to come to the province to record Ijaz’s statements.
Ijaz has repeatedly refused to visit Pakistan citing security reasons despite several assurances as the judicial commission summoned him over and over again. The parliamentary committee probing the issue gave him a final deadline of February 10 to appear before the committee.

Gilani takes back words on DG ISI, army chief statements

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani took back his words on DG ISI and army chief’s statements given to the Supreme Court in the Memogate scandal, Express News reported on Wednesday.
Speaking to the media at Chaklala airport before heading to the World Economic Forum, Gilani said that his statement of DG ISI and army chief’s responses to the court being ‘unconstitutional and unlawful’ were given in a particular situation, but now the situation is clear.
“I want to dispel the impression that the military leadership acted unconstitutionally or violated rules,” said Gilani, according to state television.
He added that he wants to clarify that the statements were given in a particular context and it does not hold any importance now. There was a clash of institutions at that time, but now there isn’t.
On January 10, Gilani gave an interview to a Chinese newspaper where he stated that Army Chief General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani and had not been given approval by the ‘competent authorities’ – in other words the government – before submitting their responses in the Memogate case.
Gilani would be accompanied by Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar and Finance Minister Abdul Hafeez Sheikh among other officials in the annual summit of the World Economic Forum.
The prime minister is scheduled to hold meetings with world leaders who will gather at Davos, the Alpine Resort of Switzerland to deliberate upon the global economic issues.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel will open the annual event in which 40 heads of state, 18 of the world’s central bankers besides around 2,600 of the world’s top political and business leaders are expected to participate.

Security agencies scour Islamabad forest for four alleged terrorists

ISLAMABAD: Police and security agencies arrested two alleged armed terrorists during a search operation in the Shakarparian forest around Islamabad, on Saturday evening, Express News reported.

Security agencies, including the Anti-Terrorist Force (ATF) and police had cordoned off the jungle area around the Islamabad Sports complex as they conducted a search operation. The forest borders the Red Zone. A bomb disposal squad along with sniffer dogs also scoured the area.
The arrested were immediately moved to an undisclosed location in a security van and were being interrogated regarding their suspected accomplices and plans.
The security agencies were tipped off when a woman passing by the area reported the presence of four suspicious men in the area. An anonymous call was also received on ’15′ informing of the presence of the men.
Sources said that a suspicious car was also spotted in the area and a team of security personnel had been sent in its pursuit.

Punjab police forms high level committee to recover abducted aid workers

LAHORE: The Punjab Police on Saturday formed a high level committee to safely recover two foreign aid workers who had been abducted from their residential complex in Western Fort colony, Multan on Thursday.
The committee formed on the directions of Inspector General of Punjab Police, Javed Iqbal, will be headed by SSP Operations Multan Azhar Ikram and includes SP Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) Karamatullah Malik, SP Investigation Liaqat Cheema, SP Cantt Shahzad Asif and SP Special Branch Qayyum Qaiserani.
Earlier, IG Punjab along with the Punjab Home Secretary Shahid Khan, Additional IG CTD Mushtaq Ahmad Sukhera, RPO Multan Mubarak Ali Athar, CPO Multan Mohammad Amir Zulfiqar Khan, DPO Muzzafargarh Munir Ahmad Zia Rao, Commissioner Multan, Khurram Ali Agha, DCO Multan Zahid Akhtar Zaman and investigation experts visited the crime scene.
Later, the IGP presided over a high level meeting at the office of RPO Multan where a strategy for the immediate recovery of the abducted aid workers was discussed. Members of the Investigation team including CPO Multan, Commissioner Multan and all Senior Police Officers of the region attended the meeting.
Two aid workers, one a German national, the other an Italian citizen were abducted, apparently by the Taliban, from their compound in a secure housing colony of Multan on Thursday as they returned from a trip to Kot Addu. They were working for a German NGO which worked with flood victims.