Pagara threatens to quit government
KARACHI: PML-F chief Pir Pagara has threatened to quit the government if ministries in Sindh were taken from his party, Geo
News reported.
Pagara said his party had entered into an agreement with President Zardari and not Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah. Pagara
added that the CM was holding several portfolios and the government would be in trouble if the PML-F left.
On Friday differences emerged between coalition partners over the allocation of ministries in Sindh. PML-F leaders were
informed by the CM that their portfolios would be given to MQM who had recently announced its return to the government.
ST leader, activists presented before court
KARACHI: Police on Saturday presented Sunni Tehree leader Shahid Ghauri and activists before the court for physical
remand, Geo News reported.
The ST leader and workers were arrested on Friday on charges of arson during the strike called against the death sentence
awarded to Mumtaz Qadir, murderer of former Punjab governor Salman Taseer.
The case against Shahid Ghauri was registered on charges of setting ablaze busses in Orangi Town on Friday morning.
The judicial Magistrtate before whom the accused were presented, rejected the demand for physical remand. He said since the
case related to arson, the accused must be presented before Anti Terrorism Court (ATC).
Pak to stand by Kashmiris in all difficulties: PM
MUZAFFARABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Saturday said the Pakistan government would stand by
Kashmiris in every challenge and would take all steps for their development and progress.
He was addressing at the inaugural ceremony of Mirwaiz Maulvi Farooq Shaheed Medical College here, which he named after
a great Kashmiri leader in recognition of his untiring efforts for the freedom of Kashmir.The Rs 361.5 million medical college
has been built with the assistance of Turkish government and Chairman Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation
Authority (ERRA).
The Prime Minister, who arrived here on a day-long visit to commemorate sixth anniversary of the catastrophic earthquake in
2005 that killed 73,000 people and rendered million, inaugurated a series of development projects as part of the ongoing
reconstruction phase.
He directed to implement the project of constructing Muzaffarabad-Kohala-Lower-Topa Road. He announced 2,000 new jobs in
AJK Police Department for an improved security system for AJK people.
He also announced the establishment of an IT university in Rawalakot.Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said he
had come to join the people of AJK on the day that was a painful remembrance of the tragic incident of earthquake.
He said it was a national tragedy that severely impacted the minds and social lives of people. He said the Government of
Pakistan had never confronted such a massive catastrophe, however with international and local assistance, the challenge was
overcome amicably.
He lauded the services of ERRA and SERRA - AJK’s State Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority, for their
exemplary work.
Gilani mentioned that as immediate steps after the earthquake, about 1,16,000 people were given shelter in 125 camps, and
added that all internally displaced people had now been honourably shifted to their homes.
He said Rs 49 billion had been disbursed for the reconstruction of 13,14000 houses in AJK. A total of Rs 39.32 billion had so
far been given to the affected people.
He said ninety-nine percent construction work in rural areas had been completed, while in urban areas the portfolio of housing
cash grant, had been completed in 2008.
He said the entire operation of relief and rehabilitation received an international acclaim.
He said for the deceased and injured, about Rs five billion had been disbursed as compensation.
In lieu of livelihood cash grant, he said Rs 2.64 billion had been paid while the homeless had been given Rs 740 million for
purchasing 5-marla land.
He said collectively, Rs 58 billion had been given to the affected people of AJK.
Gilani said still much was needed to be done in terms of reconstruction, requring Rs 125 billion for work ranging from primary
schools to mega projects.
He said out of 7790 projects, ERRA had completed 3752 projects while 2613 were ongoing.
He mentioned today’s inauguration of Government Boys Pilot High School at a cost of Rs 145 million.
He said with Turkish assistance, a District Headquarters Hospital complex had been built with Rs 2.93 billion. He thanked
Turkey and United emirates for the reconstruction of 250-bed each hospital in Muzaffarabad and Rawalakot with Rs five billion.
Gilani expressed gratitude for the assistance by Saudi Arab for providing Rs three billion for DHQ complex and rs seven billion
for AJK university’s Rawalakot and Muzaffarabad campuses.
He said with Saudi and Kuwaiti assistance, work in education and administration sectors was ongoing with Rs 14.5 billion.
For modern facilities of life, work continued on the city development projects with an amount of 353 million US dollars.
Gilani said Kashmiris and Pakistanis had a strong bond between their hearts and souls, and mentioned that Shaheeds Zulfikar
Ali Bhutto and Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto gave the vision of a solid ideological link with Kashmiris. He said Mohtarma also
highlighted the Kashmir issue at international fora.
He said the government was fully aware of the challenges confronting Kashmiris and would stand by them in all difficulties. He
said Kashmiris live in the hearts of Pakistanis and stressed that “we will do the best for their development and welfare.”
He thanked the international community and NGOs for their assistance in the hour of distress.
Gilani said as the Prime Minister of Pakistan and also the Chairman Kashmir Council, it was his responsibility to take every
possible step for the development of Kashmir and the welfare of Kashmiris.
Mian Manzoor Wattoo, Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan, said the movement of accession of Indian Held
Kashmir with Pakistan had now been inherited to the younger generation. He mentioned the commitment of Shaheeds Zulfikar
Ali Bhutto and Mohtarma Bhutto who always stood for the rights of Kashmiris.
He said PPP government was pursuing politics of reconciliation.He said the Mangla Dam upraising would ensure provision of
water to the residents of Mirpur and adjoining area.
President AJK Sardar Yaqoob Khan said Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani was the only head of government who visited Azad
Kashmir, the most and more often. He gave the credit of three medical colleges, built in AJK, to Prime Minister Gilani and
Pakistan Peoples Party.
He said Kashmiris are a peaceful nation and said their struggle would continue till realisation of their right to self-determination.
He thanked the Turkish government for the assistance provided for the completion of medical college and in other areas of
reconstruction and rehabilitation.
PM AJK Chaudhry Abdul Majeed said the medical college would provide a great educational facility to the students of Azad
and Jammu Kashmir, and also to students belonging to Gilgit-Baltistan and other northern parts.
He thanked the Government of Pakistan for providing facilities to the people of AJK in various sectors and for the support of
Pakistani people for the Kashmir cause of self-determination.
He said the AJK government and people would also stand by Pakistan in all its challenges.
Earlier, Chairman Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) said ERRA had completed 55 percent of its
projects.
Former AJK prime minister Sardar Muhammad Attique and Turkey’s Ambassador were also present.
Prayers were offered for those who were killed by devastating earthquake in 2005.
Earlier, a group of Kashmiri girl students sang ‘Jiway Pakistan’ [Long live Pakistan] in chorus amidst an applause by the
audience.
Mirza's resignation yet to reach NA
KARACHI: Former home minister Sindh Dr. Zulfiqar Mirza's resignation has still not reached the National Assembly, Geo News
reported Saturday.
According to sources, the former home minister had resigned from his provincial post as well as the membership of the
assembly. His resignation from home minister's slot had been accepted but that from the assembly membership is yet to
reach the assembly.
Sunni Tehreek rejects capital punishment to Mumtaz Qadri
Karachi: Representative Sunni Tehreek Muhammad Shahid Ghuori has strongly criticised verdict of capital punishment to Mumtaz Hussain Qadri and termed it as un-Islamic.
He was addressing to a large gathering protesting in front of Karachi Press Club on Saturday. He said that if the government does not implement the laws of blasphemy then thousands of Mumtaz Qadris would emerge.
He questioned the government that if anti-state actors like Raymond Davies can be released then why Mumtaz Qadri, who he said is hero of Muslim Ummah cannot be released.
He announced that Sunni Tehreek is willing to pay Rs. 200 million to heirs of Salman Taseer as blood money. He said that Salman Taseer had repeatedly offended the religion but no action was taken against him by the sitting government.
In such situations the people themselves start taking the decisions and Mumtaz Qadri is a prime example.
He said that Christians and Jews have also realized that they cannot eliminate the love and passion of Muslims for the Last Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be upon Him).
Shahid Ghouri said that Sunni Tehreek believes in the rule of the law but they would not accept any anti-Islamic decision. He asked the government to play its part on the release of Mumtaz Qadri.
