Noisy scenes erupt in Parliament

Islamabad—Both the Houses of Parliament witnessed noisy scenes as the lawmakers of Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) protested during Friday’s sessions and refused to take part in debate until Prime Minister Yusaf Raza Gilani resigns from the office. Presided over by Deputy Speaker National Assembly Faisal Karim Kundi, the National Assembly session commenced under opposition lawmakers’ shouts of “go Gilani, go” accompanied by booing and desk-thumping. The slogan-chanting MNAs also tore the day’s agenda to pieces in their protest against the Prime Minister.

Commandant, Deputy Bajaur Levis among dead

Peshawar—The troubled Bajaur Agency, where peace was returning after years of militancy and bloodshed, was again bathed in blood when deadly suicide explosion targeting the security forces Friday morning left around a two dozen people including men in uniform dead and seriously wounded over forty others. The Commandant and Deputy Commandant Bajaur Levis, a paramilitary force, were among those killed in Friday’s suicide hit. The death toll is feared to go higher as the medics in the hospitals in Bajaur and Peshawar have described the condition of many injured as precarious. The defunct Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has owned the responsibility of the Friday blast. Indefinite curfew was also clamped in the region following the blast.

ANF calls Musa Gilani again

Islamabad—The Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) on Friday issued summons for Musa Gilani, son of Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani, and Pakistan Mus-lim League – Nawaz (PML-N) MNA Hanif Abbasi in relation to the ephedrine quota case. The ANF issued Musa Gilani’s summons for May 12, whereas Abbasi has been called to appear before the force on May 8. The Supreme Court had ordered the ANF to conduct transparent investigations to root out those responsible in the ephedrine quota case. Moreover, the court had also sus-pended government-issued trans-fer orders of officials involved in the case’s investigation.

Flee to Afghanistan to avoid drone strikes

Washington—Sitting in his secret refuge, hiding from the world, Osama bin Laden spent the last months of his life rethinking strategy, worrying about his legacy and struggling to maintain control over the sprawling terrorist network that operated in his name. While there is little detail about how he managed to stay hidden under the nose of the Pakistani authorities, the letters make clear how much pressure the American drone campaign was putting on his followers in the Pakistani border areas.

Operation abruptly suspended for 48 hrs

Karachi—The Lyari operation was abruptly suspended to facilitate the outlaws willing to surrender within next 48 hours under the invite of the Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik and the Chief Minister Sindh Qaim Ali Shah on the 8th day of operations here today. The criminals have 48 hours to surrender with their arms, said Mushtaq Shah IGP Sindh while announcing the decision of the government. Although the operations has been suspended for next 48 hours, it will not be out of place to mention that President Asif Ali Zardari in a meeting convened to discuss law and order situation especially in Lyari where he reiterated his stance regarding operation against criminals in Lyari and other areas of the country and remarked that no compromise or soft hand would be given to people involved in criminal activities.

Restoration only after US apology: Mukhtar

Gujrat—Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar has said that NATO supplies would not be restored till an apology was offered by the United States over attack at the Salala check post in Mohmand Agency. Talking to media here Friday after a meeting for offering dua for the buried soldiers of Gayari, Siachen, the defence minister said the decision of the government is based on principles and in line with the recommendations of the parliament.

Court verdict does not disqualify me, says Gilani

Islamabad—Prime Minister, Yusuf Raza Gilani, has said the verdict of Supreme Court against him in a contempt of court case does not disqualify him from the office of prime minister, as he did not commit any criminal offence. The Supreme Court found Gilani guilty of contempt of court and convicted him after he refused to accept the court’s order to reopen graft cases against President, Asif Ali Zardari.