PM Gilani admits Number of missing persons on rise

Gen Kayani attends high level meeting today

Islamabad—Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani Monday said that Army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani will attend a meeting to discuss the missing persons issue on Tuesday. The meeting will also be attended by federal, provincial representatives along with the heads of law enforcement agencies. In an interview with a private TV channel Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani admitted that the number of missing persons was once again on the rise.

NA Speaker’s ruling on Gilani PML-N, PTI challenge in SC

Islamabad—Two political parties, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) have filed two separate petitions in the Supreme Court, challenging National Assembly Speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza’s ruling to save Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani from disqualification. Both the petitions filed Monday challenge NA Speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza’s decision refusing to forward a disqualification against the prime minister to the Election Commission of Pakistan, a month after the Supreme Court convicted Gilani of contempt.

ISI chief postpones US visit

Islamabad—The head of Inter-Services Intelligence agency has postponed a visit to the United States due to “pressing commitments”, a military spokesman said Monday. The postponement follows renewed tensions between the two countries over Pakistan’s six-month blockade on Nato supplies into Afghanistan and last week’s sentencing of a Pakistani doctor, Dr Shakil Afridi, hired by the CIA to help find Osama bin Laden.

Nawaz raps Zardari on Chicago meet participation

Lahore—Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Mian Nawaz Sharif has said that national pride demanded that President Asif Ali Zardari should not have participated in Chicago Summit. Addressing a function held here on Monday in connection with “Youm-e-Takbeer” celebrations, Nawaz said, “Pakistan had been a nuclear power for last 14 years but the successive governments failed in overcoming problems posed to the country as well as people.” He said the Abbottabad operation had violated the sovereignty of Pakistan but the President had praised the operation in an article.

Dancing at wedding party Clerics issue death decree for six in Kohistan

Islamabad—Four women and two men have been sentenced to death in northern Pakistan for singing and dancing at a wedding, police said Monday. Clerics issued a decree after a mobile phone video emerged of the six in a remote village in the mountainous district of Kohistan, 176 kilometres north of Islamabad. Pakistani authorities in the area said local clerics had ordered the punishment over allegations that the men and women danced and sang together in Gada village, in defiance of strict tribal customs that separate men and women at weddings.

MQM not for division of Sindh: Raza Haroon

Karachi—A high-powered delegation of the Pakistan People’s Party visited the MQM Head Office Nine Zero on Monday and held talks with the Co-ordination Committee. The PPP delegation comprised the subcommittee formed by President Asif Ali Zardari for establishing peace in Karachi. The delegation was led by senior PPP leader Mr Amin Faheem. Other members of the delegation included Mr Khursheed Shah, Mr Naveed Qamar and Mr Maula Bux Chandio. Members of the Co-ordination Committee Mr Waseem Aftab, Mr Raza Haroon, Dr Sagheer Ahmed and Mr Salim Tajik represented the MQM side. Provincial Minister Adil Siddiqui was also present on the occasion.

Zardari orders creation of anti terror force

Karachi—President Asif Ali Zardari directed to form a joint task force of intelligence and law-enforcement agencies. He also ordered to launch a crack down operation against the criminal elements in Sindh. The president was chairing a high level meeting at Bilawal House to discuss the law and order situation of the province with special focus on recent incidents of firing and killings in the capital city of Karachi.