Balochistan unrest

Army chief could be summoned: CJP

Expresses displeasure over IG FC press conference, Says bodies turn up of those providing evidence against FC

Quetta—The Supreme Court on Monday resumed the hearing in the Balochistan law and order case. A three-judge bench of the apex court comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar, Justice Khilji Arif Hussain and Justice Jawad S. Khwaja was hearing the case. The chief justice expressed displeasure over the press conference recently held by Inspector General of Frontier Corps (FC), Major General, Obaidullah Khan Khattak. He said it was not the business of an official serving in a uniform to hold a press conference.

PM rules out reference against CJP Stresses more education spendings in Muslim world

Islamabad—Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani on Monday said that there was no need to send any reference against Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry. In his brief talk with media after addressing the two day Vice Chancellors’ Forum on higher education in the Islamic world, the prime minister said that he can not make any comment on Arsalan Iftikhar case as the matter is subjudice. The prime minister said that only a section of the press had been projecting the issue of sending a reference against the chief justice.

SC not to allow dragging Arslan’s issue for long

Islamabad—The Supreme Court on Monday said that it could not allow Arsalan Iftikhar’s issue for long as it was widely debated across the country due to its significance. It asked the interior secretary through Attorney General for Pakistan to provide security to Dr Arsalan Iftikhar, son of Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, after accepting his request on security concerns. It also directed Zahid Hussain Bukhari, counsel for Malik Riaz Hussain, to submit his concise statement till Tuesday. Ali Muhammad Riaz, chief executive of the Bahira Town was also ordered to appear in person.

US withdraws negotiators, no supply deal

Washington—The United States has withdrawn negotiators from Pakistan after talks failed to produce an agreement on reopening vital Nato supply routes into Afghanistan, the Pentagon said Monday. “The decision was reached to bring the team home for a short period of time,” Pentagon spokesman George Little told reporters. The team of negotiators had been in Pakistan for about six weeks, he said, as US officials had believed they were close to a deal with Islamabad to lift the blockade on Nato convoys.

Al Qaeda claims Abu Yahya al Libi alive, promises video

Washington—As Sahab, al Qaeda’s propaganda production outfit, has indicated that Abu Yahya al Libi may be alive, and that a video of him will be released soon. Two websites linked to Al Qaeda announced on Sunday that they will air a new video featuring the network’s deputy leader Abu Yahya al-Libi, whom Washington claimed last week to have killed. The messages posted by Ansar and Alfidaa websites suggested that Libi remains alive. Soon, a video message by Sheikh Abu Yahya al Libi, may Allah protect him,” read the message posted by Al Qaeda’s Sahab media arm on both sites, one of which was put online on around 1500 GMT on Sunday. The statement “may Allah protect him” is reserved for al Qaeda leaders who are alive.

Scores feared dead in Afghanistan quake

Kabul—A 5.7 magnitude earthquake has struck northeast Afghanistan, causing homes to collapse. Scores of people are feared dead in an earthquake and landslide that buried 20 houses in northern Afghanistan on Monday, officials said. Details of the destruction were slow to emerge from the remote district. Rescuers have so far pulled two women’s bodies from the rubble of the landslide in Baghlan province and expect many others were buried, said provincial Gov. Abdul Majid. The U.N. confirmed one other death and said houses were destroyed across five districts, Foxnews reported.

Power projects delay case SC issues notices to Babar Awan, Chishti

Islamabad—The Supreme Court has issued notices to former Law Minister Babar Awan and Secretary Masood Chishti in power projects delay case. A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry heard a petition of PML-N’s Khawaja Muhammad Asif against delaying of Nandipur and Chichokimallian power projects. The court was told that an unrecoverable loss of Rs113 billion has been caused to the national exchequer due to the delays. The CJ expressed anger over absence of Secretary of Finance.