ANP conveys reservations

Govt to defer dual nationality bill

Islamabad—The government on Saturday has decided to defer the proposed dual nationality bill, which would allow people with more than one country’s citizenship to participate in elections, after reservations were shown by a coalition party. The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) government came up with the proposed bill in order to make lawmakers, having dual nationality, eligible to participate in upcoming elections as the Supreme Court disqualified few legislators including former Interior Minister Rehman Malik.

Constitution is supreme: CJP

Karachi—Chief Justice of Pakistan, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry explicitly indicated that the Supreme Court of Pakistan might strike down any law repugnant to the constitution, and said that the constitution not the parliament was the supreme entity in Pakistan. Addressing lawyers during a ceremony at the Sindh High Court (SHC) on Saturday, he dubbed the question of parliament’s supremacy over the constitution as unjustified. CJ said that whatever position or post one holds the law was same for everyone. Action on contempt of court was taken against the chief executive for not obeying the court order and he lost his position, he added.

Kabul, Swat rivers in medium, low flood

Islamabad—The Federal Flood Commission (FFC) on Saturday said that the Kabul River was running in medium flood at Warsak-Nowshera reach while the Swat River was also in low flood with rising trend at Charsadda Road Bridge. According to the daily FFC report, all the other main rivers, including Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej, were flowing normal.

DPC’s long march today

Lahore—Pakistan Defence Council has warned the government to close Nato supply routes immediately, otherwise, a ‘historic long-march’ will start from Sunday( today). Addressing a press conference, Difa-e-Pakistan Council (DPC) chairman Maulana Samiul Haq appealed to all factions of society to assist them in protesting against the reopening of Nato supply routes. Haq said that those living near the Nato routes should also come out on the roads to join the protest. “The government should also assist us for the sake of the independence of judiciary, democracy and to save the country.”He added that the protest movement will be “peaceful”. The long march will begin at 10am today from Nasir Bagh in Lahore and will head towards Islamabad, Haq told the media. “Pakistan can only survive after getting rid of US slavery.”

SC verdict accepted to ensure continuity of democratic process: Gilani

Islamabad—Former Prime Minister and senior Vice Chairman of Pakistan People’s Party Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Saturday said that he chose to walk away from the Prime Minister’s House after the Supreme Court verdict to ensure that the parliamentary system put in place by the democratic forces should continue to function and the Parliament completes its term. Yusuf Raza Gilani was talking to members of PPP Human Rights Cell, who called on him here under the leadership of Central Coordinator Nafisa Shah.

Afghanistan designated major non-Nato ally

Kabul—Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Saturday that the United States wants to strengthen its security cooperation with Pakistan.Hillary Clinton made an unannounced visit to Kabul before the donor meeting and held talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai. She announced that the US has designated Afghanistan a major non-NATO ally, giving the war-torn country special privileges as the US prepares to pull its troops out in 2014. Clinton announced the designation, which provides a long-term framework for security and defence cooperation.

World must work together for economic stability: IMF chief

Islamabad—The global community must work together to meet the challenges thrown up by the global financial crisis and to ensure future stability and growth, says the head of International Monetary Fund (IMF) Christine Lagarde. During a speech in Tokyo-the first stop in a three-country trip to Asia the IMF Managing Director said in today’s interconnected world, countries could not afford to look only at events within national borders.