World Muslim leaders mull suspending Syria

Some delegates call for further steps against Damascus

Makkah—Muslim leaders were on Tuesday to mull proposals to suspend war-hit Syria from the 57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), an action which is strongly opposed by Iran. The two-day moot begain here on Tuesday. The OIC represents 1.5 billion Muslims worldwide and that it was holding a meeting Tuesday night in Makkah, the holiest Islamic city, was of particular significance — the 26th of the holy month of Ramadan is the night when the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, according to Muslim tradition.

35 militants dead, five soldiers martyred in Orakzai clash

Peshawar–Bloody clashes took place on Tuesday between Pakistani security forces and the alleged terrorists following the militants ambush on a military convoy in Orakzai agency resetting in retaliation in martyrdom of at least five soldiers and serious injuries to over a dozen others. The security forces, in retaliation gunned down around 35 insurgents and wounded equal number of others. Military sources confirmed to Pakistan Observer.

Raja hints at talks for caretaker set-up

Islamabad—Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf Tuesday said that the resolution of all the problems lies in democracy and the country survival hinges on it. Addressing a gathering at the Independence Day flag hoisting ceremony at Convention Centre here Raja Pervez Ashraf vowed to take all political parties into confidence to ensure fair, free and transparent elections in the country. He said the government will hold dialogue with the opposition for the caretaker set up.

‘No upcoming operation in North Waziristan’

Islamabad—Speculations about possible Pakistan-US joint operation against the Haqqani Network in North Waziristan are absolutely baseless and absurd, said senior security officials requesting anonymity on Tuesday. One of the officials vehemently rejected the possibility of any ISI-CIA led joint operation code-named as ‘Tight Screw’ against Haqqanis.

Best Independence Day homage

On the 65th anniversary of Pakistan’s independence best homage to the Muslims of the subcontinent who sacrificed all they had for the creation of a separate homeland under the dynamic leadership of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah would be to sincerely rededicate ourselves as a nation to the ideals of the founding fathers. Pakistan was established as a nation-state with democracy as its polity in which people of Pakistan were to be the sole arbiters of power to be exercised through an elected sovereign parliament. All other institutions were to be subservient to the dictates of Parliament. None could over-ride the general will of the people as manifested in the sovereignty of the Parliament.

Gen Kayani for new laws to tackle terrorism

Kakul—Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani has called for formulating new laws to deal with the menace of terrorism and said the entire world has formed new laws to punish the terrorists. Addressing the gathering at Azadi Parade, he said that war against extremism and terrorism did not belong to only army but it was war of the entire nation. It is imperative that the entire nation is united and the army could only be successful with the cooperation of people, he added. General Kayani said till now army and people have rendered great sacrifices at this front for which he paid great homage to martyrs, and their families.

Congress, the most corrupt party in India: Ramdev

New Delhi—Yoga guru Baba Ramdev today termed his agitation against corruption and black money a big success and thanked political parties for their support. Taking a potshot at Manmohan Singh, Ramdev said that the Prime Minister should not go to gurdwara. Manmohan Singh should become a baba like me, Ramdev said. Ramdev was addressing his supporters at the Ambedkar stadium. Two children offered juice to Baba Ramdev to end his fast.