Judiciary can go to any extent to implement constitution: CJP

Islamabad—Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry has said that judiciary can go to any extent for implementation on the constitution. Addressing an Iftar dinner and farewell party in honour of SC Justice Shakirullah Jan, the Chief Justice said that external factors did not affect the verdicts taken by a judge. He said the function of the Supreme Court is to maintain rule of law and supremacy of the constitution, adding that the judiciary is bound to shoulder its responsibility as a significant pillar of the state.

PM urges parties to brace for next polls

Islamabad—Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf says all the political parties should start preparations for the next general elections. Addressing the cabinet meeting in Islamabad Wednesday‚ he urged the political parties to support the government for a better political environment during the polls. He said Pakistan Peoples Party believes in free‚ fair and impartial elections. “We will fully endorse the mandate of the people”.

Joint Afghan, Pakistan team to probe cross- border attacks

Kabul—Afghanistan and Pakistan have agreed to send a joint military team to investigate a recent surge in cross-border attacks that have soured relations between the two neighbours, Kabul said Wednesday. Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari took the decision on the sidelines of an Organisation of Islamic Cooperation summit in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, Karzai’s office said. Pakistan said the two leaders “discussed bilateral ties, the regional situation, the peace process in Afghanistan and other issues of mutual concern”, but declined to go into specifics.

Gilani advises Raja to reject SC orders

Multan—Former prime minister Yusaf Raza Gilani lashed out against the judiciary on Wednesday and remarked sarcastically that there is no need of elections as the judges want to govern the country. “We have fought against all dictators and were always successful, but today the judiciary has become a dictator.” Speaking to the media in Multan during an Iftar party, Gilani said that if all prime minister’s decisions are taken by the judges, then elections are mere drama because it is the judiciary which will choose prime ministers according to its own will.

Attique calls for creating Ministry of Pakistan Ideology

Islamabad—Former Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and leader of Muslim Conference, Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan has purposed setting up of a federal ministry of Pakistan ideology and also provincial ministries to highlight the genesis of Pakistan and it’s objectives as laid down by Father of the Nation, Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah. He was addressing as Chief Gust a function arranged by the Nazriya Pakistan Council (NPC) at Aiwan-i-Quaid, Fatima Jinnah Park in the Federal Capital.

King Abdullah urges Muslim leaders to stand side by side

Makkah—The world’s largest Islamic bloc was poised Wednesday to suspend conflict-wracked Syria, despite opposition from Iran, a staunch ally of the regime of President Bashar al-Assad. An emergency summit of the 57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) opened late Tuesday with the proposal put forward by a preparatory meeting of foreign ministers, a symbolic attempt to pile pressure on Damascus over its deadly crackdown on a 17-month uprising.

Pak to take positive turn: Zahid Malik

Islamabad—The falling of the Independence Day of Pakistan and the Lailat-ul-Qadr almost on the same day this year had a definite message that Pakistan’s days of de-pression would be over. This was stated by Mr. Zahid Malik, Editor-in-Chief, Pakistan Observer who is also Chairman, Nazriya Pakistan Council, in his presidential address at a function held at the Aiwan-i-Quaid in connection with Independence Day celebrations where Sardar Attique Ahmad Khan, former Prime Minister of Azad Jammu Kashmir was the chief guest.