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Raja gets respite till Sept 18

SC seeks categorical commitment to writing of letter, Show cause notice brings bad name to sovereignty of Pakistan: PM

Staff Reporter

Islamabad—The Supreme Court on Monday gave Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf another three weeks time in the NRO judgment implementation case to reopen cases against President Asif Ali Zardari, after the premier appeared in person. A five-judge special bench comprising Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa, Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan, Justice Ijaz Ahmed Chaudhry, Justice Gulzar Ahmed and Justice Muhammad Ather Saeed heard the case. In an almost 55 minutes of hearing, Prime Minister Ashraf assured the court that he was serious in resolving the issue arising after the Supreme Court’s judgment and sought for six weeks time.

Rawalpindi—Former federal minister for religious affairs Hamid Saeed Kazmi has released after he was granted bail by trial court on Monday. After being incarcerated for over a year Special Judge Muhammad Ahmad Farooqui approved his bail petition and ordered his release against securities of Rs100,000. The Supreme Court taking suo moto notice had ordered FIA to register a case of corruption in the arrangements of Hajj-2010.

Third option to be adopted after Sept 18 hearing: Wassan

Islamabad—Former Sindh Home Minister Manzoor Wasan predicted Monday that the matter of writing letter to Swiss government would be resolved after the next hearing of the NRO implementation case. “The letter will be written through a third person,” Wasan said. The former minister maintained that a middle way is being decided upon to avoid confrontation between institutions and to strengthen democracy.

Mixed reaction to apex court verdict

Staff Reporter

Islamabad—Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf appeared before the Supreme Court on Monday in the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) implementation case and sought more time to follow its orders. Several comments from eminent personalities emerged after the hearing – some in favour of the courts, others in favour of the ruling government.

War on terror Zardari for compensation to affected countries

Islamabad—Reiterating his call for preferential treatment and greater market access for Pakistani products, President Asif Ali Zardari here on Monday said it is time for international community to think of ways to compensate the countries most adversely impacted by the war on terror by making some allowance to them for market access. Addressing a gathering at APTMA’s Annual Dinner held at Aiwan- e-Sadr, the President said the ongoing war against militancy has inflicted huge damage to Pakistan’s economy. On account of the sacrifices and suffering on behalf of the international community in the war against terror, Pakistan is entitled to preferential treatment and greater market access, the President added. President Zardari said that tremendous cost of the war against terror has put a great stress on Pakistan’s economy. He said huge economic cost of the war compelled the Government to curtail its Public Sector Development Programme leading towards putting a great pressure on the business community by increasing their input costs and adversely impacting their competitiveness. The President said international aid was welcome but in Pakistan’s case, trade was more sustainable as it helps integrate people and cultures across borders.

Pentagon checking SEAL raid book for secrets

Washington — The Pentagon said Monday it is reviewing a copy of a soon-to-be-published account of the raid that killed Osama bin Laden, checking for leaks of classified information. Pentagon spokesman George Little said Defense Department officials “received the manuscript and we are looking at it.” The book, “No Easy Day,” is scheduled for publication on Sept. 11. The author, a former Navy SEAL who participated in the raid, did not submit the book until now for pre-publication review that is required by the military secrecy agreements officials say he signed. A special operations advocacy group, Special Operations-OPSEC, that is criticizing President Barack Obama over alleged leaks and making the raid the national security centerpiece of his re-election campaign, asked the attorney general to block the book’s release until the government can make sure it reveals no classified information.

Self-sufficiency in energy to be achieved

Islamabad—The government on Monday announced Petroleum Exploration and Production Policy 2012, which the Petroleum Advisor said, would help achieve maximum self-sufficiency in energy and promote exploration and production activities by providing competitive incentives to the investors. Advisor to the Prime Minister on Petroleum and Natural Resources Dr Asim Hussain announced the second petroleum policy of the current government as the first one was formulated in 2009. Addressing newsmen, Dr Asim Hussain said the new policy was essential keeping in view the internationally increased oil prices as the comparatively lower prices in Pakistan were hindering investment in the country.