PTI, 'a rope around corrupt politicians’ neck': Hashmi

MULTAN: Senior politician and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Makhdoom Javed Hashmi said on Wednesday that his party will be like a “rope around corrupt politicians’ neck.”

Speaking to the media in Multan at an honourary dinner organised by the PTI for journalists, Hashmi said that the nature of politics is changing in Pakistan and old political leaders have no understanding of it.

“People of Pakistan have declared PTI as the only chance of survival,” he added.

Government and NRO

Hashmi accused the government of calling parliament supreme on one hand and ignoring its decision against the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) on the other hand.

“Government had brought NRO to the parliament from the Supreme Court (SC) just to legalise their corruption,” he said.

The PTI leader reiterated that the government should obey SC orders and respect the supremacy of law.

Hashmi also alleged that Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani was using parliament to protect himself from the corruption charges but “he will fail because the entire nation was standing with the SC.”

“Even resigning from his post would not get him out of this situation,” he added.

Hashmi said that the current standoff between institutions is a result of disobedience on the government’s part and refusal to uphold the constitution.

By-elections

Talking about the upcoming by-elections, the PTI leader said that his party would not contest because “fake voters’ list will be used in these elections.”

“We need transparent elections with a genuine voters list,” he said.

کراچی میں تحریک انصاف کےدفترپرحملہ

کراچی : کراچی کے علاقے لانڈھی میں تحریک انصاف کے دفتر پر مسلح افراد نے دھاوا بول کر توڑ پھوڑ کی اور وہاں موجود کارکنان کو تشدد کا نشانہ بنایا۔

دی نیوز ٹرائب کے نمائندے کے مطابق لانڈھی کے علاقے فیوچر کالونی میں تحریک انصاف کے دفتر پر کراچی کی ایک بڑی تنظیم کے کارکنان نے منگل اور بدھ کی درمیانی شب کو حملہ کیا۔

حملہ آوروں نے دفتر میں گھس کر بینرز اور پوسٹرز پھاڑ دیے جب کہ دفتری امور نمٹا کر واپس جانے والوں کو زدکوب کیا اور آئندہ دفتر کھولنے کی صورت میں سنگین نتائج کی دھمکیاں دیں۔

مقامی افراد نے بتایا کہ جائے وقوع  سے چند قدم کے فاصلے پر پولیس مسلح افراد کو گرفتار کرنے کے بجائے خاموش کھڑی تماشا دیکھتی رہی۔

Imran Khan: 'We would happily go into opposition'

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's wildcard politician Imran Khan says he is happy to go into opposition if his "tsunami" of popular support fails to bring him a landslide victory at elections now widely expected within months.

The 59-year-old former cricketer has ridden a wave of support buoyed by mass rallies and has openly backed the courts' pursuit of embattled President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.

But in an interview with AFP at his hilltop villa outside Islamabad, Khan admitted that his fledgling Movement for Justice (Tehrik-e-Insaf) could suffer if a series of crises force general elections earlier than September or October.

"The 'tsunami' is ready. We will be ready. Obviously it suits our party... if this government goes for another six months," he said.

Under the Pakistani constitution, a government resigns in favour of an administration of technocrats for up to three months before a general election.

If the current government collapses earlier than the summer, Khan could see his popularity -- built on the back of nationalist rhetoric delivered with messianic zeal and rousing musical performances -- put to a premature test.

"We would happily go into the opposition if we can't form a government because basically it's a battle between forces of status quo and forces of change," Khan said.

Speculation is widespread in Pakistan that Khan's party is being quietly groomed by the powerful military, which are believed to back moves in the courts to chip away at Zardari and Gilani's authority.

"I think it's the endgame because the government -- it's been openly defying the Supreme Court," said Khan.

"I don't think the Supreme Court is going to back down. They've called the prime minister dishonest so really in any decent democracy he should have resigned by now and then asked to go back to the people."

But he added: "No one wants martial law in this country, none of us want it. I think the time for martial law is over in Pakistan."

Khan insists his relationship with the generals is a "sensible" one that would put him clearly in charge should his party sweep to power.

"If I'm the prime minister, if I have the responsibility, I have the authority," he said.

Khan rules out forming a coalition with any of the "status quo" parties he considers venal and corrupt -- Zardari's Pakistan People's Party or opposition
PML-N led by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

Instead he is confident that his prescription for Pakistan -- unbuckling the country from the US-led war on terror alliance with the United States by refusing foreign aid and launching a massive austerity drive, will succeed.

But political commentators say Khan's vision of a united Pakistan free from mafia and liberated from foreign influence is a pipe dream playing to a receptive crowd as the country faces renewed political uncertainty.

Malaysia, Turkey, South Africa and even Scandinavia are cited as models of
inspiration for Khan and among the youth, his message is being widely embraced.

"He is giving them dreams, dreams for the future," said Hasan Askari. "But we don't know whether he will be able to realise those dreams."

Journalist Najam Sethi said Khan's message feeds the mindset of the majority of disaffected lower middle class Pakistani voters -- conservative, Muslim and increasingly anti-American.

"He is, shall we say, the most articulate anti-American shrill voice in this country -- number one. Number two, Imran is also now pandering to certain religious symbols," Sethi said.

Khan's next rally is planned for March 23 in Quetta, capital of restive Baluchistan province, which is wracked with separatist violence and mass deprivation. (AFP) 

مشرف کے ساتھیوں کو سرخی پاوڈر لگا کرایک دوسری جماعت میں شامل کیا جا رہا ھے ۔ شہباز شریف

مشرف کے ساتھیوں کو سرخی پاوڈر لگا کرایک دوسری جماعت میں شامل کیا جا رہا ھے ۔ شہباز شریف

ذیلی تصویر میں قائدِ انقلاب نواز شریف مسلم لیگ (ن) میں شمولیت اختیار کرنے والے مسلم لیگ (ق) کے رہنما عظیم چودھری اور آسیہ عظیم سے ملاقات کر رھے ہیں۔

Tribune’s Gamechangers 2011: Imran Khan

Heartthrob, playboy, cricketer, politician?
Imran Khan has worn all these hats and they seem to have fit him well. This year, he has changed the political landscape of Pakistan with the growing popularity of his party Tehreek-i-insaf, Movement for Justice, that seems to be a formidable player in the coming elections.
After critics repeatedly dismissed him as being a political dwarf, Imran silenced naysayers by rallying hundreds of thousand supporters to his rallies in Lahore and Karachi. Calling for an end to corruption and to Pakistan’s subservience to America, Imran has mobilized the youth of Pakistan and promised to bring about ‘change’ in the next election.
Quote of the year: “Those in Raiwind and Islamabad should know that it is not a flood that is coming, but a tsunami.”

Bill Gates extends condolences to Arfa’s father

LOS ANGELES - Microsoft owner Bill Gates on Monday offered condolences to Arfa Karim’s father over death of youngest Microsoft Certified Professional.
In his message, Gates said he was saddened to learn about Arfa’s death. Gates said Arfa was a genius student and he was shocked over her death.
It is pertinent to mention here that upon hearing about Arfa's illness, Bill Gates had hired a panel of doctors to extend medical treatment to her and even offered to her father to shift Arfa to a Dubai hospital.
Meanwhile, after the sad demise of teenage computer ace Arfa Karim, the Sindh and Punjab governments have resolved naming Media City in Karachi and Technology Park in Lahore after her.

Yousuf Raza Gilani's Family AFTER and BEFORE- Must Watch

Geo Report-PM Issued Contempt Notice-16 Jan 2012

سپریم کورٹ میں صدر، وزیراعظم کی نااہلیت کیلئے درخواست

صدر، وزیراعظم اورارکان اسمبلی کی نااہلیت کے لیے سپریم کورٹ میں درخواست دائرکردی گئی۔


ایڈوکیٹ حبیب وہاب الخیری کی جانب سے دائردرخواست میں موقف اختیارکیا گیا ہے کہ صدر، وزیراعظم اور تمام ارکان اسمبلی آرٹیکل 62 اور63 پرپورا نہیں اترتے،، اس لیے ان کونااہل قراردیا جائے۔ درخواست میں استدعا کی گئی ہے کہ سپریم کورٹ نااہلی کے فیصلے کے بعد الیکشن کمیشن کونئے انتخابات کرانے کا حکم دے اور سوئس بینکوں سے لوٹی ہوئی رقم واپس لانے کےلیے احکامات جاری کرے۔ درخواست میں کہا گیا ہے کہ عدالت اداروں کے تحفظ کےلیے مداخلت کرے۔ درخواست میں صدر، وزیراعظم، ارکان اسمبلی، آرمی چیف اورڈی جی آئی ایس آئی کوفریق بنایا گیا ہے۔

Memogate: Mansoor Ijaz seeks more time to appear

ISLAMABAD: Mansoor Ijaz's Counsel Akram Sheikh Advocate told the Memo Commission that his client has applied for Pakistan's visa at Swiss Embassy.


The counsel said Mansoor Ijaz might appear before the commission on January 24.


Ijaz was to appear today but his lawyer sought relaxation saying his client is getting his family insured for security.


A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Balochistan High Court (BHC) Justice Qazi Faiz Isa resumed the hearing of infamous Memogate case.


Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif, former ambassador to US Husain Haqqani and Mansoor Ijaz's counsel Akram Shaikh were present during hearing.


On the other hand, Blackberry maker, Research in Motion (RIM) has refused to release data related to 'memogate' scandal.


The Canada-based phone manufacturer said that their privacy laws strictly prohibit disclosure of a customer's data to any other party without the consent of the concerned parties, thus Pakistan cannot have it.

Aaj Kamran Khan Kay Saath: Imran Khan on Supreme Court Decision (January 10, 2012)

Imran Khan and PTI deeply regrets the death of Arfa Kareem the youngest IT expert in the world.

Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and other PTI leadership deeply regrets the death of Arfa Kareem the youngest IT expert in the world. Arifa was the World’s Youngest Microsoft Certified Professional. They offered heartfelt condolence to the bereaved family on death of bright daughter of the nation.


PTI also demands that the government should rename the LahoreLechnology Park as Arifa Karim Technology Park to pay tribute to the great IT expert of the world.

BBC - Desert Island Discs - Castaway : Imran Khan

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is the Pakistani cricketer Imran Khan. Educated at Oxford and dividing his time between England and Pakistan, his fame extends well beyond the cricket field. He'll be talking to Sue Lawley about his faith - he is a devout Muslim - the constant speculation surrounding his love life and how his mother's death from cancer dramatically changed his life.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] 

Pakistani Girl - World's Youngest ARCast Programmer from Pakistan - Arfa Karim - Pakistani Gem

Daily Times - Breaking News, Pakistan, World, Cricket, Entertainment and South Asia News, Sports, Fa

With such heated statements being exchanged, all institutions are losing a sense of balance and while the government takes a lead on it, many of the statements issued by the army and the Supreme Court are not really reflective of the comments that would warrant such institutions’ stature and domain

It seems like a tiff between two rowdy and raucous teenagers. Both are adamant and stubborn, both are insistent and persistent, both are complaining and criticising. Unfortunately, this is not a story of newly growing up adolescents going through teething problems and hormonal riot, but the major institutions of Pakistan manned by people who have spent the better part of their life in the most honourable of institutions and positions. The constant bickering of the government with the army and with the Supreme Court has not only become disgraceful but destabilising as well. The exchange of words on all sides is abnormal and not within the code of political conduct. However, the constant friction between the major national institutions has created a culture of fear and uncertainty where the only people benefitting are the media moguls who enjoy the undivided attention of consumers always glued to the TV screens with apprehensive suspense of what can go wrong further.

The clash of the institutions is a sad reflection of the political immaturity of the people involved in these really base brawls. The government’s one-point agenda to continue ruling despite everything has become a bone of contention in every sphere of the political economy. Being named as the ‘people’s party’, it has a perception now of being the people’s enemy. There is a conflict of interest that has now become so apparent that even the telecom companies have failed to keep up with the jokes forwarded daily on the bitter mockery bestowed on the leaders in return for the disastrous governance of all institutions providing service delivery to the public. The public outbursts have ranged from protests to suicides to killings against the misery caused by absence of electricity, gas, trains, etc. The government has given heed to these protests by providing short-term relief and huge promises only to default on them every single time. This has added to the disillusionment and anger. When the leadership of a country thinks that either we can benefit or the public can benefit, it really goes into a win-lose mindset that in the long run is always self-defeating. Lessons to be learned are all around from Egypt to Tunisia but the comparison may not be impactful on our leaders who may be admiring the three-decade reign and saying that if those leaders could have their way despite the public unrest for three plus decades, why can they not enjoy this friction for three plus years. 

Similarly, the same spirit of ‘me vs you’ prevails between the government and the armed forces. Even before the Memogate, things have not been cordial. The government has been confused on its policy on how to relate with this important institution. Having backed them in the war on terror for the US, they found the army changing colours on the Pak-US relationship post-Osama Bin Laden invasion by the US in Abbottabad. The government, very much inclined to toe the US’s line, found it difficult to counter both the US aggression and the armed forces’ aggression. The split was evident as the All Parties Conference (APC) was held and strict action was promised against American incursion. The army already mollified by the American humiliation of not taking them into confidence and later the uncalled for NATO attack on our soldiers was adamant not to relent to the American government’s insistence of giving in to their demands. As the government became insecure about their ability to survive on merit, they resorted to American backing and thus the Memogate scandal became a bone of heavy contention between the two sides. This standoff has now become an indecent battle where the heads of both institutions are daily giving statements that signify a complete lack of trust and tolerance.

As if this was not enough, the Supreme Court reignited the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) tussle between the government and the judiciary. Allegations and accusations are being hurled from both ends. The prime minister is livid with the Supreme Court’s statement about his dishonesty while the court is upset at consecutive contempt of court and dismissal of its orders by the state. With such heated statements being exchanged, all institutions are losing a sense of balance and while the government takes a lead on it, many of the statements issued by the army and the Supreme Court are not really reflective of the comments that would warrant such institutions’ stature and domain. That is always the danger when issues become heated and emotions rule the vocabulary. 

This has created confrontational lobbies where instead of looking at the longer term impact of such corrosive relations, the whole focus is to prove the other party wrong. This puts further pressure on an already fragile and deteriorating political economy. Who benefits from this inner focus are all the external forces who are waiting for weak spots to put accelerated pressure on a country already split by its internal conflicts. This win-lose strategy is not new. Previously it was a British patented strategy used to take over lands of abundance. Make them fight, weaken them and rule them. More recently, this has become an American modus operandi. They will keep giving statements of not interfering yet they will see which faction is the weakest and can be bought, support them, till it is time to drop them and look anew. From Iraq to Egypt, their paid nominees were nourished till they outlived their usage. Similarly, any leader in Pakistan must realise that the Americans or any other external forces will not interfere if the counter-strategy for divide and rule is adopted and that is ‘unite and rule’. One recent example of this was the APC in which when all forces united, the Americans had to give up the Shamsi Airbase and the drone attacks have become almost negligible.

However, when leaders are not secure of their position they feel that the only way to secure their own position is to weaken the position of those opposing them. Thus, it results in the win-lose mindset that instead of thinking about solutions, parties think about how to create bigger problems to make their own problems look insignificant. This mentality of scarcity, unfortunately, causes not only their own downfall but the downfall of the nation as well. For a nation to be secure, those who are leading must have the security of earning their title and position. Without that it will be a constant game of securing their position at the cost of the insecurity of the nation.