Islamabad—Security has been put to high alert in
Islamabad. The police are patrolling the streets
of the capital city. Para forces have been
called in to boost security in the federal
capital. Key-points and buildings of national
importance have been put under strict –security.
Guantanamo Bay—The alleged mastermind of the
September 11, 2001 US attacks Thursday sought
death to become a ‘martyr’ at the start of a US
military hearing of five alleged plotters. “This
is what I want, I’m looking to be a martyr,”
Khaled Sheikh Mohammed, a Pakistani national,
told the hearing at Guantanamo Bay as he was
reminded by the military judge that he faced the
death penalty.
Islamabad—President Pervez Musharraf has
emphasized that strength of a country depends on
its economy, defence and leadership. Speaking
here at the second convocation of the National
Defence University on Thursday, the President
said that any weakness in this respect may
weaken the country. He said the governments in
general need to ensure defence, welfare and
security from internal and external threats.
President Musharraf said it was ultimately the
leadership of a country that has to manage its
affairs. “Mismanagement and lack of potential of
a leadership can lead to weakening of a
country,” the President said.
Karachi—The United States government is
currently detaining at least 26,000 people
without trial in secret prisons, and information
suggests up to 80,000 have been ‘through the
system’ since 2001. “The US government must show
a commitment to rights and basic humanity by
immediately revealing who these people are,
where they are, and what has been done to them,”
a human rights activist said. In June 2005 the
UN’s special reporter on terrorism spoke of
“very, very serious” allegations that the United
States was secretly detaining terrorism suspects
in various locations around the world, notably
aboard prison ships in the Indian Ocean region.
Islamabad—The Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah
Mahmood Qureshi informed the National Assembly
on Thursday that Pakistan and India have signed
an agreement on consular access to ensure humane
treatment of nationals of either country
arrested, detained, or imprisoned in the other
country. Speaking in the House during “Question
Hour” he said there was no formal agreement with
India regarding access to Pakistanis arrested or
detained there.
A MAJOR shift in PPP’s posture has taken place
towards the issue of restoration of the Judges
removed by President Musharruf on 3rd November
2007. The Murree Declaration signed by Nawaz
Sharif and Asif Zardari committed the two
leaders to restore the judges within thirty days
of forming the government through a simple
resolution by the National Assembly. And the
so-called “.Constitutional Package”is a clear
indication that PPP has abandoned the Murree
position and is not even serious to reinstate
the judges in the near future.
Islamabad—Federal Minister for Defence Chaudhry
Ahmed Mukhtar has criticized the Ex-Servicemen
Society for opposing policies of President
Pervez Musharraf and said they ought to have
talked against the President when they were in
service or enjoying jobs after retirement.
Talking to BBC Radio, he said when they were
given extra jobs by President Musharraf they did
not say any thing against him. At that time they
used to sing songs in his praise. Now they have
turned against him, he added.
Islamabad —Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza
Gilani says the government will ensure supply of
wheat and flour to all parts of the country to
save the people from suffering. Responding
a point of order in the National Assembly
Thursday regarding wheat shortage in Hangu area
of NWFP he said country was facing a big problem
of wheat shortage but by the grace of Al-Mighty
Allah the government has been successful to
overcome this problem.
Cairo—A Web posting purportedly by al-Qaeda
Thursday claimed responsibility for a suicide
attack near Denmark’s embassy in Pakistan that
left six people dead. The statement said
Monday’s bombing fulfilled the promise of terror
mastermind Osama bin Laden to exact revenge for
Danish papers reprinting a cartoon of Prophet
Muhammad. The attack in Islamabad was a “warning
to this infidel nation and whoever follows its
example,” said the message carried on a Web site
frequently used by the militants.
