CNewsworld's Blog: May 2010

Monday, May 31, 2010

Flotilla protests around the world

GEO 436 NEW YORK: From Islamabad to Istanbul to Washington, DC, demonstrators took to the streets on Monday to denounce Israel’’s attack on the “Freedom Flotilla” carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza. Palestinians in the occupied territories and inside Israel also demonstrated, clashing with Israeli police and soldiers. Jews and Palestinians protested the raid together in Tel Aviv. Thousands rallied in Paris and other European cities. The largest crowds reportedly appeared in Istanbul, where some 10,000 people marched against the killing of their fellow Turks on board the Mavi Marmara. Among the thousands of demonstrators were hundreds of Twitter users armed with camera phones. Palestine Note collected some of the most striking images from a day of international outrage. Sincere thanks to all of the photographers whose work appears below.

Nawaz gloomy over Jinnah Hospital attack

GEO 436 LAHORE: Quaid Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Mian Mohammed Nawaz Sharif has expressed grief over deaths of innocent people in attack carried out by unidentified gunmen on Jinnah Hospital here late on Monday night, Geo news reported. Also, Nawaz issued directives to Chief Minister Punjab Mian Mohammed Shahbaz Sharif to make sure the apprehension of terrorists involved in attack. According to his statement issued through PML-N's political Secretary Asif Karmani, he directed PML-N's party workers to take active part in raising blood donations for those unlucky who were left injured amid tragic incident, sources said.

Gunmen kill five in Jinnah Hospital onslaught

GEO 436 LAHORE: Defying the early reports reached here regarding the death toll amounted at 12 persons when unidentified gunmen stormed Jinnah Hospital, the Inspector General Punjab police said a total of five persons lost their lives including a woman and three policemen while three other sustained injuries, Geo news reported. Tariq Saleem Dogar said four terrorists were in guise of police officials wearing police uniform but they could not succeeded in either killing their associate or abducting the same in attack. Talking to media, after the situation had been totally brought under control, IG Punjab Dogar said our homeland is currently in state of war against terrorism. He regretted the escape of gunmen from hospital but lauded police efforts in confronting them and in making their attack futile. As many as three police personnel martyred while another three sustained wounds during attack, he added.

Bears squeeze 195 points from KSE-100 Index

GEO 436 KARACHI: The Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) began its fresh week downbeat as the benchmark KSE-100 Index plummeted by 195 points to close at 9,326 on Monday. The Index opened 200 points down today and mostly remained in the negative zone throughout the session. The investors remained shaky amidst fear of imposition of Capital Gains Tax. Trade volume was thin and stood at 65 million shares – lowest in the past month.

FM calls on US to help recover Pakistanis after Israel raid

GEO 436 ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has called upon United States to use its influence for the recovery of Pakistani nationals who were aboard Freedom Flotilla. Interacting with media persons here on Monday, Qureshi said he has contacted Holbrooke on phone on the issue of recovery of Talat Hussain. "Pakistan's ambassador to Jordam, Oman, Lebano and European Union have been asked to collect information about whereabouts of Pakistanis. The foreign minister said that an emergency meeting of the OIC should be called to slam deadly Israeli raid that killed up to 19 pro-Palestinians peace activists. About Talat's safety, he said the government has not been able to collect any information in this connection.

Munawar blames US for Gaza flotilla raid

GEO 436 ISLAMABAD: Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Syed Munawar Hasan on Monday strongly condemned the deadly Israeli raid on an aid flotilla in Gaza. In a statement issued here on Monday, the JI Amir said that Israel attacked the Gaza aid convoy at the US behest. "The JI expresses condemnation and deep concern on deadly Israeli raid on civilians belonging to 40 countries," it said. He said that this was a broad terrorism from Israel and it has exposed the double standard of those who are silent on this tragedy. The JI chief also prayed for the security of Top anchor Talat Hussain and other Pakistani nationals who were part of the convoy.

Special Report: Syed Talat Hussain

Geo436 Exclusive Report: Syed Talat Hussain is the executive director of AAJ Television[1] and hosts the famous show Live with Talat. He writes for Newsline, Daily Dawn, Time Magazine, Daily Times (Pakistan), Daily Express and occasionally contributes to India Today.
Family
Talat Hussain is married to Tehmina Talat and has 2 kids, a boy Shamil and a girl Afza. He lives in Islamabad.

Background
As a media professional he has vast experience in establishing news and current affairs systems. He established aRYs Islamabad office and headed the team that launched PTV World News. He has held key positions of Director News & Current affairs with Pakistan Television Corporation Prime Television (UK) and Telebiz. He is frequently invited to lecture at prestigious forums like National Defence College of Pakistan air War College Pakistan Naval War College Pakistan Foreign Services Training academy of Pakistan Information Services Training academy of Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam University (International Relations Department). He fluently speaks English Urdu and Punjabi.

He has worked as an editor for The News in Rawalpindi. He has worked with CNN and American Broadcasting as a producer and has done extensive reporting for the Los Angeles Times, he also contributes to the The Guardian Newspaper as well as the New York Times.

As a media professional he has vast experience in establishing news and current affairs departments. He established ARY's Islamabad office and headed the team that launched PTV World News. He has held key positions of Director, News & Current Affairs with Pakistan Television Corporation, Prime Television (UK) and Telebiz. In July 2008, Talat joined Daily Express as a contributing writer.
He is a good player of cricket.

Lectures
He is frequently invited to deliver lectures at prestigious forums such as the National Defence University, PAF Air War College, Pakistan Navy War College, Foreign Services Academy, Information Services Training Academy of Pakistan, and Quaid-i-Azam University (International Relations Department).
[edit] Current Affairs Shows by Talat

* Sawaray Sawaray – PTV
* Live with Talat – AAJ TV

Gaza flotilla clash
On the 30th of May 2010, Hussain was aboard the convoy amid conflict during the Gaza flotilla clash. Due to loss of communications, Hussain’s status and whereabouts are unknown although a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Pakistan) stated “the Government of Pakistan is seriously concerned over the well-being and whereabouts of the Pakistani citizens and media personnel including Syed Talat Hussain and Raza Mahmood Agha who were on board the Flotilla bound for Gaza. The Foreign Ministry is in constant touch with its Missions in the region to ascertain the well-being of our nationals.”

Shame on Israel (Wild Animal & Human Violator)

SC rejects objections of federation over bench formation

GEO 436 ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday rejected the objections of the Federation against the bench constituted to hear the constitutional petitions against the Eighteenth Amendment, Geo News reported Monday. Earlier, the SC reserved the verdict after completing the hearing of objections against the bench constituted to hear the constitutional petitions against the Eighteenth Amendment. It should be mentioned that the SC announced to declare the verdict at 1130am; however, the apex court delayed its verdict after receiving a letter from the President's Principal Secretary Salman Farooqui and left from the courtroom-1. Earlier, the SC Registrar received Farooqui's handed the letter to the judges sitting in the courtroom, where everyone read it one after the other. In his letter, Salman denied the objections attributed to him regarding the bench formation. On this occasion, the Federation's counsel Abdul Basit rose up and said he was on mistake in connection with his client; and hence, he should be punished. Basit pleaded he be heard afresh. The court affirmed he would be given the chance. Now, the court will resume its proceedings again today. The SC today resumed hearing of petitions challenging certain provisions of the 18th amendment, particularly the formation of a judicial commission for appointment of judges to the superior courts. The government's representative Abdul Basit said that the chief justice, who is a part to the Judicial Commission for the judges' appointment, should not be hearing the 18th amendment case and objected to the formation of the full court bench headed by the CJ. When the court asked Basit about the objections, he said he talked to President's Chief of Staff Salman Farooqui, not the President, adding that he (Farooqui) objected to bench formation. The Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar Muhammed Chaudhry queried him why the President was contacted instead of the Prime Minister, urging him to put everything in black and white. The CJ said this is a case of great note; hence, its hearing would be open, which would invite no furrowing of brows. The federation's counsel said, 'To proceed with the case would be tantamount to trample the Constitution.' The petitioner Counsel Akram Ssheikh said in defence, 'The leveling objections to the bench is aimed at scandalizing the CJ office and the apex court.' Attorney General Maulvi Anwarul Haq said the objection of the federation on the SC bench is not up to the mark; however, the objection relating the CJ might hold water. On one occasion, the CJ said he could be benefited from the case only when his son or any of his relatives could be made judge, asking whether Farooqui would even now object to the formation of judicial bench. The CJ Chaudhry said the case of this magnitude and import might not come again with so many judges hearing it. Later on, the court reserved the ruling on the Federation's objections which would be made public a little later. Fifteen constitutional petitions were filed against some clauses of the 18th amendment. In particular they challenge the formation of the judicial commission under the 18th amendment to be against the basic structure of the constitution and independence of the judiciary. On the last hearing on May 24, the bench directed the lawyers for the federation to file a concise statement in response to the petitions. The court had also directed Attorney General Maulvi Anwarul Haq to place proceedings of the Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Reforms before the court.

Govt pressured, as VAT deadline finishes today

GEO 436 KARACHI: The government's pledges to International Monetary Fund (IMF) for enforcement of Value-added Tax (VAT) quite are weighing on it, Geo News reported Monday. The government set May 31 as the deadline to get the tax sanctioned from the federal and provincial assemblies; however, the VAT decision still hangs in balance, as the deadline (today) stares in face. It should be mentioned that the government assured the IMF of the VAT promulgation, saying the draft of the VAT would be got approved from the federal and four provincial assemblies by May 31, 2010. Today is the deadline. The trader and industrial organizations across the national landscape have already spurned the Tax on government's announcement of VAT enforcement from July 1st. The economists also said that tax promulgation would unleash new wave of price hike, dealing a heavy impact on the common man already buckling under high cost of daily living.

Israeli censor blocks reporting of convoy casualties: radio

GEO 436 JERUSALEM: Israel’’s military censor on Monday blocked the reporting of any information about casualties being transferred to Israeli hospitals after the navy stormed a fleet of aid ships destined for the Gaza Strip. Israel radio said the censor was referring to any casualties brought to Israel for treatment. Israeli radio and television reports said at least 10 people had been killed in the clashes and an unknown number of people injured. Separately, a Turkish charity linked to the convoy said in Ankara that at least two people had been killed in clashes on board one of the boats.

Hearing of petitions against 18th Amendment in SC today

GEO 436 ISLAMABAD: The hearing of the various petitions filed against the 18th Amendment would be held today in the Supreme Court. The petitions would be heard by a 17-member larger bench of the Supreme Court headed by the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry comprising of Justice Javed Iqbal, Justice Mian Shakir Ullah Jan, Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani, Justice Nasir-Ul-Mulk, Justice Raja Fayyaz Ahmed, Justice Muhammad Sair Ali, Justice Mahmood Akhtar Shahid Siddiqui, Justice Jawwad S. Khawaja, Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali, Justice Khilji Arif Hussain, Justice Rahmat Hussain Jafferi, Justice Tariq Parvez, Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa, Justice Ghulam Rabbani, Justice Khalil-Ur-Rehman Ramday. The petitions against the 18th amendment have been filed in the SC by Nadeem Ahmad Advocate, Justice Bar Association Rawalpindi, Lahore High Court (LHC) Bar Association, LHC Rawalpindi Bench Bar, Pakistan Lawyers” Forum, Watan Party SC Bar Association, Chairman Muslim League-Zia Muhammad Ijaz-Ul-Haq, Sardar Khan Niazi, Shahid Orakzai, Kokab Iqbal, Al-Jihad Trust District Bar Association Sanghar, District Bar Association Gujrat, District Bar Association Sialkot, Arshad Mahmoud, Dr. Abdul Hafiz Peerzada, Dr. Aslam Khaki and Watan Party. During the hearing of the petitions, the Attorney General of Pakistan Maulvi Anwar-ul-Haq, Advocate Generals from all the four provinces, renowned lawyer Muhammad Akram Sheikh, Dr. Abdul Basit, Dr. Abdul Hafiz Peerzada, Mahmoud A. Sheikh, Wasim Sajjad, Barrister Bacha Khan Hamid Khan, Barrister Zaffar-Ullah Khan, President SCBA Qazi Anwar and other lawyers would be present. It is pertinent to mention here that the SC on May 24 had adjourned the hearing till May 31 because the federal government did not submitted the reply after which the government had submitted its reply praying the apex court to reject all the petitions and impose fines on the petitioners as the petitions were not able to be heard.

Aid convoy sets sail for blockaded Gaza

GEO 436 NICOSIA: A six-ship convoy carrying aid for Palestinians set sail for Gaza on Sunday in defiance of an Israeli-led blockade of the impoverished territory and warnings that it would be intercepted. The ships, led by a Turkish vessel with 600 people on board, departed from international waters off Cyprus on Sunday afternoon. After dark, three Israeli naval craft set out from Haifa to meet them, a journalist aboard one of the vessels said. “If all goes well and there are no problems or interruptions of any kind it should reach Gaza around 1400 local time tomorrow (Monday),” said Mary Hughes-Thompson, a spokeswoman for the Free Gaza Movement, one of the organisers of the convoy. Israel has already said it will prevent the convoy from reaching the Hamas-run Gaza Strip, a sliver of territory which Israel has blockaded for three years to prevent weapons and other materials it fears could be used for military purposes from reaching the enclave’’s Hamas rulers. Hamas has been preparing to receive the convoy at the small harbour in the city of Gaza. But Israeli marine commandos have held drills to practice boarding and searching the ships. Activists face arrest and deportation, and their cargo will be confiscated and examined before a possible transfer by Israel to Gaza, Israeli military officials have said. The flotilla was organised by pro-Palestinian groups and a Turkish human rights organisation. Turkey has urged Israel to allow it safe passage and says the 10,000 tonnes of aid the convoy is carrying is humanitarian. Turkey is one of Israel’’s closest allies in the Middle East but relations have soured. Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan has frequently criticised the Jewish state’’s policies toward the Palestinians. Gaza’’s people, many of whom rely on United Nations aid, complain of restrictions on supplies that go beyond a basic list of requirements approved by Israel. The United Nations and Western powers have urged Israel to let in, notably, concrete and steel to allow for postwar reconstruction. Israel has set up a holding camp for activists at the coastal city of Ashdod and said that any aid should be handed over for screening before being distributed in Gaza through Israeli-approved channels.

Hunza-Gilgit section of Karakoram Highway to open today

GEO 436 HUNZA: The outflow of water from Attabad Lake is increasing steadily, making the next 24 to 48 hours extremely critical. Hunza-Gilgit section of Karakoram Highway would remain open from 07:00am to 04:00pm today until authorities issue any warning, Assistant Commissioner Hunza Zamir Abbas told Geo News. Vice Chancellor Karakoram University Dr Najma Najam said the university would also start regular classes from today. Chairman NDMA Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Nadim Ahmed has put the pace of water outflow through spillway at 150 cusecs while strict monitoring is being undertaken of both water inflow and outflow. “The next 24 to 48 hours are extremely critical and now we only expect the people to extend maximum cooperation,” he asserted. He said the situation will be further cleared up when the outflow reaches 1000 cusecs. He called upon the people to cooperate and avoid going near the lake. Chairman NDMA told Geo News that water outflow through the spillway has increased following the 2 feet rise in the water level of Attabad Lake.

Rocket lands near Peshawar airport; no casualties

GEO 436 PESHAWAR: A rocket landed near Peshawar airport Sunday night from an unknown direction, Geo News reported. No casualties were reported in the incident.

PPP sees Shahbaz face behind Rana

GEO 436 LAHORE: Pakistan People's Party Punjab has said that Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif is behind Rana Sanaullah and demanded of the Pakistan Muslim League-N Chief Nawaz Sharif to have the Punjab Law Minister resign. The demand came from the acting president PPP Punjab Samiullah Khan and PPP Deputy Secretary Usman Malik at a press conference here on Sunday. Samiullah Khan said that Rana Sanullah by calling the constitutional position of a Governor 'a toilet paper' has proved his bewilderment. "CM Shahbaz Sharif's foremost priority as of now is the character assassination of Governor Punjab while not even incorporating deteriorating law and order situation as part of his agenda," he claimed.

Malik sees terror roots in south Punjab

GEO 436 LAHORE: Federal Interior Minister Rehman A Malik said the terrorists could not enervate the government of Pakistan, as it would bear down upon the havoc-wreaking assassins in concert with the entire nation for the national integrity, Geo News reported Sunday. Talking to media while on visit to the worshipping place of the Qadianis here, he said the anti-Pakistan forces which were defeated in Fata and Swat, have unleashed their activities in Punjab. The interior minister added the outfits like Laskhkar-e-Jhangavi and Jaish-e-Muhammed were part to Al-Qaieda and on receiving training, they were busy with sabotage activities in Punjab. The federal minister said at least 1764 people of banned 29 groups belonged to Punjab, adding the terrorists holed up in Southern Punjab, were making appearances now and that he spotted them to have links even in Balochistan as well. Malik said, 'I am here not to grapple with the Punjab government; instead, we hand in hand, will put to an end the terrorism.' The confident minister appealed on the occasion to Punjab Chief Minister to make public the inquiry report on Gojra Tragedy. The Interior Minister informed that the government is bringing a bill in connection with the rights accorded to the minorities enshrined in the Constitution.

Flood-posing lake outpouring increases

GEO 436 HUNZA: The landslide-spurred Lake in Ata Abad rose by two feet, increasing a mediocre overflow from the spillway; however, the situation is wholly under control, Geo News reported Sunday. Talking to Geo News, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Chairman Lt-Gen (retd) Nadeem Ahmed said if the situation went out of control, the people would be apprised summarily. He added the flood wave would be only 15-meter high when it headed for the Gilgit; however, the Gilgit management was all geared up with the complete arrangements to tackle any emergency situation. The people in Shashkat were hugely panicked owing to the heavy landsliding the last night. Also, the people in Gilgit are highly concerned ever since they heard the reports about the overflow from the Spillway. Deputy Controller Examinations Mir Tazeem Akhtar said that the schedule for the intermediate examinations had not been changed despite the hovering danger of a flood in Gilgit, Hunza and Gojal, adding all the exams would be held as per schedule.

Lake rises by 2 feet; misery-hit people alarmed

GEO 436 GILGIT-BALTISTAN: The schedule of intermediate examinations still stand unchanged despite the imminent danger of massive flood in Gilgit, Hunza and Gojal; all the examinations will take place as per schedule. The water level at the accident-accelerated Lake rose by two more feet; but, no extraordinary outpouring from the spillway was witnessed. Spurred by the no-change water situation at the spillway, the miseries of the Gojal people are on the rise, as all the estimations and guesswork hitherto made by the experts regarding the outflow, seems to have proved wrong. Meantime, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Chairman Lt-Gen (retd) Nadeem Ahmed said the Spillway was constructed on the estimates; however, seeing the overall situation, nothing could be said as the last word, as all upcoming circumstances are altogether hinged on the weather conditions. Nadeem continued that all the steps taken up thus far would be of no use, if the weather did not make a turn to be conducive. Yesterday night, the people in Shashkat were hugely panicked owing to the heavy landsliding. Also, the people in Gilgit are highly concerned ever since they heard the reports about the overflow from the Spillway. However, according to the NDMA chief, the flood wave will be only 15-meter high when it will head for the Gilgit. The Gilgit management is all geared up with the complete arrangements to tackle any emergency situation.

Water spill continues; major flood looming

GEO 436 GILGIT: The landslide-triggered Attabad Lake finally started to overflow into the spillway early on Saturday and officials warned that a major flood is imminent. Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Lt-Gen (retd) Nadeem Ahmad said the purpose of creating the spillway has been achieved so far. He said the water outflow will increase after more water enters the lake. "The next 24 hours are crucial," he said. Some officials said the outflow of water through the spillway was about 20 cusecs while others said it was between 200 to 400 cusecs. "The spilling water was about 20 cusecs at present," a senior administration official said, adding that the lake barrier can collapse any time, triggering a flash flood downstream. People should therefore not venture into low-lying areas. Officials in the NDMA said the overflow on Saturday from the lake remained between 200 to 400 cusecs. Chief Minster Gilgit-Baltistan Mehdi Shah said their homework is complete and everything will be smooth even if the worst scenario takes place. "There is no doubt infrastructure will be damaged if the flow is severe but hopefully no loss of life will occur," he said. He said a flash flood cannot be ruled out in the coming hours as erosion in the spillway was taking place slowly. Noor Aftab adds from Islamabad: The local administration has started identifying schools and government buildings for the shifting of IDPs from relief camps as it is expected that temperature during night at the start of June would fall to 8-10 degrees centigrade. A team of doctors that arrived in the area on the directives of Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif is facing shortage of medicines but efforts are under way to provide necessary kits and medicines to all teams of doctors coming from various areas. Zameer Abbas, Assistant Commissioner of Hunza Nagar, told The News that they were taking every possible measure to avoid any loss of life and evacuation from all such places, declared danger in new report of Nespak, has been completed.

As oil spill grew, BP’’s credibility faded

GEO 436 LONDON: At nearly every step since the Deepwater Horizon exploded more than a month ago, causing the worst oil spill in U.S. history, rig operator BP PLC has downplayed the severity of the catastrophe in the Gulf of Mexico. On almost every issue — the amount of gushing oil, the environmental impact, even how to stop the leak — BP’’s statements have proven wrong. The erosion of the company’’s credibility may prove as difficult to stop as the oil spewing from the sea floor. “They keep making one mistake after another. That gives the impression that they”re hiding things,” said U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, a Florida Democrat who has been critical of BP’’s reluctance to publicly release videos of the underwater gusher. “These guys either do not have any sense of accountability to the public or they are Neanderthals when it comes to public relations.” Take one of the most obvious questions since the April 20 explosion: How much oil is leaking? Official estimates have grown steadily — first the word was none, then it was 42,000 gallons, then 210,000 gallons. And now a team of scientists say the leak may well be five times that, making the spill worse than the Exxon Valdez. All the while, BP has been slow to acknowledge the leak was likely much worse than the public had been told. The oil giant’’s behavior has led to accusations that it has been motivated to keep the leak estimate low because under federal law the size of eventual fines is tied to the size of the leak. Nelson said that he believes BP has delayed release of everything from the actual flow rate to the videos because of a federal law that allows the government to seek penalties of $1,000 to $4,300 per barrel — 42 gallons — of oil spilled in U.S. waters. “And so naturally they want to minimize what people were thinking they were going to spill.”

Four dead in Sargodha road mishap

GEO 436 SARGODHA: At least four persons including two children died in a road accident near Sargodha late on Saturday night, Geo news reported. According to sources, the accident took place as a speedy wagon vehicle met a head-on collision with a truck. Rescue efforts are underway meanwhile injured and dead bodies are being shifted to hospital.

1,000th GI killed in Afghan war was on 2nd tour (AP)

GEO 436 USA: AP – The 1000th American serviceman killed in Afghanistan had already fallen victim once to a hidden bomb, and was so eager to return to war that he pushed through his rehabilitation.

Water flow continues from spillway

GEO 436 HUNZA: The water started flowing out from spillway of Attabad Lake with gradually increasing pressure, whereas dam burst could take 30 to 35 hours. Ahmedabad village would be the first to get affected by the flood. Then the water would enter into villages of Gunesh and Shumair. Later, Diamer and Kohistan areas of Gilgit would face the wrath of water before it flew into Tarbela Dam. Chairman NDMA General Nadeem Ahmad told Geo News that spillway was built in the first phase and in the second phase; water has been started spilling through spillway. He said initial spill of water will not be more than 300 cusecs, adding the rescue workers are ready to confront any situation. Chairman NDMA said helicopters will roam in the area to keep an eye on the situation and prevent human losses. Evacuation has been completed from the area and announcements have been made from the mosques to stay at safer places. In case of lake burst and flooding, Hunza will be the first to be affected followed by Nagar. Flooding could also damage parts of Karakoram Highway.

Nationâ€™s support behind Swat operation success: Gilani

GEO 436 ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Saturday reiterated that it was the strong backing of the nation that led the Swat operation to its successful culmination. Speaking at the inauguration of a photo exhibition 'Swat Smiles Again' at Art Gallery of the Pakistan National Council of Arts here, he said that Pak Army will reach the decision about launching military operation in North Waziristan after taking stock of the ground realities. On the occasion, Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani told the reporters that the decision as to when and how the operation in North Waziristan is be launched will be made by Pakistan's military leadership. The timeframe in this regard will be chalked out by keeping the national interest in sight. The Prime Minister said the government stands committed to safeguarding the frontiers of Pakistan and protecting its people from any external and internal dangers. He said the exhibition is a story of success and realization of a dream, which the terrorists and extremists wanted to destroy. Our success in Swat and Malakand Division shows that a handful of terrorists and extremists cannot muzzle voice of the majority. "They cannot impose their conservative agenda if the people are resilient and ready to pay any price to protect their future. History has proven time and again that it is the truth which comes out victorious," he added. He said when the present government took over in 2008, the country was reeling under the burden of serious issues. Had these problems not been addressed head on, they had the potential of threatening the federation. "Our government was very clear in its vision and knew very well that the initiative involved taking bold, courageous and at times unpopular decisions for which it might have to get flak from the political opposition. Despite knowing the cost, the government preferred the national interest over everything else," Gilani mentioned. He said upon taking over, the most critical problem that stared the government in the face was that of terrorism and extremism. As an aggregate result of previous regime's failed policies, terrorism had become a monster. The terrorists struck at will and attempted to challenge writ of the government. The government's writ was about to collapse in the settled areas like Swat and Malakand Division. If the terrorists had not been checked through effective military action, they would have tried to bring other areas of Pakistan under their influence, he added. He said military action was a matter of last resort, as it could entail collateral damage and cause displacement of people at a massive level. He reminded that the government tried to find a negotiated settlement of the issue despite a very strong opposition and allegations of surrendering to the terrorists. "Another problem that constrained the government from ordering military action was the absence of national consensus against militancy and terrorism. Once negotiations and dialogue failed, the government was left with no option but to establish its writ at any cost," he added. The Prime Minister said the successful adoption of anti-terror resolution passed in the joint sitting of parliament helped evolve national consensus against terrorism. He said all Parties Parliamentary Committee constituted on the behest of the government to oversee the war on terror marked an institutional response to the national security challenges. The unity within the political ranks encouraged the armed forces to take on the terrorists and extremists in Swat through operation Rah-e-Rast, he said adding the successes achieved in the Malakand Division and the political ownership of the war enabled the armed forces to launch 'Rah-e-Najat' to flush out terrorists. The military action against terrorists as expected caused massive displacement of people in the neighbourhood of 2.5 million from Swat and Malakand Division. The government was confronted with the twin challenges of looking after the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and clearing up the areas of terrorists so that early rehabilitation of IDPs could be managed to win the hearts and minds. Had the situation not been handled wisely, it could well have developed into humanitarian crisis. But it goes to the credit of the present government that it mobilized all physical and human resources in looking after the IDPs, he added. The Prime Minister said the completion of the military action within a record time and orderly rehabilitation of more than 2.5 million IDPs won accolade for the government, the armed forces, security agencies and civil administration both from Pakistan and abroad. The confidence of people of Malakand Division in the state institutions to provide security undoubtedly has been a critical factor in turning the tide against terrorists. "Our gratitude is due to our valiant armed forces who added a glorious chapter to the history of counterinsurgency. The record time within which the operation Rah-e-Rast was accomplished and IDPs rehabilitated astonished the world. Thus the Swat success model has come to be recognized globally being considered worthy of emulation. It explains why the top US and NATO commanders choose to visit Swat during their trips to Pakistan," he noted. Gilani said the people of Swat and Malakand Division in particular and people of Pakistan in general also deserve the abiding tribute for their immense sacrifices both in terms of human lives and material. "Had they not supported the democratic government, it would have been difficult for us to overcome the challenge in such a short time," he added.

12 militants killed, 16 wounded in Orakzai

GEO 436 HANGU: Security forces offensive in Orakzai Agency has killed 12 militants and injured 16 others, Geo News reported Saturday. The security forces pounded militants hideouts in Mir Garhi area, killing 12 militants and wounding 16 more besides destroying 4 dens. Military operation has been continuing against militants in Orakzai Agency for the past two months in which about 1000 militants have been taken out and over 100 hideouts destroyed.

CNewsworld's Blog