Posts Tagged ‘Yousuf Raza Gilani’

Pak-China ties based on strong foundations of trust: Gilani

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that ties between Pakistan and China are based on the strong foundations of trust and mutuality of interests and are rooted in the ethos of the peoples of our two countries.
Addressing a Chinese Youth delegation here in Islamabad on Monday he said “as a result of Youth Exchange Programme we have been strengthening of people-to-people contact …

..
..

.. .. .. .. ..

Gilani departs for Pakistan after UK visit

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani meets with British Prime Minister David Cameron. — AFP Photo

LONDON: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Sunday left here for Pakistan after concluding his five-day official visit to the United Kingdom.

The prime minister was seen off by senior officials of the British government at the Heathrow Airport.

High Commissioner to the UK Wajid Shamsul Hassan and his counterpart in Islamabad Adam Thomson were also present.

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira who is part of the Gilani’s entourage, told APP prior to departure that Prime Minister Gilani’s visit on the invitation of British Prime Minister David Cameron would yield positive outcome in view of bilateral relations between the two countries.

Kaira said the warm response by both the British government and the Royal family extended to Gilani showed their level of interest and confidence in Pakistan’s democratic government.

He quoted Prime Minister Cameron stating that Pakistan’s friend is UK’s friend and Pakistan’s enemy is UK’s enemy, and said such expression of support had added another feather to Gilani’s successful visit.

Kaira termed the launch of Conservative Friends of Pakistan during Gilani’s visit a welcome initiative and said it will help energise the Pakistani community to participate more actively in the British politics.

Gilani during his stay in London held enhanced strategic dialogue with his British counterpart and attended the state opening of the British parliament by the Queen.

He met the members of the British Cabinet and the foreign minister besides interacting with Pakistani community in the UK.

,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,,

,,
,,

,, ,, ,, ,, ,,

Via DAWN.com

Top commanders discuss Pak-Afghan border security

Pakistan Chief of Army Staff Ashfaq Pervez Kayani– AP (File Photo)

ISLAMABAD: The commander of Nato-led forces in Afghanistan met Pakistan and Afghanistan army chiefs on Sunday for talks on border security, almost six months after US airstrikes killed 24 Pakistani soldiers.

The November 26 airstrikes along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border provoked a major crisis in Pakistani-US relations.

Pakistan retaliated by shutting its Afghan border crossings to Nato supplies – and the frontier remains closed.

But in a sign of easing tensions, US General John Allen, Pakistani army chief General Ashfaq Kayani and Afghan army chief General Sher Muhammad Karimi led their respective delegations at talks Sunday in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, near Islamabad.

“Talks focused on border control measures, and mechanisms put in place to avoid untoward incidents on both sides of the Pak-Afghan Border,” a Pakistan military statement said.

The talks are the most significant Pakistan has hosted with the international military alliance and the Afghan military for a year.

On Saturday Allen held preliminary talks with Kayani on how to improve security in volatile areas bordering the two countries.

Pakistani leaders are also scheduled to meet next week to discuss ending the nearly six-month blockade on Nato supplies into Afghanistan.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani will convene the meetings which will also debate how to repair relations with the United States in time for a key Nato summit later this month.

Diplomats on both sides have been keen to resolve the impasse between Islamabad and Washington before the Nato summit on Afghanistan in Chicago on May 21-22.

,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,,

,,
,,

,, ,, ,, ,, ,,

Via DAWN.com

Nawaz threatens to join power protests

LAHORE, May 12: PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif threatened on Saturday to join protests against loadshedding if the government failed to solve the problem within four days.

Addressing a public meeting in Khushab, he urged Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to resign before filing an appeal against the Supreme Court’s verdict against him in a contempt case.

“If the federal government does not put an end to the menace of power loadshedding within four days, I will be on the road along with the masses in protest against the outages.”

He said the PML-N had built the motorway and made the country a nuclear power during its rule despite pressure from the world community, while the PPP had given loadshedding and inflation.

Mr Sharif said his bold decisions had forced India to hold dialogue with Pakistan on the basis of equality.

He said that under his government there was no energy crisis and Pakistan’s currency was stronger than that of India.

He said a conspiracy had been hatched to keep the PML-N out of the 2008 elections by disqualifying him and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif but it emerged as the second largest party.

He said he had accepted PPP’s mandate for the prosperity and progress of the country but President Asif Zardari had backed out of his promises.

The PML-N chief held the government’s policies responsible for unemployment, price-hike and poverty.

He urged people to support him like they had done in the movement for the restoration of the judiciary so that ‘plunderers and thieves’ could be taken to task.

Referring to the Supreme Court’s verdict against the prime minister, he said the PML-N would not allow the PPP to lead the country to anarchy and lawlessness.

He alleged that the federal government was hatching conspiracies against the Punjab chief minister who was trying to eliminate poverty, unemployment and corruption.

The former prime minister announced a special development package of Rs1 billion for Khushab.

Leader of Opposition in National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar said both the president and the prime minister were ‘convicts’ and as such a cause of shame for the country.

Referring to PTI chief Imran Khan, he said the ‘inexperienced’ tsunami player was misleading people.

,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,,

,,
,,

,, ,, ,, ,, ,,

Via DAWN.com

PM regrets PPP inked CoD with Sharif

LONDON – Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani Saturday vowed to protect the constitution at all costs and not to be deterred by any threat.
“Come what may I will protect the Constitution of Pakistan, I will go to the last limit and exhaust all my options and exercise my right to appeal,” Gilani told a large gathering of leaders and workers of Pakistan People’s Party here at a …

..
..

.. .. .. .. ..

Musa not to appear before ANF

RAWALPINDI – Allegedly involved in ephedrine quota case, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani’s son Ali Musa Gilani Saturday excused to appear before Anti-Narcotics Force’s investigation team.
Musa was due to record his statement with the ANF investigation team but he excused to do so. ANF sources said that Musa Gilani had submitted an application to ANF with the request to …

..
..

.. .. .. .. ..

PPP will win next general election as well: Qaim Ali Shah

Chief Minister Sindh Qaim Ali Shah.—APP (File Photo)

SUKKUR: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah on Saturday said the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) will emerge as victorious in the next general election as well.

Addressing a public gathering organised by the PPP at Kammo Shaheed on the Sindh-Punjab border, Shah said that people had voted for the PPP in the last general elections and the party has come to power because of the struggle and sacrifices of Benazir Bhutto and the party workers.

He said the present government is the government of the poor masses and that it has served the people of the entire country without any discrimination.

The chief minister said that this gathering of more than one million warns Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif not to challenge the people of Sindh or of the country, as many more can be gathered and “head for Lahore.”

He was of the view that being a businessman, politics was not the field for Nawaz Sharif.

Shah said that Nawaz Sharif had taken the dictation from a dictator (Gen Pervez Musharraf) whereas the PPP runs the government in accordance with the wishes and aspirations of the masses. It has given employment to the jobless and empowered the women in the country.

The CM Sindh stated that November-December is not very far off and that Nawaz Sharif should have perseverance and work for the next general elections.

He also pointed out that Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has seen many difficulties and yet he is steadfast and determined.

,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,,

,,
,,

,, ,, ,, ,, ,,

Via DAWN.com

Gilani vows to protect constitution; go extreme to fight his case

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani. – File Photo by Reuters

LONDON: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Saturday vowed to protect the constitution of Pakistan at all cost and not to be deterred by any threat.

“Come what may I will protect the constitution of Pakistan, I will go to the last limit and exhaust all my options and exercise my right to appeal,” Gilani told a large gathering of leaders and workers of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) here at a local hotel.

The prime minister said his case was related to the interpretation of the constitution of the country and his only crime was protecting the constitution.

He said, “I am not one of those who will stab the party in the back as he believed that under Article 248 of the constitution and Vienna Convention the President of Pakistan has complete immunity and he is not required to write any letter, as it is a violation of the constitution.”

The premier expressing resolve to protect the country said, “We will reject any unconstitutional step in Pakistan.”

Gilani said the opposition wants him to resign on moral grounds. “But I want to know that hundreds of cases are lying pending with the courts against them and I wish that a decision is taken on these cases as well.”

The prime minister said there were a number of cases against the Sharifs with the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and especially the Mehran Bank case has been pending for the past twenty years, besides several other cases were with the judiciary.

He questioned that “while cases against Nawaz Sharif were pending in the courts, how they were taking out rallies in support of judiciary. Would it not embarrass the judiciary?”

Gilani said though there was no law for the contempt of court in the country and even Babar Awan has not been charge sheeted, yet he has been convicted.

He said there was also a contempt of court case related to the Chief Justice against a police official but it was also lying pending.

During the address interspersed with loud slogans of support from the large gathering of the PPP workers here on the last day of his five-day visit to the United Kingdom, Gilani said certain self-created leaders were now through their “so-called” public gatherings, trying in vain to tell the world that he was no longer the prime minister of the country.

On the contrary, he said, the leadership of the United Kingdom received him at all three important fora of the parliament, the government and Royalty.

“We do not care if you do not accept me. The world acknowledges me, the constitution of Pakistan recognises me, the people of Pakistan recognise me,” he added.

“Who are you, the one who was convicted for hijacking a plane?” Gilani asked.

Prime Minister Gilani said the judiciary gave General Pervez Musharraf the right to oust Nawaz Sharif, and gave approval to all his acts. “Why the party did not raise a voice for a long march at that stage?” he asked.

He said the people of Pakistan want to know the details of Nawaz Sharif’s journey from Attock to Jeddah in the dark of the night.

Gilani said Nawaz Sharif left the country after a plea bargain, which was a confession and pledged not to be part of any politics for ten years.

He termed it an act, shameful for any politician. He recalled that Javed Hashmi himself said that for years they claimed that there was no deal with the dictator, but when Nawaz Sharif returned he himself gave a statement saying actually it was for five years and not ten.

Gilani regretted that the PPP inked the Charter of Democracy (CoD) with Nawaz Sharif and extended him full support when he was in difficult time, however in return it got undue criticism from the Pakistan Mulim League-Nawaz (PML-N), that despite being in government was acting like an opposition.

He quoted late Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan who regretted that Nawaz Sharif and his family left secretly in the dark of night with 40 suitcases and remarked that it was the first time that he was dealing with a businessman, who has nothing to do with politics or a commitment to the party or the country.

Prime Minister Gilani said the entire politics of Nawaz Sharif revolves around creating disruption in traffic, burning tyres and causing lawlessness. He said it was also for the first time that a province was leading protests against the federation, which in itself was an act of high treason.

Gilani also shared the decisions taken at a recent energy conference in Lahore, where it was decided to have two-weekly offs and closing down businesses early to save electricity, but the Sharif brothers again declined to follow the decisions and were trying to launch protest against the government.

,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,,

,,
,,

,, ,, ,, ,, ,,

Via DAWN.com

Nawaz threatens to join protests against power outages

PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif addresses a public gathering. – File Photo by Online

LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif on Saturday threatened the PPP-led government to join the ongoing protests across the country against power outages if the issue is not resolved within next couple of days, DawnNews reported.

Speaking to a public gathering in Khushab for his party’s ongoing “go Gilani, go” movement, Sharif said that the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has done nothing for masses of the country. “Power loadshedding and inflation have made public’s lives miserable,” he added.

Speaking on the Supreme Court’s verdict against Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani in contempt of court case, he said Gilani should resign from the post before appealing against the verdict. “I don’t mind him appealing against the judgment…but leave the post first…and go home before doing so,” he added.

The PML-N chief reiterated that he was not after the chair but only wanted to serve the underprivileged masses of the country.

Condemning the continued power outages in the country, Sharif warned that if loadshedding was not halted in the next couple of days then he would join the protest movement with the people.

“I pledge to change the destiny of the nation and its 180 million people. The PML-N would not allow anarchy in the country,” said the party chief.

Sharif said he had never compromised on national interests and recalled that, as prime minister in May 1998, he had conducted six successful nuclear tests in response to five by India – despite an offer of $5 billion by then US president Bill Clinton for not conducting the tests.

He said the PPP did nothing for the masses during its four terms in office of 15 years whereas his party in its two terms of total four and a half years made earnest efforts for socio-economic development of the people across the country without any discrimination.

He thanked the people of Khushab for supporting the PML-N and announced a special development package of one billion rupees which was in addition to the already announced development budget for Khushab by Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif.

,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,,

,,
,,

,, ,, ,, ,, ,,

Via DAWN.com

Gilani denies Zawahiri’s presence in Pakistan

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani meets with British Prime Minister David Cameron (R) at 10 Downing Street, London, on May 10, 2012. The Pakistani premier is in London to review the one-year progress of the Pak-UK Strategic Dialogue process.—AFP Photo

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani prime minister, who is currently in the United Kingdom on an official five-day visit, has denied the presence of Ayman al-Zawahiri on Pakistani soil.

In interviews to British news outlets on Saturday, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said the al Qaeda leader is not in Pakistan and that the US has failed to provide any “actionable information” to suggest otherwise.

“Why should I think he (Zawahiri) is in Pakistan?” Gilani asked the Daily Telegraph. “You (US) have claimed that somebody has said that he is in Pakistan… if there is any information, please share it with us.”

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Monday had said the US believed Zawahiri was present somewhere in Pakistan.

“There have been lots of ups and downs in our relationship,” PM Gilani said in another interview later on Saturday. “We know the importance of the United States. We really want to improve our relations. We are in the middle of discussions and I am sure that better things will come out.”

Gilani stressed that he wanted to improve relations with the US following the killing of al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden in Pakistan last year.

Moreover, the premier described the relationship between the US and Pakistani intelligence agencies as “good”.

“All high-value targets of al Qaeda have been achieved with the support and help of the ISI,” he said.  “Therefore, when we are working together so closely, I think there should be no hesitation in sharing information with Pakistan.”

On Monday, Clinton, who was on a visit to India, had also criticised Pakistan for not doing enough against Lashkar-i-Taiba leader Hafiz Saeed – the alleged mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

The prime minister said in his Saturday’s interview that there was insufficient evidence to warrant Saeed’s arrest. “If you arrest him, that means he will be released by the courts. For the courts you need more evidence,” he added.

The Pakistani premier is in London to review the one-year progress of the Pak-UK Strategic Dialogue process.

,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,,

,,
,,

,, ,, ,, ,, ,,

Via DAWN.com

Timeline: History of US-Pakistan relations

,,

Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, left, speaks as US President Barack Obama listens.—AP Photo

United States of America remains one of the first countries to have established diplomatic ties with Pakistan. Although the relationship dates back to October 20, 1947, it can be extrapolated that the relations have been based strictly on ,military and economic support,.

During the initial years of Pakistan, the country had the options of building allegiance with Soviet Union or United States, however, Pakistan opted for the latter.

,,1950-1953:
Pakistan’s first prime minister, ,Liaquat Ali Khan visited United States, to meet president Harry S Truman. It is alleged that during PM Khan’s first visit to US, president Truman requested Pakistan’s premier to let the CIA formulate a base in Pakistan, strictly to keep an eye on the activities of Soviet Union—a request which was not granted by Khan.

Throughout the course of these years many ,officials from Pakistan, such as commander-in-chief Ayub Khan, foreign minister Zafrullah Khan, foreign secretary Ikramullah, finance minister Ghulam Muhammad, defence secretary Sikander Mirza and special envoy Mir Laiq Ali visited US, aiming to receive financial aids from the country.

1954:
Pakistan signed, Mutual Defense Assistance Agreement ,with the United States in May. Under the agreement, many Pakistani soldiers went to United States for training whereas US also established a Military Assistance Advisory Group (Maag) in Rawalpindi.

1956:
President Dwight Eisenhower requested prime minister Suhrawardy to lease, Peshawar Air Station, to the American Army for keeping an eye on soviet Union and its ballistic missile programme. The request was granted by the prime minister.

,,1960s:
During the decade, the pro-American sentiments in ,Western side of Pakistan, were at an all time high. However, the military and financial assistance was directed more towards West Pakistan, which caused an uproar and feeling of distrust in East Pakistan.

Ayub Khan allowed United States to fly spy mission to Soviet Union from Pakistan’s territory and accompanied by his daughter visited United States of America.

United States, increased the amount of aid Pakistan, was designated to receive from the consortium of Pakistan, half a billion dollars of which were lost in 1965’s Indo-Pakistan war—war staged to cause a rebel in Indian occupied Kashmir. The war also led US to place economical and military embargoes on Pakistan, which resulted in an economic collapse.

1971-1974:
Being an important ally for US during the cold war, United States supported Pakistan, despite the ,arms embargo,. Pakistan also assisted president Richard Nixon in making his first visit to Peoples’ Republic of China.

During 1971’s war, US is speculated to have provided Pakistan with arms and military aid, in order to discourage India from ,penetrating further into the cities of Pakistan, because losing Pakistan meant losing an important ally in the soviet war.

,,Moreover, as per the elections result, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was elected as the president of Pakistan and later on became the prime minister in 1974.

Although Bhutto was considered a socialist, he was a close and respected friend of president Nixon, which went in Pakistan’s favour.

1976-1979:
President Jimmy Carter, an anti-socialist, won the presidential election of US and announced to seek a ban on nuclear weapons.

,Bhutto lost the favours, he enjoyed whilst Nixon was US president as Carter did not appreciate his policies and tightened already placed embargoes on Pakistan. However, Bhutto managed to procure items to enhance his atomic bomb project. President Carter and his administration allegedly threatened Bhutto to disrupt the process of atomic proliferation and research to which the latter did not agree, leading to his differences with the Americans.

1979-1988:
During Zia ul Haq’s regime, Pakistan and United States enjoyed a warm and congenial relationship, which was primarily based on military ties and advancements. During the decade, US, along with CIA and ISI, launched billions of dollars worth of operations to prevent Soviet forces from further advancing into the region.

,,It is during this period that United States granted billions of dollars to Pakistan in the name of military and economical aid. By the year 1981, Pakistan was discussing a ,$3.2-billion aid package, with United States and in 1987 Pakistan became the second largest recipient of aid after Israel.

However, by the end of General Zia’s regime, Congress adopted ,Pressler amendment,. The amendment banned major military and economical aid to Pakistan unless the state was able to justify and provide sufficient evidence that the funds are not being used for nuclear proliferation.

However it is alleged that although Pakistan disclosed that it could enrich uranium and assemble a nuclear device in 1984 and 1987 respectively, the sanctions were not imposed till 1990.

1990:
US, under the Pressler amendment,, imposed sanctions on Pakistan,, as the country by then had lost its strategic importance in soviet war.

1992:
The relations between US and Pakistan plummeted further when, US ambassador Nicholas Platt,, warned Pakistan of being included into state sponsors of terrorism list, in case it continued to support militants causing trouble in India.

,,1995:
Benazir Bhutto visited United States and requested president Bill Clinton to lift the embargoes on Pakistan and launch a joint operation to eradicate militancy from the region. As a reaction to Bhutto’s proposal, Brown amendment, which provided for the delivery of, $368 million of military equipment ,purchased but not received by Pakistan before the imposition of Pressler amendment sanctions in 1990, was passed; however, the sanctions on arms were not lifted.

1998:
Prime minister Nawaz Sharif conducted nuclear test in Balochistan, in retaliation to similar tests conducted by India, which invited the wrath of Clinton’s administration on both the countries. President Clinton imposed sanctions under Glenn amendment on India as well as Pakistan.

Glenn amendment included ,suspension of aid,, including economic development assistance, credits and credit guarantees by the US government, US bank loans to the governments of India and Pakistan, loans from international financial institutions, such as the IMF and World Bank, and exports of dual-use nuclear or missile items.

However, in July of 1998, US lifted the sanctions on both the countries for purchasing ,agricultural products from US farmers,. Later in the year President Clinton exercised his waiver on lifting restrictions on the activities of US banks in Pakistan.

,,2001:
After the 9/11 attacks and US’s invasion in various countries to eradicate militancy, Pakistan became one of the most important strategic allies for United States.

Initially Pakistan tried to strike a negotiation deal with Taliban and al Qaeda members to handover Osama bin Laden to American authorities. However, when negotiations failed, Pakistan allowed American army to use its military bases for launching attacks on Afghan soil.

However, President Pervez Musharraf confessed that the country had no option but to support United States as it had threatened Pakistan of ,“bombing it into stone age”, if it did not join the fight against al Qaeda.

Simultaneously in 2001, US officials introduced a bill to lift all the sanctions, previously imposed on Pakistan under Pressler and Glenn amendments.

2003:
United States officially forgave $1 billion worth of loan it had granted to Pakistan in a goodwill gesture and appreciation for Pakistan’s cooperation.

,,2004:
President George Bush officially declared Pakistan as a non-Nato ally granting it the authority to purchase strategic and advanced military equipments.

Since 2004, US army has launched various drone strikes on the north-western side of the country. The drone strikes aim to target Pakistani Taliban and supporters of al Qaeda, however, the strikes have also resulted in latge civilian deaths and caused much opposition from Pakistanis.

2007:
A report was issued in which Pakistan was accused of using aid money provided by US to Pakistan for its cooperation on war on terror, for ,strengthening its defence against India,.

2008:
The trust, on both sides, has been missing since the war on terror started as US on several occasions has accused Pakistan Army to tip the Taliban and pro-Taliban factions off on US operations.

In the June of 2008, an air strike by the ,US Army killed 11 paramilitary soldiers of Pakistan Army Frontier Corps,, along with eight Taliban. The strike and deaths instigated a fierce reaction from Pakistani command calling the act to have shaken the foundations of mutual trust and cooperation.

,,2009:
,President Musharraf confessed, that the billions of dollars of aid that Pakistan received from United States, for being a partner in war against terror, were diverted and channelled in order to build better defence mechanism against India.

The famous, Kerry-Lugar Bill,, which invited much controversy and criticism, was passed in the October of 2009. The bill entailed the approval of granting $7.5 billion of ,non-military aid,, if the command of the country accepted certain condition. The bill clearly showed US’s distrust in Pakistan’s military command and considered Pakistani Taliban more threatening than Afghan Taliban, amongst many other essential points.

2010:
In the beginning of the year, Pakistan Army in a joint operation with US intelligence agencies, captured Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar,, a famous Taliban commander, from the tribal belt of Pakistan. The success of the operation was hailed by the United States and Pakistan was praised for its utmost cooperation.

2011:
In the beginning of 2011, ,Raymond Davis,, a CIA agent in Pakistan killed two Pakistani men in Lahore, claiming that they came to rob him. Davis was taken into custody for killing civilians, however, American officials claimed that he was entitled to diplomatic immunity and must be released immediately.

,,Raymond Davis was later ,acquitted of the murder charges, and was sent to United States.

In the May of 2011, ,Osama bin Laden, was killed in an operation conducted by US Navy Seals in Abbottabad, Pakistan.

President Barrack Obama claimed that the information pertaining to the operation conducted in Abbottabad was ,not shared with Pakistan Army,. However, ISI claimed that the operation was conducted, jointly,, a claim which was blatantly denied by President Asif Ali Zardari.

Since the war on terror started in 2001, Pakistan has received an estimated amount of $20 billion from United States; however, in the wake of OBL’s raid ,US withheld $800 million of aid, to Pakistan.

US-Pakistan relations plummeted again when ,24 Pakistani soldiers died in an air strike, by the US Army. Afghan and US officials claimed that the firing was a result of the attack launched from the Pakistani side of the border, however, the Pakistani military and government denied the claims.

As a result of the attack, Pakistani government ordered, US army to evacuate Salala air base, which was being used to launch offensive on Taliban and militants. Moreover, the government also halted Nato supplies for United Sates.

,,2012:
Since the beginning of 2012, various political parties along with the military command of the country, met and held discussions on restoring Nato supplies. Diplomats from United States also tried to reduce the friction.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said that the supplies were blocked without any pressure and will be ,restored with consensus,.

Moreover, ,Nato Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen ,urged Pakistan to reopen Nato ground supply routes to Afghanistan. However, Rasmussen also said that Pakistan had not been invited to the crucial 25th Nato summit to be held in May in Chicago.

Simultaneously, ,US Senator John Kerry,, a leading proponent of US aid for Pakistan, said that Pakistan needs to be more cooperative, in order to eliminate Taliban sanctuaries from the country.

,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,,

,,
,,

,, ,, ,, ,, ,,

Via DAWN.com

Sharifs asserting their own interpretation of SC’s verdict: Gilani

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani. — File Photo

LONDON: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Friday said that there was no corruption case against him and the issue was only about shielding the constitution. He also assailed the Sharif brothers for interpreting the Supreme Court’s verdict for their own gains, DawnNews reported.

Speaking to media representatives, the prime minister urged the opposition to bring no-confidence motion against him in the parliament if they do not agree with Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and its allies’ views.

The premier doubted intentions of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) over passage of Bahawalpur province’s resolution from the Punjab Assembly. “There is something wrong in all of this,” he added.

Moreover, he reiterated his stand that there was no clash among institutions of the state.

The premier prohibited himself from commenting on resumption of Nato supply routes however mentioned that the matter was still under consideration.

Gilani, by proclaiming his tour to the UK successful, said that he is visiting the kingdom on invitation of his British counter part David Cameron and declared his meeting with him very “fruitful.”

,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,,

,,
,,

,, ,, ,, ,, ,,

Via DAWN.com

Concerns about security situation in Pakistan exaggerated: Gilani

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza GIlani — File Photo

LONDON: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Friday urged the British investors to focus on Pakistan and not to be overly concerned about the “exaggerated perception” about security situation in Pakistan.

Addressing at a businessmen reception, Prime Minister Gilani said he was cognizant of the concerns about security situation in the region and said the perception was contrary to the situation on ground.

“Despite the negative security perceptions of Pakistan in the media, the trade and investment environment has remained positive,” he said.

Gilani said those who have done business in Pakistan continue to return due to the opportunities offered by the market.

He said the British companies are conducting substantive profitable business and giving attractive dividends to their share holders and the companies create employment and develop our economy.

He said he believed that business plays the most potent role in developing people to people relations and was an essential building block in bilateral relations. He said the presence of powerful global business houses like Hinduja, Shell, Bestway and professional law and accountancy firms here was a sign of interest and confidence of the UK companies in Pakistan.

Gilani urged the British investors to look at Pakistan keenly and encourage the businesses here to use London Stock Exchange as a hub of raising capital for investment in Pakistan.

The prime minister said Pakistan has one of the most investor-friendly regimes in the region and offers a secure, safe and profitable environment to investors in all sectors of economy.

“Investors can avail of opportunities in diverse fields such as renewable energy, software technology parks, cotton and textiles, retail, R&D, oil and gas, chemicals, agriculture, tourism, services and infrastructure projects,” the prime minister said.

The Prime Minister said the UK was the second largest investor country for Pakistan with a total Foreign Direct Investment of 133 million pounds in 2010-11.

Gilani said over 600 foreign companies, many of whom were doing double-digit profitable business in Pakistan for decades. He said over 100 companies were UK based and were taking advantage of Pakistan’s natural resources, skilled manpower, competitive manufacturing environment and a huge consumer market.

He said the Minister for Trade and Investment Lord Green was planning to showcase the opportunities for business and investment in Pakistan to UK companies, as he was enthused with the profitability of British business in Pakistan and the openness for investors.

Prime Minister Gilani said his counterpart David Cameron also reaffirmed UK support for Pakistan for greater market access to the European Union, including GSP+ in 2014, which would open even more opportunities for trade and investment.

He said it was all the more significant as the UK was Pakistan’s second largest trading partner in the European Union and the roadmap envisages promoting the UK as a gateway to Europe for Pakistani business.

Gilani said the Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA) provides for 17 transit routes through Pakistan to export its goods to Central Asia. He said as part of the Enhanced Strategic Dialogue, he and Prime Minister Cameron have launched a Trade and Investment Roadmap to achieve not only the bilateral trade target of 2.5 billion pounds by 2015, but also to raise the level of investment in both the markets.

The premier said Pakistan by virtue of its geographic location at the confluence of Central, South and West Asia, occupies a strategic position in the region to serve as a bridge between the landlocked Central Asian States, Afghanistan and rest of the world.

He said the year 2012 has been designated as the year of “regional trade and economic connectivity”.

“Our trade with India has moved from the positive to negative list and integrated border check posts have opened on both sides of the border and road traffic has increased between the two countries.

The PM said Pakistan’s investment policy ensures equal treatment for local and foreign investors and allows 100 per cent foreign equity.

He said Pakistan today has stock of over 30 billion dollars as Foreign Direct Investment in various fields including energy, finance, telecommunications and consumer goods. He said the parliament has also given approval to invest in newly-constituted Special Economic Zones. He said he would like to see more Pakistani companies and investors listed with the LSE.

The event was attended by Commerce Minister Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Hafeez Shaikh, Chairman BOI and Pakistan’s High Commissioner to UK Wajid Shamsul Hasan, British High Commissioner to Pakistan Adam Thomson.

,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,,

,,
,,

,, ,, ,, ,, ,,

Via DAWN.com

UK recognises Pakistan’s sacrifices for peace in the region: Khar

,,

Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar. – File Photo by AP.

LONDON: Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar Friday said the United Kingdom recognises the sacrifices Pakistan has rendered to make the region and the world a safe place to live and has reminded the world to acknowledge Pakistan’s sufferings due to terrorism.

The foreign minister, who is in London as part of Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani’s five-day official visit to the United Kingdom for a review of the Strategic Enhanced Dialogue, said the British prime minister stated Pakistan was a country that suffered the most in the world, because of terrorism.

The foreign minister said that Pakistan-UK relations have moved ahead rapidly in the past four years.

“The country’s stance of supporting democracy in Pakistan has been proved by their acts,” she said and added “I see relations between the two countries developing.”

She said President Asif Ali Zardari had sought market access into the European Union, from the United Kingdom, when he visited the country in the aftermath of the devastating floods in 2010.

“As a result of the strong support shown by the United Kingdom a package of Pakistan-specific autonomous trade preferences has sailed through the European Union Parliament and was now in the final stages,” Khar said.

She said the prime minister’s visit was the follow up of the Enhanced Strategic Review Dialogue that was initiated by Prime Minster David Cameron, during his visit to Pakistan in April 2011 that covers five vital areas.

Following the review the two leaders have unveiled two roadmaps; one relating to trade and investment and the second about culture cooperation and education. She said a strategic dialogue was going on between the two countries in all important areas.

On diplomatic and political level, she referred to Prime Minister Cameron’s speech at the launch of the Conservative Friends of Pakistan Forum, where he gave a bold statement that Pakistan’s enemies were UK’s enemies.

The foreign minister said that David Cameron also lauded the role of Prime Minister Gilani who has nurtured democracy and strengthened parliamentary practices in the country.

She said the statement reflected the strong contacts that have developed at the top leadership level. This, she said, would further deepen and strengthen the relationship between the two countries.

She said Pakistan and the UK have a similar stance on Afghanistan and both want it prosperous and stable, as it was in the interest of all stakeholders and pointed that around 9500 troops were now based in the UK and the country has lost 412 lives.

The foreign minister said, “UK is a country that recognises the large contributions Pakistan has made towards this eventual goal.”

,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,,

,,
,,

,, ,, ,, ,, ,,

Via DAWN.com

PM Gilani’s UK visit

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, who is in UK on an official 5-day visit, and British Prime Minister David Cameron reviewed the progress made under the Enhanced Strategic Dialogue between the two sides. They were of the view that the dialogue has become deeper and broader. At the summit, held at 10 Downing Street, the two leaders reviewed the co-operation on shared interests in the five …

..
..

.. .. .. .. ..

Hearing into PM disqualification case adjourned till May 30

The Lahore High Court (LHC) adjourned hearing of the petition till May 30, pertaining to disqualification of Yousuf Raza Gilani as PM after verdict of apex court.
During the hearing of the case, the petitioner’s lawyer stated after the release of full verdict, it is clear that Supreme Court has convicted PM Gilani. Therefore, Mr Gilani should be barred from working.
The court adjourned the …

..
..

.. .. .. .. ..

Gilani denies complicity in OBL’s presence in Abbottabad

LONDON – Rejecting accusations that Islamabad was complicit in sheltering Osama bin Laden, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said the fact the late Qaeda leader was able to live undetected for so long in Pakistan was down to a universal “intelligence failure”, reported The Guardian on Thursday.
Speaking after the one-year anniversary of Osama’s killing, Gilani …

..
..

.. .. .. .. ..