Return of Aafia to restore confidence of masses on civil and military leadership: Fowzia Siddiqui
LAHORE: Further delay in the release of the daughter of the nation, who has been serving 86-year term in the United States for no crime of her, is the contempt of whole Pakistani nation, said Aafia Movement leader Dr Fowzia Siddiqui. Addressing a crowded press conference in Lahore Press Club (LPC) here Sunday, she said General Raheel Sharif is amongst the most powerful and influential persons of the world and he is also the custodian of the solidarity of Pakistan. She said chief of army staff (COAS) Gen Raheel and Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Sharif with their joint efforts can bring innocent Aafia back home, adding with the return of Aafia the present atmosphere of fear and harassment would be ended, and the confidence of people on the political and military leadership restored. On the occasion, Pakistan Tahreek e Insaf (PTI) leader Hafiz Muhammad Zubair, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Punjab chapter information secretary and columnist Farooq Chohan, Pasban-e-Pakistan President Altaf Shakoor, Meo Ittehad chairman Abid Meo, Hafiz Ansar Butt, and human rights leader Syed Azhar Hussain Shah Advocate also spoke. Dr Fowzia said in our society the daughters are considered as the honor of the nation. The rulers and politicians have already declared Aafia as the daughter of the nation. Inordinate delay in her release is the dishonor and contempt to the whole Pakistani nation and leadership. This delay has been creating a sense of insecurity amongst citizens. She said people belonging to every religion, every school of thought and every walk of life like Aafia and the peace-loving people of whole world are concerned about her detention. She said today Aafia could not see yet another cricket world cup. Her children would miss their mother during each cricket match. General Raheel Sharif should take efforts to give the nation a prize of super world cup by bringing Aafia back home before the world cup final. She hoped that the army chief and the prime minister will bring Aafia home. The army chief has taken the oath of defending the geographical and ideological boundaries of the country and I appeal him to play his crucial role in return of Aafia. She said in the present circumstances heavy responsibility is laid on his shoulders and Inshallah with the support of whole nation he would bring Aafia back home. Hafiz Muhammad Zubair said the detention of Dr Aafia is the matter related to our national pride. He said the nation would not heave a sigh of relief till her freedom. Farooq Chohan said due to delay in release of Aafia unrest in spreading in nation. It is the responsibility of the rulers to fulfill their promises with the nation regarding early release and repatriation of the daughter of the nation. Pasban e Pakistan President Altaf Shakoor said the cowardice and apathy of the rulers is really shameful. He warned that even if now the ruler continued to ignore the feelings and aspirations of the nation and continued their indifference towards the issue of Aafia they should be ready for their sad end. Abid Khan Meo said every Pakistani who carries the green national flag demands of the army chief and prime minister to take steps for immediate release and repatriation of Aafia Siddiqui. Syed Azhar Hussain Shah Advocate said the cruelties meted out to Dr Aafia are the saddest chapter of the history of human rights. He said now it is high time that serious steps are taken for her release and return. Shafiq Qadri said if the rulers summon courage the release of Aafia is not difficult. He said we have to reject the slavery of America and show bravery and gallantry to bring Aafia back home.
Sameer Nazir
KARACHI: The Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah has strictly condemned the terrorist attack at Imamia Masjid Imam Bargah Peshawar causing the martyrdom about twenty innocent people, injuries to many others. He said that such coward attacks can not suppress the people or demoralize the law enforcing agencies for fighting against them.
He said that today whole nation alongwith all national institutions were on same page and united to fight against terrorists across the board. He said that our law enforcing agencies were strong enough to eliminate such anti-social & anti-religion elements with force, and with the support of the nation. Expressing his deep sarrows over the casualities and sympatheies with the heirs of the namazies who embraced martyrdom, the Chief Minister Sindh prayed for the departed soul and wished early recovery of the injureds.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah has directed to the IG Sindh Police and DG Rangers to take strict security measures specially at the religious places and vital installation, intensify the police patrolling on the all main artries specially those which are vulnerable for security purpose. He also directed the intelligence agencies to be more vegilent and share their information on fast track to curb the nefarious designs of the terrorists before they act.
Sameer Nazir
KARACHI: The Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah, who was also the President of PPP Sindh Chapter, has said that he was most optimistic to win 7 seats of Senate out of 11 being contested in Sindh province. He said that out of these seven seats, we have fielded five candidates for General and two, one each for woman and technocrate reserved seats of Senate. This he observed while talking to the mediamen at the office of Election Commission of Pakistan at Karachi after submission of nomination forms by the PPP candidates for Senate election today. He said that PPP believes in reconcillation policy of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and by following it, we were in negotiation with other political parties in Sindh Assembly including Muslim League Functional to get their support with a view to win the Senate election as unopposed. However he maintained that we (PPP) were ready to contest in case of failure in negotiations and definitely we to win the same, he added and said that as par present scenario, MQM was in position to win remaining four Senate seats in the forthcoming election. Responding to a question about differences in PPP over nomination of Senate candidates, the Chief Minister ruled out such impression if any and declared that all the seven candidates fielded in the Senate election have been nominated under the unanimous decision made in the supervision of the party leadership. He said that there was no difference of opinion within the party in this regard. PPP was a strong political party due to unity among its leaders/workers and assembly members, he added. When Chief Minister was asked about the rejoining of MQM in the Sindh Government, he said that initial Confidence Building Measures (CBM) between PPP and MQM were in the process and added that hopefully we to reach the complete decision shortly
Earlier, the Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah held meeting with PPP Parliamentary members at CM House to decide the foolproof strategy to contest senate election. Later the Chief Minister led the convoy of all PPP candidates of Senate election alongwith provincial ministers, MPAs to the Election Commission of Pakistan Karachi office to submit the nomination papers for Senate election. Besides others, Speaker Sindh Assembly Agha Siraj Durani, Senior Minister for Eductaion Mr. Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, Sindh Minister for Local Governments and Information Mr. Sharjeel Inam Memon, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Sikandar Mandhro, Sindh Minister for Works & Services Mir Hazaar Khan Bijarani, Special Assistant to CM Rashid Rabbani, Waqar Mehdi, and Coordinator Siddique Abu-Bhai were also present at the occassion.
48 OFFICERS PROMOTED
CHIEF SECRETARY PRESIDES MEETING OF PROVINCIAL SELECTION BOARD
Sameer Nazir
KARACHI: Chief Secretary Sindh Sajjad Saleem Hotiana has asked the Administrative Secretariat to properly check the promotion cases, specifically confirm wether the documents with all codel formalities are cleared, before placing the cases in relevant forums.
He expressed these views, while presiding the meeting of the Provincial Selection Board-II, on Thursday. The meeting was attended by the I.G. Police Sindh Ghulam Hyder Jamali, Additional Chief Secretary Planning & Development Muhammad Waseem.
The PSB-II approved the promotion cases of the officers of various department, according to which 48 promotion were okayed, of those 11 belong to Agriculture Department, 13 of STEVTA (Sindh Technical Education & Vocational Training Authority), 09 of Home/Police Department, 03 of Excise & Taxation Department, 05 of Livestock & Fisheries Department, 02 of Planning & Development Department and one each of the departments of Culture, Labour, Population Welfare and Forest Department.