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Musharraf denies rumours of house arrest
ISLAMBAD: Pakistani President PervezMusharraf denied rumours sweeping Pakistan on Monday that he had been placed under house arrest by subordinates unhappy with his decision to impose emergency rule. "It is a joke of the highest order," Musharraf told foreign news agency from the Presidency building in Islamabad where he had just met more than 80 foreign diplomats to explain his decision.
"It's nonsense, sheer baseless rumour," Musharraf's spokesman Rashid Qureshi said.
"It's a complete hoax, totally baseless and malicious. People will treat it with the total contempt it deserves," said deputy information minister Tariq Azeem.
"The president has just administered an oath to the federal sharia (Islamic law) judge and before that he briefed foreign diplomats on the situation," Azeem added.
Oath under PCO unconstitutional: Bhagwan Das
ISLAMABAD: Justice Rana Bhagwas Das has said that he was still a judge, while his residence has been locked at the outside—taking oath under PCO was unconstitutional and violation of the Supreme Court verdict—these illegal oaths have no locus standi.Talking to Geo News, Justice Rana Bhagwan Das said that his family was well in Karachi albeit they were in the government building from where coming out was not possible. He further said that the Geo News transmission was not reaching the Judges Colony and only the government tv could be seen, which is of no interest to him.As regards the seven judges decision rejecting the enforcement of emergency, he said that the Court could suspend any illegal and immoral order without serving any notice and the interim order was passed. He said it was wrong on the part of government to say that the Court order came after the imposition of PCO and the judges were rendered non-functional.Justice Rana Bhagwan Das said that the judges taking oath under the new PCO could not hold courts—such an act would be the infringement of constitution. When quizzed, he said that confronting anyone was not the judges’ job albeit if the lockout ends, then the judges after consultations would endeavour to improve the situation. Justice Rana Bhagwas Das said that whatever he did, he did it considering it his duty and he doesn’t get worried, as he has firm faith in God— wish that the situation gets improved-- the constitution and the law prevail in the country.
US suspend defence talks with Pakistan
BEIJING: The United States has suspended annual defence talks with Pakistan because of the political situation there, the Pentagon's spokesman said here Monday.Eric Edelman, undersecretary of defence for policy, was supposed to head a US delegation for the talks beginning on Tuesday, but he will not go until political conditions improve, Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell told reporters. Morrell is travelling with US Defence Secretary Robert Gates, who also on Monday called for Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf to return his country to a
constitutional democracy as soon as possible.
Why Govt. didn’t submit evidences against those freed on court orders: Ramday
ISLAMABAD: Former Justice Khalilur Rahman Ramday has said that if such key players of terrorism were released on the court orders, then it means that the government didn’t provide the evidences.Talking to Geo News, Justice Khalilur Rahman Ramday said that he was unable to understand as to why the blame of releasing terrorists was being put forth and added that if such key players of terrorism were released, then why did the government not come forward with evidences against them.Justice Ramday said that both the judges, who had ordered for the release of terrorists, have taken oath under the new PCO. However, taking oath under PCO was the personal discretion of any judge, he stated.As regards PCO legality, he said that the PCO could not be imposed in the presence of constitutional and legal institutions. Justice Ramday on the reason of his suspension said that no judge knows until the last moment what decision he would be taking. As regards his inclusion in the Supreme Court Bench hearing the case relating to the President, Justice Ramday said that if the government had any reservation, then the court should have been told so that it would not have included him.
Musharraf vow to quit army 'in limbo': Tariq Azeem
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf's vow to step down as army chief and become a civilian leader is "in limbo" following the declaration of a state of emergency, a minister said Monday. "President Musharraf gave an undertaking to the Supreme Court that he would take off his uniform before taking the oath but now because of the imposition of emergency, the issue is left in limbo," deputy information minister Tariq Azeem told French news agency.
Islamabad under stern security, main roads heavily guarded
ISLAMABAD: The federal capital city here even at the advent of the working day since the imposition of emergency in the country continued to liger under stern security arrangements and surveillance by setting up checkpoints on the main roads all across.The judges, who didn’t take oath under PCO, were kept confined to their houses and despite all restrictions the lawyer community boycotted the courts today. Islamabad’s Constitution Avenue and its adjoining roads were barricaded. The roads leading to the Supreme Court, Prime Minister Secretariat, President House, Parliament, Pak Secretariat and diplomatic enclaves were kept closed and even the media representatives were stopped from going over there. Barbed wires have been laid on the roads and bylanes.Islamabad and Rawalpindi citizens since the imposition of emergency remained in a state of uncertainty, while the attendance in the educational institutions was seen thin at the advent of the new week. Islamabad and Rawalpindi lawyers of the district courts also observed strike against the impositions of emergency in the country, while heavy contingents of police were posted near the compounds of the courts.
Pakistan set a target of 240 runs for India
GUWAHATI: Pakistan set a total of 239 runs victory target for India in the first ODI at Guwahati. Pakistan’s star for the innings was Mohammad Yousuf who scored 83 runs. Mohammad Yousuf crossed 50 runs taking his team nearer to a respectable score as spinners from the home team maintained a tight line and length to keep the pressure on the opposition. Pakistan were at 205 runs from 46 overs for the loss of 5 wickets. Sachin Tendulkar’s took the prized wicket of Shahid Afridi as he missed a cleverly disguised delivery by the little maestro completely. MS Dhoni promptly stumped him. This happened right before Tendulkar hit again, claming the wicket of skipper Shoiab Malik. Pakistan were at 165 runs in the 41st over. Dangerman Younis Khan was the third casualty to some exceptional bowling by the Harbhajan Singh. He departed after scoring 25 runs at a slow pace. Pakistan were at 136 runs at the end of 35 overs for the loss of three wickets. The lethal spinning duo of Harbhajan and Kartik bowled in tandem, tightening the scoring rate of the visiting team. With an array of Doosra’s, Harbhajan made sure that the new batsmen on the crease had to fight very hard to milk runs. Pakistan were at 93 runs for the loss of both the openers at the end of 26 overs. Pathan drew first blood in the intense first match by getting Akmal plumb in front of the wicket with a swinging delivery, which the batsman could not read in time. The Pakistani scorecard read 44 runs for the loss of a wicket at the beginning of the eleventh over. Pakistan opening pair of Butt and Akmal started their campaign on a good note. Dispatching the loose deliveries with elegant shots, they took their team’s total to 32 runs for the loss of no wicket from the first 7 overs. The noteworthy aspect of the opening batsmen was the fact that they did not look to dominate Indian bowlers, they instead waited for the average deliveries to send them racing beyond the boundary. Pakistan captain won the toss and elected to bat in the first ODI at Guwahati today. Both the teams have opted for the combination of two spinners in their bowling line up.
Lawyers outside SHC protest against emergency, several arrested
KARACHI: Some of the lawyers staging a protest demonstration against the imposition of emergency outside the Sindh High Court (SHC) were arrested here.The lawyers under an announced program arrived in front of the SHC here and taking rounds of the SHC building voiced slogans against the emergency.The police has arrested Justice Sabihuddin Ahmad’s son Barrister Salahuddin Ahmad and some other lawyers from the SHC cafeteria, who were later shifted to unknown place in police van. Besides, the police also resorted to baton charge for dispersing the agitating lawyers, which caused injuries to some among the lawyers.Sources told that the police have also arrested Karachi Bar Association (KBA)’s president, Iftikhar Javed Qazi. KBA protesting lawyers stopped all activities in the courts, while the police forced all the media persons out of the compound of the KBA. Heavy contingents of police and rangers stand also posted around the City Court.
Lel, Radcliffe win New York Marathon
NEW YORK: Martin Lel of Kenya and Paula Radcliffe of the U.K. both won the New York City Marathon for the second time, using last-mile surges to pull away from their nearest competitors. Lel covered the 26.2 miles (42.2 kilometers) through the five boroughs of New York City in a time of 2 hours, 9 minutes, 4 seconds, coming in 12 seconds ahead of Morocco's Abderrahim Goumri. He first won the event in 2003. Radcliffe, the 2004 winner and women's world-record holder, finished 23 seconds ahead of Ethiopia's Gete Wami in the women's race with a time of 2:23:09. The top women's runners started ahead of the men. Lel and Radcliffe both won $130,000 for their victories. The 33-year-old Radcliffe continued her own dominance of the women's events after taking a more than two-year break from the sport following injuries and the birth of her first child. She's won all seven of the marathons in which she's finished. Radcliffe dropped out of the marathon at the 2004 Olympics in Athens.
Navy capture National Shooting Championship title
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Navy dethroned Pakistan Army to capture the title of 16th National Shooting Championship with 24 gold medals at the Gun Club, Pakistan Sports Complex. Last year’s champions Army finished runners-up while PAF claimed the third position as President of Pakistan Olympic Association, Lt. Gen. (r) Syed Arif Hasan, gave away the medals on the concluding day of the weeklong championship which started on October 29.Besides 24 gold medals, Navy also won 13 silver and 12 bronze medals over eight days of competitions while Army got 15 gold, 21 silver and 10 bronze medals.
Nalbandian wins Paris Masters title
PARIS: David Nalbandian of Argentina handed out a tennis lesson to world No.2 Rafael Nadal to win his second straight Masters Series title.The Argentinian won at a canter 6-4 6-0, taking nine games in a row from 3-4 down in the first set against an increasingly disillusioned-looking Spaniard, who has been struggling with his fitness since the summer.It was Nalbandian's second straight win in one of the Masters Series tournaments, having defeated world No.1 Roger Federer in the final of the Madrid Masters last month.
Australian PM warns Musharraf on emergency rule
SYDNEY: Australia's conservative Prime Minister John Howard said Monday he had warned Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf he could not support his decision to put the country under emergency rule.Howard said he told Musharraf that Australia could not support his actions."I indicated to him that whilst I retain considerable respect and admiration for the strong stance he has taken against terrorism, that Australia could not support in any way any extra-constitutional behaviour," he said. "That the rule of law had to prevail and that I hoped there would be an early return to a more democratic path."
Pakistan bat against India in first ODI
GUWAHATI: Pakistan skipper ShoaibMalik won the toss and chose to bat in the first one-day international against India on Monday. Pakistan recalled left-handed opener Salman Butt in place of Imran Nazir.
India picked in-form Gautam Gambhir ahead of the experienced Virender Sehwag, who was recalled to the squad.
The five-match series will be followed by three tests in the fourth bilateral series between the archrivals since 2004.
Teams India: Mahendra Dhoni (captain), Sachin Tendulkar, Saurav Ganguly, Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh, Robin Uthappa, IrfanPathan, Harbhajan Singh, Murali Kartik, Rudra Pratap Singh,Zaheer Khan.
Pakistan: Shoaib Malik (captain), Salman Butt, KamranAkmal, Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Shahid Afridi, Misbah-ulHaq, Umar Gul, Rao Iftikhar, Abdur Rehman, Shoaib Akhtar.
More arrests in crackdown launched after imposition of emergency
ISLAMABAD: Hundreds people including lawyers and politicians have been arrested across Pakistan in a crackdown launched after the declaration of a state of emergency in the country. The authorities have arrested President Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and opposition figure Aitzaz Ahsan, former SCBA president Munir A. Malik, Ali Ahmed Kurd, Justice (Rtd) Tariq Mehmood and other senior lawyers, A central leader of exiled former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's party and several other opposition figures have been arrested in crackdown after President Pervez Musharraf imposed emergency rule. Khwaja Asif, Asfandyar Wali and Mehmood Khan Achakzai have been placed under house arrest. Javed Hashmi, acting president of the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz), Gen. Hameed Gul, rights activists Asima Jehangir and I.A. Rahman have also been arrested. Police have arrested President Lahore High Court Bar Ahsan Bhon and Lahore Bar President Syed Muhammad Shah in Lahore. Awami Tehrik leader Hadi Bhat, has been arrested in Sukkur, while Muslim League (N) leader Zahid Rafiq Butt detained in Karachi, another PML (N) leader Afzal Gujjar and Dr. Abdul Samad Shaikh and Badar Soomro of Tehrik-e-Insaf have been arrested in Hyderabad. According to government figures up to 500 people have been arrested across Pakistan in the crackdown, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said in a press conference in federal capital.
No hurdles in judicial matters will be tolerated: Aziz
ISLAMABAD: A meeting at Prime Prime Minister House decided that no hurdles will be tolerated in judicial matters and the judges would be provided utmost protection and security, sources said. Federal ministers and top officials of law enforcement agencies attended the meeting with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz in chair.The meeting discussed the situation in the country after imposition of the state of emergency and devised strategy to meet expected reaction of lawyers and political parties, sources said. The meeting decided to provide maximum security to judges and to beef up security in high courts and the Supreme Court. The meeting also issued directives to provincial governments to curb protest rallies and public meetings today.
Feudal thinking also affects judiciary: Altaf
KARACHI: Chief of Muttahida Qaumi Movement Altaf Hussain has said the feudal system is responsible for extremism, terrorism and suicide attacks in the country. He said even judiciary was not saved from the feudal thinking. Addressing to the Graduate Forum at KDA officers Club here Altaf Hussain said the feudal system has caused adhocism in Pakistan due to which people still complain about dearness and unemployment even after 60 years of independence. He said the press and judiciary have also been affected by the feudal culture. He said television anchors criticize Muttahida Qaumi Movement; in May 12 incidents 14 MQM workers were killed, while the party was blamed for the incident. Altaf in his speech further said that he respects preachers of the religion but does not believe in those who transform people into savages in the name of faith.
Bangladesh court grants bail to Sheikh Hasina
DHAKA: The Bangladesh High Court granted bail to former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and stayed any further actions against her in a graft case. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) had filed the graft case against Hasina accusing her of taking kickbacks in a power-plant deal. Hasina lawyers in the bail petition in high court pleaded hearing of the case under the emergency laws as unlawful. The court granted bail to Sheikh Hasina and stayed any further actions against her in the case.
Latest Stories:
Musharraf denies rumours of house arrest
ISLAMBAD: Pakistani President PervezMusharraf denied rumours sweeping Pakistan on Monday that he had been placed under house arrest by subordinates unhappy with his decision to impose emergency rule. "It is a joke of the highest order," Musharraf told foreign news agency from the Presidency building in Islamabad where he had just met more than 80 foreign diplomats to explain his decision.
"It's nonsense, sheer baseless rumour," Musharraf's spokesman Rashid Qureshi said.
"It's a complete hoax, totally baseless and malicious. People will treat it with the total contempt it deserves," said deputy information minister Tariq Azeem.
"The president has just administered an oath to the federal sharia (Islamic law) judge and before that he briefed foreign diplomats on the situation," Azeem added.
Oath under PCO unconstitutional: Bhagwan Das
ISLAMABAD: Justice Rana Bhagwas Das has said that he was still a judge, while his residence has been locked at the outside—taking oath under PCO was unconstitutional and violation of the Supreme Court verdict—these illegal oaths have no locus standi.Talking to Geo News, Justice Rana Bhagwan Das said that his family was well in Karachi albeit they were in the government building from where coming out was not possible. He further said that the Geo News transmission was not reaching the Judges Colony and only the government tv could be seen, which is of no interest to him.As regards the seven judges decision rejecting the enforcement of emergency, he said that the Court could suspend any illegal and immoral order without serving any notice and the interim order was passed. He said it was wrong on the part of government to say that the Court order came after the imposition of PCO and the judges were rendered non-functional.Justice Rana Bhagwan Das said that the judges taking oath under the new PCO could not hold courts—such an act would be the infringement of constitution. When quizzed, he said that confronting anyone was not the judges’ job albeit if the lockout ends, then the judges after consultations would endeavour to improve the situation. Justice Rana Bhagwas Das said that whatever he did, he did it considering it his duty and he doesn’t get worried, as he has firm faith in God— wish that the situation gets improved-- the constitution and the law prevail in the country.
US suspend defence talks with Pakistan
BEIJING: The United States has suspended annual defence talks with Pakistan because of the political situation there, the Pentagon's spokesman said here Monday.Eric Edelman, undersecretary of defence for policy, was supposed to head a US delegation for the talks beginning on Tuesday, but he will not go until political conditions improve, Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell told reporters. Morrell is travelling with US Defence Secretary Robert Gates, who also on Monday called for Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf to return his country to a
constitutional democracy as soon as possible.
Why Govt. didn’t submit evidences against those freed on court orders: Ramday
ISLAMABAD: Former Justice Khalilur Rahman Ramday has said that if such key players of terrorism were released on the court orders, then it means that the government didn’t provide the evidences.Talking to Geo News, Justice Khalilur Rahman Ramday said that he was unable to understand as to why the blame of releasing terrorists was being put forth and added that if such key players of terrorism were released, then why did the government not come forward with evidences against them.Justice Ramday said that both the judges, who had ordered for the release of terrorists, have taken oath under the new PCO. However, taking oath under PCO was the personal discretion of any judge, he stated.As regards PCO legality, he said that the PCO could not be imposed in the presence of constitutional and legal institutions. Justice Ramday on the reason of his suspension said that no judge knows until the last moment what decision he would be taking. As regards his inclusion in the Supreme Court Bench hearing the case relating to the President, Justice Ramday said that if the government had any reservation, then the court should have been told so that it would not have included him.
Musharraf vow to quit army 'in limbo': Tariq Azeem
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf's vow to step down as army chief and become a civilian leader is "in limbo" following the declaration of a state of emergency, a minister said Monday. "President Musharraf gave an undertaking to the Supreme Court that he would take off his uniform before taking the oath but now because of the imposition of emergency, the issue is left in limbo," deputy information minister Tariq Azeem told French news agency.
Islamabad under stern security, main roads heavily guarded
ISLAMABAD: The federal capital city here even at the advent of the working day since the imposition of emergency in the country continued to liger under stern security arrangements and surveillance by setting up checkpoints on the main roads all across.The judges, who didn’t take oath under PCO, were kept confined to their houses and despite all restrictions the lawyer community boycotted the courts today. Islamabad’s Constitution Avenue and its adjoining roads were barricaded. The roads leading to the Supreme Court, Prime Minister Secretariat, President House, Parliament, Pak Secretariat and diplomatic enclaves were kept closed and even the media representatives were stopped from going over there. Barbed wires have been laid on the roads and bylanes.Islamabad and Rawalpindi citizens since the imposition of emergency remained in a state of uncertainty, while the attendance in the educational institutions was seen thin at the advent of the new week. Islamabad and Rawalpindi lawyers of the district courts also observed strike against the impositions of emergency in the country, while heavy contingents of police were posted near the compounds of the courts.
Pakistan set a target of 240 runs for India
GUWAHATI: Pakistan set a total of 239 runs victory target for India in the first ODI at Guwahati. Pakistan’s star for the innings was Mohammad Yousuf who scored 83 runs. Mohammad Yousuf crossed 50 runs taking his team nearer to a respectable score as spinners from the home team maintained a tight line and length to keep the pressure on the opposition. Pakistan were at 205 runs from 46 overs for the loss of 5 wickets. Sachin Tendulkar’s took the prized wicket of Shahid Afridi as he missed a cleverly disguised delivery by the little maestro completely. MS Dhoni promptly stumped him. This happened right before Tendulkar hit again, claming the wicket of skipper Shoiab Malik. Pakistan were at 165 runs in the 41st over. Dangerman Younis Khan was the third casualty to some exceptional bowling by the Harbhajan Singh. He departed after scoring 25 runs at a slow pace. Pakistan were at 136 runs at the end of 35 overs for the loss of three wickets. The lethal spinning duo of Harbhajan and Kartik bowled in tandem, tightening the scoring rate of the visiting team. With an array of Doosra’s, Harbhajan made sure that the new batsmen on the crease had to fight very hard to milk runs. Pakistan were at 93 runs for the loss of both the openers at the end of 26 overs. Pathan drew first blood in the intense first match by getting Akmal plumb in front of the wicket with a swinging delivery, which the batsman could not read in time. The Pakistani scorecard read 44 runs for the loss of a wicket at the beginning of the eleventh over. Pakistan opening pair of Butt and Akmal started their campaign on a good note. Dispatching the loose deliveries with elegant shots, they took their team’s total to 32 runs for the loss of no wicket from the first 7 overs. The noteworthy aspect of the opening batsmen was the fact that they did not look to dominate Indian bowlers, they instead waited for the average deliveries to send them racing beyond the boundary. Pakistan captain won the toss and elected to bat in the first ODI at Guwahati today. Both the teams have opted for the combination of two spinners in their bowling line up.
Lawyers outside SHC protest against emergency, several arrested
KARACHI: Some of the lawyers staging a protest demonstration against the imposition of emergency outside the Sindh High Court (SHC) were arrested here.The lawyers under an announced program arrived in front of the SHC here and taking rounds of the SHC building voiced slogans against the emergency.The police has arrested Justice Sabihuddin Ahmad’s son Barrister Salahuddin Ahmad and some other lawyers from the SHC cafeteria, who were later shifted to unknown place in police van. Besides, the police also resorted to baton charge for dispersing the agitating lawyers, which caused injuries to some among the lawyers.Sources told that the police have also arrested Karachi Bar Association (KBA)’s president, Iftikhar Javed Qazi. KBA protesting lawyers stopped all activities in the courts, while the police forced all the media persons out of the compound of the KBA. Heavy contingents of police and rangers stand also posted around the City Court.
Lel, Radcliffe win New York Marathon
NEW YORK: Martin Lel of Kenya and Paula Radcliffe of the U.K. both won the New York City Marathon for the second time, using last-mile surges to pull away from their nearest competitors. Lel covered the 26.2 miles (42.2 kilometers) through the five boroughs of New York City in a time of 2 hours, 9 minutes, 4 seconds, coming in 12 seconds ahead of Morocco's Abderrahim Goumri. He first won the event in 2003. Radcliffe, the 2004 winner and women's world-record holder, finished 23 seconds ahead of Ethiopia's Gete Wami in the women's race with a time of 2:23:09. The top women's runners started ahead of the men. Lel and Radcliffe both won $130,000 for their victories. The 33-year-old Radcliffe continued her own dominance of the women's events after taking a more than two-year break from the sport following injuries and the birth of her first child. She's won all seven of the marathons in which she's finished. Radcliffe dropped out of the marathon at the 2004 Olympics in Athens.
Navy capture National Shooting Championship title
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Navy dethroned Pakistan Army to capture the title of 16th National Shooting Championship with 24 gold medals at the Gun Club, Pakistan Sports Complex. Last year’s champions Army finished runners-up while PAF claimed the third position as President of Pakistan Olympic Association, Lt. Gen. (r) Syed Arif Hasan, gave away the medals on the concluding day of the weeklong championship which started on October 29.Besides 24 gold medals, Navy also won 13 silver and 12 bronze medals over eight days of competitions while Army got 15 gold, 21 silver and 10 bronze medals.
Nalbandian wins Paris Masters title
PARIS: David Nalbandian of Argentina handed out a tennis lesson to world No.2 Rafael Nadal to win his second straight Masters Series title.The Argentinian won at a canter 6-4 6-0, taking nine games in a row from 3-4 down in the first set against an increasingly disillusioned-looking Spaniard, who has been struggling with his fitness since the summer.It was Nalbandian's second straight win in one of the Masters Series tournaments, having defeated world No.1 Roger Federer in the final of the Madrid Masters last month.
Australian PM warns Musharraf on emergency rule
SYDNEY: Australia's conservative Prime Minister John Howard said Monday he had warned Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf he could not support his decision to put the country under emergency rule.Howard said he told Musharraf that Australia could not support his actions."I indicated to him that whilst I retain considerable respect and admiration for the strong stance he has taken against terrorism, that Australia could not support in any way any extra-constitutional behaviour," he said. "That the rule of law had to prevail and that I hoped there would be an early return to a more democratic path."
Pakistan bat against India in first ODI
GUWAHATI: Pakistan skipper ShoaibMalik won the toss and chose to bat in the first one-day international against India on Monday. Pakistan recalled left-handed opener Salman Butt in place of Imran Nazir.
India picked in-form Gautam Gambhir ahead of the experienced Virender Sehwag, who was recalled to the squad.
The five-match series will be followed by three tests in the fourth bilateral series between the archrivals since 2004.
Teams India: Mahendra Dhoni (captain), Sachin Tendulkar, Saurav Ganguly, Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh, Robin Uthappa, IrfanPathan, Harbhajan Singh, Murali Kartik, Rudra Pratap Singh,Zaheer Khan.
Pakistan: Shoaib Malik (captain), Salman Butt, KamranAkmal, Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Shahid Afridi, Misbah-ulHaq, Umar Gul, Rao Iftikhar, Abdur Rehman, Shoaib Akhtar.
More arrests in crackdown launched after imposition of emergency
ISLAMABAD: Hundreds people including lawyers and politicians have been arrested across Pakistan in a crackdown launched after the declaration of a state of emergency in the country. The authorities have arrested President Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and opposition figure Aitzaz Ahsan, former SCBA president Munir A. Malik, Ali Ahmed Kurd, Justice (Rtd) Tariq Mehmood and other senior lawyers, A central leader of exiled former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's party and several other opposition figures have been arrested in crackdown after President Pervez Musharraf imposed emergency rule. Khwaja Asif, Asfandyar Wali and Mehmood Khan Achakzai have been placed under house arrest. Javed Hashmi, acting president of the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz), Gen. Hameed Gul, rights activists Asima Jehangir and I.A. Rahman have also been arrested. Police have arrested President Lahore High Court Bar Ahsan Bhon and Lahore Bar President Syed Muhammad Shah in Lahore. Awami Tehrik leader Hadi Bhat, has been arrested in Sukkur, while Muslim League (N) leader Zahid Rafiq Butt detained in Karachi, another PML (N) leader Afzal Gujjar and Dr. Abdul Samad Shaikh and Badar Soomro of Tehrik-e-Insaf have been arrested in Hyderabad. According to government figures up to 500 people have been arrested across Pakistan in the crackdown, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said in a press conference in federal capital.
No hurdles in judicial matters will be tolerated: Aziz
ISLAMABAD: A meeting at Prime Prime Minister House decided that no hurdles will be tolerated in judicial matters and the judges would be provided utmost protection and security, sources said. Federal ministers and top officials of law enforcement agencies attended the meeting with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz in chair.The meeting discussed the situation in the country after imposition of the state of emergency and devised strategy to meet expected reaction of lawyers and political parties, sources said. The meeting decided to provide maximum security to judges and to beef up security in high courts and the Supreme Court. The meeting also issued directives to provincial governments to curb protest rallies and public meetings today.
Feudal thinking also affects judiciary: Altaf
KARACHI: Chief of Muttahida Qaumi Movement Altaf Hussain has said the feudal system is responsible for extremism, terrorism and suicide attacks in the country. He said even judiciary was not saved from the feudal thinking. Addressing to the Graduate Forum at KDA officers Club here Altaf Hussain said the feudal system has caused adhocism in Pakistan due to which people still complain about dearness and unemployment even after 60 years of independence. He said the press and judiciary have also been affected by the feudal culture. He said television anchors criticize Muttahida Qaumi Movement; in May 12 incidents 14 MQM workers were killed, while the party was blamed for the incident. Altaf in his speech further said that he respects preachers of the religion but does not believe in those who transform people into savages in the name of faith.
Bangladesh court grants bail to Sheikh Hasina
DHAKA: The Bangladesh High Court granted bail to former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and stayed any further actions against her in a graft case. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) had filed the graft case against Hasina accusing her of taking kickbacks in a power-plant deal. Hasina lawyers in the bail petition in high court pleaded hearing of the case under the emergency laws as unlawful. The court granted bail to Sheikh Hasina and stayed any further actions against her in the case.
