Musharraf says to doff uniform by November end (Posted at 2340)
ISLAMABAD: President General Pervez Musharraf said Wednesday that he will doff military uniform and begin as civilian president by the end of November. In an interview to foreign television Musharraf said Benazir Bhutto even if won the elections, she would have to cope with constitutional issues before she becomes the premier for the third time.Musharraf said the induction of authentic and impartial persons would be ensured in the interim setup.The president said the West and media have played dishonestly with him still he has given assurance of a free and fair election in a peaceful environment.Benazir Bhutto was put under house arrest in view of security apprehensions, the president said adding it was impossible for him to permit a large rally in such a populated area as Liaquat Bagh and in the present situation, taking out a big rally would be a wrong step.Musharraf said Benazir Bhutto, from the very inception, is changing her viewpoint, she came to Pakistan with reconciliation mood; but now she wants confrontation.‘Even if she wins the elections, she will have to cope with constitutional issues before she becomes the premier for the third time,’ he said.He said he would not dictate the election commission, as he neither saw the Chief Election Commission, nor did he write to him, and he does not intend to do so in future.He vowed to hold the elections in independent and peaceful atmosphere. He said that every possible effort is being made to hold fair and transparent elections and see-thorough boxes would be placed at polling booths.The opposition wants to create law and order problem in the country, President Musharraf said.
India protests Islamabad high commission break-in (Posted at 0020)
NEW DELHI: India said Wednesday it has lodged an official complaint over a break-in at the Islamabad residence of its top envoy to Pakistan. "The residence of the high commissioner of India in Islamabad was broken into," the foreign ministry said in a statement. "A strong protest has been lodged with the government of Pakistan in Islamabad and with the high commission of Pakistan in New Delhi." The statement said the break-in occurred on Monday night, but did not provide further details.
33 militants killed in Swat clashes (Posted at 2350)
PESHAWAR: Fierce fighting erupted between troops and militants in northwest Pakistan Wednesday, leaving 33 militants dead as tension prevailed in Swat and Shangla areas, Director General ISPR said. Militants have claimed killing 20 to 25 security men in clashes.Thirty-three militants have been killed in various incidents in Swat, chief military spokesman Major General Waheed Arshad said. According to sources fierce fighting erupted between troops and militants leaving 31 killed including 25 militants and 38 persons were injured. Nine militants were killed and three wounded in a clash in tehsil Kabal, while a truck driver and a youth were killed in exchange of fire, sources said. A girl Shahi Rahmat 13, was killed in Shakardara, while five civilians were wounded in Hazara area. Three persons were killed and more than six were wounded in clashes near the airport at Saidu Sharif. The sources of militants have claimed killing 20 to 25 security men in clashes.
Imran’s entry in university a bid to politicize peaceful protest: IJT (Posted at 2310)
LAHORE: Imran Khan and Jamat Islami leader Amir-ul-Azeem have tried to politicize and sabotage the students’ peaceful protest in Punjab University, Nazim Islami Jamiat Talaba (IJT) here said. Addressing a press conference at the university’s new campus, Nazim IJT Punjab University Hafiz Muhammad Ayub said Pakistan Bachao Tehrik (Save Pakistan Movement), is pure students’ movement being participated by students of various academic institutions, doctors, lawyers and engineers. He said entry of a politician in the university is prohibited, while Imran Khan and Amir-ul-Azeem’s without prior notice arrival was an effort to politicize the students’ protest. He alleged that the university administration, some teachers and agencies were involved in the incident.
Countrywide protests against media curbs and emergency (Posted at 2250)
KARACHI: Peoples Party workers Wednesday held protest demonstrations in various cities and towns against emergency, media curbs and detention of Benazir Bhutto as several party activists arrested amid protests. The party workers continued protests in various parts of Karachi to protest against detention of Benazir Bhutto and crackdown on PPP workers and leaders. Angry mobs burnt tyres at roads and suspended traffic in Chakiwara, Aath Chowk, Gul Muhammad Lane, Maula Madad, Nawa Lane, Bihar Colony, Lea Market and others parts of Lyari. Peoples Party Mirpur Khas called strike in the district, while the party workers staged demonstration in front of Hyderabad Press Club, after which police arrested Pir Shah Gillani MPA and other 30 party workers. In Thatta over 20 party workers were arrested during a protest rally. In Larkana lawyers boycotted the courts proceedings and staged a demonstration within the court premises. Police arrested dozens Peoples Party activists including Khalid Iqbal Memon MNA and Ghulam Mujaddid Isran MPA. Police also baton charged and opened teargas shelling at participants of a PPP rally in Larkana taken out of the residence of the leader of opposition in Sindh Assembly Nisar Khoro.
ISLAMABAD: President General Pervez Musharraf said Wednesday that he will doff military uniform and begin as civilian president by the end of November. In an interview to foreign television Musharraf said Benazir Bhutto even if won the elections, she would have to cope with constitutional issues before she becomes the premier for the third time.Musharraf said the induction of authentic and impartial persons would be ensured in the interim setup.The president said the West and media have played dishonestly with him still he has given assurance of a free and fair election in a peaceful environment.Benazir Bhutto was put under house arrest in view of security apprehensions, the president said adding it was impossible for him to permit a large rally in such a populated area as Liaquat Bagh and in the present situation, taking out a big rally would be a wrong step.Musharraf said Benazir Bhutto, from the very inception, is changing her viewpoint, she came to Pakistan with reconciliation mood; but now she wants confrontation.‘Even if she wins the elections, she will have to cope with constitutional issues before she becomes the premier for the third time,’ he said.He said he would not dictate the election commission, as he neither saw the Chief Election Commission, nor did he write to him, and he does not intend to do so in future.He vowed to hold the elections in independent and peaceful atmosphere. He said that every possible effort is being made to hold fair and transparent elections and see-thorough boxes would be placed at polling booths.The opposition wants to create law and order problem in the country, President Musharraf said.
India protests Islamabad high commission break-in (Posted at 0020)
NEW DELHI: India said Wednesday it has lodged an official complaint over a break-in at the Islamabad residence of its top envoy to Pakistan. "The residence of the high commissioner of India in Islamabad was broken into," the foreign ministry said in a statement. "A strong protest has been lodged with the government of Pakistan in Islamabad and with the high commission of Pakistan in New Delhi." The statement said the break-in occurred on Monday night, but did not provide further details.
33 militants killed in Swat clashes (Posted at 2350)
PESHAWAR: Fierce fighting erupted between troops and militants in northwest Pakistan Wednesday, leaving 33 militants dead as tension prevailed in Swat and Shangla areas, Director General ISPR said. Militants have claimed killing 20 to 25 security men in clashes.Thirty-three militants have been killed in various incidents in Swat, chief military spokesman Major General Waheed Arshad said. According to sources fierce fighting erupted between troops and militants leaving 31 killed including 25 militants and 38 persons were injured. Nine militants were killed and three wounded in a clash in tehsil Kabal, while a truck driver and a youth were killed in exchange of fire, sources said. A girl Shahi Rahmat 13, was killed in Shakardara, while five civilians were wounded in Hazara area. Three persons were killed and more than six were wounded in clashes near the airport at Saidu Sharif. The sources of militants have claimed killing 20 to 25 security men in clashes.
Imran’s entry in university a bid to politicize peaceful protest: IJT (Posted at 2310)
LAHORE: Imran Khan and Jamat Islami leader Amir-ul-Azeem have tried to politicize and sabotage the students’ peaceful protest in Punjab University, Nazim Islami Jamiat Talaba (IJT) here said. Addressing a press conference at the university’s new campus, Nazim IJT Punjab University Hafiz Muhammad Ayub said Pakistan Bachao Tehrik (Save Pakistan Movement), is pure students’ movement being participated by students of various academic institutions, doctors, lawyers and engineers. He said entry of a politician in the university is prohibited, while Imran Khan and Amir-ul-Azeem’s without prior notice arrival was an effort to politicize the students’ protest. He alleged that the university administration, some teachers and agencies were involved in the incident.
Countrywide protests against media curbs and emergency (Posted at 2250)
KARACHI: Peoples Party workers Wednesday held protest demonstrations in various cities and towns against emergency, media curbs and detention of Benazir Bhutto as several party activists arrested amid protests. The party workers continued protests in various parts of Karachi to protest against detention of Benazir Bhutto and crackdown on PPP workers and leaders. Angry mobs burnt tyres at roads and suspended traffic in Chakiwara, Aath Chowk, Gul Muhammad Lane, Maula Madad, Nawa Lane, Bihar Colony, Lea Market and others parts of Lyari. Peoples Party Mirpur Khas called strike in the district, while the party workers staged demonstration in front of Hyderabad Press Club, after which police arrested Pir Shah Gillani MPA and other 30 party workers. In Thatta over 20 party workers were arrested during a protest rally. In Larkana lawyers boycotted the courts proceedings and staged a demonstration within the court premises. Police arrested dozens Peoples Party activists including Khalid Iqbal Memon MNA and Ghulam Mujaddid Isran MPA. Police also baton charged and opened teargas shelling at participants of a PPP rally in Larkana taken out of the residence of the leader of opposition in Sindh Assembly Nisar Khoro.
