CAIRO, Kurrent News: Arab foreign ministers agreed on Wednesday to back one last round of indirect Palestinian-Israeli talks despite scepticism over Israel’s readiness to revive peace efforts, Arab League chief Amr Mussa said.
The move, which came after months of US-led shuttle diplomacy, was swiftly welcomed by Israel but was slammed by the Islamist Hamas movement which controls Gaza as an “excuse” for Western-backed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to rejoin negotiations that would “only lead to failure.”
Mussa said that the Arab ministers had called for a four-month deadline for the indirect talks. “Despite a lack of conviction over Israel’s seriousness, (Arab foreign ministers) will give indirect talks a chance, for the final time, in order to facilitate US efforts, within four months,” he said.
“There was a consensus that Israel is not interested in peace, the proof being what is taking place on occupied land... acts which are meant to provoke the Arab and American sides,” he added. Negotiations have been on ice since Israel launched a devastating attack on the Gaza Strip in December 2008.
The Palestinians have said they will only return to the negotiating table if Israel first halts all settlement construction in the occupied West Bank. But Israel has agreed only to a 10-month freeze that excludes public buildings and annexed Arab east Jerusalem, failing to satisfy the Palestinians.
US Middle East envoy George Mitchell proposed US-brokered indirect talks as a way of getting around the deadlock. Israel welcomed the Arab ministers’ endorsement of indirect talks.
“We welcome this decision. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been continually calling for peace talks, and we hope that now the talks can move forward,” government spokesman Mark Regev told AFP. Netanyahu said conditions were ripe for talks. “It seems the conditions are ripening for a renewal of talks between us and the Palestinians,” he told MPs.
“In general, the world understands that this government is on the path to negotiations and has taken difficult steps to advance the negotiations,” he said. The Arab ministers said the talks should be based on the principles of a 2002 Arab peace initiative, which calls for full normalisation with Israel in exchange for a complete withdrawal by Israel from Arab land, the creation of a Palestinian state and an “equitable” solution for Palestinian refugees.
They stressed that any direct negotiations could only take place if there is a “complete halt of settlement activity on all occupied land, including Jerusalem.”
“US-proposed indirect talks will not bear fruit if Israeli violations continue, which would lead to the failure of talks,” they said. There has been no let-up in Israeli settlement construction outside the limited 10-month moratorium Netanyahu announced in November.
On Friday, Israeli daily Haaretz reported that the government had given the green light for 600 new homes in a Jewish settlement in east Jerusalem, drawing US criticism. Hamas slammed the Arab endorsement of indirect negotiations as a figleaf to cover a retreat by Abbas on his demand for a freeze on settlement expansion.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Tainted liquor kills 15 Indians
LUCKNOW, Kurrent News: At least 15 people have been killed and six others blinded after drinking toxic home-brewed liquor in northern India, police said on Wednesday.
Eight people died in a village near Ghaziabad, 250 miles southwest of Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh state, Brij Lal, a senior police official. Seven people died in the nearby town of Bulandshahar, according to police official Neelesh Kumar.
Another six people were blinded and 15 others in the area sickened by the liquor. Police said the demand for alcohol had risen sharply over the last week because of the Hindu festival of colours, Holi, which was celebrated on Monday.
On Feb 27, six people died from drinking tainted liquor in the same area, according to local police.
Most of the victims who drank the tainted brew on Tuesday night were poor farmers and labourers, looking for a cheap means of intoxication.
Deaths from drinking illegally brewed liquor are common in Uttar Pradesh because few poor people can afford legally sold alcohol. The illicit liquor is often spiked with pesticides or chemicals to increase its potency.
Last week, police seized more than 25,000 liters of illegal liquor in the state, according to Brij Lal, a senior police official.
Eight people died in a village near Ghaziabad, 250 miles southwest of Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh state, Brij Lal, a senior police official. Seven people died in the nearby town of Bulandshahar, according to police official Neelesh Kumar.
Another six people were blinded and 15 others in the area sickened by the liquor. Police said the demand for alcohol had risen sharply over the last week because of the Hindu festival of colours, Holi, which was celebrated on Monday.
On Feb 27, six people died from drinking tainted liquor in the same area, according to local police.
Most of the victims who drank the tainted brew on Tuesday night were poor farmers and labourers, looking for a cheap means of intoxication.
Deaths from drinking illegally brewed liquor are common in Uttar Pradesh because few poor people can afford legally sold alcohol. The illicit liquor is often spiked with pesticides or chemicals to increase its potency.
Last week, police seized more than 25,000 liters of illegal liquor in the state, according to Brij Lal, a senior police official.
Gilani invites Norwegian investment
ISLAMABAD, Kurrent News: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has urged Norway’s pro-active role in the FODP to help Pakistan undertake reconstruction and development of the areas cleared from militants in Fata and the NWFP on fast track basis.
The prime minister was talking to Foreign Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Store, who called on him along with his delegation, at the Prime Minister’s House on Wednesday.While appreciating the Norwegian assistance in establishment of 350 community schools in Fata and for improvement of basic education in the NWFP, the prime minister underlined the imperative of rebuilding the physical and socio-economic infrastructure in those areas and provision of job opportunities to the people there on immediate basis and underlined friendly countries like Norway’s important role in that regard.
The prime minister said that Pakistan considered Norway an important friend and partner and was keen to enhance and further strengthen the cordial bilateral ties in all areas of mutual interests.
He hoped that the annual bilateral consultations under the framework of bilateral cooperation would be held on regular basis to make progress towards strengthening of political, trade and economic cooperation.
“People-to-people contacts, particularly two-way exchanges of parliamentary delegations and regular high level visits need to be encouraged to give new impetus to deep-rooted relationship”, he added.
The prime minister underscored the need for expansion of bilateral trade to attain its true potential and welcomed Norwegian Company Telenor’s plans to invest $2 billion in Pakistan over the period of next five years.
He expressed the hope that the Norwegian government would also encourage its major companies in the oil and gas, petroleum, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, fertilizers as well as iron and steel manufacturing sectors to invest in Pakistan independently or through joint ventures with their Pakistani counterparts.
While dilating on Pakistan’s role as a front line state in the war against terrorism, the prime minister said that the Armed forces of Pakistan had achieved remarkable successes by clearing vast areas of the Malakand, Bajaur and Fata from the militants in a short span of time.
He said these valiant successes were nonetheless attained at a great human and economic cost. “In spite of these losses Pakistan remained resolute in clearing its soil from the menace of terror,” he added.
The prime minister termed resolution of long outstanding issues like Kashmir with India, a prerequisite for long lasting and durable peace in the region which will enable Pakistan to single mindedly focus on quelling militancy on its western borders.
He stressed that Pakistan was completely sincere in pursuing friendly and cordial relations with all its neighbours, particularly with India. As for Afghanistan he said that the peace, security and stability in Pakistan was intractably linked to a peaceful and secure Afghanistan.
Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Store stated that though he was visiting Pakistan for the third time, it was a matter of pleasure for him to be meeting a civilian chief executive of the country for the first time, during these visits.
He assured the prime minister of his country’s complete support for institutionalization of democracy in Pakistan. He said Norway had become part of the FODP process wholeheartedly and would continue to assist Pakistan in every way possible bilaterally as well as through the FODP and other international mechanisms.
The Norwegian foreign minister paid tributes to Pakistan Armed Forces as well as law Enforcement Agencies personnel for their role and sacrifices in countering the threat of terrorism. He termed Pakistan as the most pivotal country in the war against terror and for restoration of peace and stability in Afghanistan.
While assuring the prime minister of his government’s support in providing greater market access for Pakistani products and higher investment by Norwegian companies, Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Store said that Pakistani diaspora in Norway will also be encouraged to facilitate strengthening of economic cooperation between the two countries.
Norwegian Ambassador in Pakistan Robert Kvile, Minister for Foreign Affairs Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Senator Sughra Imam, Rab Nawaz Khan, Ambassador of Pakistan to Norway and foreign secretary were also present in the meeting.
The prime minister was talking to Foreign Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Store, who called on him along with his delegation, at the Prime Minister’s House on Wednesday.While appreciating the Norwegian assistance in establishment of 350 community schools in Fata and for improvement of basic education in the NWFP, the prime minister underlined the imperative of rebuilding the physical and socio-economic infrastructure in those areas and provision of job opportunities to the people there on immediate basis and underlined friendly countries like Norway’s important role in that regard.
The prime minister said that Pakistan considered Norway an important friend and partner and was keen to enhance and further strengthen the cordial bilateral ties in all areas of mutual interests.
He hoped that the annual bilateral consultations under the framework of bilateral cooperation would be held on regular basis to make progress towards strengthening of political, trade and economic cooperation.
“People-to-people contacts, particularly two-way exchanges of parliamentary delegations and regular high level visits need to be encouraged to give new impetus to deep-rooted relationship”, he added.
The prime minister underscored the need for expansion of bilateral trade to attain its true potential and welcomed Norwegian Company Telenor’s plans to invest $2 billion in Pakistan over the period of next five years.
He expressed the hope that the Norwegian government would also encourage its major companies in the oil and gas, petroleum, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, fertilizers as well as iron and steel manufacturing sectors to invest in Pakistan independently or through joint ventures with their Pakistani counterparts.
While dilating on Pakistan’s role as a front line state in the war against terrorism, the prime minister said that the Armed forces of Pakistan had achieved remarkable successes by clearing vast areas of the Malakand, Bajaur and Fata from the militants in a short span of time.
He said these valiant successes were nonetheless attained at a great human and economic cost. “In spite of these losses Pakistan remained resolute in clearing its soil from the menace of terror,” he added.
The prime minister termed resolution of long outstanding issues like Kashmir with India, a prerequisite for long lasting and durable peace in the region which will enable Pakistan to single mindedly focus on quelling militancy on its western borders.
He stressed that Pakistan was completely sincere in pursuing friendly and cordial relations with all its neighbours, particularly with India. As for Afghanistan he said that the peace, security and stability in Pakistan was intractably linked to a peaceful and secure Afghanistan.
Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Store stated that though he was visiting Pakistan for the third time, it was a matter of pleasure for him to be meeting a civilian chief executive of the country for the first time, during these visits.
He assured the prime minister of his country’s complete support for institutionalization of democracy in Pakistan. He said Norway had become part of the FODP process wholeheartedly and would continue to assist Pakistan in every way possible bilaterally as well as through the FODP and other international mechanisms.
The Norwegian foreign minister paid tributes to Pakistan Armed Forces as well as law Enforcement Agencies personnel for their role and sacrifices in countering the threat of terrorism. He termed Pakistan as the most pivotal country in the war against terror and for restoration of peace and stability in Afghanistan.
While assuring the prime minister of his government’s support in providing greater market access for Pakistani products and higher investment by Norwegian companies, Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Store said that Pakistani diaspora in Norway will also be encouraged to facilitate strengthening of economic cooperation between the two countries.
Norwegian Ambassador in Pakistan Robert Kvile, Minister for Foreign Affairs Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Senator Sughra Imam, Rab Nawaz Khan, Ambassador of Pakistan to Norway and foreign secretary were also present in the meeting.
Burney renews call to free Pak prisoners from Indian jails
NEW DELHI, Kurrent News: The human and civil rights organisation, Ansar Burney Trust International, has taken up with the Indian government three more cases of innocent Pakistani prisoners who have already completed their prison terms long time ago but are still waiting to be released from jails.
According to the press release on Wednesday, Chairman of the Ansar Burney Trust, Ansar Burney, once again contacted the Indian government for the early release of three more Pakistanis on humanitarian grounds in the greater interest of justice and human dignity.
Meanwhile, Ansar Burney on Wednesday filed another writ petition in the Indian Haryana Punjab High Court at Chandigarh seeking justice for three more Pakistani prisoners detained in Indian jails in most difficult circumstances.
Ansar Burney said that Pakistani national Asghar Ali, son of Mohammad Ali, resident of Jaranwala, district Faisalabad, was arrested in 1994 on immigration act and an Indian court sentenced him to three months imprisonment.
Burney said that Asghar Ali, had completed his sentence 16 years ago the same year his sentence was announced by the Session Court of India in 1994, but unfortunately for unknown reasons authorities failed to release and deport him to Pakistan. For this barbaric act of injustice in the last 16 long years, the innocent prisoner lost his full mental and physical balance, but still has hope in his eyes to be a free man soon.
Ansar Burney said that likewise, another Pakistani national, Fayyaz Ali, son of Rasheed Ali, mistakenly crossed the border and entered India at the age of 15, where he was arrested by the border security agencies and produced before District & Session Court of Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir, which sentenced him to five years rigorous imprisonment.
According to the press release on Wednesday, Chairman of the Ansar Burney Trust, Ansar Burney, once again contacted the Indian government for the early release of three more Pakistanis on humanitarian grounds in the greater interest of justice and human dignity.
Meanwhile, Ansar Burney on Wednesday filed another writ petition in the Indian Haryana Punjab High Court at Chandigarh seeking justice for three more Pakistani prisoners detained in Indian jails in most difficult circumstances.
Ansar Burney said that Pakistani national Asghar Ali, son of Mohammad Ali, resident of Jaranwala, district Faisalabad, was arrested in 1994 on immigration act and an Indian court sentenced him to three months imprisonment.
Burney said that Asghar Ali, had completed his sentence 16 years ago the same year his sentence was announced by the Session Court of India in 1994, but unfortunately for unknown reasons authorities failed to release and deport him to Pakistan. For this barbaric act of injustice in the last 16 long years, the innocent prisoner lost his full mental and physical balance, but still has hope in his eyes to be a free man soon.
Ansar Burney said that likewise, another Pakistani national, Fayyaz Ali, son of Rasheed Ali, mistakenly crossed the border and entered India at the age of 15, where he was arrested by the border security agencies and produced before District & Session Court of Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir, which sentenced him to five years rigorous imprisonment.
No tolerance for those involved in Faisalabad incidents, says minister
LAHORE, Kurrent News: The law regarding the registration of FIR is ambiguous and it needs rectification. Addressing a press conference at the Lahore Press Club here on Wednesday, Minister for Law, Rana Sanaullah Khan said: “The rectification of ambiguity in the FIR law is a federal subject and the Punjab government has written to the federal government in this regard.”
Regarding the Faisalabad incident, he said zero tolerance would be shown towards the people involved in the 12 Rabi-ul-Awwal incidents, which caused loss of life and property. “I appeal Maulana Sahibzada Fazl-e- Karim, Maulana Ahmad Ludhianvi and Maulana Zahir Qasmi to show restraint and tolerance and help the government in dealing with anti-state elements involved in these incidents.î
He said: “Any strike call should not be given since the government has ordered an inquiry into the incident.”
Regarding the allegations of his meetings with terrorists, he said Maulana Ludhianvi bagged 45,000 votes in the last election and questioned if all those voters were terrorists. Earlier, the minister denied that a court had issued orders for registration of an FIR against PML-N MPAs Allah Rakha and Haji Naveed Anjum.
Regarding the Faisalabad incident, he said zero tolerance would be shown towards the people involved in the 12 Rabi-ul-Awwal incidents, which caused loss of life and property. “I appeal Maulana Sahibzada Fazl-e- Karim, Maulana Ahmad Ludhianvi and Maulana Zahir Qasmi to show restraint and tolerance and help the government in dealing with anti-state elements involved in these incidents.î
He said: “Any strike call should not be given since the government has ordered an inquiry into the incident.”
Regarding the allegations of his meetings with terrorists, he said Maulana Ludhianvi bagged 45,000 votes in the last election and questioned if all those voters were terrorists. Earlier, the minister denied that a court had issued orders for registration of an FIR against PML-N MPAs Allah Rakha and Haji Naveed Anjum.
Pakistan, France for enhancing defence ties
ISLAMABAD, Kurrent News: Director, International Development Division of the DGA France, Jacques de Lajugie and Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, General Tariq Majid on Wednesday exchanged views on ways to bolster defence and security ties between the two countries.
Both the dignitaries also discussed matters of mutual interests, including Pak-India relations and regional security situation during the meeting held at the Joint Staff Headquarters. Lajugie lauded the contribution and sacrifices made by the people and Armed Forces of Pakistan in the war against terrorism and violent extremism and expressed solidarity and full support for Pakistan in dealing with multiple challenges. The JCSC chairman thanked the Government of France for its political support and assistance for capacity-building of the armed forces.
Both the dignitaries also discussed matters of mutual interests, including Pak-India relations and regional security situation during the meeting held at the Joint Staff Headquarters. Lajugie lauded the contribution and sacrifices made by the people and Armed Forces of Pakistan in the war against terrorism and violent extremism and expressed solidarity and full support for Pakistan in dealing with multiple challenges. The JCSC chairman thanked the Government of France for its political support and assistance for capacity-building of the armed forces.
Steps suggested for POF’s economic revival
ISLAMABAD, Kurrent News: The Senate Standing Committee on Defence on Wednesday highlighted the need for adoption of measures aimed at economic revival of the Pakistan Ordnance Factory.
The committee, headed by Lt-Gen (retd) Javed Ashraf Qazi, was given detailed briefing by the POF Board Chairman Lt-Gen Shujaat Zamir Dar during its daylong visit to the defence production complex.
The committee chairman stated that multi-pronged strategy was need of the hour to keep POF’s ball rolling at a pace. Elaborating, he said the POF may be accorded autonomous status as envisaged in the 1961 ordinance. He said the POF complex comprises 24 factories, including 14 of commercial nature with the remaining 10 for defence purpose. He said the complex needs to be given autonomy at individual level and each of its segments should be made bound to run independently and earn profits accordingly.
The committee was unanimous of the view that any political pressure for further appointments in the organization be resisted with the recommendation to the government to immediately impose ban on fresh appointments other than essential posts and for the technical sector. The committee also recommended that a body be formed for rationalization of the existing strength of staff with the aim to decrease financial burden.
The committee viewed that Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani may undertake a visit of this important defence unit and take on-the-spot decisions for remedy of various challenges confronting it.
Earlier, the POF chairman said the complex needs $ 250 million injection for the overhaul of the existing machinery at various factories. “In some of the cases the working age of various machines, installed in factories, has been over 30 years,” he said.
The committee, headed by Lt-Gen (retd) Javed Ashraf Qazi, was given detailed briefing by the POF Board Chairman Lt-Gen Shujaat Zamir Dar during its daylong visit to the defence production complex.
The committee chairman stated that multi-pronged strategy was need of the hour to keep POF’s ball rolling at a pace. Elaborating, he said the POF may be accorded autonomous status as envisaged in the 1961 ordinance. He said the POF complex comprises 24 factories, including 14 of commercial nature with the remaining 10 for defence purpose. He said the complex needs to be given autonomy at individual level and each of its segments should be made bound to run independently and earn profits accordingly.
The committee was unanimous of the view that any political pressure for further appointments in the organization be resisted with the recommendation to the government to immediately impose ban on fresh appointments other than essential posts and for the technical sector. The committee also recommended that a body be formed for rationalization of the existing strength of staff with the aim to decrease financial burden.
The committee viewed that Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani may undertake a visit of this important defence unit and take on-the-spot decisions for remedy of various challenges confronting it.
Earlier, the POF chairman said the complex needs $ 250 million injection for the overhaul of the existing machinery at various factories. “In some of the cases the working age of various machines, installed in factories, has been over 30 years,” he said.
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