PTI wants CIA Islamabad's chief nominated in drone killing

Pakistan Tehrik-e-insaf (PTI) on Wednesday instructed to the police in Hangu district to nominate the CIA Islamabad chief in the people killed in a U.S. drone strike November 21^st.

The American spy aircraft had targeted a religious school in Tal area of Hangu district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and killed six students and their teachers. It was the first American attack

PTI sent a letter to the police officer in Hangu district to nominate Central Intelligence Agency Station Chief in Islamabad, namely Craig Osth and CIA Director John O. Brennan for “committing the gross offences of committing murder and waging war against Pakistan” as indicated in the report in the police station.

Central spokesman of PTI, Dr Shiren Mazari, sent the letter to the police station on behalf of the party which said that Craig Osth is running an illegal clandestine spying operation throughout Pakistan but specifically in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and annexed Tribal Areas.

“Craig Osth and his allies throw a GPS (Global Positioning System) device at a targeted house/car and the Drone (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle), which is remotely controlled from undisclosed location, strikes at the target,” the letter said.

The letter released at a news conference that Craig Osth and his clandestine network which threw a GPS device on behest of the accused at the “Madressah” in Tal area and further ordered/conspired the missile strike, which killed and injured a large number of those present including children.

She said that Peshawar High Court has already declared such drone strikes illegal and violation of Pakistani and International laws in a verdict earlier this month.

“It is further stated that the names of the remote pilot of the November 21^st drone and other involved is not known at the moment but can be ascertained through interrogation of Craig Osth, and/or the undersigned tends to inform the police on knowledge of the same.”

The letter said Craig Osth is currently residing and operating from the United States Embassy situated in Diplomatic Enclave in Islamabad, which is a clear violation of diplomatic norms and laws as a foreign mission cannot be used for any criminal activity within a sovereign state.

“CIA Station Chief is not a diplomatic post therefore he does not enjoy any diplomatic immunity and is within the bounds of domestic laws of Pakistan. It is a fact that the nominated accused Craig Osth is not a Pakistani citizen,  but under Pakistan Penal Code he is clearly subject to the jurisdiction of Pakistan,” the letter further said.

Following is the text of the letter:

"STATION HOUSE OFFICER (SHO) TAL POLICE STATION DISTRICT HANGU KHYBER PAKHTUNKWA Subject: Recording of Statement of the undersigned for nominating the accused persons responsible for Hangu drone strike on November 21, 2013 Sir

I, the undersigned would like to record my statement on behalf of my party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf as its Central Information Secretary wherein I would like to nominate the accused persons behind the drone strike that occurred on 21-11-2013 in the vicinity of your police station and within the sovereign territory of Pakistan, and against which you have already filed an FIR No. 555 dated 21.11.2013 against unknown individuals. It is through this statement that I would like to nominate the U.S clandestine agency CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) Station Chief in Islamabad, namely Craig Osth and CIA Director John O. Brennan  for committing the gross offences of committing murder and waging war against Pakistan as indicated in the FIR lodged in your police station.

It has further come to my knowledge that Craig Osth is running an illegal clandestine spying operation throughout Pakistan but specifically in KP and annexed Tribal Areas, wherein Craig Osth and his allies (names not known yet) throw a GPS (Global Positioning System) device at a targeted house/car and the Drone (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle), which is remotely controlled from undisclosed location, strikes at the target. In the instant case it was Craig Osth and his clandestine network which threw a GPS device on behest of the accused at the Madressah in Tal and further ordered/conspired the missile strike, which killed and injured a large number of those present including children. It is pertinent to mention here that the Honor’ble Peshawar High Court has already declared such drone strikes illegal and violation of Pakistani and International laws vide its judgment dated 09-11-13 titled Foundation for Fundamental Rights Vs Federation of Pakistan. It is further stated that the names of the remote pilot of said drone and other involved is not known at the moment but can be ascertained through interrogation of Craig Osth, and/or the undersigned tends to inform the police on knowledge of the same. Craig Osth is currently residing and operating from the United States Embassy situated in Diplomatic Enclave in Islamabad, which is a clear violation of diplomatic norms and laws as a foreign mission cannot be used for any criminal activity within a sovereign state. CIA Station Chief is not a diplomatic post therefore he does not enjoy any diplomatic immunity and is within the bounds of domestic laws of Pakistan. It is a fact that the nominated accused Craig Osth is not a Pakistani citizen,  but under Pakistan Penal Code he is clearly subject to the jurisdiction of Pakistan. Under Section 3 of Pakistan Penal Code it is clearly stated that:

 “

 Any person liable, by any Pakistan Law, to be tried for an offence committed beyond Pakistan shall be dealt with according to the provision of this Code for any act committed beyond Pakistan in the same manner as if such act had been committed within Pakistan.”

Furthermore, Section 2 of Pakistan Penal Code states:

“Every person shall be liable to punishment under this Code an

d not otherwise  for every act or omission contrary to the provisions thereof, of which he shall be

 guilty within Pakistan”

“Every person” has been explained by the superior courts to include all persons

without limitation and irrespective of nationality, allegiance, rank, status, caste, colour or creed [PLD 1958 SC (Ind.) 115]. The undersigned believes that Craig Osth is guilty of committing an offence u/s 302, 319, 109, 121 PPC and/or u/s 7 ATA or any other penal clause which might be attracted. The undersigned is further concerned that the accused Craig Osth might try to avoid the course of law and run away from the country, therefore it is requested that Ministry of Interior be contacted to put his name on ECL (Exit Control List). It is further stated that the undersigned will name others who were involved in the drone strike that occurred on 21.11.2013 in Tal, on any further information.

In light of the above, it is requested that you may kindly add names of Craig Osth and John O. Brennan in the list of accused persons in the FIR registered on 21.11.2013. Yours

Sincerely

Dr. Shireen M. Mazari, Central Information Secretary Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf Copy to: 

1.I.G.P Khyber Pakhtunkwa 

2.District Police Officer (DPO) Hangu District

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Pakistan welcomes interim agreement on Iran nuclear issue

Pakistan on Sunday welcomed the understanding reached between Iran and P-5 Plus One in Geneva on the Iran nuclear issue. 

Iran and the world powers meeting in Geneva said earlier they have reached a deal on Tehran's nuclear programme.

“As a brotherly neighboring country of Iran, Pakistan has always underscored the importance of finding a peaceful solution to this issue,” the Pakistani Foreign Ministry said.

“We have also been stressing the need to avert confrontation over Iran’s nuclear program which had the potential to destabilize our region,” the Foreign Ministry spokesman said.

He said that the understanding is an important development, which should augur well for peace and security in our region and the world at large.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif announced on Twitter that Tehran and the P5+1 group -- the five UN Security Council permanent members Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States plus Germany, have struck the deal.

After intensive negotiations, the P5+1 group and Iran have reached a first-step agreement on Iran's nuclear program, EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton announced early Sunday morning.

According to the White House, Iran has been committed to halting enrichment above 5 percent and neutralizing its stockpile of near-20 percent uranium by means of dilution or converting.

Furthermore, Iran has been committed not to installing more centrifuges, halting work at its plutonium reactor at Arak, and allowing inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency daily access to its enrichment facilities at Natanz and Fordow, the White House said.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has warmly welcomed the interim agreement, congratulating the negotiators "for the progress made in what could turn out to be the beginnings of a historic agreement for the peoples and nations of the Middle East region and beyond."

The UN chief called on all members of the international community to support this process which, "if allowed to succeed, is likely to be to the long-term benefit of all parties."

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham said on Sunday "The nature of (Geneva) agreement was a success for Iran's negotiating team."

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U.S. drone hits religious school in Pakistan, kills 8

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An American spy aircraft Thursday fired missiles on a religious school in northwest Pakistan and killed at least five people, sources in the area said.

The U.S. unmanned drone fired three missiles on ‘Maktaba Dar-ul-Uloom’ in Hangu district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province

Those killed include students and teachers of the school at Tull area, local security sources said.

They said eight people were killed in the early morning strike, the first U.S. drone attack in the area.

U.S. aircraft routinely carry out attacks in Wazristan tribal region.

Residents joined students of the religious school in rescue operation and pulled the bodies and injured out of the rubbles.

The injured were shifted to a local hospital.

The U.S. carried out the strike a day after Pakistan’s national security adviser, Sartaj Aziz, told a Senate committee that Washington has promised not to launch attacks during Pakistani government talks with the Taliban.

Aziz told the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday the U.S. drone strike which killed the Taliban chief, Hakimullah Mehsud, this month, has harmed the government peace talks with the militants.

Mehsud was killed when American spy aircraft rained missiles into North Waziristan tribal region on November 1st just a day before a team of top Islamic scholars were to meet him to discuss about the agenda and venue for the negotiations.

Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan or TTP refused to talk to the government after the killing of their chief and also announced revenge attacks.

The U.S. November 1st strike was widely condemned in Pakistan as the government had accused Washington of sabotaging peace process.

Ruling coalition in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has announced to block supply route for NATO forces from November 23rd as a protest against the drone strikes.

The issue of drone strikes is a source of tension between Pakistan and the U.S. as Washington is in no mood to change its covert operation despite Islamabad’s public condemnation.

The U.S. insists Pakistan has failed to act against the al-Qaeda operatives and Taliban militants in Waziristan tribal region who are accused of cross-border attacks into Afghanistan.     

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Pakistan says US not to carry out drone attack during Taliban talks

The United States has assured Pakistan not to carry out any drone strike during peace talks with the Taliban, the country’s top security adviser said.

Sartaj Aziz, who also deals with the foreign affairs, told the Senate Foreign Affairs committee in Islamabad, that the U.S. drone strike which killed the Taliban chief, Hakimullah Mehsud, this month, has harmed the government peace talks with the militants.

Mehsud was killed when American spy aircraft rained missiles into North Waziristan tribal region on November 1^st just a day before a team of top Islamic scholars were to meet him to discuss about the agenda and venue for the negotiations.

Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan or TTP refused to talk to the government after the killing of their chief and also announced revenge attacks.

“The U.S. drone which killed the Taliban leader harmed Pakistan’s peace initiative,” Mr Aziz told the Senate committee convened to discuss the status of the government peace efforts.

“The United States has now assured Pakistan that it will not launch any drone strike when talks with the Taliban are started,” the security adviser said.

He informed the committee members that the government had been in contact with Hakimullah Mehsud and a team was scheduled to meet him in North Waziristan but the visit had to be cancelled after the U.S. strike.

“Hakimullah Mehsud was wanted to the U.S. targeted him as he had been a high value target for them,” the Pakistani adviser said.

The U.S. November 1^st strike was widely condemned in Pakistan as the government had accused Washington of sabotaging peace process.

Ruling coalition in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has announced to block supply route for NATO forces from November 23^rd as a protest against the drone strikes.

The cricketer-turned politician, Imran Khan, whose Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf party rules the province, has said the blockade of the route will continue unless the U.S. stops drone attacks.

The issue of drone strikes is a source of tension between Pakistan and the U.S. as Washington is in no mood to change its covert operation despite Islamabad’s public condemnation.

The U.S. insists Pakistan has failed to act against the al-Qaeda operatives and Taliban militants in Waziristan tribal region who are accused of cross-border attacks into Afghanistan.    

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PM approves special court’s judges for Musharraf’s trial

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Tuesday approved names of three judges for a special court to try former President Pervez Musharraf for high treason for abrogating the country’s constitution, the PM office said.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan announced on Sunday that the government has decided to put Musharraf on trial as he had suspended the constitution when he imposed emergency rule in 2007.

The government had approached the Supreme Court to constitute a special court for Musharraf’s trial and the Chief Justice sent five names of the high court judges to the government to choose three among the list.

"Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has approved names of three Judges for the special court for trial of General (Retired) Pervez Musharraf under Article 6 of the Constitution of Pakistan," a statement from the PM office said.

Article 6 of the Constitution deals with the high treason charges, which carry death penalty or life imprisonment, according to the legal experts. 

The Prime Minister office said the special court will be headed by senior most judge, Justice Faisal Arab, of the High Court in southern Sindh province. Justice Syeda Tahira Safdar of southwestern Balochistan High Court and Justice Yawar Ali of the Lahore High Court will be members of the court, it said.

The Supreme Court had earlier accepted the government’s request to establish a special court for the trial of the former military.

Musharraf had taken over in a bloodless coup when he had dismissed then government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in 1999. 

The PM office said, “the criteria for selection of the three judges was strictly based on merit of seniority.”

The government, in a letter to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court had requested to establish the special court in Islamabad.

It is the first time in Pakistan’s 66-year history that a former military leader will be tried for high treason.

In June Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had announced high treason trial of Peevez Musharraf in his speech to the the National Assembly or lower house of parliament less than three weeks after returning as premier following his PML-N party's victory in the general elections.

Musharraf's actions came under the purview of "high treason", Sharif had told the Parliament.

The 69-year-old former army chief, currently lives in his farmhouse in Islamabad after he got bails in three high profile cases including the 2007 assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

Musharraf, who had resigned in 2008 and had gone into exile, returned to the country in March this year to take part in parliamentary elections. However, a court disqualified him from standing in the May elections.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said that Musharraf cannot leave the country as his name is included in the list of those who are barred from going abroad.

Investigators from the Federal Investigation Agency has already questioned Musharraf as to why and on whose behest had had imposed emergency rule in the country?

The government has also submitted a report by the investigators, the Interior Ministry says.

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Pakistan announces to initiate high treason trial of Musharraf

 

Pakistan on Sunday announced that it has formally started high treason proceedings against the former military President Pervez Musharraf and will approach the country’s top court to form a judicial commission.

Musharraf, in a bloodless coup, had sacked the elected government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in 1999 and also suspended the constitution when he declared emergency in 2007.

Interior Minister, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said on Sunday Pervez Musharraf will be tried for high treason for subverting the Constitution twice.

“The government will approach the Supreme Court of Pakistan on Monday and will request the Chief Justice to constitute a three-member judicial commission for the high treason trial,” Khan told a news conference in Islamabad.

He said that an inquiry report prepared by a team of the Federal Investigation Agency will be presented in the apex court.

The team had questioned Musharraf as to why he had dismissed the elected government and in what circumstances had he imposed emergency.

Legal experts are of the view that if Musharraf is convicted of high treason, he could face a possible death sentence or life imprisonment.

In June Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had announced high treason trial of Peevez Musharraf in his speech to the the National Assembly or lower house of parliament less than three weeks after returning as premier following his PML-N party's victory in the General Election.

Musharraf's actions came under the purview of "high treason", Sharif had told the Parliament.

The 69-year-old former army chief, currently lives in his farmhouse in Islamabad after he got bails in three high profile cases including the 2007 assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

Sharif had earlier told the parliament his government firmly believes that the holding in abeyance of the Constitution on November 3, 2007 during imposition of emergency rule constituted an act of high treason under the Constitution of Pakistan.

The Interior Minister told the news conference that the government was bound to proceed against the former President as “we are answerable to the nation, the judiciary and the history.”

“We do not have any political or personal grudge with Musharraf but it is our responsibility to put Musharraf on trial,” Khan said.

Musharraf, who had resigned in 2008 and had gone into exile, returned to the country in March this year to take part in parliamentary elections. However, a court disqualified him from standing in the May elections.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said that Musharraf cannot leave the country as his name is included in the list of those who are barred from going abroad.

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Firing incidents in Rawalpindi claim seven lives

Firing incidents in Rawalpindi late Friday claimed at least seven lives, police and hospital sources said.

Miscreants attacked a mosque and a cloth market in busy Raja Bazar area of Rawalpindi when the procession of Yaum-e-Ashur was peacefully passing through the area.

Troops were called out to restore peace as the police and the paramilitary soldiers were unable to deal with the miscreants.

Some witnesses said that several participants in the procession started firing after people on the rooftops fired in the air.

Doctors at the city’s main hospital confirmed seven people dead and over 30 other were injured.

Some unidentified people also beat press photographers and cameramen and broke their cameras, media groups said.

Police officers were also beaten and reportedly some miscreants snatched guns from some of the police officers.

Troops evacuated people from the mosque and the marketplace and shifted them to safe places. They had been stuck up in the firing.

Fire fighters were called to control the blaze at the cloth market. Witnesses said that fire gutted nearly 100 shops.

Some participants in the Muharram procession said that when they reached Raja Bazaar area, some unidentified persons threw stones at the procession and later people at the nearby building started firing from the rooftop.

The firing created panic among the people and they started running to safe places.

The paramilitary soldiers and the police intervened to stop firing but they failed to control the situation. The local authorities sought help of the army and troops later took positions and restored normalcy.

 
Terrorists burnt a mosque in Rawalpindi's busy Raja Bazar and attacked shops Friday evening after firing took place during the Muharram's procession, witnesses said.

Police sources confirmed three people were killed during the firing. It was not clear as to who started firing. Residents said that people were firing from the roofs of buildings in the area.

Sources said that army was called out to restore peace as the police had failed to deal with the miscreants.

Some of the terrorists attacked a mosque and shops and they also beat press photographers and cameramen. Some cameras were also broken.

Angry mob also beat police officers who were deployed for security of the main yaum-e-Ashur procession.

Some reports said that the troops evacuated people from the mosque and shifted them to safe places.

Afghanistan should not allow use of territory against Pakistan

  

Pakistan on Wednesday urged Afghanistan not to allow its soil to be used against it days after the Pakistani Taliban elected a new chief, who Pakistani officials say, operate from the neighbouring country.

Pakistani Taliban elected Maulvi Fazalullah following the killing of Hakimullah Mehsud in a U.S. drone attack on November 1^st.

Fazalullah, who had led his fighters in Swat valley in 2009 in bloody campaign against the Pakistani forces, later fled Afghanistan and regrouped his fighters in the border province of Nuristan, Pakistan security officials say.

The army says Fazalullah fighters have carried out series of deadly attacks on Pakistani border posts and killed dozens of soldiers and civilians in the border regions.

Fazalullah appeared in a video last month and claimed responsibility for the roadside bomb attack that killed Major General Sanaullah Niazi in Dir District in September.

Foreign Ministry spokesman, Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry, Wednesday said Pakistan has made it clear on Afghanistan several times that it should not allow the use of its territory against Pakistan.

“We are confident that Afghanistan will take the required steps in this regard,” the spokesman said when asked about the presence of the new Chief of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan Fazalullah in Afghanistan at his weekly briefing.

Kabul has never officially confirmed the presence of Pakistani militants and Afghan Foreign Ministry spokesman, Janan Mosazai, said on Sunday that Afghanistan will never allow its territory to be used against neighbours particularly Pakistan.

To a question, the spokesman said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s visit to Kabul is on the cards but no dates have yet been fixed.

When asked about the whereabouts of the Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Bradar, the spokesperson said that he is in Pakistan and can contact his family members.

“Pakistan had released Mullah Bradar to advance the Afghan peace and reconciliation process,” he said, adding Pakistan will continue to play positive role to the Afghan peace and reconciliation process.

     

To another question, Mr Chaudhry said Pakistan’s national security adviser, Sartaj Aziz delivered a message of goodwill to Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, in his courtesy call in New Delhi on Wednesday.

He said Sartaj Aziz affirmed desire of Pakistan to have friendly and peaceful neighborly relations with India.

“The advisor also expressed Pakistan's desire for resumption of dialogue process,” the spokesman said, adding Pakistan wants resumption of dialogue process with India for the resolution of all outstanding issues.

Regarding the meetings of Sartaj Aziz  with the Indian External Affairs Minister and the Indian National Security Advisor he said both sides discussed all issues including the situation on Line of Control, where forces of the two countries have exchanged fire over the past few months.

He said Director Generals of Military Operations of both the countries have made a number of contacts on the line of control situation and concurred to normalize situation at the working boundary. He said that ceasefire agreement of 2003 should be respected for peaceful environment between the two neighbors.

Afghanistan’s Haqqani Network leader, Nasser-ud-Din shot dead

Unidentified gunmen have assassinated senior leader of Afghanistan’s Haqqani Network, Dr Naseer-ud-Din Haqqani in the outskirts of Islamabad, Taliban said on Monday.

Dr Naseer came under attack late Sunday in Barakau area when he had been returning home from evening prayer, they said.

"The dead body was later sent to Miranshah and buried there," a Haqqani Network official said. His family sources also confirmed the incident.

Slain Naseer-ud-Din Haqqani was responsible for fund-raising, logistics and political affairs of the Haqqani Network, the network sources said.

“Naseer-ud-Din was also in-charge of the foreign affairs of the Network on the special instructions of his father,” a network leader said.

He had been dealing with the Network’s peace process when the Taliban involved in dialogue time to time.

He was elder among the sons of Jalaluddin Haqqani, a known Jehadi leader and former Taliban minister. He was believed to be of 43-year of age.

Naseer is the fourth son of Jalaluddin Haqqani who has been killed in fighting and U.S. drone attacks.

His brother, Badruddin Haqqani was killed a US drone attack in North Waziristan in August this year.

Muhammad Haqqani, 22, Nasser’s another brother, was killed in American drone attack in North Waziristan in 2009. Umer Haqqani was the youngest son of Jalaluddin Haqqani died in fighting in Afghanistan in the age of 17 in 2008.  

Eye witnesses said a bearded man arrived at the market in his black-colour car with the driver to buy bread from a shop in a small market on Simly Dam road in Barakau. "He was standing outside the 'nan-shop' when the gunmen opened fire at him. The gunmen, riding motorcycles, later fled," witnesses told reporters on Monday.  

Eye witnesses said that a young man working in a shop was also injured when the gunmen sprayed dozens of bullets. He was taken to a local hospital and is under treatment.

No one claimed responsibility for the assassination of the Naseer-ud-Din.

Police sources confirmed the firing incident but refused to confirm identity of the Haqqani Network leader.

Pakistani Taliban Monday confirmed the killing of Naseer-ud-Din Haqqani.

Spokesman for Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, Shahidullah Shahid, confirmed the killing of Dr. Naseer-ud-Din Haqqani.

"We will take revenge of the murder," the TTP spokesman told the media persons by the phone.

Afghan Taliban spokesman, Qari Muhammad Yousaf, denied Pakistani media reports that slain Nasser-ud-Din was using the name of the Zabihullah Mujahid, another Afghan Taliban spokesman.

"He was not Zabihullah Mujahid," Qari Yousaf said in a text message after section of the media reported that the slain leader of the Haqqani Network was Zabihullah Mujahid who usually contacts the media to claim responsibility for Taliban attacks in Afghanistan.

PEACE ROLE: Naseer-ud-Din Haqqani had been deeply involved in the Taliban's Qatar peace process and had also visited Doha after the Taliban opened office in June, a Qatar-based Taliban negotiator said.

"He was in Qatar days after the office had been opened but was not a regular member of dialogue process," he said.

"He used to visit UAE for meetings with the Taliban leaders as part of their peace process, to share his suggestions and to keep himself abreast of the dialogue process," the Taliban leader said.

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Pakistan‚ Kuwait sign three cooperation agreements

Pakistan and Kuwait Monday signed three Memorandums of Understand for promotion of cooperation in different fields during the visit of Kuwaiti Prime Minister, officials said.

   

Kuwaiti Prime Minister, Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah arrived in Islamabad on Sunday evening on a three-day official visit for wide ranging talks with Pakistani leadership.

Interior Ministers of both the countries signed the agreement for exchange of prisoners after the official talks.   

Other two agreements were related to the fields of labor and investment. 

The visiting Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and his Pakistan counterpart Nawaz Sharif and witnessed the signing ceremony.

Earlier‚ the delegation level talks between Pakistan and Kuwait were held at the Prime Minister House Islamabad and the two sides discussed promotion of economic and trade cooperation.

Both Prime Ministers led their respective delegations, spokesman for the Prime Minister said.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar‚ Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan‚ Information Minister Senator Pervez Rashid and Foreign Secretary also attended the talks.                       

Kuwaiti Prime Minister was accorded a warm welcome on his arrival at the Prime Minister House Monday.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif received the distinguished guest.  National anthems of the two countries were played.  The Kuwaiti Prime Minister inspected guard of honour.

Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak is leading a high level delegation including several Ministers, top government officials and businessmen.  

It is also the first visit by any top Kuwaiti leader to Pakistan in seven years.

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Pakistan appoints top diplomat Jalil Abbas Jilani as ambassador to U.S.

Pakistan Friday announced appointment of its top diplomat Mr. Jalil Abbas Jilani as the country’s new Ambassador to the United States.

Mr Jilani is currently holding the post of Foreign Secretary at the Foreign Ministry.   

“The government has decided to appoint Foreign Secretary Mr. Jalil Abbas Jilani as Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States of America,” the Foreign Ministry said.

Mr. Jalil Abbas Jilani will join his new assignment in December.

He is a career diplomat and prior to his current appointment, he served as Ambassador of Pakistan to Belgium, Luxembourg and the European Union. He also interacted with the NATO HQ based in Brussels on regular basis.

From 1990 to 1992, Ambassador Jilani served as Deputy Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Secretariat.

His other overseas assignments include: Jeddah (1983-1985), London (1985-1988), Washington (1995-1999) and High Commissioner to Canberra, Australia (2007-2009).

Ambassador Jalil Abbas Jilani joined the Foreign Service of Pakistan in 1979. He was appointed as Foreign Secretary in March 2012. In 2005 he also served as the Government’s Spokesman on Foreign Affairs.

Ambassador Jilani, born on 2 February 1955, holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Law and M.Sc. in Defence and Strategic Studies. In his professional life, he has specialized in South Asian affairs and remained Director India (1992-1995), Deputy High Commissioner/Acting High Commissioner to New Delhi (1999-2003) and Director General South Asia and SAARC (2003-2007).

                   

Pakistan rejects BBC report on Saudi nuclear cooperation

Pakistan on Thursday dismissed as “entirely baseless and mischievous” a Western media report alleging nuclear cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

BBC Newsnight has reported that Saudi Arabia has invested in Pakistani nuclear weapons projects, and believes it could obtain atomic bombs at will.

Rejecting the BBC story the Foreign Ministry said Pakistan is a responsible nuclear weapons state with robust command and control structure and comprehensive export controls.

“Pakistan supports objectives of non-proliferation as well as nuclear safety and security,” the Foreign Ministry spokesman in a rejoinder to the BBC.

“As a responsible nuclear state, Pakistan is fully aware of its responsibilities. Pakistan’s nuclear programme is purely for its own legitimate self defence and maintenance of a credible, minimum deterrence,” he said in a statement.

        

The Spokesman also drew the media’s attention to the  joint statement by Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and President Barack Obama issued on 24 October 2013, which referred to President Obama’s appreciation of Pakistan’s constructive engagement with the Nuclear Security Summit process and its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency and other international forums.

“At the same time, President Obama acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts to improve its strategic trade controls and enhance its engagement with multilateral export regime. Prime Minister Sharif affirmed Pakistan’s support for the universal objectives of non-proliferation and disarmament.”

The spokesman recalled that President Obama reiterated his confidence in Pakistan’s commitment and dedication to nuclear security and recognize that Pakistan is fully engaged with the international community on nuclear safety and security issues.

“There can be no better affirmation of the international community’s recognition of Pakistan’s commitment and adherence to the goals of non-proliferation,” he said.

BBC reported Wednesday that Saudi Arabia has given generous financial assistance to Pakistan's defence sector, including, western experts allege, to its missile and nuclear labs.

Visits by the then Saudi defence minister Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz al Saud to the Pakistani nuclear research centre in 1999 and 2002 underlined the closeness of the defence relationship, the BBC said.

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Maulvi Fazalullah appointed new chief of Pakistani Taliban

Pakistani Taliban Thursday appointed Maulvi Fazalullah as new chief six days after their chief, Hakimullah Mehsud, was killed in a U.S. drone strike.

The Taliban spokesman, Shahidullah Shahid, told the media persons by the phone, that Fazalullah, was appointed at a meeting of senior commanders who met at a secret location in North Waziristan said.

Fazalullah, who headed a bloody campaign against the security forces in northwestern Swat valley in 2008-2009, later fled to Afghanistan and regrouped his fighters there.

Pakistani security officials say Fazalullah, also known as Mullah radio, is operating from Afghanistan’s Nuristan province and has carried out several attacks on Pakistani forces in the border regions.

Analysts say that appointment of Fazalullah could complicate the proposed dialogue process with the government as he is considered one of the hardliners among the Pakistani Taliban.

A tribal affairs expert Mehmood Shah said that the security forces had defeated Fazalullah in 2009 during a major operation and dialogue with him could not be held.

Pakistani government has, on several occasions, demanded of the Afghan government to hand over Fazalullah. Afghan government has never officially confirmed his presence in Nuristan.

Commanders from other tribal regions also attended the meeting presided over by Asmatullah Shaheen, head of the central council of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, the Taliban spokesman said.

Sheikh Khalid Haqqani was appointed as the TTP deputy chief.

The new chief appointment was delayed due to Taliban’s internal differences over the appointment of a new chief as there had been several strong aspirants for the top position. Taliban had denied differences and cited some logistic problems in the gathering of the members of the central council to elect new chief.

Taliban ruled out possibility of the long-awaited talks with the government following the death of their leader, Hakimullah Mehsud. The Taliban leaders say the gov’t has “failed” to stop the U.S. drone strikes.

Pakistani government had angrily reacted to the Friday’s drone attack and termed it as a move to scuttle the peace process with the Taliban. Interior Minister, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, says that the killing of Hakimullah Mehsud, in the U.S. drone attack has caused serious tension with Washington.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has however said his government will pursue the dialogue process with the Taliban to stop more bloodshed in the country.

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Judge issues Pervez Musharraf's release order

A court in Islamabad on Wednesday ordered the release of former President Pervez Musharraf two days after he was granted bail in the murder case of the deputy chief of Islamabad’s Red Mosque.

The former president has already got bails in two other high profile cases -- the 2007 assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and the murder of senior tribal leader Nawab Akbar Bugti, who was killed in 2006 in a military operation.

Additional Session Judge, Wajid Ali, ordered Musharraf should be released as his lawyers deposited two surety bonds, each of one hundred thousand rupees.

Lawyers say the former President is likely to be set free later on Wednesday after the written ordered is reached at his farmhouse in Islamabad which has been detained over the past few months.

Musharraf's defence lawyer, Ilyas Siddiqi, said the former President is now a free man and that he can go anywhere he wants.

"Pervez Musharraf has been granted bails in all cases. There are no restrictions on his movement," Siddiqi told reporters after the court issued his release order.

The lawyer also demanded removal of Musharraf's name from the Exit Control List.

Musharraf was formally arrested in the murder case of Abdul Rashid Ghazi, the senior cleric of the Red Mosque who was killed in the military operation during Musharraf rule in 2007. Nearly 90 religious students and 11 security personnel had been killed during the three-day clashes in July 2007.

Musharraf was accused of issuing orders for the military raid on the mosque and its girls' religious school "Jamia Hafsa" after some of the armed students took control of the buildings and had refused to surrender. 

Musharraf's lawyers argued in the court that the former President had not issued any written order for the military raid on the militants-affiliated “Lal Masjid” and that then government had been dealing the matter.

It is widely believed in Pakistan that bail to Musharraf in the mosque case has paved the way for his possible going abroad. However, a Musharraf's lawyer insisted that the former military leader will not leave the country.

Some opposition leaders say that the government and the former president have entered into a secret deal that will allow Musharraf to leave the country. But the government has not confirmed any deal.

Musharraf returned to the country in March after a nearly four- year self exile to take part in elections. However, a court had disqualified him for standing in the May elections.

The former president, who leads All Pakistan Muslim League, is under detention at his farmhouse in Islamabad and his lawyers are now confident that he will soon be a free man.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan says that former military ruler, Pervez Musharraf, cannot leave the country as his name is included in the list of those who are barred from going abroad.

"Musharraf's name was on Exit Control List and it would not be removed till the court's decision," Khan told reporters last week.

The former military ruler also faces high treason case and an investigation team has already questioned him as to why he had suspended the constitution when he had imposed emergency in 2007. The high treason case was initiated after Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, announced in June his government has formally approached the Supreme Court for Musharraf’s trial.

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Pakistani Taliban release photo of chief killed in US drone strike

Pakistani Taliban Monday released photo of their chief, Hakimullah Mehsud, who was killed in a U.S. drone strike on Friday, on a social website.

Mehsud was killed along with his driver and guard in North Waziristan tribal region when U.S. spay aircraft rained missiles on his vehicle and his house.

Only Hakimullah face with bloods was shown in the photo and another man not seen in picture has kept hand on his forehead apparently trying to stop blood.

Taliban sources confirmed the picture and said it was taken shortly after the drone attack which also killed five other Taliban men.

Hakimullah was secretly buried hours after he was targeted in the strike that has caused uproar in Pakistan as the government accused the U.S. of sabotaging plan to hold talks with the Taliban.

The national parliament will meet shortly to discuss the situation arising out of the drone attack and its fallout.

The government has also decided to review relations with the U.S. and its possible steps to respond to the strikes.

Nawaz Sharif criticizes US drone strikes in address to military officers

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Monday used his speech to military officers to criticize U.S. drone strikes following a recent drone attack that killed the Taliban chief, Hakimullah Mehsud and ultimately scuttled peace talks with the militants.

Taliban say they will not hold talks hold with the government and will also take revenge of the killing of their leader.

Interior Minister, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan accused the U.S. of frustrating the government peace initiative with Taliban.

The U.S. says dialogue with the Taliban is Pakistan’s internal matter and that Pakistan and the US had a "shared strategic interest in ending extremist violence".

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif did not specifically mention the Friday’s attack but reiterated Pakistan’s stance against the drone attacks.

“The Government of Pakistan has made its position clear that (U.S.) drone strikes constituted a violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and violative of international humanitarian laws,” Mr Sharif said.

He told military officers at the conclusion of exercises in Punjab province that the drone attacks are also counter-productive to the Pakistan’s efforts for bringing peace and stability in Pakistan and the region.  

Pakistan insists the drone strikes complicate the war on terror and spark anti-US sentiments however has not indicated any change in the CIA-control covert drone mission.

Senior Pakistani officials say the U.S. had earlier promised not to carry out drone attacks during the talks with the Taliban but now they say Washington has did not fulfill its commitment.

Taliban spokesman, Shahidullah Shahid, says the group will not hold talks with the government as it has failed to stop drone strikes.

The Friday drone killed the Taliban chief when a group of top clerics, on behalf of the government, were scheduled to visit Waziristan tribal region to discuss agenda and venue for the proposed talks with the Taliban.

Prime Minister Sharif also reiterated his government policy to opt for dialogue despite the drone strike and said that economic development is closely linked to peace and security.  He recalled that top political leaders had unanimously underlined the imperative need of giving peace a chance at a govt-sponsored conference in September.

“My Government is firmly resolved to bringing the cycle of bloodshed and violence to an end, but it cannot be done over-night, nor can it be done by unleashing senseless force against our citizens, without first making every effort to bring the misguided and confused elements of society, back to the mainstream,” Mr Sharif said.

The Prime Minister stressed to ensure that the political parties, military, and civil society are on the same page, so as to create the enabling environment necessary to tackle the menace of terrorism.

  

Court grants bail to Musharraf in Lal Masjid's military raid case

A court on Monday granted bail to former military ruler Pervez Musharraf in the case of a military raid on the militants-affiliated Islamabad' Red Mosque during his rule in 2007, which led to the killing of nearly 90 religious students, lawyers said.

Musharraf was formally arrested in the case last month after son of the deputy of the mosque, Abdul Rashid Ghazi, who was killed in the military operation, had filed a case against him.

The former President has already got bails in two other high profile cases – the 2007 assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and the murder of senior tribal leader Nawab Akbar Bugti, who was killed in 2006 in a military operation.

Bail to Musharraf in the mosque case has paved the way for his possible going abroad. However, a Musharraf’s lawyer told reporters on Monday that the former military leader will not leave the country.

Some opposition leaders say that the government and the former president has entered into a secret deal that will allow Musharraf to leave the country. The government has also not confirmed any deal.

Additional Session Judge, Wajid Ali, granted bail to Pervez Musharraf and ordered him to deposit two surety bonds, each of one hundred thousand rupees, a Musharraf’s lawyer told reporters after the court’s verdict.

Prosecution had accused the former President of ordering the military operation, which led to the killing of students, and opposed bail to him.

Musharraf’s defence lawyer, Ilyas Siddiqi, however told the court that there is no written order to suggest the former military leader had issued any order for the operation. Nearly 11 security men were also killed during exchange of firing with the religious students.

The military had launched military raid on the mosque after the students, some of them armed, refused to surrender. Ten security personnel had also been killed in exchange of firing.

Musharraf had defended the operation and stated that the militants had taken control of the mosque, adjoining girls religious and a government's children library.

Musharraf returned to the country in March after a nearly four-year self exile to take part in elections. However, a court had disqualified him for standing in the May elections.

The former President, who leads All Pakistan Muslim League, is under detention at his farmhouse in Islamabad and his lawyers are now confident that he will soon be a free man.

Pakistan summons U.S. ambassador over drone attack

Pakistan on Saturday summoned the U.S. ambassador to the Foreign Ministry and a formal protest was lodged over the American drone strike which killed the Taliban Chief, Hakimullah Mehsud.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said that a protest demarche was served on the U.S. ambassador that the strike has killed the peace process.

The Minister accused the United States of ‘killing the peace’ through a drone strike which killed the Pakistani Taliban Chief, Hakimullah Mehsud.

The Minister told a hurriedly called press conference that the government had finalized a strategy to begin talks with the Taliban but the U.S. drone strike in North Waziristan tribal region has caused a serious setback to the process.

A three-member delegation of the country’s top religious scholars was scheduled to leave for Waziristan Saturday morning to meet the Taliban to discuss the possible agenda and decide place

The visit was cancelled following the drone strike.

“It is the murder of the peace and peace efforts by the government of Pakistan,” the Minister said after he presided over a high level meeting on the situation arising out the murder of the Taliban chief.

“The U.S. has ambushed the peace process from the back,” Mr Chaudhry said.

The Minister disclosed that there had been progress towards the peace talks with the Taliban and both sides had also exchanged messages and had established “positive contacts”.

He said that the U.S. ambassador in Islamabad had met him and offered certain conditions to stop drone strikes but he had rejected the offer and told him that halt to the strikes is Pakistan’s public and clear demand.

Talking about his discussions with the U.S. ambassador, he said the ambassador had offered a secret understanding on the drone strikes but he dismissed the proposal and insisted that everything will be in writing and public.

“The U.S. ambassador assured me that drones will not target the TTP but will hit those who will cross into Afghanistan from Pakistan as no one knows about the movement,” he added.

Mr Chaudhry said that the government had earlier planned to start talks with the Taliban but series of attacks including one on the top military officers over the past two months had affected the process.

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