PTI Strongly Condemns Shahbaz Bhatti's Murder

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has strongly condemned the brutal murder of Minorities Minister Shahbaz Bhatti, saying the incident shows government’s total failure in curbing terrorism within the country. How a government that cannot protect its ministers be expected to provide security to its people, they questioned. In a joint statement issued here on Wednesday, the PTI Chairman Imran Khan, Secretary General Dr Arif Alvi, Brig (r) Samson Simon Sharaf, Information Secretary Omer Cheema and Women wing president Fauzia Kasuri, they also condemned the government for showing a criminal neglect by not providing the late Shahbaz Bhatti with proper security and housing in Ministers Enclave despite his voicing security concerns especially in the wake of thew Taseer murder. The continuing government neglect of his pleas shows the careless approach it has towards its minorities. It is sad that the present government used Shahbaz Bhatti to project a soft image of Pakistan internationally, and yet showed criminal neglect in providing him security, the PTI leader commented.

This brutal act of terror is a blot on the Pakistani nation and we must all unite to expose and punish those responsible, they added.

Meanwhile the Spokesperson of the PTI for religious affairs Ejaz Chaudhry, in a separate statement also condemned Bhatti's murder and said it was a deep-rooted conspiracy to belittle Pakistan in the eyes of the world and isolate it in the world community. Islam, he said, provides maximum protection to the minorities. He also demanded of the government to expose the hidden hand behind Bhatti's murder.

HRCP urges govt to ensure Siddique Eido’s release

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has called upon the Balochistan government to ensure safe recovery of HRCP activist Siddique Eido, who was abducted in Gwadar by men wearing official uniforms on December 21 last.

In a letter to the Balochistan chief minister, HRCP expressed concern that despite the lapse of 50 days no progress had been made in securing the release of Mr Eido. The Commission said: “At the very least, statements of the four policemen of Pasni Police Station accompanying Mr Eido at the time of his abduction must be recorded and they should be asked to provide as much information as they can about the identity of his abductors.”

HRCP expressed serious concern that Mr Eido may be tortured in custody and that his life was in grave danger. It called upon the government to ensure the safe and immediate recovery of Mr Eido and order that any personnel who had any role in abducting or illegally detaining Mr. Eido be brought to justice.

Guilty National heroes should be treated with an iron hand

Salman Butt

By MOHAMMAD KHAN SIAL
Karachi

Our three cricket national heroes, Salmaan Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamir have been proved guilty of corruption with heavy punishments resulting in debarring them from cricket for the next 10 years, seven years and five years respectively. Nonetheless, they have immensely defamed the country internationally for their own vested interests. Such an act is no less than treachery. 

Mohammad Asif

Mohammad Amir

I believe that such cases should be treated with an iron hand without any leniency. It was an act of treachery and should be referred to the courts of law. Nevertheless, some influential people will always, for one reason or the other, protect these people who are determined to defame the country worldwide, which is why such cases always resurface.

US Calls for Pakistan to Adhere to Legal Obligations: Illegally Detained Diplomat Has Full Diplomatic Immunity

Islamabad - The United States Government once again calls upon the Government of Pakistan to abide by its obligations under international and Pakistani law and immediately release the American diplomat illegally detained in Lahore. The U.S. Embassy reiterated to the Government of Pakistan today that his continued detention is a gross violation of international law.

The U.S. Government has repeatedly communicated to the Government of Pakistan that the illegally detained diplomat enjoys diplomatic immunities under the Vienna Convention of Diplomatic Relations (1961).

The U.S. Government notified the Government of Pakistan on January 20, 2010 that the American diplomat was assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad as a member of the administrative and technical staff. Under the Vienna Convention and Pakistani domestic law, he is entitled to full criminal immunity and cannot be lawfully arrested or detained.

This morning, the American diplomat was remanded in court without notice to the U.S. government, without his lawyer present, and without translation assistance. He was denied due process and a fair hearing.

We deeply regret that the January 27 events in Lahore resulted in the loss of life following an attack on the diplomat by armed assailants. However, the Government of Pakistan must comply with its obligations under international and Pakistani law and ensure that he has immunity from criminal jurisdiction.

We look forward to working with the Government of Pakistan toward the expeditious resolution of this incident. Responsibility for the safety and well-being of the illegally detained diplomat rests with the Government of Pakistan and Punjab provincial authorities.(PR)

Earthquake in Pakistan: Tremors felt in Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, Multan, Hyderabad and other Cities

7.4 Magnitude Tremors felt in all major cities of Pakistan on wednesday. Epicentre of earthquake is afghanistan border. Quake also felt in New Delhi and Dubai.

We are fast running towards our end: Feryal Ali Gauhar

I feel sorry for governor and  his family. may his soul rest in peace.I feel sorry to call myself a Pakistani A country where every voice which is against mullah brigade is eliminated A country where no one knows the meaning of tolerance. a country where there is no concept as free speech.i guess time is not far when this God forsaken country would b in a blood bath we are fast running towards our end.

R.I.P Mr. Taseer

HRCP concerned over case against military farm tenants

Lahore, November 15: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has expressed concern over reports of registration of a criminal case against 175 tenants of military farms in Okara, for allegedly resisting a contractor from taking possession of 100 acres of land leased to him.

A statement issued by the commission on Sunday said: “It is a matter of concern that tensions have once again risen in the villages of military farms in Okara. The tenants’ claim that a number of tough men had accompanied the contractor to take possession of land that had previously been under the tenants’ cultivation is a matter of concern. Media reports suggest that the tenants had overpowered and handed over to the police at least one proclaimed offender. In the circumstances, registration of a case against the tenants necessitates a transparent inquiry.

HRCP must emphasise that no one must be allowed to take the law into his own hands. The movement of Okara tenants for their rights has been characterised by non-violence. HRCP hopes that the legal process will not be used to victimise anyone.

The Commission also has apprehensions about the living conditions of tenants in six villages of the Okara military farms—villages 11/4L, 15/4L, 16/4L, 24/4L, 25/4L, and 26/4L—in the Okara cantonment limits. Credible reports suggest that no development work has taken place in these villages for a decade. Basic facilities such as roads and sewerage in the six villages have fallen apart due to lack of allocation of funds.

Furthermore, HRCP has received with alarm reports that although National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) had issued National Identity Cards (NICs) to residents of the six villages, and that these cards bear the address of these villages, now the NADRA authorities in Okara say that no such villages exist and that they have no record of the six villages. This despite the fact that in the last general elections voters from the villages had exercised their right to vote on the basis of NICs issued by NADRA.

The tenants also say that four years earlier the authorities had stopped the construction of a primary school building for boys in village 26/4L, and village children were facing difficulties as the incomplete building only needed a roof. Meanwhile, measures to prevent tenants’ children from attending school in the cantonment area, if true, can only be strongly denounced.

To state the obvious, the tenants are as entitled to development in their area as residents of any other part of the country and a systematic denial of development funds gives credence to the apprehension of the tenants that they are being punished for demanding their legitimate rights and that such tactics are a device to force them out of their villages.

HRCP demands that the military farm tenants must be allowed to exercise all the rights that the law of the land provides and that they must not be targeted through abuse of the legal process. They must also not be denied their identity documents nor the right to peacefully live, work and prosper on land that they and their forefathers have brought under cultivation through their sweat and toil.”