HRCP slams murder of coordinator in Khyber Agency

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has condoled and condemned the brutal killing of Zarteef Afridi, HRCP coordinator in Khyber Agency, and called upon the government to apprehend his killers and address growing threats facing human rights defenders in the region.

 In a statement issued on Thursday, the Commission said: “HRCP is grieved at the murder earlier today of Zarteef Afridi in Khyber Agency. Zarteef was a tireless human rights defender who dedicated his life to promoting human rights, tolerance and peace in a region beset with conflict. Repeated threats to his life had failed to deter him from his work. In his death, the civil society has lost a committed campaigner for the cause of human rights. HRCP is grieved at his death and condoles with Zarteef’s family at their loss.

 Zarteef’s murder also underscores the escalating threats that those working for human rights face in Pakistan, particularly in the tribal areas. HRCP calls upon the government to realize its duty to do everything within its power to apprehend Zarteef’s killers and show through its actions in the next few days its commitment to protect and facilitate human rights defenders.”

Shoaib Akthar’s Controversially Yours launched in New Delhi

Former Test cricketer Shoaib Akhtar’s autobiography titled Controversially Yours, sparking controversy right away, was released in New Delhi, India, on September 23.

The book was launched at a hotel in the Indian capital and the ceremony was also attended by Pakistan High Commissioner to India, Shahid Malik.

The Pakistan speedster has confessed to having tampered with the ball and also questioned the class and temperament of India's batting icons, Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid.

“Almost all Pakistani fast bowlers have tampered with the ball. I may be the first one to openly admit to it but everybody is doing it. To be honest, every team in the world tampers with the ball. We probably started it but no team is innocent and virtually every fast bowler does it. That is the only way to survive because the wickets are so slow. I have tampered with the ball on many occasions,” he admitted.

Shoaib offered a solution to the problem of ball tampering by writing that the only way to stop this is for the ICC to ensure that at least some pitches are prepared in favour of the bowlers.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has distanced itself from Shoaib’s remarks, saying he was no longer associated with the board and was free to do whatever he wants.

Shoaib, who was a genuine match-winner, remained at the centre of many controversies in his stormy career which finally came to an end with the Cricket World Cup 2011 in which Pakistan reached the semifinals.

Shoaib engineered quite a few victories for Pakistan in every format of the game but many people believed that he could have given more to country if he disciplined himself and refrained from uncalled for controversies.
(Jumbopublishing.com)

Altaf Hussain has appealed to the President and Prime Minister to stop the killings of innocent people in Karachi

MQM Chief Altaf Hussain has appealed to the President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to stop the killings of innocent people in Karachi. In a statement he has asked them to restore peace and stop killings in 48 hours and if not, the people of Karachi will be free to exercise their right to protect themselves. He informed them that the terrorists and criminals are roaming around scot-free, they have been allowed to kill at will, loot, plunder and attack the residences of common people, factories, shops etc. Armed terrorists on motorcycle are seen attacking and burning the properties. Mr Hussain has said that he gives a 48 hour notice to the government otherwise the people of Karachi will arrange for their protection. 

He reminded that despite all his sincere efforts and even his appeal for peace, the limits have arrived and valuable innocent lives are being lost. Referring to the migration by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) from Mecca to Medina, he said that attacks on his companions continued - and after that the Battle of Badar, Uhad and Khandaq took place. If today the infidels have decided to attack Medina again and again the following the path of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) will be as per the Sunnah. Time will decide if the righteousness will succeed or not.

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)