HRCP alarmed over labour leader’s murder

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has expressed serious concern over the murder of labour leader Mustansar Randhawa and his brother in Faisalabad and called upon the government to track down and try the culprits and to prevent violence against those raising their voice for labour’s rights.

In a statement issued on Friday, HRCP said: “The murder of Mustansar Randhawa, a leader of textile and power loom workers in Faisalabad, and his brother, Naseer, is a stark reminder of the risks labour leaders and human rights defenders face in Pakistan.

The state is under an obligation to protect the lives of all human beings, but individuals that are exposed to specific threats deserve additional protection measures. Mustansar had been receiving death threats reportedly from power looms and textile mill owners for several days, apparently because of his role in orgainzing workers in the area.

The labour movement in Pakistan has long been protesting in a peaceful manner for the rights of workers who find themselves squeezed by the economic downturn, lack of benefits, poor and unsafe working conditions, and wages that bear no relation with the escalating cost of living and inflation. The government is duty-bound to ensure not only that workers get their rights, but also that they are not prevented from raising their voice for such entitlments.

The government must ensure that the killers of Mustansar and his brother do not enjoy impunity. Failure to apprehnd and punish the killers would convey the message that the barrel of the gun is the most effective means to further one’s interests. It is in the interest of the state to do all it can to prevent that message from taking root.”

Lahore rocked, 2 suiciders kill 42,175 hurt at Data Darbar blasts

Lahore—Forty Two  people were killed and 175 others injured as a result of twin suicide attacks inside Data Darbar and the third blast outside the shrine here late Thursday night.

A hand grenade has been found near Wazoo Khana of Shrine while police has cordoned off the area.

The injured, some of them in critical condition, have been shifted to nearby hospitals.

According to bomb disposal squad the two blasts inside the shrine were suicidal while the nature of the third blast is yet to be ascertained.

Data Darbar has five doors out of which four were closed. The only door kept open had a scanner installed with it and it is still unknown how the bombers made their way inside the shrine.

Earlier, the Punjab Government had decided to launch operation against terrorists in various areas of provincial capital and in South Punjab.

The decision to this effect was made in a High-level meeting held on Thursday morning. It was chaired by Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif.

The CM was briefed regarding security situation in the province. The meeting had decided to initiate operation against terrorists in the provincial capital and in South Punjab that would be jointly participated by police and secret agencies. (PO)

Indian lady diplomat Madhuri Gupta charged with espionage

India arrested its diplomat, working in the Indian Embassy in Pakistan for passing secret information to Pakistan, Indian news channel claimed yesterday.

The female diplomat Madhuri Gupta, who was arrested from New Delhi, has been charged with giving secrets to Pakistan for at least two years.

She was second secretary in Press and Information Wing.

Second Secretary-level woman diplomat working in the Indian High Commission in Islamabad has been arrested for allegedly passing on information to Pakistani intelligence agencies.

Simultaneously, the station head of Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) in Islamabad R K Sharma has also come under the scanner, official sources said.

A promote officer of Ministry of External Affairs, 53-year-old Madhuri Gupta, was arrested here four days back after she was summoned to Delhi on the pretext of discussions on the current SAARC summit meeting held in Thimpu, Bhutan, the sources said.

The officer, a Second Secretary working in the Mission for nearly three years, is alleged to have been passing on information from the Mission to her contacts in ISI till her movements came under surveillance of Intelligence Bureau sleuths.

Home Secretary G K Pillai said Gupta had been passing information to Pakistani agencies.

Shoaib ordered not to leave Hyderabad Deccan

Ayesha Siddiqui and Shoaib Malik

Shoaib Malik cannot leave Hyderabad Deccan without permission, Hyderabad police chief said yesterday.

Indian immigration officials have been requested to stop Shoaib Malik from leaving India, Indian police said. Hyderabad police’s move came after the father of Ayesha Siddiqui, the alleged wife of Shoaib Malik, lodged an FIR with the police against Malik. ACP Ravender Reddy said a case has been registered against Shoaib Malik.

However, he said no interrogation has far been initiated against Malik.

Govt withdraws presidential notifications

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani yesterday announced formal withdrawal of the two suspended presidential notifications following his meeting with Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry at the PM House.
PM said a fresh notification will be issued to elevate Justice Mian Saqib Nisar and Justice Asif Saeed Khosa of Lahore High Court (LHC) to the Supreme Court (SC) while Justice Khawaja Mohammed Sharif would continue as LHC Chief Justice.
Following an over three-hour long meeting here at the Prime Minister House, Gilani announced the decision superseding the earlier notification of the President for appointment of Justice Khawaja Mohammed Sharif as judge of the Supreme Court and Justice Saqib Nisar as acting Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court.
The Prime Minister also announced that Justice (Retd) Khalil-ur-Rehman Ramday who retired as judge of the Supreme Court last month would also be appointed as ad-hoc judge of the Supreme Court for a period of one year.
Gilani said the meeting was “part of the consultative process for the appointments in the superior judiciary which has to be participatory, and consensus oriented.”
About the court’s verdict on appointment of Chairman National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Gilani said “leave the decision about the NAB to the government.”
He said during the meeting important decisions were taken under which two permanent and one ad-hoc judge would be appointed in the Supreme Court and all vacant seats in the judiciary would be filled in immediately.
He said the process for the elevation of judges in the Lahore High Court and the Sindh High Court was finalized and appointments would be made after observing procedural requirements.
According to a press release issued by the Prime Minister House, the meeting took stock of institutional framework as enshrined in the Constitution and it was reiterated that the rule of law “forms the basis for the functioning of all the state organs to ensure greater welfare of the people”.
“It was decided that judiciary would be further strengthened to provide cheap and immediate justice to the public at their doorsteps.”
The Chief Justice of Pakistan said the judiciary would continue to play its role for upholding the rule of law and constitution to strengthen the democratic system for the greater glory of Pakistan. (NC Report)

160 Policemen of Punjab Police successfully completed specialized anti terrorism training

Jhelum - January 31, 2010: An impressive passing out parade of police personnel, who had successfully completed their special anti terrorism training, was held at Padhar Training　Centre near Jhelum. As many as 160 Policemen of the Punjab Police completed the specialized anti terrorism training under auspices of the Pakistan Army at Padhar Training Centre. Brigadier Tariq Mahmood,　Brigade Commander reviewed the parade. This training is a sequel to ongoing special anti terrorism training which is being imparted by Pakistan Army to the Police personnel in all the four provinces. It may be mentioned here that prior to this 792 personnel of Punjab Police have already been trained by Pakistan Army while over 8400 personnel of the NWFP Police have also 　been trained so far in various Army units since July 2007.

Speaking on the occasion Brigadier Tariq Mahmood congratulated the passing out personnel and emphasized the importance of specialized training to combat prevailing menace of terrorism. He expressed confidence　and hoped that special anti terrorism training imparted by dedicated Army personnel will go a long was in improvement of professional acumen of Law Enforcement Agencies. He urged the passing out police personnel to maintain the standard of marksmanship, physical fitness and mental robustness which they have attained during the course of training.

Later, Chief Guest awarded the prizes to those Policemen who distinguished themselves during training period. First prize was awarded to Constable Qaiser for being over all best in all training events. ASI　 Faisal won the 2nd position prize while ASI Abdul Rehman won the 　3rd position.

A scintillating demonstration of anti terrorism drill was also presented by the passing out Police personnel which was appreciated by all. Among others the ceremony was also attended by SSP Jhelum Dr Azam Khan and SP Rawalpindi Muhammad Ishfaq.

No proof found to link Pakistani teen Nauman Arshad to terror

AMRITSAR: The Border Security Force (BSF) of India, which had branded teenaged Pakistani national Nauman Arshad as a potential suicide bomber, has not been able to support its claims despite all top investigating and intelligence agencies jointly interrogating him over the past six days, TOI reported on Saturday.

His police remand over on Wednesday, Arshad, 18, has been shifted to the jail now. He was found in India by the BSF without any valid travel documents on January 14 and booked under various sections of the Indian Passport Act and the Foreigners Act at Gharinda police station. However, no incriminating evidence has been found since to link him to a terror group. The BSF had claimed that Arshad was on a recce mission of the border to monitor movements and find holes in barbed wire fencing for facilitating infiltration of seven suicide bombers, including three females, to carry out a bombing spree this side of the border.

Highly-placed sources on Friday informed TOI that sustained interrogation has revealed that Arshad was under immense pressure from his mother, Tahira Ramzan, a teacher in Cantt Girls Middle School, Manawan, 8km from the Indo-Pak border, to perform well in studies since he had scored badly in December examinations of Class IX. Unable to excel in studies like his brother and sister, the youth had left home to meet his uncle — a Pakistan Ranger posted at Wagah (Pakistan) border. It so happened, that his uncle was not at the border the day Arshad landed there and then crossed the international border inadvertently, they added.