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Altaf honors Malik over quitting on dual nationality
Democracy still popular in Muslim countries: survey
Israel: Ex-PM guilty of graft, cleared on other charges
Russia proposes UN resolution on Syria
PIA Deputy MD fired
Khairpur: 8 killed, many injured in car-bus collision
No democracy, no independent judiciary: PM
Nawaz, Imran are US supporters:Munter
NASA's Mars chief frets over heat shield
Allies are with PPP on dual nationality bill: Kaira
Spend of 20% of budget in 1st quarter mandatory
Bill for revisiting SC verdicts tabled in NA
PILDAT demands to ban dual nationals to contest election
IMF urges to face challenges to global economy
25m people in Pak live in extreme poverty: WB

Altaf honors Malik over quitting on dual nationality

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Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain has congratulated PM’s Advisor on Interior Affairs Rehman Malik for resigning from the Senate on the issue of the dual nationality. The MQM chief said that Rehman Malik has raised the heads of over 1.5 million overseas Pakistanis with pride by resigning the senate membership. The MQM chief said that Malik had demonstrated by showing solidarity with the overseas Pakistanis, that the bill was actually introduced for giving the right to vote to Pakistanis living abroad.

Democracy still popular in Muslim countries: survey

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Democracy is still popular in six Muslim-majority countries, over a year after the Arab Spring, and the majority in some countries favors laws based on the Koran, according to a poll published Tuesday. The first two Muslim-majority nations to overthrow a dictator still "desire" democracy, with some 67 percent of Egyptians and 63 percent of Tunisians saying "democracy is preferable," according to the survey conducted by the Pew Research Center in recent months. In the rest of the region, 84 percent of Lebanese and 71 percent of Turks say "democracy is preferable," but Jordanians and Pakistanis are less enthusiastic, at 61 and 42 percent respectively. Forty-five percent of Tunisians say the country has improved without ousted 23-year president Zine el Abidine Ben Ali, and 42 percent disagree. Tunisians are still optimistic about the future of their country, with 75 percent saying the nation s flailing economy will improve.  Aside from Lebanon, which boasts a large Christian minority, a majority of poll participants across the surveyed Muslim nations feel Islam does and should play a central role in government. Points of view differ across the countries regarding the degree to which Islam should affect policy.  In Pakistan, 82 percent of participants feel "laws should strictly follow the teachings of the Koran." In the rest of the Muslim world, only 72 percent of Jordanians, 60 percent of Egyptians, 23 percent of Tunisians and 17 percent of Turks and Lebanese agreed.  A majority of poll participants believe women should have the same rights as men. Lebanese led the pack with 93 percent believing in gender equality. Only 74 percent of Tunisians and 58 percent of Egyptians support equal rights for women. Some 67 percent of Tunisian women say that equal gender rights are very important, whereas only 50 percent of men agree. The overwhelming majority of most poll participants opposed extremists, even if Al-Qaeda is seen as favorable by 19 percent of Egyptians, 16 percent of Tunisians and 13 percent of Pakistanis. The polls were conducted in March and April, with a sample of 1,000 participants per country and a margin of error ranging from more or less than 3.9 to 5.2 points across the different countries.

Israel: Ex-PM guilty of graft, cleared on other charges

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An Israeli court on Tuesday found former prime minister Ehud Olmert guilty on one charge in a closely watched corruption case, but cleared him on two other charges, in a verdict he hailed as just. The decision to convict Olmert on the lesser charge of "breach of trust" over favours he granted a colleague during his time as minister could jeopardise Olmert s political future. But the Jerusalem district court s acquittal of the former leader on the two more serious corruption charges, related to his alleged receipt of cash-stuffed envelopes and multiple-billing for trips abroad, was seen as a victory for Olmert. "We unanimously decided... to convict the defendant on the felony of breach of trust," the three judges overseeing the case wrote in the verdict. Olmert still faces a second trial over allegations he accepted bribes during his time as Jerusalem mayor to smooth the way for the construction of the massive Holyland residential complex in the city. But his acquittal on the most serious charges against him, including the allegations that forced him to resign as premier in 2008, was described as a win for him by political observers. The first charge, on which he was convicted, related to favours he granted a former colleague, Uri Messer, during his time as trade and industry minister. Olmert was also accused of receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars from Jewish-American businessman Morris Talanski, in return for promoting his companies in Israel. And he was alleged to have engaged in multiple-billing of trips overseas, on occasions charging as many as four different institutions for the same trip, in what was dubbed the Rishon Tours affair. But he was acquitted on both those charges, with judges saying the evidence failed to prove "beyond a reasonable doubt" that Olmert was guilty. The former premier hailed the verdict outside the courtroom. "There was no corruption, I received no money, there were no cash envelopes, there was nothing from all of these things they tried to attribute to me," Olmert told reporters. "The Talanski and Rishon Tours affairs were at the heart of the accusations levelled against me and I have been cleared on both these cases. It was all false," he said. He acknowledged his conviction on the third set of allegations, but said the judgment described his behaviour as "procedural misconduct."

Russia proposes UN resolution on Syria

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Russia on Tuesday proposed a UN Security Council resolution on Syria that would extend the UN mission in the conflict-stricken country without any threat of sanctions, diplomats said. The resolution was sent to the council s other 14 members ahead of a briefing on Wednesday by UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan on efforts to revive his peace plan, Russia s deputy UN envoy Igor Pankin told reporters. Russia s move is the opening round in a potentially tense diplomatic battle at the Security Council that must decide the future of the UN observer mission in Syria by July 20. Russia is the main ally of President Bashar al-Assad and has fiercely resisted international action against the Damascus government. The United States and European powers want sanctions against Assad over the conflict, in which activists say more than 17,000 people have died. Pankin said the Russian resolution "is aimed at providing further support to the efforts of Kofi Annan and the implementation of his plan." The draft, obtained by AFP, proposes extending the UN Supervision Mission in Syria for another three months. The UNSMIS mandate ends on July 20. It also backs a proposal by UN leader Ban Ki-moon that the UN operation take on a more political mission and cut back the number of military observers. The draft "strongly urges" all sides to immediately cease violence and calls for "urgent" and "immediate" implementation of Annan s plan. But there is no threat of action against Assad and the Syrian opposition, even though Annan has said there should be "consequences" for not carrying out his plan. The Russian draft commits the Security Council "to assess the implementation of this resolution and to consider further steps as appropriate." Almost 300 UN unarmed military observers have been in Syria since April monitoring a ceasefire that has never taken hold. The observers suspended patrols on June 16 because of the growing danger. Western nations have been demanding pressure on Assad to carry out Annan s peace plan and are likely to reject the Russian text. "It s basically a rollover," said a diplomat from another Security Council country of the Russian draft. "At minimum, it needs to be combined with some pressure." The United States and European powers have drafted their own resolution, but have not yet decided whether to circulate it to the council. The Western states had wanted application of the Annan peace plan to be made mandatory under Chapter VII of the UN Charter so that follow-up action, including sanctions, could at least be threatened. Russia and China have twice used their powers as permanent members of the Security Council to veto resolutions on Syria that hinted at sanctions.

PIA Deputy MD fired

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Salim Sayani was receiving $50,000 tax-free salary per month. He was highly salary taking official in the history of PIA. Two residential houses in Karachi and Dubai were also allocated to him.

Khairpur: 8 killed, many injured in car-bus collision

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According to reports, a bus coming from Sehwan Sharif after attending Urs celebrations of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar collided with a car at Rasool Abad Highway near Khairpur. Fire erupted as gas cylinders of both the vehicles burst. As a result at least eight people were killed on the spot and many others were wounded. The injured persons have been shifted to nearby hospital.

No democracy, no independent judiciary: PM

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Opposition parties have been offered to handle current national issues with consensus, he said. Addressing a ceremony in Islamabad, he said that the government is following the policy of reconciliation, adding that stumbling blocks may be removed with unity and faith. Terming the appointment of Chief Election Commissioner as victory of democracy, he said it has enhanced prestigious role of Pakistan in the world. He said that the PPP is true representative of the poor and middle class, adding that the Supreme Court is as respectable to government and its coalition partners as is claimed by the Opposition.

Nawaz, Imran are US supporters:Munter

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US ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter said that restoration of Nato supply is not enough; Pakistan is, yet, to do a lot of things. Talking to UK News channel, Munter said that he has met Imran Khan and Nawaz Sharif and both of them have assured him that they are staunch supporter of the US. He said that restoration of Nato supply is not enough; Pakistan would have to do a lot of things in order to curb terrorism and enhance economic cooperation. Blockage of Nato supply was a challenge for Pakistan who was deprived of more than 50 friends, he said. He said that fight against common enemy was  possible only when Nato supply is restored properly. He accepted that the US offered an apollogy to Pakistan on Salala check post but the reality is that the issue was resolved when both the states recognized that both of them would have to deliver jointly.  He said that the US is in dire need of endurance and broad-mindedness regarding its ties with Pakistan, adding that Pakistan may become part and parcel of solution to these issues but for this purpose it would have to express true responsibility of leadership, he said. The US envoy made it clear that Pakistan would have to have  firm confidnce in masses’ power as masses are the sole power of any nation. He said that Pakistan would also have to admit that he is confronted with hectic challenges which may be resolved with the help and support of the people.

NASA's Mars chief frets over heat shield

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With weeks to go until its latest mission is due to arrive on the Red Planet, the head of NASA s Mars Exploration Program says his biggest worry is that the spacecraft s heat shield will not detach as planned. Doug McCuistion cautioned Tuesday at the Farnborough Airshow south of London that many things can go wrong when the Mars Science Laboratory mission sets down a large, mobile laboratory on Mars. He says the odds, historically, are against a successful outcome: of the 40 Earth missions to Mars, only 14 have succeeded. He predicted that this latest mission has a medium-to-low risk profile.

Allies are with PPP on dual nationality bill: Kaira

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He said if any of them had any reservations&sbquo; these would be removed. Talking to newsmen in Islamabad on Tuesday he said the contempt of court bill is not directed at interfering with the independence of the judiciary. He said the intention is not to level allegations against the judiciary but to remove ambiguity in the law. He said the law would ensure transparent trial.

Spend of 20% of budget in 1st quarter mandatory

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The federal departments have been informed that 20% funds of the budget regarding development and non productive expenditures would be allocated in the second quarter of the current fiscal year while 30% each funds would be released in third and fourth quarter.  However, the extra funds could be released with the approval of the federal finance secretary in case of payment of foreign debts.

Bill for revisiting SC verdicts tabled in NA

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Awami National Party, a close government ally has announced not to support the bill.Earlier, Senator Eitzaz Ahsan and Raza Rabbai also expressed their reservation about the bill.MQM MNA Abdul Qadeer presented the bill Supreme Courts’ decisions review bill 2012 before the House.At the occasion he said if the parliament finds any flaw or lacuna in the Supreme Court’s decision, it should have the right to discuss and review it.Bushra Gohar opposing the Amendment 21 said judges were already drawing hefty salaries and there was no need to increase the pensions of their widows.Rana Tanvir of PML-N, Khursheed Shah and Imtaiz Safdar Warriach exchanged harsh words on the occasion. The MNAs of Pakistan Muslim League and Pakistan People’s Party also scuffled with one another during the session.

PILDAT demands to ban dual nationals to contest election

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In view of the news reports that the Parliament may consider amendment to the Constitution to allow for foreign/dual nationals to contest election to become members of Parliament, PILDAT has demanded that such an amendment should not be considered and that article 63-1-c of the 1973. Constitution must be retained in its present form. Criticizing the move, as reported in the media, PILDAT has demanded that only citizens of Pakistan must be qualified to represent the people in the Parliament and Provincial Assemblies of Pakistan. Outlining the reasons for retaining the Constitutional bar on being elected or chosen as, and from being, a member of the Parliament for those who either “cease to be the citizens of Pakistan or acquire the citizenship of a foreign state,” PILDAT has stated that under international law, countries are not obliged to recognize dual nationality. Another argument against allowing dual nationals to become public representatives in Pakistan is that nationality of another country is usually obtained as a convenient means of attaining improved economic opportunity, which Pakistani law recognises. In essence, however, it trivializes what it means to be a citizen of Pakistan. Dual nationals’ fate is not tied to the fate of Pakistan and therefore allowing them to be put in the driving seat of making policy decisions of Pakistan can be detrimental to the interests of Pakistan. When the going gets tough in Pakistan, Pakistani citizenship can be just as easily discarded when it is no longer beneficial. Legitimate recognition for the role of overseas Pakistanis and their respect cannot be synonymous with granting them with a right to represent the people of Pakistan. It must also be noted that mainly (over 58 % in 2010-11) remittances are sent from Pakistanis residing in the Middle East, a vast majority of whom are NOT dual nationals. Pakistanis living overseas, dual nationality holders and those residing in the AJK together constitute only 4.7 million voting adults according to the number of NICOP holders at present. These 4.7 million already have a right to vote in Pakistan. PILDAT has also demanded that, as provided under the Representation of People Act, the ECP should initiate the formal process for candidates in the next General Election to declare if they hold the status of permanent residence, such as the US green card, in any country other than Pakistan.

IMF urges to face challenges to global economy

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In a bid to address the common threats facing the global economy, “solutions need to be grounded in cooperation,” said head of International Monetary Fund (IMF) Christine Lagarde. She said the global community must work together to meet the challenges thrown up by the global financial crisis and to ensure future stability and growth. Lagarde said over the past few months, the outlook for the global economy had become increasingly worrying. There are signs that activity is slowing across both advanced and emerging market economies. IMF research suggests that a coordinated strengthening of policies across the Group of 20 leading economies (G-20) could raise global GDP by 7 percent and boost jobs by 36 million over the medium term. Lagarde identified major areas which needed addressing to “break the main chains of this crisis: weak sovereigns, weak banks, and weak growth.” By weak sovereigns, Lagarde was referring to the weak fiscal positions and high national debt of some advanced economies. She said countries must deal decisively with the issue of public debt, as well as restoring the health of the financial sector. But in addition, there needed to be structural reforms, whether in labor, service, or product market reforms.

25m people in Pak live in extreme poverty: WB

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The World Bank report says that from 2008 onwards, the adverse impacts of global financial, food, and fuel crises posed multiple challenges to Pakistan’s rapidly evolving social protection sector. The militancy crisis, as well as recurring natural disasters, further exacerbated the situation by exposing an even larger number of Pakistan’s vulnerable population to the risk of falling into abject poverty. The nation’s main safety net programs (i.e. Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal, and the Zakat) were hampered by a number of factors. They had limited coverage (reaching only. approximately 5 percent of the total population) and were poorly targeted, as around 25 and 32 percent of resources distributed by these programs, respectively, was going to non-poor households). Additionally, benefit levels were small, payments were infrequent and irregular, administration arrangements were inadequate, and implementation and monitoring and evaluation capacity were both very weak. Consequently, these programs had little impact on addressing the issue of poverty and vulnerability. Supported by IDA’s technical assistance since 2009, Pakistan has established the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP), a flagship national safety net initiative that provides income support in the form of cash transfers of US$12 per month to 3.5 million of the poorest families. To determine eligibility, the program uses an objective ‘poverty scorecard’ that has been rolled out through a door-to-door national census, collecting information on more than 27 million households in Pakistan. The information yielded through this initiative, which was validated through Pakistan’s National Identity Database, has helped the government to set up a National Poverty Data Registry; the first in the South Asia region.

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Wednesday, July 11, 2012

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