KHI 02-01-2012_Layout 1 1/2/2012 1:40 AM Page 1
rs15.00 vol ii no 186 22 pages Karachi
Iran tests missile as US tightens sanctions
Government fails in enhancing tax revenue
Get set for comedy, thrillers in 2012
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PROFIT | PAGE 01
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pakistantoday.com.pk
edition
monday, 2 january, 2012 safar 7, 1433
Probe into ‘memo’ issue
Asma questions neutrality of commission Decides not to appear before judicial commission g Says will not disassociate herself from advocating her client g
ISLAMABAD
A
StAff RePoRt
S the memo issue enters into a decisive phase with the appointment of a high-powered judicial commission to investigate it within four weeks, Asma Jahangir, the counsel for former ambassador to the US Hussain Haqqani, on Sunday dissociated herself from the proceedings of the commission, saying she would not appear before the commission as she doubted its neutrality. Talking to Pakistan Today, she said it was the commission of the Supreme Court’s will, in which judges of its own choice were included. At the same time, she said, the commission was tasked to complete the probe within four weeks at the Islamabad High Court building and she was unable to stay in Islamabad for such a long time. However, she said she would not disassociate herself from advocating her client. “I will continue as counsel for Haqqani,” she said, added how could she trust the neutrality of such a commission formed by the Supreme Court, which was itself under the influence of the “establishment”. Just after the SC’s short order on the
memo issue came on Friday, Asma had expressed disappointment over it, questioning whether the court was there to serve and protect the rights of the public or the establishment? Talking to reporters, she had said it was a dark day for the judiciary and she was forced to think whether it was the judiciary of the people or the judiciary of the establishment. She had warned that the decision would haunt the petitioners too and then they would recall her statement. Asma had regretted that the civilian authority had come under the military authority. “I was expecting at least one dissenting voice against the judgment, but it did not come,” she said. Expressing disappointment over the order, Asma had said she did not see any ray of hope in the court now. She had regretted for having struggled for the restoration of the judiciary, saying the court’s decision had compromised a person’s right to justice, contending that the judgement was not in accordance with the law. However, at the same time she had accepted it. Continued on page 04
sC resumes hearing of zaB referenCe today | page 24
KARACHI: Pasban-e-Jaferia activists take the body of Askari Raza, a Shia leader who was shot dead on Saturday, to the Governor’s House. inp
senate polls on time: Gilani Pakistan, US working PM says stopping elections through undemocratic means will have negative impact on country g
ISLAMABAD AGeNCIeS
The Senate election will be held on schedule in March and stopping them through undemocratic means would have a negative impact on the country, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said on Sunday. Responding to callers from across the country in a live PTV’s Prime Minister Online programme, Gilani said conspiracies were being hatched to stop the Senate election. He said everyone knew that the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) would attain majority in the Senate elections. He told critics that everything should be done in accordance with the constitution. The prime minister said it was
the task of Information Ministry to highlight achievements of the government and the PPP government had a lot of achievements to show to the people. He said Pakistan was also affected the global economic recession like other countries and many companies were given bailouts. Gilani said despite all odds, 3,500 megawatts power were added to the national grid, adding that the government would become capable of avoiding unscheduled load shedding before the end of the tenure. The prime minister said a special cabinet meeting would be held onJanuary 3 to tackle the issues of energy and gas shortage. Continued on page 04
ji rules out Change until zardari removed | page 04
on narrow ‘boxes’ for drone strikes ISLAMABAD SHAIQ HUSSAIN
As Pakistan and the United States try to revise their ‘terms of engagement’ on counter-terrorism cooperation, some features of the ‘plan’ being devised, indicate that Islamabad wants the ‘drone boxes’ or areas where CIA could go for lethal predator strikes in the Tribal Areas, to be re-identified with new ones being very narrow and also that any future attacks are to be carried in accordance with intelligence information provided by Pakistani side. The relations between Pakistan and the US are at the lowest ebb in the wake of NATO airstrikes on two Pakistan outposts in Mohmand Agency on November 26 in which 24 Pakistani soldiers were killed. Continued on page 04