e-paper pakistantoday 11th march, 2012

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LHR 11-03-2012_Layout 1 3/11/2012 2:28 AM Page 1

Rs22.00 Vol ii no 253 22 pages

Lahore edition

Sunday, 11 March, 2012 Rabi-ul-Sani 16, 1433

Allies decide to hold polls in March 2013 PPP nominates Nayyer Bukhari for Senate chairman, Sabir Baloch for deputy chairman

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ISLAMABAD

HERAT: Former Afghan militant commander Basir Nawrouzi (C) is watched by his 16-year-old fiancee Parvana as he hands over his AK47 assault rifle to a government official on Saturday. Nawrouzi surrendered some weapons to the government in order to fulfil conditions set by Parvana who Basir wishes to marry. afP

‘Confused’ PM finds it hard to implement SC’s new orders ISLAMABAD STAFF REPoRT

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani is “confused” about the Supreme Court’s fresh orders on writing a letter to Swiss authorities for reopening corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari, saying it was not clear on which case he should write the letter. “There is confusion in the minds of the people that on which case the order was issued, as there are two separate cases,” he said while talking to a group of

journalists at the Prime Minister’s House. In an hour-long session with the reporters, the premier answered a volley of tough questions in a frank and candid manner, saying he would have to consult his counsel over the SC’s order. “Aitzaz Ahsan is a competent lawyer and he is representing me in the contempt case, although I don’t think I have committed any contempt,” he said. Asked whether he would write the letter to implement the court’s new orders, the prime minister said, “This is like putting a cart before the horse. I would only take

any decision after seeking advice from my lawyer.” However, when pressed again whether or not he would implement the court’s order, Gilani said he would “abide by the constitution”. “I am ready to appear before the court once again,” he added. Asked whether his government would give in to the US pressure on Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project, the premier said that “national interest would be kept supreme while taking any decision”. Continued on page 04

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MiAN ABRAR

MeeTInG of the ruling coalition partners on Saturday decided in principle to hold the next general elections in March 2013, while endorsing the nomination of nayyer Hussain Bukhari as Senate chairman, and Sabir Baloch from Balochistan as deputy chairman, sources told Pakistan Today. Sources said the coalition members had decided to hold the elections next year in order to allow the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) government achieve its election targets, and go to the masses with some achievements to sell. “The idea was floated by Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and endorsed by Awami national Party’s (AnP) chief Asfandyar Wali Khan, leaders of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) among others. President Asif Ali Zardari also supported the idea,” sources said, adding that Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani had opposed the idea initially, but agreed with the majority’s view later. Sources said the president had told the allies that he would address the joint session of the parliament on March 17, and urged them to come up with their recommendations to be included in his speech. Finally, it was decided that the allies would meet again on March 15 to discuss proposals from the allied parties, sources added. At a meeting held at the Presidency with Zardari and Gilani, the heads of the coali-

tion parties also deliberated upon a strategy for the next general elections. The meeting was attended by PML-Q President Shujaat Hussain, PML-Q Secretary General Mushahid Hussain Sayed, AnP chief Asfandyar Wali, Senator Afrasiab Khattak, MQM members Senator Babar Ghauri and Senator Tahir Mashhadi, Balochistan national Party-Awami (BnP) chief Senator Mir Israrullah Zehri, Munir Khan Orakzai, and Shaukatullah of the FATA parliamentary group. PPP leaders Khurshid Shah, Senator nayyar Hussain Bukhari, MnA Raja Parvez Ashraf and Presidential Spokesman Farhatullah Babar were present in the meeting. Zardari welcomed the allied parties to the meeting, and said the PPP wished to nominate Senator nayyer Hussain Bukhari for the slot of the Senate chairman and Senator Sabir Baloch from Balochistan for the slot of Senate deputy chairman. Continued on page 04


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