LHR 22-01-2012_Layout 1 1/22/2012 2:35 AM Page 1
pakistantoday.com.pk
Rs22.00 Vol ii no 206 22 pages Lahore edition
Sunday, 22 January, 2012 Safar 27, 1433
Mansoor’s visit hinges on army security
Govt given wrong advice on River Kabul ISLAMABAD AmeR SIAl
Sheikh writes to COaS, aG seeking military security g asks aG why he should not be held in contempt for defying court orders on security g
In an amazing development, Pakistan has decided to help Afghanistan develop water storage and hydel power generation on the River Kabul and then import the surplus power, without knowing that developing water reserves on the river would lead to significant water reduction in the River Indus system. An official source said this unique commitment was given at a two-day meeting of the Pakistan Afghanistan Joint Economic Commission held recently in Islamabad. However, he said top officials attending the meeting did not know that 65 percent share of water in Kabul River originated from River Kunhar in Chitral and building of water reserves in Afghanistan would significantly decline the water availability in Pakistan, as the water from Kabul River ultimately entered the country. Afghanistan is being helped by the international financial institutions to build more than 10 water reservoirs and hydel power projects on the River Kabul. Pakistan has serious reservations over the plans as it will lead to massive water shortage for irrigation in the country. Both the countries have no treaty on sharing the water resources of the River Kabul that they mutually share. Continued on page 04
ISLAMABAD
A SRINAGAR: Indian policemen manhandle a woman during a protest rally on Saturday to mark the 22nd martyrdom anniversary of Gaw Kadal massacre where more than 52 people were killed and 250 sustained bullet injuries when Indian troops opened fire on January 21,1990. afp
‘N’ backtracks from anti-govt strategy ISLAMABAD IRfAN BuKhARI
After failing to take the much trumpeted ‘Go Zardari Go’ movement to its logical end, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has, on the advice of smaller opposition parties, shelved its three-step strategy devised on January 12, in a joint
meeting of the central working committee and parliamentary party to send the PPP-led coalition government packing. The PML-N central leaders had decided on January 12 in a hurriedly-called meeting chaired by Nawaz Sharif that the party and other opposition parties Continued on page 04
StAff RepoRt
KRAM Sheikh, the counsel for Mansoor Ijaz, on Saturday wrote two separate letters to Attorney General Maulvi Anwarul Haq Pakistan and Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani regarding security for his client upon his arrival in the country for recording his statement before the “memogate” commission. Sheikh expressed reservations over the reports that security would be provided by the Interior Ministry. In his letter to the AG, he asked why a contempt of court case should not be filed against him for not complying with court orders of deploying army for Mansoor Ijaz’s security. In his letter to the AG, Sheikh said: “You had also undertaken before the commission that you would communicate the cell number of the Battalion Commander for making arrangement of security of person of Mansoor Ijaz and equipment/evidence which he is bringing along. That you have not communicated any such number or name to the undersigned until date nor have you communicated the security arrangements so far. To the contrary one Dr Mujeebur Rahman Khan claiming himself to be DIG Security & Counter Terrorism, has called me and informed me that he has been appointed as the focal person to contact me as counsel of Mr Mansoor Ijaz for providing him security. He has further informed me that this decision has been taken in a meeting chaired by your good self attended by secretary interior and secretary defence amongst others. Dr
Mujeebur Rahman Khan has further confirmed that there shall be no other focal person for coordination with me on the security of Mr Mansoor Ijaz (his person and the equipment containing forensic evidence). That further Dr Mujeeb had promised to fax me the aforementioned details in writing which he has not done so until the writing of this letter despite passage of considerable time. This turn of events regarding security arrangements was communicated to my client, Mr Mansoor Ijaz, who is not willing to accept the same.” “Last evening, all of a sudden, the same interior minister, within 24 hours of my client having obtained visa for Pakistan, has announced that his ministry is going to be exclusively responsible for the security of my client. Continued on page 04
SeCuRity wiLL be pRoVided undeR aRtiCLe 245 | page 04