* SC asks federation to file written statement on concern expressed by lawyer
By Masood Rehman
ISLAMABAD: An attorney for the federal government – Barrister Kamal Azfar – on Monday claimed before a 17-member larger bench of the Supreme Court that the US CIA and General Headquarters pose a threat to the government.
The bench – headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry – directed the federal government to file a written statement on the concern expressed by the lawyer.
When the hearing into petitions against the legality of the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) resumed on Monday, the court summoned the government’s attorney for a briefing on his statement filed on Thursday – which said the democratic set up in the country was in danger because of the impending decision on challenges to the NRO.
Derail system: Asked who had instructed him to file the statement suggesting that the court should not derail the democratic system while deciding the NRO cases, Azfar said he had filed the statement on behalf of the Law Ministry.
He then claimed that the CIA and General Headquarters also posed a threat to the democratic system. Azfar said there were “extra-constitutional forces within and outside the country” that could derail the democratic set up.
Asked who had instructed him to express such a concern, he said, “I am making these statements in my personal capacity.”
The court then asked him to file the statement in writing on the Law Ministry’s affidavit.
The chief justice said the law secretary would be summoned for failing to brief the court on necessary details of the case. He said if the court’s decision was feared to trigger a November 3, 2007-like situation, the federation should inform the SC in advance to allow a stay order to be issued.
The chief justice questioned what made Azfar feel democracy would be threatened by the court decision, and said “such allegations will not be tolerated”. He said the court’s decision would not lead to destabilisation.
The court also accepted a petition by Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif seeking the restoration of his petition against the NRO, which was earlier dismissed on account of non-prosecution.
The court later adjourned the hearing for today (Tuesday).
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Tuesday, December 15, 2009 Version
Pak army has no desire to take over: Petraeus
* CENTCOM chief says gains in South Waziristan operation quite impressive
ISLAMABAD: The head of US Central Command, General David Petraeus said on Monday he did not believe the Pakistan Army had any desire to endanger the civilian rule.
During his meeting with Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Kayani, Petraeus said he did not see any indication of the army taking over the country.
Later, talking to reporters at the US embassy, Petraeus lauded the unity among political leaders against terrorists.
Impressive: He said the performance of the army had been very impressive in the operation against terrorists in Swat and South Waziristan. He also explained the aims and objectives of the new US Afghan policy and said there was “no rush” to exit the country. He said the US had to do more at the Afghan side to help Pakistan’s success achieved so far through military operations.
He denied reports that drone attacks could be extended to Balochistan.
To a question about reconciliation with Taliban, he said the US would work with the low- and mid-level leadership who had denounced violence.
Separately, Petraeus met Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, who said Pakistan was committed to combating terrorism and bringing peace in Afghanistan. app/sajjad malik
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The US and its allies are castigating national leaders and rejecting their ideas albeit proved to be more mature and advanced than their own. Mumar Gheddafi called for the establishment of a single state "Isratine" (Israeli+ Palestine) instead of the American design for a two-state solution which will fail to solve the age-old conflict. Ahmedinejad called for investment in the safe use of nuclear power to generate energy instead of investing on nuclear weapons and waging wars. President Chavez has been calling for a program to help the poor in North and South America. But all these national leaders are being ridiculed mainly because of their opposition to Israeli Nazi-style atrocities against Palestinians. Slowly but surely the Americans are losing ground to above leaders ideas mainly because of being a party to all Israeli crimes. The CIA dirty works, USraeli conspiracies and MOSSAD assassinations have undermined American standing in the world and helped Al-Qaeda in its recruitment program. The mere fact that Al-Qaeda is back in Iraq, active in Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia, North Africa and Afghanistan, is a clear witness to American failures. America will never be able to win its war on terror while at the same time support Israeli atrocities and violation of international laws and UN Security Council Resolutions. At present, the American war on terror is perceived as a crusade against Islam that should be opposed by all Muslims.And who is better placed than Al-Qaeda to stop the USraeli anti-Islamic crusade.
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