Nadeem Malik

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Musharraf Steps Down

Musharraf Steps Down

 

 

Washington Post

Musharraf Steps Down as Head of Pakistani Army

 

 

Gen. Musharraf, 64, handed over his post to vice-army chief and retired from the army at an elaborate ceremony on a vast parade ground inside army headquarters.

 

Musharraf to take oath Thursday as Pakistan's civilian president for next five years

 

The army has been my life. The army has been my passion. The army has been my pride. The system has to carry on, there is a time when everyone has to go- Musharraf

 

Tomorrow I will no longer be in command, but I am happy I spent these 46 years in very excellent manner- Musharraf

 

Musharraf formally handed over the symbol of army command a long bamboo stick to General Ashfaq Kiyani-

 

General Kayani is understood to want to remove the army from the forefront of politics and concentrate on military concerns- NYT

 

 

The Comparison- Newsweek

America's uneasy relationship with Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf brings to mind another compromised former ally, the Shah of Iran. It's been nearly 30 years since the shah flew into exile in 1979, but Musharraf's frantic struggle to regain control of his country has raised scary memories of that time.

 

 

Reuters on General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani

 

* Born into one of northern Punjab province's largest and most powerful clans, Kayani, 55, studied at a military college in his home region of Jhelum, before training at the U.S. army's Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and the National Defense College in Islamabad.

 

* After fighting as a lieutenant in the 1971 war against India, Kayani slipped into politics as deputy military secretary to Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in 1988. He won accolades for sensitively overseeing troop movements in a tense 2001-2002 border standoff between Pakistan and India as the army's chief operational commander.

 

* In September 2003, Kayani was promoted to command the army's elite 10 Corps in the garrison town of Rawalpindi. The chain smoker headed investigations into two December 2003 assassination attempts against Musharraf, securing several convictions, before being appointed director-general of the powerful Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) spy agencyin October 2004.

 

* Closely involved in Pakistan's anti-terrorism initiatives, the low-profile military man is said to be well-regarded by U.S. counterparts. His promotion to general and appointment as vice army chief in early October came as part of Musharraf's planned transition to civilian leader.

 

  • This year, Kayani was involved in inconclusive negotiations with Bhutto on a power-sharing deal whereby Musharraf would continue as civilian president and Bhutto, Kayani's former boss, returned to politics. Seen as largely apolitical, Kayani is also president of the Pakistan Golf Federation with a handicap of 18, according to Pakistan-focused blog The Insider Brief.

 

 

 

 

 




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Tuesday, November 27, 2007

NewsGuru on Troika Politics

Part-1--Swat Operation

 

 

Pakistan army takes control of key peaks

 

Mountain tops in Bara Bande, Kuza Bande, Mam Dheri and Segram sanitized- ISPR

 

Cobra Helicopters engage militants-

 

 

 

Part-II-------Troika Politics

 

 

Under the election laws, it is highly doubtful that Nawaz Sharif can contest elections- Attorney General Malik Qayyum

 

Pakistan's Sharif Files for Elections- WP

 

Military officials confirm President Pervez Musharraf will step down as army chief Wednesday- WP

 

Musharraf, 64, did not say when he would end emergency rule- WP

 

Re-emergence of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif as a central player in Islamabad's power equation is unnerving the Bush administration, consumed with its global fight against al Qaeda and Islamist militancy- NYT

 

 

 

Senior U.S. officials welcomed Gen. Musharraf's decision to step down as army chief, but worry Mr. Sharif's potential role in any new Pakistani government could undermine efforts to hunt down al Qaeda and Taliban militants-NYT

 

 

 

Fired judges should be restored with dignity and honor- Nawaz Sharif

 

Musharraf chief of army staff since 1998, will hand over command to his deputy, Ashfaq Parvez Kayani- Bloomberg

 

 

 

Benazir Bhutto says United States was pushing for an alliance of moderate parties to govern the country- Telegraph

 

 

 

 

 

This will be a decisive week in Pakistani politics. Pervez Musharraf has been diminished by Nawaz Sharif's return- Guardian

 

There are attempts not only to outmanoeuvre Musharraf but to outmanoeuvre each other- Guardian

 

 




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Sharif Returns

Sharif Returns

 

 

 

 

Throngs Welcome Pakistan's Ex-Leader- WP

 

Sharif Calls for Lifting Emergency Measures- WP

 

What Pakistan Needs

The worst thing the United States could do now would be to cut back support for Pakistan- WP

 

Bitterest Rival of Musharraf Returns Home- NYT

 

I have come to save this country- Nawaz Sharif

 

Pakistani Middle Class, Beneficiary of Musharraf, Begins to Question Rule- NYT

 

Sharif's Return Stirs Pakistan Election Pot- WSJ

 

A Challenger Welcomed - Washington Times

 

Ballot cannot be free or fair without an independent press and judiciary- Opposition Parties

 

Sharif Gets a Hero's Welcome- LAT

 

Nawaz Sharif's return could fill the opposition's leadership void-  CSM

 

Leader Overthrown by Musharraf Returns to Pakistan- USA TODAY

 

We want democracy and nothing else- Nawaz Sharif

 

Pakistan Crowds Welcome Sharif- Chicago tribune

 

 

Nawaz Sharif Returns to Pakistan- Telegraph

 

Musharraf's Troubles Deepen as Sharif Makes Triumphant Return- Guardian

 

Nawaz Sharif makes it Home after Pressure from Saudi Arabia- Times

 

Thousands celebrate return of exiled former PM-  Globe and Mail

 

Ex-Pakistan PM: Won't Serve As Premier under Musharraf- AP

 

Pakistan's Sharif Joins Election Battlefield- AFP

 

Pakistan's Bhutto Says Ready for Sharif Alliance- AFP

 




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Thursday, November 22, 2007

NEWSGURU---Political Cauldron

Part-1---Political Cauldron

 

 

Musharraf wants to reach out to Nawaz Sharif or extend his exile?

 

Musharraf spent less than 24 hours in Saudi Arabia.

 

Musharraf meets King Abdullah, Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul-Aziz, Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal and intelligence chief Murqin bin Abdul-Aziz

 

Newsday

US President George W. Bush may be forced to choose between President Musharraf and Benazir Bhutto

 

The Washington Post

The general hasn't crossed the line and truly is somebody who believes in democracy- US President Bush

 

Part-II--------Legal Matters

 

 

Musharraf to leave Army Post-

 

If the Supreme Court lifts the stay order against his re-election, then President Musharraf is likely to take the oath as a civilian president by Saturday or Sunday- Attorney General Malik Muhammad Qayyum

 

We are getting closer to when emergency order would be lifted, elections would be held and President Musharraf would take off uniform- White House Spokesperson Dana Perino

 

 

 




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Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Political Scene

Part-1—Political Scene

 

We remain concerned that there has not been a lifting of the emergency order- White House Spokesperson Dana Perino

 

US Ambassador meets JUI President Maulana Fazlur Rehman- US Embassy Spokesperson

 

US Ambassador Anne Patterson to meet other political leaders and opposition parties as well- Embassy Spokesperson

 

3416 imprisoned politicians, lawyers released, 2000 still under detention-

 

Courts to decide release of detainees facing criminal charges-

 

Upto 140 militants killed in Swat and Para Chinar-

 

There are reports of foreign involvement in Swat-

 

Former Supreme Court judges are free to go wherever they want to-

 

 

 

Part-2 Election 2008

 

Election on January 8, 2008




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Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Media Curbs in Pakistan

Part-1 Media Curbs:

 

All restrictions on media be lifted- EU

US expresses grave concerns over the orders to suppress the news media- US Ambassador Anne W. Patterson

 

Such extreme and unreasonable measures are clearly not in Pakistan's best interest- US

 

Media curbs contradict progress toward becoming a fully democratic society- US

 

US Ambassador urges Pakistan to lift the curbs on media and immediately permit broadcasters to resume their programming-

 

Media must be free to report on events and share their opinions with the public-Ambassador Patterson

 

Suppression of media and arrests run directly counter to reforms- Negroponte

 

 

 

US, EU Reaction

 

 

 

US Hopes to Arm Pakistani Tribes Against Al Qaeda- NYT

 

Washington's $100 Mln Nuclear Security Programme for Pakistan- NYT

 

Foreign Office Reaction:

 

Pakistan and US engaged in mutually agreeable cooperation in rudimentary training and ideas to strength security and surveillance-
 
Equipment for tracing nuclear material is of a basic nature and is needed to prevent smuggling of such materials from ports  or other exit points-
 
Pakistan's red lines have always been clear which ensure that our control and safety procedures remain fully protected and secure-

 

 

John Negroponte

 

Negroponte meets President Musharraf, General Ashfaq Kiani, General Nadeem Taj, Tariq Aziz and telephones Benazir Bhutto

 

President Musharraf has been and continues to be a strong voice against extremism-

 

President Musharraf reiterates commitment to retire from army before commencing his second presidential term- Negroponte

 

I urged the government to stop such actions, lift the state of emergency, and release all political detainees- Negroponte

 

Emergency rule is not compatible with free, fair, and credible elections- Negroponte

 

I encouraged reconciliation between political moderates as the most constructive way forward- Negroponte

Foreign Office:

 

Foreign Office regrets European Parliament's Resolution on situation in Pakistan- FO
 
Emergency imposed to avert an institutional breakdown and internal crisis that paralysed government- FO
 
 
Elections before 9th January 2008- FO
 
President to take off uniform by end-November- FO
 
European Parliament should not aggravate the ground situation by unrealistic and intrusive demands- FO
 

European Parliament Resolution

Demands unequivocally to end emergency and restore 1973 Constitution

Concerned over arrests of more than 3 000 citizens, including leaders of political parties, lawyers, journalists, human rights activists

Judicial independence be restored- EU

EU Calls on Member States fully to respect EU code of conduct on arms exports-

EU calls for expanding aid to Pakistan for social sectors and channelling funds through secular NGOs

 

 




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Friday, November 16, 2007

News Guru on Caretakers

Caretakers

 

Things would be much worse in Pakistan if we didn't have emergency rule- Pervez Musharraf

 

Government withdraws Bhutto's detention order-

 

US envoys to discuss cooperation between Musharraf and opposition figures to stabilize situation- LA Times

 

Political process derailed- Deputy Secretary of State John D. Negroponte

 

We want to work with political actors to put the process back on track- Negroponte

 

Negroponte likely to meet with President Musharraf, Benazir Bhutto, Foreign Secretary Vice COAS General Ashfaq Kiani

 

Nawaz Sharif ready to join hands with Bhutto for restoration of constitution

 

No one has consulted about caretaker set up- Nawaz

 

Restoration of constitution, reinstatement of judiciary, free media top priorities- Nawaz

 

All opposition parties need to take a unified position on poll boycott- Nawaz

 

Nawaz wants to return as soon as possible

 

 

 

 

Benazir Bhutto rejects caretaker government, as not acceptable

Seven close allies of President part of caretaker set up

Caretaker PM Mohammadmian Soomro is Chairman Senate since 2003

 

 

Caretaker Portfolios

1-Shahzada Alam Monnoo, Minister for Commerce, Trade and Industry

2-Barrister Habibur Rehman, Minister for Communications

3-Sikander Jogezai, Minister for Culture

4-Dr. Salim Abbas Jillani, Minister for Defence and Defence Production

5-Dr. Salman Shah, Minister for Finance, Economic Affairs, Revenue and Statistics

6-Dr. Shamsh K. Lakha, Minister for Education, Science and Technology

7-Syed Wajid H. Bokhari ,Minister for Environment, Local Government and Rural Development

8-Prince Essa Jan, Minister for Food, Agriculture and Livestock

9-Inam-Ul-Haque, Minister for Foreign Affairs

10-Nisar Ali Khan, Minister for Housing and Works

11-Ansar Burney, Minister for Human Rights

12-Salman Taseer, Minister for Industries, Production and Special Initiatives

13-Nisar A. Memon, Minister for Information and Broadcasting

14-Dr. Abdullah Riar, Minister for Information Technology

15-Hamid Nawaz Khan, Minister for Interior and Narcotics

16-Abbas Sarfraz, Minister for KANA and SAFRON

17-Nisar Ghumman, Minister for Labour, Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis

18-Syed Afzal Haider, Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs

19-Raja Tri Dev Roy, Minister for Minorities

20-Ahsan Ullah Khan, Minster for Petroleum and Natural Resources

21-Dr. Fahim Ansari, Minister for Ports and Shipping

22-Khawaja Attaullah, Taunsa Sharif Minister for Religious Affairs, Zakat and Ushr

23-Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, Minister for Tourism and Youth Affairs

24-Dr. Shahida Jamil, Minister for Women Development, Social Welfare and Special Education

 




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Thursday, November 15, 2007

News Guru on Security Situation and Politics

News Guru on Security Situation and Politics

PCO amended giving powers to revoke emergency to President

President to resign as army chief before December 1, 2007- Attorney General Malik Qayyyum

 

As soon Supreme Court decides Presidential case, he will take off his uniform- AG

 

MIAN NAWAZ SHARIF

Former Prime Minister

-Benazir calls Nawaz to discuss common agenda

-Reinstatement of sacked judges must for free, fair elections- Nawaz Sharif

-Possibility of APC discussed between Nov 18-21-

-President Musharraf should step down- Nawaz Sharif

-Things have gone too far for any reconciliation-

 

 

 

 

 

Gunship helicopters target militants North of Kabal and Kuza Bande

Army launches major offensive to clear Besham Shangla Road

Artillery and Mortars being uses to clear the area

20 militants killed on Thursday in Swat

 

Clashes continue between security forces and followers of Maulana Fazlullah

 

Civilian casualties reported

 

US military is looking at alternate routes to send supplies to Afghanistan-

 

US sends 75 pct supplies for Afghan war through Pakistan-

 

Pentagon says it was not worried about security of Pakistan's nuclear weapons-

 




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News Guru on Swat Operations- NA term

Army about to launch operation in Swat and Bajaur

 

Several criminal gangs jumped in under Taliban garb

 

Military to target Khwazakhela and Matta

 

TNSM and Maulvi Fazllullah linked militants prime targets

 

 Army plan to sanitise affected areas in six weeks

 

192 army men, 62 FC troops and 63 policemen killed in 161 terrorist attacks, including 8 suicide attacks

 

Pakistan Army launches operation in coordination with US forces based in Afghanistan

 

1047 local and foreign terrorists killed since Oct 2001

 

ISPR says:

 

 

Gunship helicopters and artillery guns target militants in Swat

 

4 miscreants killed in North of Hazara village

 

At Shangla top, miscreant positions destroyed, 6 killed

 

6 militants killed near Hazara Bridge

 

IED attack on a security convoy near Batkhela leaves 8 injured

 

 

 

 

-       NA to stand dissolved by mid-night on Nov 15

-       Notification to dissolve NA ready

-       Provincial Assemblies to be dissolved on Nov 20

-       Leading lights in run to be caretakers




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Wednesday, November 14, 2007

News Guru on Long March to Democracy-2

Part-1

Long March to Democracy

 

 

Benazir Bhutto demands President Pervez Musharraf to quit-

 

Benazir Bhutto detained-

 

It is over with Musharraf- Bhutto

 

I would not serve as prime minister under Musharraf- Bhutto

 

Credible reports terrorist may target BB- Cheema

 

 

IRI Polls

 

IRI's public opinion research shows consistent desire for democratic governance-

 

Polls show 83 pct Pakistanis oppose declaration of emergency-

 

 

 

 

Part-2-------International Reaction

 

 

Japan watching current political situation very closely-

 

Japan expresses deep concern over imposition of emergency as a setback for democracy-
 

Japan has consistently supported Pakistan's fight against terrorism and its efforts for consolidation of democracy-

Japan strongly expects that the situation in Pakistan will be normalized promptly and it will return to the process toward the consolidation of democracy-

Japan was considering more ODA for Pakistan before imposition of emergency-

I have concerns about the current situation in Pakistan- Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura 

Japan would re-examine carefully whether to increase the amount of aid at this point-

 

Japan to consider every option- Foreign Minister

 

 

 

 

 

----------------------------------------------

US Ambassad Anne W. Patterson

 

Imposition of emergency serious setback for democracy-  US Ambassad Anne W. Patterson

 

Pakistan's move toward democracy has been seriously set back by events of November 3- Patterson

 

Do not throw away in weeks what Pakistan has taken years to achieve- Patterson

 

State of emergency put economic growth of Pakistan and upward mobility at risk- Patterson

 

American investors have adopted a wait and see attitude now- Patterson

 

Longer extra-constitutional measures stay in place, greater damage to Pakistan's economy- Patterson

 

For elections to be credible, government must release opposition party leaders and workers from jail or house arrest- Patterson

 

Media must be free to report on events and criticize the government- Patterson

 

There is no way to put this genie back in the bottle by cutting off the media now- Patterson

 

Pakistan must tackle extremists and militants operating within its borders to continue its economic progress- Patterson

 

 

Commonwealth

 

CMAG condemned abrogation of Constitution and Proclamation of Emergency

 

CMAG will meet again on Nov 22, 2007 to discuss Pakistan

 




-----------------------------------------------------------
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NADEEM MALIK LIVE

NADEEM MALIK LIVE

Nadeem Malik Live is the flagship current affairs programme of Pakistan. The programme gives independent news analysis of the key events shaping future of Pakistan. A fast paced, well rounded programme covers almost every aspect, which should be a core element of a current affairs programme. Discussion with the most influential personalities in the federal capital and other leading lights of the country provides something to audience to help them come out with their own hard hitting opinions.

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