Zardari seeks release of $1.6bn for terror war

NEW YORK: President Asif Ali Zardari has urged the US government to reimburse the 1.6 billion dollars that Pakistan spent on fighting extremism in the tribal areas.

The United States pays Pakistan for the anti-extremist operations from a special account called the Coalition Support Fund. Pakistan has not been paid for more than a year.

President Zardari made this demand in two separate meetings with US officials including special envoy Richard Holbrooke.

President Zardari also called for an early realisation of about six billion dollars pledged to Pakistan in the Tokyo conference early this year where international donors promised to help Pakistan overcome its economic crisis.

The President also sought an early adoption of the Kerry-Lugar Bill that may bring in another 1.5 billion dollars of annual US assistance over a period of five years. — DawnNews

Zardari, Singh ‘likely’ to hold talks on Tuesday

NEW DELHI: India’s prime minister and Pakistan’s president are ‘likely’ to hold face-to-face talks on Tuesday on the sidelines of a regional summit in Russia, an Indian foreign ministry official told AFP.

Indian premier Manmohan Singh and Pakistan’s president Asif Ali Zardari will both be in Yekaterinburg for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting.

‘A meeting on the sidelines is likely,’ the Indian foreign ministry official told AFP.

Separately, an official who is organising summit meetings told Reuters that Singh and Zardari plan to meet on Tuesday.

The two will meet in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg, the official said.

‘According to our information a bilateral Indian-Pakistani meeting is tentatively planned for tomorrow,’ the official, who asked not to be named, said. The exact format of the meeting was still unclear, he said.

It would be the first time the two leaders have met since last November’s Mumbai attacks, which India has blamed on Pakistan-based militants.

The attacks, which left 166 dead, prompted India to freeze a peace process with its fellow nuclear-armed neighbour and arch-rival. — AFP/Reuters

Zardari, Singh ‘likely’ to hold talks on Tuesday

NEW DELHI: India’s prime minister and Pakistan’s president are ‘likely’ to hold face-to-face talks on Tuesday on the sidelines of a regional summit in Russia, an Indian foreign ministry official told AFP.

Indian premier Manmohan Singh and Pakistan’s president Asif Ali Zardari will both be in Yekaterinburg for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting.

‘A meeting on the sidelines is likely,’ the Indian foreign ministry official told AFP.

Separately, an official who is organising summit meetings told Reuters that Singh and Zardari plan to meet on Tuesday.

The two will meet in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg, the official said.

‘According to our information a bilateral Indian-Pakistani meeting is tentatively planned for tomorrow,’ the official, who asked not to be named, said. The exact format of the meeting was still unclear, he said.

It would be the first time the two leaders have met since last November’s Mumbai attacks, which India has blamed on Pakistan-based militants.

The attacks, which left 166 dead, prompted India to freeze a peace process with its fellow nuclear-armed neighbour and arch-rival. — AFP/Reuters

Zardari, Manmohan to meet tomorrow in Russia

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari and India Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will meet Tuesday on the sidelines of Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit here in a bid to restart the stalled peace process.

The meeting between President Zardari and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to be held in Yekaterinburg – a city located where Asia and Europe meet, will be first one since the composite dialogue process initiated between the Pakistan and India in 2004, got paralyzed following the November 2008 Mumbai attacks.

Zardari, Gilani welcome Obama initiatives

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan welcomed on Friday US President Barack Obama’s initiative ‘to strengthen democracy’ in Pakistan and his plan to provide billions of dollars in aid.

‘President Asif Ali Zardari welcomed (the) US president’s initiatives for Pakistan to strengthen democracy and his call to US Congress to pass a bill for $1.5 billion aid to Pakistan every year,’ the state news agency reported.

‘President Zardari said that Pakistan has always held the Pakistan-US relations in high esteem and his (Obama’s) announcements during a speech on a new strategy on Afghanistan and Pakistan will further cement these ties,’ it added.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani told reporters that Obama administration’s focus was on regional cooperation.

‘We also want a regional approach because regional issues can be resolved with the support of regional powers,’ Mr Gilani said, adding: ‘We are in favour of this policy. They (Americans) have accepted our position (that) army action alone is not a solution for all these problems.’

Mr Gilani said: ‘I want to assure the world that Pakistan believes in peace, prosperity and progress of the whole world and we will not allow our territory to be used for terrorism.’

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi told Reuters in an interview in Moscow: ‘I think the new Obama administration’s approach is a very positive approach. They are looking towards a regional approach to the situation.’

’Pakistan is willing to play an active, constructive role in this because we feel our peace and security is linked to Afghanistans … there is spillover.’

Miliband hails Zardari, Nawaz to defuse crisis

LONDON: Britain welcomed Monday the reinstatement of Pakistan’s deposed top judge and the cancellation of an opposition march as signs of “real political leadership” to defuse a threatened crisis.

“The steps taken to defuse the political crisis in Pakistan show real political leadership by all concerned,” said Foreign Secretary David Miliband in a statement.

President Asif Ali Zardari’s decision to reinstate Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry and former premier Nawaz Sharif’s response in calling off the Long March “demonstrate that both men are willing to put the interests of Pakistan first.

“I hope that all parties will now quickly come together around a common agenda to consolidate the political steps made, and to agree measures that will strengthen democracy and impartial justice in Pakistan,” Miliband said.

source : jang.com.pk

Zardari, Karzai meet in Tehran

TEHRAN: President Asif Ali Zardari met with his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai on the sidelines of Economic Coordination Organization (ECO) summit here on Tuesday.

According to sources, two leaders discussed bilateral ties, mutual cooperation and regional situation in the meeting.

Earlier, President Zardari arrived in Iranian capital of Tehran for a two-day visit to attend a regional economic summit.

source : jang.com.pk

Pak needs no lectures on war against terror: Zardari

ISLAMABAD: Advocating the need for recasting Pakistan-U.S. relationship into a long-term partnership for peace, stability and development, President Asif Ali Zardari Wednesday asked President Barack Obama to help resolve the lingering Kashmir dispute that remains at the heart of South Asian unrest and challenges like extremism.

“President Obama understands that for Pakistan to defeat the extremists, it must be stable. For democracy to succeed, Pakistan must be economically viable,” Zardari wrote in a US newspaper article in which he congratulated the new U.S. leader on assumption of office and extended Pakistan’s “hand in friendship”.

As part of economic empowerment efforts, President Zardari called for swift progress towards realization of economic assistance expansion initiative (Biden-Lugar legislation) in Congress as well as the preferential trade program of reconstruction opportunity zones and said, “assistance to Pakistan is not charity.”

“The water crisis in Pakistan is directly linked to relations with India. Resolution could prevent an environmental catastrophe in South Asia, but failure to do so could fuel the fires of discontent that lead to extremism and terrorism. We applaud the president’s desire to engage our nation and India to defuse the tensions between us”, he said.

“Unlike in the 1980s, we are surrogates for no one. With all due respect, we need no lectures on our commitment. This is our war. It is our children and wives who are dying”, the president added.

Zardari renewed Pakistan’s determination to curb the menace of terrorism in its own interest and called for equipping Pakistan with modern security tools and technology to proactively fight the terrorists “on our terms”.

source : jang.com.pk

President for a roundtable of former cricketers to revive the game

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari Monday while calling to make cricket a vehicle of national integration by holding inter-regional matches, urged veteran cricketers to convene a roundtable for revival of the game at national level.

Addressing a prize distribution ceremony here at the President House to give away prizes to winners of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Memorial Cricket the President recalled that Pakistan once led the cricket world and won several international laurels. He however regretted that over the past few years, the quality of the game had declined and there was a need that veteran cricket players, coaches and captains sit together to formulate a strategy for its revival. President Zardari extended full support of the government in this regard and said cricket “can serve as a vehicle for greater national integration by holding more inter-regional and inter-provincial matches.” He said the roundtable should come up with recommendations for launching cricket across the country at school and college level, so that young and fresh blood is inducted, that can be groomed and trained for serving at the national level. The President suggested that the large corporations sponsor teams at different tiers to cultivate young cricketers who can win laurels for the country.

The President earlier distrib0uted trophies and souvenirs among the participants of the cricket matches, organized by Shaheed Z. A. Bhutto sports society, with Pakistan Cricket Control Board as the patron. The Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Memorial Cricket Championship matches were played on league basis in Islamabad, Lahore, Hyderabad and Karachi by sixteen national teams. The final in Islamabad was won by Rawalpindi Cricket Association against the Port Qasim Trust Authority team. National level teams from PIA, HBL, NBP and other organizations participated in the matches.

source : jang.com.pk

Zardari urges US to stop drone attacks

ISLAMABAD: The US CENTCOM Chief General David Petraeus called on President Asif Ali Zardari in the Presidency on Tuesday and discussed with him regional security matters.

In the meeting, President Zardari said that drone attacks in tribal areas were weakening writ of the government and destabilizing the political process. He urged the United States to stop drone attacks in tribal belt and fulfill its commitment to create Economic Opportunity Zones (EOZs) in tribal areas. The president said the construction of EOZs would boost socio-economic development in tribal areas.

Zardari further said that ongoing war on terror badly affected Pakistan’s economy and that the world should help Pakistan to tackle economic challenges.

Lauding Pakistan’s role in war against terror, General Petraeus said Pakistan was playing a pivotal role in war on terror.

US Ambassador to Pakistan, Anne W. Patterson and the Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani were also present during the meeting.

source : jang.com.pk

Zardari convenes Senate session Jan 23

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has summoned a session of the Senate on January 23 (Friday).

The president has summoned the Senate session in exercise of the powers conferred on him by Clause 1 of Article 54 of the constitution.

The session, which will be the 50th of the Upper House, would commence at 1000 hours in the parliament building.

source : jang.com.pk

US envoy meets President Zardari

US envoy meets President Zardari

ISLAMABAD: A meeting between U.S. ambassador Anne W. Peterson and President Asif Ali Zardari held here on Thursday.

According to sources the meeting assumes significant importance in view of U.S. Vice President elect Joe Biden’s visit to Pakistan tomorrow.

The meeting is expected to discuss matters relating to Indo-Pak tension and developments regarding Ajmal Kasab.

source : jang.com.pk

For FUNNY JOKES & SMS
www.karachicorner.com

Dialogue key to resolving Indo-Pak tension: President Zardari

ISLAMABAD: US Ambassador to Pakistan, Anne W. Patterson called on President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday at the Presidency.

President Zardari said that Indo-Pak tension should be resolved through dialogue. Anne Patterson said that her country was in constant contact with Indian and Pakistani leadership and it supported dialogue process so that the tension between two South Asian neighbours could be diffused.

According to a press statement issued from the Presidency, matters relating to terrorism and regional situation were also discussed in the meeting. Well-placed sources told Geo news that the US envoy hailed steps taken by Pakistan to de-escalate Indo-Pak tension and said that cooperation with Pakistan in war against terror would be enhanced.

President Zardari told Patterson about Pakistan efforts and repeated offers of cooperation with India in Mumbai attacks investigation. He said that India did not respond positively to Pakistan’s offer. The president said that the US should enhance cooperation with Pakistan in energy sector to address energy crisis in the county.

source : jang.com.pk

Country passing through an era of trial: President Zardari

HYDERABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has said that the country was passing through delicate times and we would defend the country till last drop of our blood.

Addressing the cadets at Hyderabad Cadets College, Petaro, Pakistan President vowed making no compromise on the independence and sovereignty of the country and added that a heavy responsibility of the defense of the country waiting for the cadets to shoulder.

source : jang.com.pk

No leniency bearable on national security: Zardari

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari said Saturday that securing nation is our top priority therefore no leniency on national security would be allowed.

President was talking to member Sindh Assembly during a meeting here in Islamabad.

President said that we seek PML-N’s cooperation to run government and feared that the confrontations being carried out by PML-N would cause damages to country particularly at in the face of crisis.

He also urged political parties to bury all the differences in the greatest interest of country.

source : jang.com.pk

Zardari terms Indian jets air intrusion as technical error

ISLAMABAD: British Prime Minister Gordon Brown Sunday said that three-quarters of the most serious terror plots investigated by British authorities had links to Al-Qaeda in Pakistan, although he stressed terrorism was a “global problem.”

After holding talks with President Asif Ali Zardari in the wake of Mumbai attacks he said time for talks is over and now it is time to act.

President Zardari on the occasion urged India to share information and assured that Pakistan government is ready to take further action against militant forces.

He termed the air intrusion by Indian aircrafts as technical mistake.

The British Prime Minister addressing a press conference along with President Zardari pledged to help Pakistan “break the chain of terror”.

He said Britain would work with the government in Islamabad to ensure that terrorists were denied safe havens in Pakistan, pledging six million pounds (nine million dollars) to help it tackle militancy.

“Through these measures we hope to do more to break the chain of terror that links the mountains of Afghanistan and Pakistan to the streets of the UK and other countries around the world,” Brown said at a press conference with Zardari.

Brown said his meeting with Zardari had reassured him of Pakistan’s determination to act against those responsible for what he called a “human tragedy on a terrible scale.”

Brown said the two nations must work together to “do everything in our power to cut off terrorism” and stressed that Pakistan was itself a victim of terrorism, having suffered 50 suicide attacks this year alone.

“I think it’s right that we have to help Pakistan to root out terrorism in its own country… all of us suffer when terrorists are active and are able to impose their will,” he said.

At least one British national died in last month’s attacks on India’s financial centre, and Brown said he had asked Zardari to allow British police to question Pakistani suspects if they wanted to do.

“I asked (Indian Prime Minister) Manmohan Singh this morning if he would allow the British police, if they chose to so do, to interview the person arrested as one of the suspects… I have similarly asked President Zardari,” he said.

“We all have an interest in discovering what lies behind the Mumbai outrages.” Pakistan has arrested a number of suspected militants in the wake of the attacks, including two leaders of the banned militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba, while the lone surviving gunman, a Pakistani national, is being held in India.

Brown, who left Pakistan after the press conference, met Zardari hours after Islamabad said India had twice violated Pakistani air space on Saturday, drawing a swift denial from New Delhi.

Pakistan said Indian jets had flown over the Pakistani-administered part of Kashmir and the eastern city of Lahore, where Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), which India accuses of involvement in the Mumbai attacks, is active.

Zardari said the Indian fighter jets only “slightly entered Pakistani soil.”

Pakistan has arrested key leaders of LeT and shut down a charity accused of being a front for the group, freezing its assets and detaining dozens of members.

But it says it will not hand over any suspects to India, saying New Delhi has not yet provided any evidence implicating Pakistanis in the attacks.

Govt. committed to uphold human rights: Zardari

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari reiterated the government’s firm commitment to uphold the principles enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and to rededicate to the promotion and protection of human rights.

In a message on the Universal Human Rights day falling on December 10, he said they solemnly pledge to make renewed efforts to promote a culture of respect for human rights, tolerance, diversity, and pluralism.

“Our leader, Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed following in the footsteps of her illustrious father Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was a great champion of human rights throughout her life,” the President said.

The President said her whole political career is a manifestation of struggle for voicing concern over human rights violations all over world.

In recognition of her invaluable contributions for human rights activities, the United Nations has nominated her for the UN Human Rights Award posthumously. The government is committed to tread the path illuminated by Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto with her blood, he added.

He said our faith Islam teaches deep respect for rights of all human beings, enjoins the eternal values of equal rights, social justice and peace and banishes discrimination on the basis of class, colour or creed.

Mumbai attack not on India but on Pakistan’s democratic government: Zardari

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari said that the Mumbai attack was not made on India but it is on the new democratic government of Pakistan and its peace efforts which we are making to maintain friendly relations with India.

He said that the terrorists have no relation with Pakistan and in fact Islamabad is their target. “We are throughout on the terrorists’ hit.”

In an article published in an American newspaper, President Zardari said that the Mumbai carnage may be a new story for the world but this is a painful fact for me. I can feel this pain and I see this pain in the eyes of my children.

He said that the recent killings and destruction in Mumbai freshened the memories of Karachi carnage of October 18, 2007 when the welcome procession of my wife Benazir Bhutto was attacked by terrorists and some 150 people were killed and more than 450 injured.

Zardari wrote: “…the Mumbai attacks took me to the day when I lost my wife who unfortunately was martyred after just two months in another attack”.

He further said that the Mumbai attack was not made only on India but it is on the new democratic government of Pakistan and its peace efforts which we are making to maintain friendly relations with India.

He suggested that Pakistan, India and the rest of the world should work together for the elimination of terrorism.

source : jang.com.pk

Terrorists have no relation with Pakistan: Zardari

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari said that the terrorists have no relation with Pakistan and in fact Islamabad is their target.

In an article published in an American newspaper, President Zardari said that the Mumbai carnage may be a new story for the world but this is a painful fact for me. I can feel this pain.

He said that the recent killings and destruction in Mumbai freshened the memories of Karachi carnage of October 18, 2007 when the welcome procession of my wife Benazir Bhutto was attacked by terrorists and some 150 people were killed and more than 450 injured.

Zardari wrote: “the Mumbai attacks took me to the day when I lost my wife who unfortunately was martyred after just two months in another attack”.

He further said that the Mumbai attack was not made only on India but it is on the new democratic government of Pakistan and its peace efforts which we are making to maintain friendly relations with India.

He suggested that Pakistan, India and the rest of the world should work together for the elimination of terrorism.

source : jang.com.pk

Zardari’s new approach aims to boost India ties

ISLAMABAD: India has known very little about President Asif Ali Zardari. His best credentials have been that he is husband of the late Benazir Bhutto.

Even when he was elected Pakistan’s President, Zardari was a distant figure, un-profiled and undefined. Since the time he has been at the helm of affairs, Indians have wanted to know where he stood on many questions which have beleaguered the two countries since independence. A few days ago he provided some answers.

This was at a video-conference, part of a Leadership Summit hosted by local English daily. Zardari’s appearance may not have been for more than half an hour in the two-day-long conference but he stole the show. There was a spontaneous applause for him. He is now a much talked about person in the country. Suddenly, he has emerged a familiar and friendly person who wants to do business with India.

What was most striking about Zardari’s speech was his statement that his country would not be the first to use nuclear weapons in a conflict with India.

This categorical assurance is a departure from the Pakistani stand which is short in conventional weapons and long in nuclear devices. I recall when I interviewed Dr A.Q. Khan, father of Pakistan’s bomb, he said that they would use the bomb in a war against India from the beginning because Pakistan could not match India’s prowess in conventional arms.

Zardari’s observation has embarrassed the bureaucracy in Pakistan. They have said ‘no’ whenever New Delhi has sought in the past an agreement of no-first use. Their rationalisation is that the nuclear weapons give Pakistan parity with India. They have reacted unfavourably, calling Zardari’s observation as an “off-the-cuff remark” or “ill-informed statement.” However, Foreign Offices on both sides are quiet although the statement has created confusion.

Zardari expresses resolve to steer Pakistan out of hot waters

ABU DHABI: President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday expressed his resolve to steer the country out of numerous challenges with the help and cooperation of people including the expatriate Pakistanis as well as the political and democratic forces.

“The countries and nations have difficult times, but there was no need to worry as the PPP government will Inshallah steer the country out of challenges it was facing,” the President said while addressing a large gathering of Pakistani community here at Pakistan embassy.

The President said despite the fact that the whole world was facing economic recession, he was confident that the future of Pakistan and its people was bright.

He said Pakistan with its best geostrategic location, a strong human capital as well as the trade and economic potential was poised to develop and grow.

Advisor to Prime Minister on Interior Rehman Malik, Pakistan’s Ambassador to UAE Khurshid Ahmed Junejo, Ambassador at Large Javed Malik and local PPP representatives were also present on the occasion.

President Asif Ali Zardari assured the Overseas Pakistanis that the government would soon announce a programme to promote their welfare and provide them better incentives for home remittances.

The President directed Advisors on Finance and Interior to prepare the programme and said steps would be taken for liberalization of transactions for home remittances.

He urged expatriate Pakistanis to work hard and send their remittances through legal and banking channels for their own benefit and as well as for the country.

‘Pakistan won’t be first to use nukes’: Zardari

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari Saturday said Pakistan will not be the first to use nuclear weapons.

He said this in reply to a question during a concluding session of a summit held in New Delhi. President Zardari was in Islamabad and participated in the summit through video conferencing.

He said Pakistan and India can join hands for bilateral trade; however, he expressed inability to give any particular date in this regard.

To a question regarding quick issuance of visa, the President suggested introduction of cards for peoples of both the countries which they could use for traveling across borders.

Zardari calls for end to discrimination against Muslims

UNITED NATIONS: President Asif Ali Zardari has said that dialogue is the best way to deal with scourge of terrorism, adding that the west should give up the politics of hatred so that dream of global unity could be achieved.

He said this while addressing a special session of the United Nations Interfaith Conference here on Thursday.

President Zardari said the world is presently confronting the problem of terrorism. The president said that there was need to adopt the option of dialogue to tackle the menace of militancy.

In his speech, President Zardari urged participants of the interfaith conference to end injustice and discrimination on the mere basis of one’s faith.

The President said that unfortunately at a time when most Muslims are advocating interfaith dialogue, they also witness events that frustrate our call for dialogue. “We hear hate speeches across countries and regions in which Islam as a religion is attacked.”

Hate speech against Islam also leads to injustices against Muslims, he said, adding, “We still confront a dangerous world of confrontation and terror, threatening to provoke the “clash of civilizations” that this Dialogue was instituted to prevent”.

He said that he was representing a country where the struggle for Islamic principles of gender equality, tolerance and reconciliation has brought us to the center of international stage.

President Asif Ali Zardari also said that Islam is tolerant of other religions and cultures and internally tolerant of dissent.

Source: Daily Jang

President Zardari to attend interfaith conference in U.S.

ISLAMAABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari will participate in an interfaith conference at UN Headquarters in New York on Nov. 12.

President Zardari has been invited by United Nations (UN) to attend the conference aimed at promoting interfaith dialogue.

According to sources, President Zardari will also hold meetings with King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, US President George W. Bush and other leaders during the conference.

The UN interfaith conference, the first of its kind, is being held at the initiative of King Abdullah and on the recommendations of the conference that was held in Madrid in July.