|





















News Archives
Latest News
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September
2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December
2006
November 2006
October
2006
September 2006
August 2006
June 2006
May 2006
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
December 2005
November
2005
October 2005
September 2005
August 2005
July 2005
June 2005
May 2005
April 2005
March 2005
February 2005
January 2005
December 2004
The Rediff
Interview/Benazir Bhutto
|
 |
July 2006

PPP files
Petition against Federal Minister for Law, Justice and Human Rights
Islamabad, 28 July 2006: Pakistan
Peoples Party has filed a petition with the National Accountability Bureau
against Wasi Zafar, the Federal Minister for Law, Justice and Human Rights
for alleged involvement in corruption and corruption practices causing huge
financial loss to the national exchequer.
The petition filed through Shabir Abbasi advocate citing the grounds of the
petition reads, "The respondent was deeply involved in misusing power as
Federal Minister for Law, Justice & Human Rights for mistreating a senior
female officer of BPS 21, Saira Karim after the said officer refused to
approve millions of rupees for 560 applications of Minister's constituency
in the name of victims of human rights violations. It was astonishing to
know that the respondent had reported 560 cases of human rights abuses in
his own constituency and wanted to pay millions of rupees from the funds
being maintained in his Ministry for human rights abuses. This was a sad day
in the history of Pakistan that a woman officer, who refused to allow the
respondent to misuse the funds, was made a horrible example by punishing the
officer, instead of showing respect to her for being upright and honest. It
was a question to which the respondent should be asked to give an answer as
to why such a huge number of human right abuses had been reported only in
his own constituency."
The petition further reads, "After the payment of funds was resisted, the
respondent summoned the women officer and snubbed and charged her of
collecting evidence against the respondent. The said women officer met
Secretary Establishment Division and got herself transferred to
Establishment Division. But fearing that the non-payment issue could explode
and create trouble for the whole Ministry of Law, Justice & Human Rights,
the woman officer was brought back to the Ministry and was given the charge
of the same section dealing with payments to the victims of the human rights
abuses. All these actions could not satisfy the furious respondent and he
directed the Secretary, Ministry of Law, Justice and Human Rights, Mr.
Mansoor Ahmad Khan (appointed on contract basis after retirement) to proceed
against the woman officer. The Secretary Mr. Mansoor Ahmad Khan immediately
obliged the respondent and ordered to probe against the woman officer for
"collecting documentary evidence against the respondent". Meanwhile all the
applications from the respondent's constituency (Jarranwala) were in the
custody of Secretary Mr. Mansoor Ahmad who is pushing the woman officer to
reconsider her earlier decision."
The petition calls upon the Chairman of the National Accountability Bureau
is called upon to initiate investigation in connection with matters set out
hereinabove and further proceed to file a Reference against the respondent
for violating the provisions of Section 9 of the NAB Ordinance punishable
under Section 10 of the NAB Ordinance in a competent court of law and
proceed against him for violating Section 9 of the NAB Ordinance 1999.

PPP welcomes
vindication of its position on corruption related references
Says the present cases will also be proved as false and politically
motivated
Islamabad July 27, 2006: Spokesman of
the PPP former Senator Farhatullah Babar has issued the following statement
today.
"The revelations before the Public Accounts Committee that the references
filed against Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto by the former President Mr. Ghulam
Ishaq Khan were illegal is the most categorical vindication of the former
Prime Minister's innocence.
"Even though fifteen years late the Party welcomes this vindication. The
Party believes that the current cases against her pursued by the regime both
in the country and abroad will also be exposed as hollow, politically
motivated and no more than a planned character assassination..
The Public Accounts Committee of the Parliament was informed by the
Auditor-General of Pakistan (AGP) the other day that corruption references
filed by former President Ghulam Ishaq Khan against Mohtarma Bhutto and the
28 million rupees spent on it by way of fees to the legal advisors were all
illegal.
Eighteen corruption reference s had been filed against Mohtarma Bhutto and
Asif Ali Zardari at special courts in Lahore, Karachi, Quetta and Rawalpindi
during 1990-92.
The Parliamentary Committee also directed the Cabinet Secretary to appear
before it and explain how all these payments had been made for pursuing
cases that had no basis in law.
"No civil suit can be initiated on behalf of the federal government by any
division/department without the approval of Justice Division and in case of
Benazir, the approval of the Justice Division was not obtained at all", said
the report of the AGP to the Parliamentary Committee.
The report also says that the issue was discussed in one of the departmental
accounts committee meetings in May 1997 but the Cabinet Division authorities
failed to defend their position for such an irregular and exorbitant
expenditure.
The spokesman said that though fifteen years late, the revelation explodes
squarely the myth of corruption used by the then President to dismiss the
elected government of Mohtarma Bhutto.
Sooner or later it will also be proved that the present set of cases were
also being pursued by the military junta with the sole aim of subverting
democracy in the country and to perpetuate military dictatorship, he said.

Raza Rabbani
asks CEC to restrain Musharraf from campaigning for King's Party
Islamabad, July 27: Mian Raza Rabbani,
Leader of the Opposition, Senate of Pakistan has issued the following press
statement;
"General Pervez Musharraf has once gains played partisan politics by
presiding over a political meeting of the presidents, general secretaries
and other office bearers of the King's Party in Sindh on Wednesday and
lending them support in the election campaign.
"The Party has all along maintained that under the rules, law and
Constitution General Musharraf cannot campaign or politically work for any
party in the country. The playing continuously of the partisan political
role by General Pervez Musharraf is condemned in the strongest terms.
"The Party recalls that recently the Chief Election Commissioner had
publicly reiterated this position and stated that General Muhsarraf could
not take part in the election campaign of PML (Q).
"The Party had at that time also stated that the nation will watch if the
Chief Election Commissioner would indeed take action under the law in
restraining General Musharraf from taking part in the election campaign of
PML (Q).
"The Party calls upon the CEC to take action against General Pervez
Musharraf in accordance with the Constitution and the law which he had
publicly reiterated to take in case of its violation by any one.
"The unwillingness or inability of the CEC to take appropriate action under
the law will only mean that his public reiteration a few days ago that
General Musharra could not take part in the election campaign was meant only
for public consumption and no more".

Mohtarma Bhutto
welcomes Ahmed Faraz’s decision of returning Hilal-i-Imtiaz to the military
dictatorship
Islamabad, 26 July 2006: “Your decision
is a clear message to the dictatorship to look inwardly and to reflect on
where it stands in the eyes of the citizens whose fundamental rights have
been ‘trampled under the boots’.” Former Prime Minister and Chairperson
Pakistan People Party, Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto wrote this in a letter
addressed to noted literary figure Ahmad Faraz congratulating him on
returning the Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Civil), which was conferred on him by the
military dictator, General Pervez Musharraf.
Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto in her letter wrote, “The manner in which you have
taken a strong moral position in returning the award will make many feel
proud. It is most reassuring that you refused to be tempted by the trappings
of illegal power that is based not on morality or constitutionalism but on
the brute use of force and exploitation of the
armed forces of Pakistan. It takes courage to take such a decision that can
be taken only by those who are fired by conviction in Constitutionalism and
belief in rule of law. In demonstrating this courage you have earned the
respect of all those who believe in the rule of law as opposed to the rule
of the jungle. All those who love democracy whether in the country or abroad
would not only welcome this decision of yours but also draw strength from
it.”
She further wrote, “I noticed that you said in your letter ‘my lone voice
may not achieve anything but I also cannot suppress the voice that comes
from within and is rooted in conviction’. I wish to tell you that history is
replete with instances when, not guns, but the voice of a single individual
has dealt a deadly moral blow. I share your hope that
the voice raised by you would strengthen those millions of voices that
reject dictatorship.”
“I also hope your example will encourage others to follow in your
footsteps”, she concluded.

Mohtarma
Bhutto condoles death of Abdul Sattar Gabol
Islamabad July 24, 2006: Former Prime
Minister and Chairperson of the Pakistan Peoples Party Mohtarma Benazir has
condoled the death of Abdul Sattar Gabol.
Former PPP Minister and noted politician and social worker Abdul Sattar
Gabol breathed his last on Sunday in Karachi.
In a condolence message the former Prime Minister said that she was grieved
to learn about the death of Abdul Sattar Gabol who she said was a prominent
political figure, a worker of Pakistan movement and also a social worker of
Lyari.
She prayed to Allah to rest his soul in eternal peace. Mohtarma Bhutto also
expressed sympathy with the members of the bereaved family and prayed for
them to bear the loss with fortitude.
GIK cases against Benazir were flawed: AGP report
By Rauf Klasra
ISLAMABAD: The Auditor-General of
Pakistan (AGP) has informed the Public Accounts Committee that former
president Ghulam Ishaq Khan (GIK) had approved the controversial payment of
Rs 28 million from taxpayers’ money to an army of legal advisers he had
recruited to file 18 corruption references against former prime minister
Benazir Bhutto and Asif Zardari in 1990-92.
An AGP report, out after a period of 15 years, has even challenged the
legality of filing of 18 references against Benazir and her spouse by
president GIK at special courts of Lahore, Karachi, Quetta and Rawalpindi
and said they were filed without meeting the legal requirements.
Cabinet Secretary Ejaz Rahim has now been directed by a subcommittee of the
PAC — presided over by MNA Riaz Fatiana — to appear and explain as to how
all these payments had been made without a formal clearance and approval of
the Justice Division.
The AGP report has come as a new dramatic twist to cases against Benazir
after a long period of 15 years. The AGP report while challenging the
legality of references against Benazir stated, “No civil suit can be
initiated on behalf of the federal government by any division/department
without the approval of Justice Division and in case of Benazir, the
approval of the Justice Division was not obtained at all.”
The AGP report might give a new colour to the corruption cases filed against
Benzir and her spouse which are still being pursued by the government of the
day. The then attorney-general had approved these payments on his own
without any legal authority, confirmed the AGP report.
The AGP said the then attorney-general had even settled the terms and
conditions and fees of each legal adviser on his own without consulting the
Justice Division and then he also approved payment to these expensive
lawyers. This is the first ever report alleging serious irregularities by a
former president of Pakistan forwarded to the PAC for public debate.
The report says that accountability cell under the Cabinet Division paid a
huge amount of Rs 28 million as fee to the legal advisers/senior counsel for
preparing reference made by president GIK without the prior consultation
with the Justice Division.
The report says that the issue was discussed in one of the departmental
accounts committee meetings in May 1997 but the Cabinet Division authorities
failed to defend their position for such an irregular and exorbitant
expenditure.
While, in its defence, the Cabinet Division replied that after dissolution
of the Benazir government on August 6, 1990 the GIK government filed
references against her in various special courts under president
post-proclamation order No 176 of 1977 against holders of public offices who
had allegedly committed acts of misconduct.
A case was sent to the secretary law, justice and human rights with the
request that the AG may be allowed to settle the terms and conditions of
engagements of legal experts so that they are paid their fees. But the AGP
said it all was illegal and waste of funds.

PPP condemns exploitation of Sindh by Musharaf's puppets
Islamabad July 24, 2006: Pakistan
Peoples Party has strongly condemned by continued and systematic
exploitation of Sindh by the Musharraf regime through its puppets in the
province and demanded an end to the exploitation of the poor peasants, haris
and workers of Sindh.
"Whether it is a matter of provision of irrigation water or giving of jobs
or preservation of natural heritage or respecting the centuries old right of
fisher folk to livelihood the poor people of Sindh have been the worst
victims of exploitation at the hands of military dictatorship" said a
spokesman of the PPP in a statement today.
To the economic and social exploitation of the people has also been added
the political exploitation by hounding and chasing the Sindhi opposition
leaders and political activists, he said.
Recalling latest incidents of exploitation the spokesman said that on Sunday
the irrigation department filed a case with the police against some 150
political activists and poor farmers blaming them for stealing irrigation
water. The police force was let loose against the victims forcing them to go
underground to escape arrest and torture, he said.
Two days ago the Kotdiji police also booked 47 farmers of Shahnawaz Wah and
Imdad Minor, including the son of the provincial Party President S. Qaim Ali
Shah, allegedly for water theft. FIR was lodged against Qaim Ali Shah 's son
Syed Muzaffar Shah, former Thari Mirwah taluka nazim Ali Gul Bozdar of Awam
Dost Panel, and several other local farmers.
The spokesman said that continued denial of irrigation water the people had
forced hundreds of farmers and political activists to take out a protest
procession in the coastal town of Jati in Thatta. Shortage of irrigation
water had damaged paddy, sugarcane and other crops cultivated on thousands
of acres. A complete strike was also observed in the town on the call of
Abadgars Action Committee and all shopping centres, small
vendors and the bazars remained closed but the regime retaliated by filing
police cases against the farmers neglected by the regime, he said.
The spokesman said that the continued neglect of the social and economic
problems of the province coupled with the victimisation of the peoples
representatives was fraught with grave consequences for the federation. The
Party urges human rights bodies to raise their voice against this latest
wave of repression in Sindh, he said. 
Transparent elections under national set up and reformed election laws
best exit rout for military
Mohtarma Bhutto addresses public meeting in Birmingham
Denounces military regime for mega corruption and mega scandals
Islamabad, 23 July 2006: Former Prime
Minister and Chairperson Pakistan Peoples Party Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto has
said that the best exit route for the Musharraf's military regime was to
adopt the ARD demand that a national government be formed to hold fair and
free elections with election reforms as suggested by the Opposition.
She was addressing a large gathering of Pakistani Community in Birmingham,
UK, today.
Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto said that it has become vital to save the federation
from disintegration, terrorism and poverty and this could be done through
holding a free, fair and transparent elections under an impartial and
independent Election Commission. She asked the Chief Election Commission to
take notice of pre-rigging efforts of the
government party including the campaign by General Musharraf in favour of
the King's Party. She said that the nation needed and deserved free and
transparent elections.
The former Prime Minister said that on one hand the nation in suffering
because of hunger, poverty, price-hike and lawlessness in the country and on
the other the military regime failed to take action against its ministers,
advisors and members of ruling party, involved in mega corruption like
privatisation at throw away prices of Steel Mills, Stock
market crashes, Chinese locomotive purchase, construction of Golf Courses,
awarding contracts to relatives of the members of the regime, sugar scandal
and the scandal of setting up oil prices. She said that the people of
Pakistan are being forced to commit suicide because of hunger and poverty.
Former Prime Minister said that the government of Pakistan Peoples Party had
a policy on power generation through which the independent power project (IPPs)
where brought in Pakistan but after the unconstitutional removal of the PPP
government these IPPs were scandalized. Now during the past seven years of
military regime the power crises had worsened by the day and the entire
country has been drowned in darkness. She said that the current load
shedding throughout the country is sign of a malaise where state writ in
nowhere to be seen.
She said that the Charter of Democracy signed by the majority of the
Opposition is a document, which strengthens the federation, guarantees
justice for all and peace and development for the people of Pakistan. She
stressed the need for improving relations with the neighbouring countries
especially India and Afghanistan.
She said that the Opposition believes that the elections cannot be free and
fair under an army Chief occupying the office of the President. She said
that the assemblies elected for five years terms couldn't elect a President
twice giving him ten years as President. She said that the government should
read the writing on the wall as international analysts are of the view that
holding free and fair elections may result in the victory for the Pakistan
Peoples Party. 
Mohtarma Bhutto welcomes initiative of retired personnel
Demands fair and free elections and depoliticised army
Islamabad July 23, 2006: former Prime
Minister and Chairperson of the Pakistan Peoples Party Mohtarma Benazir
Bhutto has welcomed the initiative of retired Pakistani diplomats, civil
servants, intelligence chiefs and military officers in asking General
Musharraf to separate the two offices of the President of Pakistan and the
Chief of Army Staff and to build national reconciliation.
In a statement today welcoming the initiative the former Prime Minister said
that the letter written by the cross section of retired officials to General
Musharraf actually endorsed what the democratic forces in the country,
indeed the whole nation, had been demanding for a long time as critical for
the integrity of the country.
Fair and free elections under a set up of caretaker set up of national
consensus and sending the military back o the barracks to perform its
constitutional duties is critical for saving the country and the federation,
she said.
A group of 18 prominent members of the society, including senior
politicians, intellectuals, former governors, former diplomats, intelligence
officers and ex-army generals Saturday asked General Musharraf to separate
the two offices of President of Pakistan and Chief of Army Staff, which he
is holding simultaneously, build national
reconciliation and form a neutral caretaker set up for free, fair and
transparent elections.
Addressing General Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, the letter is
also sent to former Prime Ministers Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and Mian Nawaz
Sharif and other important leaders of the country. The letter was written
after a year-long dialogue among the senior civil society members who
discussed host of political issues on a platform provided by PILDAT, an NGO
working for strengthening the Parliament. The group had
also invited one member each form some of the political parties.
"The elections scheduled for 2007 will not be credible without neutral and
impartial caretaker governments, both at the Centre and in the provinces",
it said. Genuine empowerment of Chief Election Commissioner and Election
Commission of Pakistan, the letter said, is essential for transparent
elections which are not only held in fact and practice, but are also
perceived by the people to be free, fair and transparent.
"It is necessary for the district administrations to be placed under the
effective control of the Chief Election Commissioner during the 2007
elections", the letter said.
Mohtarma Bhutto said that while the PPP and the ARD has called for the
formation of national government and electoral reforms to ensure fair and
free elections it nonetheless agrees with the retired personnel that fair
elections cannot be held under the present dispensation. She also urged the
people and the international community to keep building pressure on
Musharraf regime for holding free and fair elections. 
PPP workers case hearing in Islamabad court today
Islamabad July 23, 2006: The case
against PPP activists accused of attacking the Parliament House eight years
ago will be heard in the court of civil judge and Judicial magistrate
Islamabad on Monday July 24.
About fifty activists of the Party including Ms Naheed Khan MNA, Nayyer
Bokhari MNA, ex Senator Farhatullah Babar, Qazi Sultan Mahmood, Syed Ibrar
Rizvi, Abdul Majeed Rizvi, Babar Minhas, Syed Ibn-i-Rivi, Shahnawaz, Shabbir
Babar, Jehangir Akhtar and Sohail Rumi besides others have been charged with
storming the Parliament building on April 22, 1998 and threatening the
Speaker National Assembly.
The case was registered when PPP activists staged a protest rally outside
the Parliament House against the anti-terrorism legislation, which gave
sweeping powers to the executive. The demonstrators were forcibly dispersed
when the police resorted to baton charge resulting in injury to many Party
workers and activists.
The protestors were demanding review of the law. Later the Supreme Court
struck down various provisions of the proposed legislation including the one
relating to the setting up of military courts to try terror cases.
A large number of protestors were arrested on the spot and sent to jail.
Initially the accused were booked under the anti-terror law against which
they were protesting. Later however the government withdrew the terrorism
charges and booked the protestors under eight different sections of the
Criminal Procedure Code.
Meanwhile the PPP has asked all those named in the FIR to appear before the
court today (Monday) 
Mohtarma Bhutto aims to bring peace
Islamabad, 21 July 2006: "Terrorism and
extremism are a by-product of military regimes and can be fought best by a
democratically elected government". This was stated by the Chairperson
Pakistan Peoples Party and former Prime Minister Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto in
an interview to the Indian newspaper, Hindustan Times.
Responding to a question about the Charter of Democracy, Mohtarma Benazir
Bhutto said, "The Charter goes beyond elections to the pluralistic and
accountable society that we dream of creating a moderate, enlightened and
flourishing society is implemented. We affirmed that Mr. Sharif and I shall
return to Pakistan before the general elections and warned that any attempt
to stop our homecoming will be a denial of the constitutional right of
impartial and free elections". On the topic, she further said, "we resolved
that the military dictatorship has brought the Federation of Pakistan to the
precipice when all but one road leads to strife, chaos and the threat of
disintegration. The Federation today is at war with its peoples and itself.
The regime today uses brute and naked state force in a war against its own
people who demand their constitutional, economic, political and cultural
rights. Parliament's sovereignty is vetoed by the National Security Council.
Parliament is denied the right to freely formulate policy or to protect the
rights of the federating units or intercede in the grave political crisis
facing the Federation. Parliament has been reduced to a rubber stamp for the
Chief of Army Staff who unconstitutionally occupies the Office of the
President."
In reply to a question about the apprehension of her arrest on her return to
the country, Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto said, "When Musharraf has pardoned the
nuclear scientist A.Q.Khan who sold nuclear technology on the international
market according to his confession, Musharraf has no moral right to
persecute me on unproven allegations that are a decade old. I plan going
back irrespective of what Musharraf does. When I was banned from contesting
the last elections I did not go back for several reasons. Those elections
were too close to 9/11 and Musharraf kept claiming he would not stop my
party from forming the government if we won a majority. Well, we did win a
majority but Musharraf postponed the parliament and factionalised my Party.
My party knows I made the sacrifice for it. This time my Party wants me back
with one voice and I shall be there for them and for our people who have
stood by me just as I have stood by them. As I have suffered, I can
understand the suffering of my people. They live on less than two dollars a
day and young people find it difficult to get jobs. That's wrong. Our
hospitals and schools are crying out for funding. My Party and I will invest
in our people and in peace."
Regarding news about contacts with the regimes, she said, "I personally
doubt that Musharraf or those that are around him would want an
understanding with the PPP led by me. What he says is similar to the PPP
platform but on the ground the situation is different. Pakistan is a
critical country and the stakes are high for those around Musharraf who
allowed Osama Bin Laden to escape from Tora Bora, allowed the Taliban to
regroup and re-assert themselves as well as forced AQ Khan to fall on his
sword to save others. It seems a contradiction in terms to think such
elements would allow the PPP back to power if they can help it. Don't forget
that PPP was overthrown twice to set the stage for the war against
terrorism. After its first overthrow , Pakistan was on the brink of being
declared a terrorist state in 1993. After the PPP's second overthrow the
attacks of 9/11 took place. If the PPP had been in power, Al Qaeda would
never have established camps in Afghanistan, the attacks on the Trade Towers
would not have taken place, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan would not have
occurred and Muslims everywhere would not be under siege because extremists
exploit the message of Islam. The policies of the PPP were aimed at bringing
peace, harmony and brotherhood. Those who want a clash of civilizations
cannot accept the PPP. They fear my popularity with the people whom my
Father served and gave his life for and whom I served losing my Father,
brothers, was imprisoned with my Mother, saw my husband held for eleven and
a half years without a conviction and endured exile bringing up little
children and looking after an ailing Mother." 
Musharraf's address rubbing salt into wounds of people
Islamabad July 20, 2006: The Pakistan
Peoples Party has dismissed General Pervez Musharraf's address to the Nation
Thursday night as a failed bid to hoodwink the people on the one hand and
criticise the opposition for rising inflation and myriad failures of the
government in all spheres of national life on the other.
In a statement today a spokesman of the Party Ex- Senator Farhatullah Babar
said that General Musharraf's unsuccessful bid to justify rising inflation
and load shedding as proof of increase in income and industrialisation
amounted to rubbing salt in the wounds of people.
The real causes of inflation are the wasteful expenses on unproductive
projects like the building of new GHQ in Islamabad, purchase of SAAB
aircrafts and of VVIP planes and the mega corruption that that have recently
come to surface before the Parliamentary Committees and hearing before the
Supreme Court, he said.
It is most painful that while people were committing economic suicides the
regime was gloating that these suicides were a proof of the country's
economic development.
He asked the regime to answer whether the three-fold increase in sugar
prices in six months was the result of economic development or loot and
plunder by sugar mafia protected by the regime? Was the oil price increase
the result of increased industrialisation or the outcome of manipulations of
oil prices by the scheming cartel of oil marketing companies with the
connivance of the regime, he asked?
The load shedding is the result of the sheer incompetence of the regime for
not adding a single MW to the national grid since 1999 and not the result of
more industries coming on line as is claimed by General Musharraf. Never
before the nation was fed on such blatant lies.
He said that instead of spending billions on the building of new GHQ in
Islamabad and purchase of VVIP aircrafts the regime should have spent on
poverty alleviation and job creation to mitigate the sufferings of the
people.
General Musharraf admitted that the security of the country was in danger
that could be strengthened by national unity but was pursuing a course of
action quite opposite to what he prescribed, he said.
He said that on the one hand the regime had pitted the army against its own
people in Baluchistan and in tribal areas and on the other it was chasing
and hounding the political opposition in the country. To talk of national
unity in such a situation is an affront to the sensibilities of the people,
he said.
The spokesman said that General Musharraf spoke of military action in the
Tribal areas but did not utter a single word whether the regime also
realised the need for a political settlement instead of pursuing a military
solution in both Balochiustan and in tribal areas. The talk of military
action in the tribal areas and blaming unrest in Balochsitan on
a few Sardars had a familiar ring of when another set of military dictator
blamed the unrest in East Pakistan in 1971 on a 'handful of miscreants'. His
refrain of establishing the writ of the state, securing the state's
installations at all cost, the contempt for the Baloch leaders, the claims
of successful military operation and that the Marris and Bugtis were only a
small minority in the province was painfully reminiscent of the language
used by military dictators in 1971.
General Musharraf's prescription that a nation's strength lay in its
military muscle is fundamentally flawed. National security is not enhanced
by matching gun for a gun and tank for tank but by social cohesion, economic
development and national integrity all of which had been gravely undermined
during the military regime of Musharraf he said.
General Musharraf's speech to the nation was a typical specimen of a
dialogue between the dumb and the deaf. What he said what not understood by
the people as much as the General has refused to listen to the anguished
cries of the hapless people groaning under the wheels of poverty,
lawlessness and exploitation, the spokesman said. 
Mohtarma Bhutto condemns violence in Middle East
Urges international community to intervene
Islamabad July 19, 2006: Former Prime
Minister and Chairperson of the Pakistan Peoples Party Mohtarma Benazir
Bhutto has called upon the United Nations and the international community to
bring about an immediate ceasefire to end the renewed violence in the Middle
East.
In a statement today she said that the situation in the Middle East was
explosive and it was important to contain the danger before it spread. She
welcomed the report that the Socialist International has taken an initiative
in this regard.
It may be noted that the Socialist International said, "This inertia of the
international community obliges other bodies, such as Socialist
International, to undertake initiatives".
Mohtarma Bhutto said that innocent men, women and children were losing their
lives and property was being destroyed, as was infrastructure. She called
for immediate measures to defuse the crisis and bring about a truce.

PPP Legislators deposit resignation with Party Chairperson
Renews call for resignation of Musharraf government by 31st July
Islamabad, July 19: At a meeting of all
PPP MNAs and Senators held in London on 19th July the leadership of the
party deliberated on the political situation in Pakistan. The meeting was
chaired by Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and attended by the Central office
bearers as well including Vice President, Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Secretary
General Jehangir Badr, Deputy Secretary General, Shah Mahmoud Qureshi,
Central Information Secretary Sherry Rehman, Punjab President Qaim Zia,
Sindh President Qaim Ali Shah, Parliamentary leader Sindh, Nisar Khuro, PPPP
Secretary-General Raja Parvez Ashraf, Senator Safdar Abbasi and Political
Secretary Naheed Khan. Fifty four MNAs and Senators attended the meeting
including Syed Khurshid Shah, Naveed Qamar, Yusuf Talpur, Senator Farouq
Naek, and Senator Babur Awan.
In the morning session the entire parliamentary party reposed their
confidence in Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and voluntarily submitted their
resignations to be lodged at an appropriate an time.
In response to rumours about Musharraf's proposed re- election the party was
unanimous that a five year assembly cannot elect anyone for a ten year
period. It was also resolved that other opposition parties will be consulted
in resigning in protest. The PPP meeting also protested the alleged
statement made by General Musharraf at a recent PML Q party meeting where he
asked the members to get him elected as president in exchange for an
assurance that he will get them elected as MNAs and MPAs . This was
condemned as blatantly illegal and a shameless violation of the Code of
Conduct announced by the Election Commission and a clear indication of the
malafide intentions of a regime hell-bent on rigging the next election.
The meeting exhorted the Chief Election Commissioner to undo the proposals
that voters could only be enrolled if they had computerized NIC cards, as
this move would disenfranchise at least 20 million voters by NADRA's own
admission, and would amount to a clear case of pre- poll election rigging.
The party reiterated its position on asking for
multiple identity criteria for the purpose of registering voters and casting
votes, as the one source of computerized card was potentially open for
manipulation and disenfranchisement through various ways on polling day
itself.
The parliamentary party supported the ARD's proposal of a no-confidence
motion against the Musharraf regime and called for the resignation of
General Parvez Mushrarraf and PM Shaukat Aziz by 31st July. In this regard
the party decided to initiate contact with other political parties and
democratic elements to muster support against the regime in exposing
corruption in the highest echelons in view of the judgement of the Supreme
Court in the Pakistan Steel Mills case and the Stock Market inquiry by the
Standing Committee of the National Assembly.
The meeting condemned the hypocritical policy of withdrawing corruption
cases against the MQM and ministers, while every day it initiated false
cases against Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and other political rivals. The party
was unanimous in seeking an end to this victimization of the elected
leadership of the country and sought an end to the military dictatorship
which had restricted the fundamental freedoms of movement, association and
speech in Pakistan.
All participants committed themselves to taking the recently signed Charter
of Democracy to the grassroots and discussed a strategy of mass mobilization
around the objectives enshrined in the Charter.
The morning session ended with the meeting calling for the UN and G8 to
broker a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, and called for an end to the
disproportionate use of force as well as the massacre of innocent people,
including women and children. 
Interview of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto to Hindustan Times
July 19, 2006.
* Since the agreement between you and Nawaz Sharif, have any further
developments taken place for the re-emergence of real party system and
removal of a military-run administration?
Ans: The Charter of Democracy was agreed on May 14 2006. Thereafter Mr
Sharif and I met several times in Dubai and London to reaffirm our vision of
Pakistan’s future as a Federal, Democratic and egalitarian state at peace
with itself and its neighbours. On July 2 the Opposition alliance known as
ARD met and adopted a number of wide ranging resolutions. The resolutions
aim at building pressure for a government of national consensus to hold the
next general elections. The Charter goes beyond elections to the pluralistic
and accountable society that we dream of creating a moderate, enlightened
and flourishing society is implemented . We affirmed that Mr. Sharif and I
shall return to Pakistan before the general elections and warned that any
attempt to stop our homecoming will be a denial of the constitutional right
of impartial and free elections.
We reaffirmed that terrorism and extremism are a by-product of military
regimes and can be fought best by a democratically elected Government.
We resolved that the military dictatorship has brought the Federation of
Pakistan to the precipice when all but one road leads to strife, chaos and
the threat of disintegration. The Federation today is at war with its
peoples and itself. The regime today uses brute and naked state force in a
war against its own people who demand their constitutional, economic,
political and cultural rights.
Parliament’s sovereignty is vetoed by the National Ssecurity Council.
Parliament is denied the right to freely formulate policy or to protect the
rights of the federating units or intercede in the grave political crisis
facing the Federation. Parliament has been reduced to a rubber stamp for the
Chief of Army Staff who unconstitutionally occupies the Office of the
President.
We have called upon all moderate and democratic political forces,
irrespective of their Party positions, to unite on calling for the
restoration of democracy, the formation of a government of national
consensus to hold free, fair and honest elections within 90 days. We decided
to consider reisgning from the Assemblies, in consultation with other
Opposition Parties, should General Musharaff seek to elect himself through
the present Assemblies.
* We had heard that another meeting with Nawaz Sharif was scheduled in
Dubai. Have you two kept in contact in the pursuit of joint objectives
outlined in the agreement?
Ans: We have met several times since the Charter was signed in May. However
in the meantime senior leadership of the two parties are in regular contact
for fine-tuning the political struggle and for consultations with other
democratic parties to endorse the Charter of Democracy.
* Are there any plans for both of you together or you alone for returning to
Pakistan?
Ans: As the two parties are together partners in the ARD it makes sense that
both Nawaz Sharif and I return to the country together. But it is premature
to decide such matters at this stage.
* IS the US Ambassador's statement that both of you must be allowed
back in Pakistan, an indication of the official thinking in Washington. Do
you feel that Musharraf could be swayed to relent, albeit under pressure to
permit entry?
Ans: If the US Ambassador was correctly quoted in the media that the exiled
prime ministers be freely allowed back in Pakistan, t it is a positive and
welcome statement. The US is the world’s strongest democracy. President Bush
has spoken of supporting democracy in different parts of the world. Those
close to General Musharaf claim that he is a close ally of the international
community and the principle of democracy will not be applied to Pakistan.
Therefore the statement of the Ambassador, if correctly quoted, is important
reflecting the democratic aspirations of the people of Pakistan. Pakistan
needs to go forward regionally in relations with India and Pakistan as well
as in dealing with those forces who are out to talibinise Pakistan. It needs
to eliminate terrorism for its own survival and to protect its people from
zealots who kill innocents in Mosques and Churches and Temples. It needs to
give social and economic equality to its people. The last thing it needs is
more of the last five years which have seen an army chief rule the country
singlehandedly and one who has faced two assassination attempts. Moreover,
poverty has risen in Pakistan and the international ratings for the country
have gone down. People of Pakistan are hardworking, lawful and keen to join
the march of civilization towards freedom. Justice, gender equality, peace
and prosperity. They can do so through democracy.
* If you do return could Musharraf detain either or both of you? This
will defeat the very purpose of your going back. What is then the
alternative? Is it possible that Washington could persuade Musharraf from
such an action? Or you would risk it. There are cases pending against you.
He might use them as the reason for detention. Or that could prove the last
straw for the people?
Ans: When Musharaf has pardoned the nuclear scientist A.Q.Khan who sold
nuclear technology on the international market according to his confession,
Musharaf has no moral right to persecute me on unproven allegations that are
a decade old. I plan going back irrespective of what Musharaf does. When I
was banned from contesting the last elections I did not go back for several
reasons. Those elections were too close to 9/11 and Musharaf kept claiming
he would not stop my party from forming the government if we won a majority.
Well, we did win a majority but Musharaf postphoned the parliament and
factionalised my Party. My party knows I made the sacrifice for it. This
time my Party wants me back with one voice and I shall be there for them and
for our people who have stood by me just as I have stood by them. As I have
suffered, I can understand the suffering of my people. They live on less
than two dollars a day and young people find it difficult to get jobs.
That’s wrong. Our hospitals and schools are crying out for funding. My Party
and I will invest in our people and in peace.
* Is there any understanding on how to decide about who will be the
PM, if the party system is restored and elections held?
Ans: It is premature to talk about it at this stage. Our first concern is to
end bonapartism and the military’s involvement in politics. In the Charter
we have agreed to recognise the right of a political party to form
government and not chased out of office before completing its term.
* Has Mushrraff or his people made any tentative move to establish
contact with you for a formula to resolve the deadlock?
Ans: We read in the press that Musharaf and his aides are to contact me for
a political solution and then we read that Musharaf has changed his mind. I
personally doubt that Musharaf or those that are around him would want an
understanding with the PPP led by me. What he says is similar to the PPP
platform but on the ground the situation is different. Pakistan is a
critical country and the stakes are high for those around Musharaf who
allowed Osama Bin Laden to escape from Tora Bora, allowed the Taliban to
regroup and re-assert themselves as well as forced AQ Khan to fall on his
sword to save others. It seems a contradiction in terms to think such
elements would allow the PPP back back to power if they can help it. Don’t
forget that PPP was overthrown twice to set the stage for the war against
terrorism.
After its first overthrow , Pakistan was on the brink of being declared a
terrorist state in 1993. After the PPP’s second overthrow the attacks of
9/11 took place. If the PPP had been in power, Al Qaeda would never have
established camps in Afghanistan, the attacks on the Trade Towers would not
have taken place, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan would not have occurred
and Muslims everywhere would not be under siege because extremists exploit
the message of Islam. The policies of the PPP were aimed at bringing peace,
harmony and brotherhood. Those who want a clash of civilizations cannot
accept the PPP. They fear my popularity with the people whom my Father
served and gave his life for and whom I served losing my Father, brothers,
was imprisoned with my Mother , saw my husband held for eleven and a half
years without a conviction and endured exile bringing up little children and
looking after an ailing Mother.
* Do you apprehend that if Musharraf comes under extreme pressure to
give way to you, he might venture into some sort of small-scale skirmish
with India.
Ans: It is said that external threats help divert attention from the
internal problems and that whenever Pakistan has had a military dictatorship
there has been a skirmish or a conflict. I hope better sense prevails this
time. Even though Musharaf and I are on different sides of the political
spectrum in Pakistan, I am glad to see that he has adopted-- at least
overtly-- the PPP policy enunciated at Simla for good relations between
India and Pakistan.
Of course I remain skeptical of the ability of a military dictatorship to
build peace due to inherent historical reasons.

Non Bailable warrants unlawful and biased
Islamabad July 19, 2007: Leader of the
Opposition in the Senate Mian Raza Rabbani has issued the following
statement today.
"It is totally unlawful for the district and sessions judge Islamabad to
issue non bailable warrants against former Prime Minister Mohtarma Bhutto
and senator Asif Ali Zardari.
"According to the law of the land, the Session Judge lacks jurisdiction to
entertain a case relating to the filing of electoral assets before the
Election Commission of Pakistan.
"The complainant in the mis-declaration case is the National Accountability
Bureau which has failed to act against a single Minister of the Musharraf
regime for the last seven years. The NAB does not have the power or the
authority or locus standi to file a complaint of this nature. It is the
Pakistan Election Commission that can take cognisance of a misdeclaration if
it has been committed. However, to date, the Pakistan Election Commission
has not filed any such case against any individual leave alone the former
Prime Minister and her husband whose assets are a correct formulation.
"The purpose for which the assets were filed has also lapsed. The purpose is
to consider whether a person can contest an election or continue in a
particular Assembly. The Assembly for which the election form was filled
completed its term in 1996, a decade earlier.
"The misdeclaration case is time barred, mala fide and without jurisdiction.
Moreover, the Judge was duty bound to issue summons on the known address of
the defendants which he did not do. Further the process for serving as
required by the Pakistan criminal law was violated.
"The issuance of non bailable warrant at this stage of the proceedings is
not permitted by law. One of the grounds in challenging the Judge's order
will be that the said order appears to fit the requirement of the NAB rather
than the requirement of law.
"It is unfortunate that the Sessions Judge chose to give the orders he did
which shall be challenged as shall his actions which the defendants view as
biased and prejudicial to them given what the law states.
"Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto's lawyers have proceeded to London and upon their
return the order of the Sessions Judge shall be challenged on merit as well
as bias.
"PPP research cell has meantime begun investigations into the allegations
that the said Sessions Judge was facing inquiry for corruption at one time.
While the PPP hopes that the allegations are incorrect, it nonetheless is
morally bound to look into the matter
further." 
PPP holds meeting in London
Islamabad, 17 July, 2006: The Pakistan
Peoples Party held a meeting of its Central Executive Committee members from
Punjab and ticket-holders and Office-bearers from Gujranwallah division in
London on Sunday July 16 2006. The meeting was chaired by Mohtarma Benazir
Bhutto, the Chairperson of the PPP, and attended by Central Office- bearers
Secretary General, Jehangir Badr, Deputy Secretary General, Shah Mahmoud
Qureshi, Senator Safdar Abbasi, Central information, Secretary Sherry Rehman,
Punjab President, Qasim Zia, and Political Secretary to the Chairperson,
Naheed Khan.
The meeting discussed the current political situation as well as the
overwhelming support witnessed all over Pakistan for the Charter of
Democracy. Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto expressed her profound regret that the
meeting could not take place in Pakistan, where a dictator is holding the
whole nation hostage for his personal power. She said that it was even more
ironic that democratically elected forces were not free to live in a
country, created through a democratic process and leaders like Quaid-e-Azam,
who were committed to constitutional integrity and the rule of law.
Profound shock and sorrow was expressed at the murder of Allama Turabi and
prayers also said for the souls of the 45 ill-fated innocent passengers
killed in the plane crash in Multan.
The meeting took particular notice of the fact that with each passing day
the regime's priorities, corruption and poor governance are bringing
Pakistan closer to instability and institutional decay. The meeting
condemned the inability of the regime to provide safety to the people and
took particular note of the fact that apart from the declining law and order
situation, kidnappings for ransom and cattle-lifting are crimes that Punjab
has not witnessed before. The meeting noted that rising unemployment is
causing turbulence and restlessness among young people, who are turning to
crime in unprecedented numbers.. Almost all delegates noted the regime's
crisis of governance where no district in the Punjab was safe from death by
water poisoning and receiving toxic waste instead of drinking water in
rusted pipes.
Delegates paid rich tributes to the leadership of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto
under whose able governance the country never witnessed such power
breakdowns, privatization scams and agricultural decline as seen today. The
unannounced load-shedding prevalent in the whole country is causing
agricultural and industrial breakdowns, but the regime has provided no
relief to either the common man or to the institutions seeking to invest.
The meeting noted that the PPP government used to borrow money only when
required at low interest rates from development financial institutions,
while this regime has borrowed billions of dollars at cripplingly high
interest rates from commercial lenders. This has indebted the future
generations of Pakistanis even further without their consent or knowledge.
The Chairperson directed the office bearers both from Punjab and the Central
party to organize the party for the upcoming elections. She emphasized the
point that defectors, despite their expressed desire, will not be taken back
into the party.
All the delegates expressed their desire to see Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto back
in Pakistan before the next elections, and she repeated her commitment to
return to her home country to lead the party to victory in its election
campaign. 
House arrest of Baloch leader condemned
Islamabad, 16 July, 2006: Mian Raza
Rabbani, Leader of the Opposition, Senate of Pakistan has issued the
following press statement:
Senator Shaid Bugti has been placed under virtual house arrest in Quetta
without warrants of arrest. In the early hours of this morning the police
surrounded his house and no body is being allowed to come move in or leave.
This act of the regime is condemned in the strongest terms.
It will be recalled that on Friday the brother of the Senator Bugti was
picked up and the next day his cousin was also arrested. Till date their
whereabouts are not known. This act of the regime is condemned and it is
demanded that there whereabouts be informed and be released forthwith.
The regime must realize that the continued political victimization of the
Balouch leadership is not the solution to the problem. Today the Province is
faced with a political crisis where the only solution is through dialogue.
The use of state force has only aggravated the situation and deepened the
feeling of alienation in the people.
It is a paradox that only a few a few days ago the Prime Minister holds a
meeting to review the recommendations of the Parliamentary committee on
Balouchistan, on its heel the victimization of the political leadership
starts. This is not the first time that the political process no matter how
feeble has been derailed. The regime is no longer in
control of the situation.
The Federation is under severe strain and the military action in the
Province must be stopped immediately. Those arrested must be released and
those missing the regime must disclose their whereabouts and deal with them
in accordance with law. The only answer lies in political dialogue for which
the time is running out fast and the consequences will be the responsibility
of the regime. 
Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Addresses Leeds Council
Islamabad, 15 July, 2006: Former Prime
Minister and Chairperson Pakistan Peoples Party, Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto
visited Leeds at the invitation of the Mayor of the city and addressed the
Councillors of Leeds on Saturday. The President PPP, UK, Hassan Bokhari and
the former President PSF and a covering candidate in the last Azad Jammu &
Kashmir Council elections, Arshad Barki accompanied the former Prime
Minister.
Addressing the congregation, Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto said that the armed
forces of Pakistan belong to the nation but General Musharraf has undermined
the neutrality of the armed forces. A few ambitious military officers must
not be allowed to exploit the armed forces for their narrow political
ambitions and lust for power.
Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto expressing her concerns over the growing sense of
deprivation among the small Provinces with each passing day said that
instead of helping the people, the military operations in Balochistan and
Waziristan have worsened the situation further. This is because of the
General Musharraf's insistence of doing things his own way rather than the
peoples' way.
She said that the lesson of the history is that democracy and development go
together. Democracy gives the country honour and pride whereas dictatorship
leads to neglect of peoples problems, undermining of the armed forces and
culmination of conflicts of several types. She said that through freedom and
the rule of law Pakistan can return to the path of progress and development.
It is time to get our priorities right and putting country's resources into
education, health and providing the necessities of life to the people.
The former Prime Minister talking about the Charter of Democracy said that
dignity of our nation could be restored by uniting on the principles
contained in the charter of democracy, which is light of beacon to a
bewildered nation in the grip of a myopic dictatorship. The charter of
democracy is born of the experiences of two elected Prime
Ministers viewing the challenges from different ends of the political
spectrum. It contains the solution to build a vibrant and vital Pakistan
whose people prosper and whose youth can reach fulfilment to bequeath to
their children a better future than this generation has.
Former Prime Minister said that the current rulers have failed to support
the vision of Quaid-e-Azam, the founder of Pakistan, for a federal,
democratic and egalitarian country. This is the reason that Pakistan Peoples
Party is calling for the restoration of democracy through an immediate end
to military dictator, General Musharraf's rule. 
General Musharraf not entitled to campaign for political parties
Islamabad, 14 July 2006: Mian Raza
Rabbani, Leader of the Opposition, Senate of Pakistan has issued the
following press statement;
The Opposition has continuously maintained that General Musharraf under the
rules, law and Constitution is not entitled to campaign or politically work
for any party in the country. The reiteration of this constitutional
position by the Chief Election Commissioner is a vindication of the
Opposition's position.
The Chief Election Commissioner being aware of this position in law failed
to perform his constitutional obligation and duty by refraining General
Musharraf from pursuing the election campaign of the PML(Q). The nation will
now watch if in future the Chief Election Commissioner will take action
under the law in restraining General Musharraf.
The criteria that only those persons possessing the National Data Base and
Registration Authority's computerized national identity cards should be
registered as voters is not acceptable. In the first place NADRA has failed
to provide the national identity card to a over whelming majority of the
people, particularly in the rural areas. Secondly, it will be recalled that
many a flaw were found in the database of NADRA which lead to the
cancellation of previous voter's lists. Thirdly, it has been admitted by the
Chief Election Commissioner himself that at least 20 million voters will not
be registered on this account.
Voter's lists prepared on such a criteria where a majority of the people are
de-franchised because of no fault of there own is not acceptable and
justifiable under the law or politically. The multi identity system should
be acceptable for the registration of voters.
In case the Chief Election Commissioner insists on pursuing such a path it
will be taken as a deliberate attempt to de-franchise particularly the rural
population and the slum areas of the cities. It appears that that this Govt.
of the elite has now decided that only the elite section of society be
allowed to cast their vote. 
PPP condemns rigging AJK Elections
Islamabad, 12 July 2006: Mian Raza Rabbani, Leader of the Opposition, Senate
of Pakistan and Deputy Secretary General, Pakistan Peoples Party has issued
the following press statement;
The Opposition and particularly the Pakistan Peoples Party had warned the
nation that the regime will heavily rig and manipulate the elections in AJK.
The manner in which the elections were conducted in AJK and for the reserved
seats in Pakistan has exposed the claims of the Election Commission which
watched as a silent spectator as the ruling party and its coalition partners
blatantly played a fraud on the mandate of the people.
With regard to the reserved seats in Pakistan the PPP brought it to the
notice of the Election Commission, through the press and otherwise that in
the Province of Sindh particularly as in Punjab the ruling coalition has
resorted to pre poll rigging. They intimidated the voters with the use of
force and forcibly acquired the identity cards. On polling day they took
over the polling stations and threw the Opposition out with the help of the
local administration and stuffed ballot boxes at will.
A similar situation prevailed in AJK. These elections were no different to
the Local Body elections held recently in which all records of rigging and
use of state force were broken. The manner in which the elections have been
conducted leaves no room for doubt that the next elections in Pakistan will
be manipulated and rigged to achieve the political agenda of the regime.
The Pakistan Peoples Party is on record to have suggested electoral reforms
to make the elections free, fair and transparent. The PPP, therefore,
suggested that amongst other things the appointment of the Chief Election
Commission and Members of the Election Commission should be in consultation
with all major stakeholders and that the Chief Secretaries, Home
Secretaries, I.Gs and D.I.Gs should be persons who are politically neutral
so that they can implement the directives of the Election Commission.
Under the present situation free, fair and transparent elections as
contemplated under the Constitution will remain a dream for the people of
Pakistan.
The Opposition will continue its struggle for achieving its objectives and
will reject the anti democratic forces with the strength of the people.

Mohtarma Bhutto demands judicial probe into fokker crash
Islamabad July 12, 2006: Former Prime
Minister and chairperson of the Pakistan Peoples Party Mohtarma Benazir
Bhutto said that a cover up into the crash of the ill fated fokker near
Multan on Monday must be avoided to prevent further danger to passengers.
She was commenting on media reports that the fokker flight was not air
worthy and should never have been used.
According to media reports the Civil Aviation Authority has also said that
the fokker was not flight worthy.
In a statement today the former Prime Minster said that it was bad
governance and anti people policies that the regime continued to fly
outdated fokkers when so much money had come into the country after Pakistan
became a front line state in the war against terrorism. She wondered where
the public money had gone when the lives of citizens was being endangered
because the military regime continued to ply old and worn out aircrafts
despite warning that the aircrafts were not airworthy.
She said that the crash and death of innocent lives had deeply pained her as
well as the Pakistan Peoples Party workers as well as the people at large.
Mohtarma said that an unelected, unaccountable and unrepresentative regime
did not care for the people of Pakistan or their opinion or their votes
because they were used to rigging elections. Mohtarma said that when a
government depends on the votes of a people, it serves the people.
Unfortunately the people were not being served now because rigging elections
had become a habit of power hungry military rulers.
Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto said that if the reports of the planes being non air
worthy are true, the excruciating and painful death of 45 innocent people on
Monday would squarely fall on the shoulders of the military dictatorship.
She called for a n impartial judicial inquiry under one of the judges who
had not sworn an oath under the PCO to determine whether the fokker were not
airworthy apportion blame for those responsible for the use and the light
and called for those responsible for the neglect to be brought to book.
Mohtarma Bhutto said that she rejected the military dictatorship's anti
people policies where on the one hand the non-airworthy fokker planes were
used for civilian passengers while the regime purchased two VVIP aircrafts
for 60 million dollars and SAAB aircraft for over a billion dollars .
Mohtarma said that this was criminal of neglect of passengers safety and
exploitation of the resources of the state for the benefit of a few.
She said that the military dictatorship had money for buying bullet proof
Mercedes for generals and ministers, building luxurious house for the
Speaker and for building new GHQ in Islamabad , was spending billions on
foreign travel and the so called National Accountability Bureau but had no
money to buy safe and secure aircrafts for the travelling public.
She said that the issue of replacement of fokkers was also discussed in the
senate committee on defence sometime back and according to press reports the
members had expressed their apprehensions over the safety of the aging
aircrafts but the regime refused to take note. 
PPP condemns and rebuts Presidential leaks on political strategy
Islamabad July 10, 2006:
The PPP rebutted presidential leaks on political strategy for the
forthcoming General elections as carried in a section of the press quoting
"top officials and ruling party leaders".
In a statement the PPP deputy parliamentary leader in the National Assembly
Raja Pervez Asharf said that the presidential aides quoted admit that
pressure for fair elections is building. They fear the PPP and its allies in
the ARD will win any elections that are fair. The presidential advisors and
elements within the ruling party are putting up a brave face because they
are relying on two factors: first to jail Mohtarma Bhutto upon her return
and second to rig the elections.
However, the PPP said that the presidential aides and their co partners the
Chaudhries of Gujrat are miscalculating and their strategy will backfire.
The imprisonment of Mohtarma will be outrageous as she is free on all cases
during filed during the Nawaz era. Thus the Musharaf regime will have to
make Musharaf specific cases to arrest her, which will tarnish the
elections. It will also galvanize all the PPP workers to fight to their last
breath in the elections to ensure the success of the PPP. It will lead to
public sympathy and greater condemnation of the regime which is already
hated for its anti people polices which are threatening the existence of the
country and causing widespread poverty.
It may be recalled that in last years local elections, General Musharaf's
supporters faced a political massacre in central Punjab as well as
elsewhere. One third of the seats in Sindh went uncontested as either the
candidates or their proposers were kidnapped because the
regime was too frighttened to face the PPP in the electoral field. Such
tactics may work in a local election but fail in a general election as the
results of 1988 General Elections showed.
Thus the presidential aides can rely as much as they want to on "partners
like the MQM and Pir Pagaro in Sindh and PPP Patriots in Sindh and in the
Punjab" but they will face a greater political defeat in the general
elections than they faced in the last local bodies election. There they even
lost Rawalpindi, a Garrison city, to the combined Opposition.
They can fool some of the people some of the time by having used the
administration after stage two of the local elections to manipulate the
councillors to elect pliant Nazims in stage three but such a luxury will not
be afforded to them in the general election, he said.
The PPP leader said that it was laughable that the JUI led by Maulana Fazlul
Rahman or the ANP led by Afsandyar would become political puppets of the
military regime as indicated in the governmental leaks. The JUI has the
sword of Damocles hanging over the head of two provincial governments and is
playing a diplomatic game with Musharaf for the time being of you scratch my
back and I will scratch your back. But the moment the elections are over and
Musharaf's fate is in the hands of the Parliament the JUI will not need any
such diplomacy.
The PPP leader said that it was correct that there was speculation amongst
powerful circles whether Musharaf was losing amongst the military
establishment but denied that this idea was being propagated by the
Opposition. The PPP said that it was expected that a professional armed
forces would be unhappy about its army chief giving himself endless
extensions while banning Prime Ministers from contesting a third term.
Moreover, the armed forces belong to the Nation and it cannot cause
satisfaction to see the army chief acting like a lieutenant of the
Chaudhries of Gujrat and promoting their interests above and beyond the
constitutional demands for fair elections and for the separation of the
office of president and army chief.
The PPP leader said that it was correct that "The ruling PML leaders
Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi have been trying to
convince the political managers of the regime as well as President Musharaf
that any political agreement with the PPP could be suicidal for the ruling
party as well as the regime". The Chaudhries want Musharaf to play their
game and have cornered him into relying on them although they are
disqualified from legitimately contesting elections having written off
loans. An election petition seeking their disqualification filed by Imran
Khan is pending.
The PPP also agrees that the moderates within the ruling party appreciate
that fair elections can only be held and democracy restored if the state of
confrontation with Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto who is the democratic alternative
and political leader favoured to win the next elections with a landslide,
ends. However, the PPP is clear that the Chaudhries will blackmail the
Musharaf regime every last bit to prevent the withdrawal of cases, the
release of all political prisoners, the return of the exiles, the
establishment of a national government, the return of both the exiled prime
ministers and electoral reforms for fair elections which bring the
administration, including the Chief Secretaries and Inspector Generals of
Police in the provinces under the Election Commission for the holding of
General elections. It is to be seen whether national interests and
constitutional obligations are sacrificed to promote the personal interests
of the Chaudhries of Gujrat.
The Chaudhries of Gujrat are fearful that if there is Mohtarma Bhutto is not
arrested upon her return, their entire party will collapse. Moreover, if the
elections are not rigged, they will lose not only the chief ministership but
their dreams to capture the prime ministership will be smashed. Mohtarma
Bhutto as the presidential aides rightly point out is a "political
heavyweight" and the Chaudhries would be sidelined. She would not be
dependent on them for a majority nor be beholden to them.
The problem for the Chaudhries is that other moderate forces within the
ruling party and their coalition partners have already stated that they
could work with the PPP. Last week the MQM went on record to state that it
would be prepared to work with the PPP if it worked out its problems with
Musharaf. However, after the elections, the regime could find that MQM was
ready to work with the PPP even if Musharaf had not worked out his problems
with the PPP. And if Musharaf has not worked out problems with the PPP over
the last seven years, it is unlikely that he is inclined to work them out
over the next seventeen months.
The PPP leader said that in any event the PPP has a political course which
it has charted out with the PML N and other ARD parties which are committed
to a reform process that will end military rule in the country and build
institutions that can help the young people of the country flourish while
protecting the working classes and the middle classes from exploitation.
He said that the Party categorically denied that any meetings with General
Taj had taken place in the last few months as wrongly leaked by the
presidential aides. It also denied the report that a meeting with "a
presidential aide" with Mohtarma was on the cards.
The PPP believes that the Musharaf regime is under no pressure to reach out
to the Opposition. It is smug and self complacent in its miscalculated view
that it can rig the elections, persecute the Opposition and replay the
events since 2002.
The purpose of the Presidential leaks appears to be twofold. First to spread
disinformation to divide the Opposition united on the Charter of Democracy.
Secondly to wrongly signal that the Musharaf regime is reaching out to the
Opposition prior to the next General Election.
The PPP and its allies are ready for the next General elections irrespective
of whether they are fair or not. The PPP is emboldened by stage two results
of the Local elections and knows that following the Steel Mills scam, the
Stock Market scam, the Sugar cartel and Land Mafia, the regime and its
partners are vulnerable. The rise of the Taliban is also damaging to the
Musharaf regime and bleeding it of international goodwill. When American and
British soldiers are being killed in Afghanistan and Iraq in the name of
defending democracy, it is embarrassing for the international community to
support a dictator in nearby Pakistan.
Failure to hold fair and free elections can only throw Pakistan into a
greater crisis and no patriot or friend of Pakistan would like to see that.

Mohtarma Bhutto calls for resignation of government after the Steel Mill
verdict
Islamabad July 10, 2006: Former Prime
Minister Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto has called for the resignation of the
Government following the verdict of the Supreme Court of Pakistan stopping
the sale of the Steel Mills of Pakistan at a throwaway price.
In a statement today the Chairperson of the Pakistan Peoples said that the
Supreme Court verdict exposed the government's failure, manipulation,
corruption and abuse of power.
The Supreme Court of Pakistan in its landmark verdict said that the deal is
"vitiated by legal violations by state functionaries, including acts of
omissions and commissions and the transaction caused the government a loss
of Rs18 billion".
The former prime Minister said that for this reason, ethically the entire
government must resign and announce a date of fresh and fair elections to be
held under National Government with the help of an independent Election
Commission.
She said that the PPP and other parties welcome the Supreme Court's judgment
and support the verdict. She hoped that the Supreme Court would continue to
be pro active on the issue of corruption, which was undermining the economy
particularly through the privatisation at throwaway prices.
Technically the highest court of the country has exposed the real face
behind the mask of Musharraf's so-called government, and the verdict itself
must be considered as a No Confidence on government's ability to perform and
safeguard the assets and the future of Pakistan.
PPP and other parties are agreeing that the verdict itself is a slap on the
face of the government and that the verdict itself is a formal embarrassment
to the government. Under the NAB laws all government ministers and officials
involved should be arrested and prosecuted, she said.
She said that no evidence of this kind existed in any other case being tried
by NAB whose officials were abusing their office by failing to take action
following the verdict.
Mohtarma Bhutto said that the people of Pakistan have no trust and
confidence left on Musharraf dictatorship and that exemplary punishment be
awarded to all those who wanted to eat up a strategic profit-earning unit.
She said that the Supreme Court should put a hold on entire privatisation
process till the new government comes into power after the next general
elections.
The former Prime Minister called for a financial forensic expert to be
appointed to investigate the crash of Karachi Stock Exchange where reports
suggest that the government and its officials were directly involved in
irregularities, kickbacks, profit making and conspiracies. Just because of
this, thousands of small investors have lost their life long savings and the
KSE lost almost $14 billion. The military regime tried to cover-up the crash
to save the regime and its corrupt policies. Moreover, the NAB did not move
either which shows that billions of rupees are being eaten up by the NAB
without bothering about the real corruption in the country.
She said that the Steel Mills crisis, the Stock Market crash, the Sugar
Cartel and the Land Mafia demonstrated that a military dictatorship could
not serve the people of the country who were suffering hardship through
unemployment and inflation. She said that democracy and development went
together and that the PPP and its allies would safeguard the interest and
betterment of people of Pakistan and the sovereignty, federation and future
of Pakistan, that can only be done with true leadership. This should be the
crux of the Vision 2007. Whereas the regime's vision is full of words, a
uniform vision of barracks' mentality. 
Mohtarma Bhutto shocked over PIA crash
Islamabad July 10, 2006: Former Prime
Minister and Chairperson of the Pakistan Peoples Party has expressed deep
grief and anguish over the death of forty-five passengers in an air crash
near Multan on Monday.
In a condolence message today the former Prime Minister said that she was
deeply grieved over the tragedy and her thoughts went out to those who lost
their lives in the crash and their near and dear ones.
She said that experts had pointed out long ago that it was not safe to
continue to fly the Fokker aircrafts in the PIA fleet and that the old
aircrafts should be grounded. The former Prime Minister demanded the holding
of a thorough inquiry and fixing responsibility for the tragic accident in
which many innocent lives were lost.
Mohtarma Bhutto also prayed for those who lost their lives in the crash and
for grant of patience to the members of the bereaved families.

PPP rejects
non-proliferation claims as massive cover up
Blaming proliferation on dead men linked to opponents is foolish
Islamabad July 9, 2006: The Pakistan
Peoples Party has called the briefing on the A Q Khan N-proliferation
network a white wash by the Musharaf regime to protect the real individuals
behind the proliferation.
According to some press reports the Director General of Strategic Planning
Division Lt General Khalid Kidwai claimed in a Parliamentary briefing on
Friday that nuclear scientist A Q Khan had named two ex aides of former
Premier Benazir Bhutto in ten "de-briefing" sessions on his proliferation
efforts. It was claimed that Khan did not name any state functionary, except
two dead individuals former defence advisor Maj-Gen Imtiaz Ahmed and Dr
Zafar Niazi, according to the press reports. The private nuclear
proliferation by Dr Khan was also described as a "sole act of an
individual".
In a statement today a spokesman of the Party said that the PPP rejected
this view of the Musharaf regime’s functionary as a "massive cover up" and
an effort to discredit the PPP, which had enunciated the Benazir Nuclear
Doctrine that included the No Export of Nuclear Technology.
The spokesman said that two dead men who could not defend themselves were
being named. However, the military regime failed to explain how A Q Khan
managed to break through the military security cordon and smuggle out
centrifuge units weighing tons when the PPP leaders were under arrest, in
exile or being hounded by the establishment for wanting to build a moderate
federal, democratic and egalitarian state ending the exploitation of the
masses. This point alone nailed the lie of the regime and its cover up, he
said.
He said that the PPP noted that military dictator General Musharaf was
opposed to the PPP and hounding its leaders relentlessly through every foul
means. Its leaders were still under arrest including former Speaker Yusuf
Reza Gillani, former provincial minister Bismillah Kakar and student leader
Junaid Bulund. Husband of the former Prime Minister Asif Zardari was kept
behind bars for eight years in solitary confinement and his health damaged.
New cases were being filed against its leaders on a regular basis.
However, in the case of the nuclear scientist, General Musharaf had
personally pardoned him after his confession and said, "He is still my hero
and he can keep the money too" a reference to the allegedly illicit gains
running into hundreds of millions dollars through proliferation.
Musharaf would never have pardoned Khan or allowed him to keep the money he
is alleged to have made if he thought Khan was in any way connected to the
PPP appointed Defence Advisor or with a PPP family friend. This gives rise
to the suspicion that the Musharaf regime is covering up the real faces
involved in the proliferation of nuclear technology which have undermined
Pakistan’s nuclear capability and given rise to new tensions with the
international community.
The spokesperson said that it was foolish of the Musharaf regime to try and
cover up the Khan affair by blaming dead men linked to its opponents as such
claims had no credibility nor did they answer questions as to how Khan and
the individuals concerned could have broken through security cordons and had
access to military aircraft.
He said that individuals linked to the PPP were being named meant that the
regime was involved with Khan and were trying to create a smokescreen in
exchange for the pardon they had granted Khan.

Mohtarma Bhutto
calls for forensic investigation of stock market crash
Musharraf regime’s high flyers indicated for manipulating crash for personal
profit
Islamabad July 9, 2006: Former Prime
Minister Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto has lauded the Parliamentary committee for
highlighting the corruption of the Musharaf regime by investigating the
Stock market crashes.
In a statement today the former Prime Minister called for a forensic
investigation into the manipulation of the stock market, which led to
millions of middle class investors losing several hundred billion rupees.
The Chairperson of the Pakistan Peoples Party drew attention to the
statement of the Pakistan’s former chairman of the Securities and Exchange
Commission (SECP) who indicated corruption in a white paper on the
manipulation of the stock market.
She said that the National Accountability Bureau was abusing its office and
squandering billions of rupees in a political witch-hunt while corruption
flourished in the country and poverty increased with unemployed persons
killing themselves for want of food.
The former Prime Minister said that the guilt of the Musharaf regime was
evident for the failure to act when Dr Tariq Hassan Chairman SECP was
removed for seeking to act against those connected to March 2005 stock
exchange crash because they were close to the Musharaf regime.
Dr Tariq Hassan claimed he was removed from office for taking the decision
to appoint forensic investigators to probe 11 high-profile brokers suspected
for involvement in the Karachi Stock Exchange crash. He was speaking to a
Parliamentary Committee. Dr Hassan claimed before the Parliamentary
committee that the brokers had access to the Prime Minister. In his letters
he had mentioned the names of the Finance Minister Omar Ayub as well as the
Prime Minister’s Advisor on Privatisation Dr. Salman Shah.
It may be noted that the corruption in the sale of Steel Mills at a
throwaway price was stopped by the Supreme Court of Pakistan which noted
omissions and commissions in its sale and that the rules and procedures were
not properly followed. Despite the Supreme Court verdict, the NAB refused to
arrest government members who were behind the sale as required by NAB law.
The Stock Market manipulation scandal follows the accusations of corruption
in the Steel Mills as well as manipulation of sugar prices by the sugar
barons who are influential in the Musharaf regime.
Earlier the report of a Major beating up a retired and elderly Brigadier and
his family because the child of a senior officer of the agency had fought
with another child caused shock waves in the nation.
Despite the media reports on abuse of office and corruption in the Musharaf
regime, no action has been taken against the elements identified. Earlier
the Musharaf regime embraced members of the PPP accused of corruption when
they switched sides. The Musharaf regime took no notice of the millions of
dollars used to buy votes in the recently concluded Senate elections to stop
Opposition candidates from being elected to the Senate. The stink of
corruption in the Musharaf regime has led to widespread public dismay.
Opposition members demanded the resignation of the Prime Minister against
whom a vote of no confidence is threatened following the Supreme Court’s
decision stopping the controversial sale of Pakistan Steel Mills. Opposition
members called for Mr. Aziz’s resignation for his alleged links with some
brokers. He is accused of protecting the suspect brokers through abuse of
office in initially stopping the SECP Chairman from acting against
manipulators and secondly for sacking him when he initiated reforms.
The Opposition noted that during Shaukat Aziz’s era, first as the finance
minister and later as the prime minister, the country’s stock market crashed
in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005 and May 2006. “Therefore, we demand resignation of
the prime minister”.

PPP shocked at
reports of corruption at the top
Demands arrest of functionaries involved in stock market crash
Asks the Advisor and State Minister to clear their names before attending
offices
Islamabad July 8, 2006: The Pakistan
Peoples Party has demanded immediate arrest of the state functionaries and
powerful brokers involved in the March 2005 stock market crash and placing
their names in the Exit Control List.
"After the stunning disclosures of involvement of state functionaries in the
mega robbery of 800 billion rupees of ordinary investors it will be a
greater scandal if th |