Zardari :Sufi Teachings Can Counter Extremism, Terrorism
March 16, 2010
Zardari :Sufi Teachings Can Counter Extremism, Terrorism
:ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari Monday called for focussing attention on teachings of peace, love and tolerance of the Sufi saints so as to counter extremism and the militant mindset.
Addressing an International Conference on Sufism and Peace arranged by Pakistan Academy of Letters here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, President Zardari said Sufism has a crucial role to play in mankind’s struggle for a peaceful world.
Around 80 delegates from 30 countries around the world and 250 from Pakistan are participating in the conference.
The President said that the most important issue of the present era was peace – peace in the country as well as peace outside the borders.
President Zardari said extremism and militancy were a mindset, created to defeat a rival ideology in the region and the extremists were encouraged to use religion as the basis of their ideology.
He said the entire free world was responsible for its creation decades ago. But, unfortunately no attention was paid to this aspect once the objectives were fulfilled and the militants were abandoned to their fate.
“It is these very militants who have come to haunt all of us,” the President said.
The President said unlike the teachings of any religion, it has continued to be used as a weapons of war.
He recalled how his wife, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto once complained to Senior George Bush about the terrorists in the region.
He said the issue of extremism and terrorism can be addressed with the contribution of the great sufis who, through their words and knowledge, convert their hatred towards constructive tasks.
The President said his late wife always knew that an assassins bullet awaited her and said, “I am not scared of death, for death is what I await.” He said he too in his capacity was trying to play a role to help the humanity.
“I am nothing more than a speck in the universe and am trying to do in my bit of that speck as it was my defined role,” he said and added that he would continue to contribute towards a better world.
He said the entire philosophy of Sufism revolves around purification of the souls and creating an environment where humanity was not threatened by few individuals trying to impose their narrow versions of religion upon a vast majority.
“No religion whether Islam or Christianity preaches extremism and militancy,” the President said.
President Zardari also quoted Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto who once said that “money was lavishly given to the clerical parties. They were asked to set up schools to train robots in the use of arms and in the use of hatred. The declared purpose was to fight Jihad. The real purpose was to create a constituency, a cadre and the manpower to seize power by violent means should the dictatorship come unhinged.”
He described terrorists as enemies of Pakistan and Islam and of peace in the region.
“Pakistan will never bow before terror and will never allow the extremists to advance their murderous agenda within the country and the region,” he added.
President Zardari said Islam does not teach any of its followers to adopt violent means for realization of objectives. “It preaches peace, tolerance and harmony and most importantly love – love for each other and for humanity,” he said.
The President Pakistan was home of great Sufi saints who dedicated their lives to promotion of peace and harmony and the vast majority of people believe in peace and universal brotherhood as enshrined in the teaching of Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) and Islam, the President said.
The President urged the gathering to play its part in making the world a better place to live.
“May we all live in peace throughout the world. The world needs the touch and care and the deep thought of sufism.”
He said the conference shows Pakistan’s commitment to the cause of peace and the deep bond of its people to the forces of love, harmony and brotherhood, which is the soul message of sufis.
The President commended the services of Chairman Pakistan Academy of Letters Fakhar Zaman for arranging this conference attended by a large number of eminent scholars, erudite writers and intellectuals along with foreign delegates.
He recalled that Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto had described Zaman as “a writer par excellence”.
Chairman PAL Fakhar Zaman in his keynote address highlighted the importance of men of letters using their pens in establishing peace in the world.
He stressed for initiating a social and intellectual movement as need of the hour to remove the discrimination of race, sex and creed at global level.
He hoped the conference would help develop a culture of peace based on justice, dignity and human rights, and call for producing the independent and unbiased work devoid of cliches.
Peter Curman, a Swedish writer urged upon the writers to play role as ambassadors of peace and make efforts for developing mutual harmony amongst the people across the world.
Prof Dr Hugh van Skyhawk spoke on divine love and message of peace, the role of poetry and courage among the sufis to rid the world of the ills that afflict it.
Advisor to Prime Minister on Education Sardar Assef Ahmed Ali mentioned the role of sufi saints of the sub-continent that brought a sea change in the minds and lives of people with the divine message of ‘Tasawwaf’ based on love.
He termed religious extremism and terrorism in contrast with the teachings of Islam, which only promotes brotherhood and affinity.
PM Gilani Condemns Kandahar Attacks
March 15, 2010
PM Gilani Condemns Kandahar Attacks?:ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani condemned the terrorist attacks which killed 35 people in Kandahar while talking to Afghan President Hamid Karzai on phone.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai called PM Gilani on phone on Sunday.
Hamid Karzai said while talking to PM Gilani that both Afghanistan and Pakistan need to face the menace of the terrorism collectively.
Afghan President expressed sorrows at the recent terrorist attacks in Lahore and Mingora.
Karzai said that both Afghanistan and Pakistan are facing same situation and any terrorist activity in one state puts its effect on the other state.
Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Convenes cabinet’s Especial Meeting on March 17
March 14, 2010
Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Convenes cabinet’s Especial Meeting on March 17:ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has summoned an especial federal cabinet meeting on one point agenda in connection with peace and order situation in country.
The meeting was scheduled to be held on March 17.
Also, Premier invited Chief Minister Punjab Mian Mohammed Shahbaz Sharif on phone to attend the meeting.
According to a statement released from PM House, Chief Minister of all four provinces and Inspector Generals have been invited to the meeting.
The meeting will review law and order situation in country, it said.
PM Gilani also expressed grief with CM Punjab over killings of innocent people who lost their lives in Lahore suicide attack, statement further said.
Pak Navy Test Fires Missiles, Torpedoes
March 13, 2010
Pak Navy Test Fires Missiles, Torpedoes:Pakistan on Friday successfully test fired new missiles and torpedoes from ships, submarines and aircraft in the Arabian Sea, the navy announced.
“Pakistan navy fleet today tested its fire power in the north Arabian Sea to assess lethality, precision and efficacy of its weapon system,” it said.
The navy did not disclose range or technical details but said “this included successful firing of a variety of missiles and torpedoes from the ships.”
The tests included anti-surface missiles from an F-22P frigate, acquired recently from China, air-to-surface missiles from P-3C aircraft and sub surface-to-surface missiles from Agosta 90B submarines that originate from France.
“While reassuring Pakistan navy’s commitment of defending the motherland, this strike capability would also send a message of deterrence to anyone harbouring nefarious designs against Pakistan,” the statement said.
South Asian rivals India and Pakistan — which have fought three wars, two of them over the disputed Himalayan territory of Kashmir — routinely carry out missile tests since both demonstrated nuclear weapons capability in 1998.
Last month, India successfully tested a nuclear-capable surface-to-surface Agni-III missile with a range of more than 3,000 kilometres (2,000 miles) from Wheeler Island, off the coast of the eastern state of Orissa.
Pakistan’s arsenal includes short-range, medium and long-range nuclear capable missiles.
Water Level Continue To Drop At Tarbela
March 13, 2010
ISLAMABAD: The water level at Tarbela dam has reduced further with only 3 feet usable water left in the day, the Met Department reported Friday.
According to the Met department, water level at the dam has further fallen and water altitude was recorded at 1,381.32 feet above sea level whereas, dam’s dead level is 1,378 feet.
Water level at Mangla has remained at the dead level.
On the other hand, the water rate of Indus River at Terbela has been recorded at 23,100 cusec, however, exit remained 35,000 cusec.
Water rate of River Jhelum at Mangla has been recorded at 20,627 cusec whereas exit has been recorded at 21,818 cusec.
Indian Freed A Pakistani Boy Home Who Crossed Indian Border Mistakenly
March 13, 2010
Indian Freed A Pakistani Boy Home Who Crossed Indian Border Mistakenly
:LAHORE: Indian officials have handed over a Pakistani boy Attique-ur-Rehman to Pakistan Rangers at Wagha border in Lahore on Friday.
A 13 year old Attique mistakenly crossed Indian border where he had been arrested but later Indian juvenile court acquitted him over being young enough and over commitment of childish mistake.
Boy said that he will never go astray again and always abide by his parents.?GeoNews
5 Back To Back Blast In Lahore Iqbal Town Area
March 12, 2010
5 Back To Back Blast In Lahore Iqbal Town Area:LAHORE: Five back-to-back blasts of low intesity have happened in Iqbal Town of Lahore within the last 45 minutes, Geo News reported Friday.
All the five blasts have taken place in the premises of Iqbal Town.
The first blast occurred in an empty plot near crowded Moon Market in Kashmir Block. The second blast hit a car parked outside a house. The third blast occurred near Edhi Center in Kashmir Block located in Iqbal Town. The fourth blast has been reported outside the residence of a serving DSP again in Iqbal Tow. The fifth and the last blast has struck Karim Block.
No causality is reported din these attack. However, four people have received injuries.
It may be reminded here that dozens of people were killed in two blasts at Moon Market on December 7 last year.
Earlier, at least 39 people were killed when two suicide bombers blew themselves up in R A Market near security forces’ convoy.
Overall seven blasts have taken place in Lahore within 10 hours, killing at least 40 people, including securitymen, and injuring about 100 others.
The series of bomb blasts in the city has triggered panic and fear among the citizens.
Funeral Prayers Of Maulana Saeed Today
March 12, 2010
Funeral Prayers Of Maulana Saeed Today :KARACHI: Funeral prayers of chief of Aalmi Tehreek-e-Khatm-e-Naboat Maulana Saeed Ahmed Jalalpuri, his son and two of his fellows will be offered today. The relegious scholars have appealed people to remain peaceful.
Four people, including Maulana Saeed Jalalpuri, his son, Huzaifa Jalalpuri and his two fellows, Mufti Qamar and Mufti Attiq-ur Rehman, were killed and two others were injured in Gulzar Hijri Thursday.
The supporters of Maulana Jalalpuri rushed to the hospital where the injured and bodies has been taken.
The police condoned off the area. Tension prevails in the area soon after the incident.
Maulana Jalalpuri was on the way to his home when motorcyclists started firing on his vehicle.
Pakistan Muslim League :Nawaz Wins By Poll In NA 123
March 11, 2010
Pakistan Muslim League :Nawaz Wins By Poll In NA 123:LAHORE: According to unofficial results of by polls in NA 123, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Pervaiz Malik has won the seat. The success is celebrated by PML-N workers Wednesday night.
According to sources, only 20% voters used their right to vote in NA-123. PML-N candidate received 44,300 vites whereas Tehreek-e-Insaaf candidate Hamid Meraj received 9,326 and Jamat-e-Islami candidate Hafiz Salman Butt received 2,213 votes.
On the news of success, PML-N workers gathered at Provincial Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman’s place and started dancing to celebrate their party’s success.
Meanwhile, all the routes leading to central election office of PML-N were closed down due to which people faced difficulties. At some points, residents of Lahore also got physically violent with traffic wardens.
Furthermore, PML-N candidate Azam Chila has won seat in PP-82 in Jhang with 42,147 votes whereas candidate of Pakistan Peoples Party remained on 2nd number with 30,436 votes.
Pakistan Muslim League-Zia-ul-Haq (PML-Z) candidate Shahid Anjum has won from PP-284 with more than 54,000 votes. He received around 26,000 more votes then PPP candidate.
PPP candidate Nasir Khan Jamali has won from PB-25 Balochistan with 27,316 votes. Independent candidates Atta Ullah Balidi and Mai Joori received 8,915 and 471 votes respectviely.
Balochistan:By Polls Start In Punjab
March 10, 2010
Balochistan:By Polls Start In Punjab:LAHORE: The by polls on one National Assembly and two provincial seats are being held in Punjab and Balochistan Wednesday.
The polling started at 8:00am on NA-123 Lahore, PP-82 Jhang and PP-284 Bahawalpur in Punjab and PB-25 Jaffarabad, Balochistan. The polling will continue till 5pm according to the orders of Election Commission of Pakistan.
Several political and religious parties have given tickets to their candidates in NA-123 therefore 57 candidates are in competition. Eleven candidates are in PP-82 including of Pakistan People’s Party and Pakistan Muslim League-N. Twenty candidates are in PP-284. The tough competition is among the candidates of PPP, PML-N, PML-Q and the party of Eijaz-ul Haq.
The frontier constabulary has been deployed for security purposes in PB-25 constituency.
