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India-Pakistan

Pak military officers to get training in Russia

2018-08-13

[DAWN] Pak military officers will receive training in Russian Federation military institutes under a recent agreement signed between the two countries. The deal underscores Pakistain’s increasing reliance on Russia for its military needs amid strained relations with the US. It was signed earlier this week during a visit by Russian Deputy Defence Minister Col Gen Alexander Fomin. The agreement comes as local media reported the US has stopped financing military training in the US for Pak soldiers ‐ a step that Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed called "wrong and counterproductive." Mr Hussain, chairman of the Foreign Affairs committee, said the US is repeating past mistakes through failed policy of trying to bully and browbeat Pakistain with such short-sighted sanctions.

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India-Pakistan

India criticised for sabotaging efforts for Siachen peace

2014-10-02

[DAWN] The Chairman of the Senate Defence Committee, Mushahid Hussain Sayed, has criticised the Indian military establishment for sabotaging all efforts for peace in Siachen. India, he said, had consistently rejected all proposals made by Pakistain for peace in Siachen, even in the aftermath of the Giyari tragedy. He was addressing the troops during a visit to Siachen along with members of the committee. About two and a half years ago, an avalanche had killed 140 soldiers and officers of the army in Giyari. The delegation laid a wreath at the monument for the deaders of Giyari. According to a blurb, Mr Hussain expressed concern ...meaning the brow was mildly wrinkled, the eyebrows drawn slightly together, and a thoughtful expression assumed, not that anything was actually done or indeed that any thought was actually expended... over consequences of climate change and global warming which has adverse consequences in Siachen because of freak weather incidents like the Giyari avalanche.

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India-Pakistan

Opp senators question Nisar's claim on judge's killing

2014-03-09

[Pak Daily Times] The politicians in Upper House of parliament on Friday questioned the claim of Interior Minister Nisar Ali Khan that late judge Rafaqat Awam fell prey to the bullets of his own security guards in the F8 suicide kaboom. There was long discussion between the interior minister Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan and opposition politicians over the death of a judge in F-8 attack. The senators said that the statement of the minister is beyond comprehension as the joint investigation team (JIT) is yet to submit its report, adding the entry and exit points suggest it was either Kalashnikov or SNG. Senator Raza Rabbani of Pakistain People's Party (PPP) said that the way the incumbent government portrays the terrorist activities gives an impression as it is defending the outlawed Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistain (TTP). He continued that the government is confused to the extent that the prime minister comes up with a different statement while his interior minister narrates something else. "The prime minister blamed Indian spy agency RAW for the F8 suicide attack and his interior minister could be seen defending the Taliban," he lamented. Rabbani also severely criticized the federal government for declaring Taliban as patriotic. The interior minister should know that people who defy the constitution, he added, in no way deserve to be treated the way they are being projected. He called upon the government to convene a joint-sitting of the parliament, adding the secret talk rhetoric being pursued by government for striking a peace deal with the hard boyz must be shared with the parliamentarians. Zahid Khan, a senator of Awami National Party (ANP) dubbed the statement of the minister as 'pack of lies and joke of the day'. "There were four other people in the room of the judge at the time of the attack and how did it possible that all the three bullets hit the judge", he questioned. Another ANP politician Afrasiab Khattak also came down on the minister for declaring majority of Taliban as patriotic, adding how come you say that the mindset hell-bent to destroy the people turned out to be patriotic all of a sudden. Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed of Pakistain Mohammedan League-Quaid (PML-Q) expressed similar reservations like his other colleagues with a demand to hold a judicial inquiry into the matter to ascertain the fact. In the aftermath of the incident, he said there came three different statements -- the prime minister blamed RAW for the F-8 suicide attack; the interior minister has created a new controversy and the medical report is totally opposite. In the aftermath of the incident, he said there came three different statements -- the prime minister blamed RAW for the F-8 suicide attack; the interior minister has created a new controversy and the medical report is totally opposite. Chairman Senate Syed Nayyar Hussain Bokari went berserk over the remarks of ANP politician Abdul Nabi Bangesh after he blamed him of giving special favours to PPP senator Syeda Sughra Imam for asking supplementary questions. "All the time you allow more than four supplementary questions for Sughra Imam while we're not allowed to ask even one supplementary, this is not justified", the ANP backbencher lamented. The senators kept seeking permission to speak on point of orders without paying any heed to the rules and putting all the blame on the chair at the end of the day like fellow senator Abdul Nabi Bangesh. "I've been quite fair to each and every member here in this house but you never acknowledged it", he said, adding, "You must have patience now and follow the rules. But the rumpus continued to win the race in getting a point of order for speaking against the interior minister. However, a lie repeated often enough remains a lie... the environment of the upper house of parliament somewhat turned into a junior class, forcing the chair to spring into action, who was already annoyed at Abdul Nabi Bangesh, adjourned the house till Monday at 30:00pm. ANP Senator Farah Aqil moved a calling attention notice to draw the attention of government towards anti-women practices and victimization of maidens of tender years and women by tribal jirgas for acts committed by the men folk. The lady senator flayed the government for its lukewarm response in taking action against the decisions of the tribal jirgas which often goes against women. Meanwhile, ...back at the pie fight, Bella grabbed the cocoanut cream... the house also condemned India for filing sedition charges against 67 Kashmiri students after some of them cheered for the Pak cricket team during a televised match with India on Sunday last. The senators severely criticized suspension of Kashmiri students from the university by Indian authorities, saying it speaks volume of its double standards and exposed the so-called largest democracy of the world. The Senate witnessed introduction of two bills seeking amendment to the Anti-terrorism Act, 1997. State Minister for Interior introduced the bills which were referred to the relevant committees. These include the Anti-terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2014 and Anti-terrorism (Second Amendment) Bill, 2014.

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India-Pakistan

BFFs: Islamic University announces opening China Study Centre

2012-02-18

ISLAMABAD: Pak-China Centre and International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) on Friday launched monthly 'Youlin' (Good Neighbours) during a ceremony at the Faisal Mosque Campus. Speaking on the occasion, IIUI Rector Professor Fateh Muhammad Malik announced opening of China Studies Centre at the university. A 22-member delegation from China, IIUI Acting President Sahibzada Sajidur Rehman, PML-Q leader Mushahid Hussain Sayed, President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, magazine editor Dushka Syed, Agha Murtaza Poya, Dr Khalid Masood and other scholars attended the event. Pak-China Centre Chairman Senator Mushahid Hussain said the centre had originated from the IIUI and opening ceremony of 'Youlin' was also taking place on the same campus. He said IIUI is the institution that hosts the highest number of Chinese students in Pakistain. He said Pak-China Centre would fully cooperate with the IIUI for establishment of China Studies Centre. Professor Malik appreciated Pak-China friendship, saying that Pak-China Centre means non-political and real friendship between the two countries, credit for which goes to Mushahid Hussain Sayed. He said Sayed has a clean personality and his endeavours are resulting into consolidation of Pak-China friendship. He termed Sayed a political scientist and a politician, and stressed the need for political scientists to join practical politics. He also announced that the university intends to set up a China Study Centre, dedicated to research and teaching regional and international affairs related to China. He said Prophet Muhammad (PTUI!)'>(PTUI!)) had advised humanity to seek knowledge even if they have to go to China, adding Pakistain wanted to utilise full benefits of this friendship in the field of knowledge and research. Sahibzada Sajid said peoples of the two countries were tied into historic bonds of fraternity and friendship. He said, "We take great pride in the fact that China has been most sincere and dependable friend of Pakistain".

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India-Pakistan

Pak lawmakers meet Dr Aafia in Texas and call for her release

2008-10-09

(APP): The head of a visiting delegation of Pakistani senators has called for the immediate release of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui from US detention after a long meeting on Tuesday with her in a Texas facility where she is undergoing psychological evaluation. "Vell, Doctor! Haff you finished your evaluation off der patient?" "Yes, Doctor!" "Und your diagnosis?" "She's a loon! The symptoms are classic!" Mushahid Hussain Sayed, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told APP by telephone that the four-member delegation had 2-1/2-hour meeting with Dr. Siddiqui, the US-educated Pakistani neuroscientist, at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) at Carswell in Fort Worth, Texas. "Dr. Siddiqui? It's us. The delegation of Pak senators!" "Welcome, Senators! And how is Josephine?" Ms. Siddiqui, 36, who was shot in the abdomen by an American agent after allegedly grabbing a US soldier's gun during questioning in July, was brought to New York on August 4 to face charges of attempted murder and assault. "You're charged with attempted murder and assault! How do you plead?" "Ha! You can't put me on trial! I just won the Battle of Austerlitz!" "I guessed that, from the uniform." US District Judge Richard Berman last week ordered that Ms. Siddiqui must undergo a month-long medical assessment, treatment and psychological examination before a special competency hearing to determine if she is "medically fit and mentally competent" to stand trial. "Why do I get all the loop-loops?" "I dunno, Judge. What should we do with her horse?" "We call for her immediate repatriation to Pakistan," Mushahid said, pointing out that no terrorism charge has been brought up against her. "Attempted murder ain't terrorism. We do it all the time back in Pakistain! It's a national passtime!" He said her human rights were being violated. "She's got a human right to fight the Austrians at Marengo!" The Pakistani MPs delegation included Senator S M Zafar, Senator Saadia Abbasi and Senator Talha Mahmood. Of course they're trying to get her sprung. She inducted them into the Legion of Honor. Mushahid thanked Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States, Husain Haqqani, for facilitating the meeting with Dr Siddiqui and for sending a senior diplomat Faqir Asif Hussain to accompany the delegation. He also thanked the Pakistan Embassy in Washington for the efforts it has been making to ensure Dr. Siddiqui's fair trial and in seeking urgent medical treatment for her. "She's being poisoned, you know!" "Right. And what might the symptoms be?" "Her food taster's dead." In Washington, Faqir Asif Hussain said that Dr. Siddiqui, who was pleased to meet the delegation, appeared in a good state of mind and in better physical health than when he met her in August in New York. But she was anxious that her rights were protected and she received a fair trial and have an attorney enjoying her confidence. Dr Siddiqui told the delegation that charges pending against her were not true. "Lies! All lies!" On behalf of the embassy, Asif Hussain assured her that Ambassador Haqqani and his team of diplomats are striving for her repatriation to Pakistan on humanitarian basis. She thanked the embassy for the support extended to her. "We thank the delegation! As soon as Perfidious Albion has been driven from the Peninsula there will be choice dukedoms for each of you!" The embassy representative said the mission was working with the Justice Department and other US authorities to ensure that her rights were protected and would pursue her need for medical treatment. "We're talkin' a pretty significant dosage increase here." According to Faqir Hussain, the stomach infection she complained of was gone and her bullet wound was on the mend. "On the other hand, being dropped on her head doesn't seem to have helped her a bit." Asked as to what was Dr. Aafia's biggest concern, Faqir Hussain felt she wanted to go back to Pakistan at the earliest and was concerned about her children. She is also concerned about strip searches. "She dudn't want nobuddy to see the Imperial pee-pee."

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India-Pakistan

Zardari outsmarts Nawaz

2008-08-26

It was natural... Nawaz Sharif parted company with Asif Zardari... and it happened in line with the script. The 'unholy alliance' broke down barely a week after Pervez Musharraf tendered his resignation. Nawaz Sharif lost his patience as usual. He had begged for exile after his failure to sustain incarceration in Attock Fort. He entered into an agreement with Musharraf for 10-year exile. However, he started campaigning to return to the country after seven years and finally did so by breaking the agreement. This preamble reminds us how crudely our national politicians prefer to break promises made and entered into. Zardari did nothing new. He did not keep his promise late Benazir Bhutto had made with Musharraf through the infamous deal. Zardari, however, defended his decision of backing out purely on 'political reasons'. He did not take guidance from the religion we all are following. After all he was dealing with the worldly affairs. One can consider merits and demerits of what Zardari did with Sharif, who voluntarily put his weight behind Zardari to take revenge from Musharraf. On the other hand, Zardari used Nawaz Sharif by all means and then threw him as a useless entity. Sharif bounced back by parting company with Zardari and is now ready to show his teeth to the latter. The announcement of breaking apart from Zardari by Sharif hit the sky a day before the apex court was to take up Sharif brothers' qualification cases. Zardari can easily put the Sharifs down by using his muscles and good links. One is amazed to see 1988-90-like situation: the PPP in the centre and the PML-N in Punjab. The difference is that there is no GIK occupying the tallest building at the Constitution Avenue this time, and Zardari is there in place of Benazir Bhutto. Sharifs have not learnt any lesson from history. Two things are imminent: first, Zardari would drop himself in the lap of the establishment to seek its support (no matter whether or not this is forthcoming, though this support lacked in case of Musharraf). Second, Nawaz Sharif seems not ready to show any flexibility in his self-pronounced principles, and Pakistan may continue to suffer. The bizarre politics, backdoor channels, open confrontation and use of power and money would be the order of the day in the near future. Our politicians are; thus, welcoming this Ramazan with their fists tightened and sometime hitting each other opponents' faces. In the hindsight, the Chaudhrys of Gujrat have gained added significance and Maulana Fazlur Rehman getting another chance to play a role of "wheeler-dealer". The MQM and its leaders would love to see this "political wrangling" fuming. Sharif's decision has marred the reputation of our political animals and it has brightened the chances of putting under threat the western-style democracy we all love so much. Pakistan and its people are a little unlucky to see democracy taking firm roots. Democracy always suffered because of the poor orientation and handling of the situation by our top leadership. By contrast, Zardari has played his cards better than Sharif. And I have no doubt that Zardari is a better candidate for the office of the president than anybody else. So far, two other candidates have emerged on the scene: Saeeduzzaman Siddiqui and Mushahid Hussain Sayed. Zardari stepped in as a sure-fire candidate. However, Siddiqui and Mushahid have jumped into the fray out of sheer compulsion for the sake of joining the race. They stand no chance to make into the former official residence of Musharraf. They are there only to show the world that they do not accept Zardari as president; thus, opposing his candidature. Poor politicians, poor planning!

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India-Pakistan

Perv says Sharif to remain in exile

2007-10-27

(AKI/DAWN) Pakistan's president Pervez Musharraf has said that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif would not return before the general elections in January. According to the Pakistani daily Dawn, Musharraf said the ruling Pakistan Muslim League and its allies were in a position to win the elections and the next prime minister would be from the PML. Addressing about 170 legislators of the party, including federal ministers, the president said: “You have been supporting me for the last five years and you will not be disappointed by me in the days to come. I am with you and it is my heartiest desire that you win elections and form the government.” Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, PML president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, secretary-general Mushahid Hussain Sayed attended the dinner held at the prime minister's residence. Qari Gul Rahman, a dissident with the six-party religious alliance MMA, and Shahabuddin Khan of the Awami National Party, who voted for Musharraf in the presidential election, were also at the dinner. The president denied reports that the local bodies would be dissolved before the polls on the demand of certain parties. He said the reconciliation process had been initiated to end the tug of war between political parties and it was proceeding well, the minister of state for information, Tariq Azeem told Dawn. Musharraf also said that foreign experts would not be involved in the investigation of the 18 October blasts in Karachi which targetted former premier Benazir Bhutto. “Our own experts are competent enough to undertake this task and they have done it in the past.” He also rejected speculation that foreign troops would be allowed to intrude into Pakistan’s tribal areas to attack militants. Prime minister Aziz congratulated the president on winning the election and said that even if opposition parties had participated in the process, Musharraf would have polled the same 57 percent votes of the electoral college. Earlier, the president had an informal meeting with some senior members of the PML, including Baluchistan chief minister Jam Mohammad Yousuf and Sindh chief minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim Khan. He discussed with them the electoral strategy, petitions pending in the Supreme Court, security situation and the formation of an interim set-up, sources said.

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India-Pakistan

Major headway in govt-PPP dialogue soon: Mushahid

2007-09-23

Pakistan Muslim League (PML) Secretary-General Mushahid Hussain Sayed on Thursday said dialogue with Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson Benazir Bhutto was going on positively and major headway was expected soon. He was talking to reporters at the oath-taking ceremony of Rawalpindi-Islamabad Photo Journalists Association at the Parliament House. Mohammadmian Soomro administered the oath to the newly elected body. Mushahid said no timeframe could be given on the success of talks with Bhutto.

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India-Pakistan

Perv Plans to Become Civilian President

2007-09-18

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf plans to quit as army chief to become a civilian leader, removing a key objection to his proposed re-election in October, a senior ruling party official said on Monday. "We expect that after his re-election process next month, God willing, General Musharraf would take his oath of office as a civilian president before November 15," Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, secretary-general of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (PML), told Reuters. Sounds like Benazir wasn't going to sign on to the prez-in-uniform thing. The question now is whether Perv's word on the subject is any better than Nawaz' word was on his subject. Or whether Benazir's word is any good at all. We'll know when Perv throws his sprockets over the fence onto the White House lawn. U.S. ally Musharraf has held the post of army chief since he seized power in a military coup in 1999, despite calls from the opposition to quit the dual office. His acquiescence could be seen as a victory for Benazir Bhutto, who has said that any power-sharing arrangement with Musharraf will depend, among other things, on him becoming a civilian president. Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party announced on Friday the two-time former prime minister will return to Pakistan on October 18, ending more than eight years of self-exile. Giving up the army role would undoubtedly dilute Musharraf's power in a country that that has been ruled by generals for more than half the 60 years since it was founded. It will also be a wrench for a life-long soldier who described his uniform as a "second skin," but aides say Musharraf has been reconciled to quitting the army for months. Senator Sayed said that Musharraf would abide by the constitution and quit the army before the end of 2007. Musharraf's current term as president expires on November 15. "Yes, I have no doubt that the president will keep his commitment," said Sayed, who recently met Musharraf. "He is clear on this issue."

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India-Pakistan

Musharraf bid to sack Pakistan judge overruled

2007-07-20

The power of Pakistan's president has been dented after the supreme court struck down his order to sack the country's chief justice. Musharraf bid to sack Pakistani judge `illegal' Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry has become a symbol of opposition to President Musharraf A panel of 13 judges today ruled that General Pervez Musharraf's move in March to suspend Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry was "illegal". The chief justice has become a popular symbol of opposition to Gen Musharraf. Lawyers stood and applauded as the decision was read out in court, while shouts of "Go Musharraf, Go" resounded among the hundreds of his supporters gathered outside. Gen Musharraf sparked the most damaging crisis of his eight-year rule when he attempted to sack Mr Chaudhry for allegedly pulling rank to secure a police job for his son and enjoying unwarranted privileges such as the use of government aircraft. advertisement However, opponents accused the military ruler of removing the independent-minded judge in order to forestall legal challenges to his plan to be elected for another five-year term. The move sparked months of political unrest and forced a series of embarrassing climb-downs by his government. The court ruling comes as Pakistan continues to be battered by a wave of bloody attacks, triggered by the storming of a radical mosque by commandos last week in Islamabad. More than 200 people have since been killed and another suicide attack today claimed four lives in North Waziristan. Mushahid Hussain Sayed, the secretary general of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League, said the government accepted the decision and called for unity. "This process shows that Pakistani people, state and society are dynamic, vibrant and open," he said. "It testifies to Pakistan's strength as a democratic society." However, Ayaz Amir, one of Pakistan's leading newspaper columnists, described the verdict as a massive blow for Gen Musharraf. "This will have dealt him the psychological effects of failure. A military order has been challenged and overturned," he added. More than half of Pakistan's 60-year history has been spent under military rule, and most civilian governments have been contemptuous of the judiciary. Indeed, the chief justice's victory was won after months of large-scale protests led by lawyers who were frequently beaten by cane-wielding policemen. A pro-Chaudhry rally in the volatile city of Karachi was cancelled after gunmen opened fire on protesters killing 40 people in May, while a suicide bomber killed 15 more people at another rally in Islamabad at the weekend. Meanwhile, a senior supreme court official who refused to bring evidence against the chief justice was shot dead at his home. Gen Musharraf announced earlier this week that he hoped to be re-elected as president and to continue as army chief after elections early next year.

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India-Pakistan

Sami denied UK visa to attend APC

2007-07-02

The British High Commission has refused to issue a visa to Senator Maulana Samiul Haq, chief of his own Jamiat-Ulema-e-Islam faction, for the opposition’s all parties conference in London. The senator cannot appeal now against the denial of the visa for another three years. This issue was discussed in the Senate Committee for Foreign Affairs several times in the presence of Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri. The senators asked the committee chairman, Mushahid Hussain Sayed, to take serious notice of the issue and tabled a requisition for an immediate meeting of the committee to discuss the matter. The requisition was signed by Professor Khurshid Ahmad, Sardar Mehtab Abbasi, Tahir Hussain Mashadi, Telha Mahmood and Maulana Samiul Haq.

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India-Pakistan

Nilofar unresigns

2007-05-24

Federal Minister for Tourism Nilofar Bakhtiar has decided to withdraw her resignation after directives from Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and Pakistan Muslim League (PML) President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and she will resume her duties at her office from today. PML sources said that the party’s Central Executive Committee unanimously endorsed a resolution a couple of days ago rejecting Ms Bakhtiar’s resignation. The resolution, which was tabled by senior PML leader Kabir Ali Wasti and Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri, demanded that the prime minister intervene in the matter, reject Ms Bakhtiar’s resignation and direct her to resume her duties. The sources also said that Hussain and PML Secretary General Mushahid Hussain Sayed held a separate meeting with Ms Bakhtiar and asked her to withdraw her resignation from the office of tourism minister. Ms Bakhtiar finally agreed to withdraw the resignation, the sources added. Ms Bakhtiar also met President Pervez Musharraf on Wednesday, who asked her to continue as tourism minister.

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