Page 29 - Pakistan Link - March 23, 2018

COMMENTARY MARCH 23, 2018 – PAKISTAN LINK – P29

to the oath had been explained as of DMCs [district municipal corpo- artificially increased from Rs24 to PENTAGON FROM P1 Rao Anwar Arrested
a ‘clerical error’ by the government rations], which were subordinate to Rs70, and payments were made to crossing into Pakistan was not going
and subsequently rectified through the Sindh government. an unidentified party. to be a part of normal day-to-day
an Act of Parliament. The mayor said there were Siddiqui is scheduled to as-
Nonetheless, the protesters had heaps of garbage in each district of sume his new responsibilities as
occupied the Faizabad Interchange, the city and drains had been choked. Pakistan’s ambassador in Wash-
which connects Rawalpindi and Is- He said Karachi had been destroyed ington next month as incumbent
lamabad through the Islamabad Ex- and hospitals were full of patients Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry reached
pressway and Murree Road — both but there was no medicine for them. retirement age a few days ago.
of which are the busiest roads in the CJP Nisar told Mr Akhtar that Siddiqui is currently a special
twin cities. he was elected by getting votes. “For- adviser to Prime Minister Shahid
The government had initiated get the government and work for the Khaqan Abbasi. - The Express Tri-
several rounds of negotiations with welfare of the common man. I want bune operational rules of engagement for
the protesters, but failed each time. Karachi to be clean within a week. US commanders in Afghanistan. Islamabad: Former SSP Malir Rao
The sit-in lasted nearly three Carry out cleanliness work even if DOLLAR FROM P1 “If the Taliban reside in Paki- Anwar, who is being investigated for
weeks and culminated after an op- you have to collect funds (chanda),” bodies and corruption, are re- stan and we are able to provide safe- his involvement in the extrajudicial
eration to end the protest by the he remarked. sponsible for the lower value of ty and support and to help secure killing of Naqeebullah Mehsud in a
government failed, following which the rupee. districts and provinces within Af- staged ‘encounter’ in Karachi, was
the army brokered an ‘agreement’ WFPG FROM P17 Paracha, speaking about cor- ghanistan, I think that is a trade-off arrested Wednesday when he ap-
between the state and the protest- Pakistan’s domestic situation ruption with respect to fluctuation that we’re willing to make,” he said. peared before the Supreme Court
ers, the terms of which included the as well as its perspective on regional in the dollar-rupee exchange rate, “Because it’s not necessarily about after eluding law enforcement agen-
resignation of former law minister peace and security. alleged that those with advance these people over in Pakistan, it is cies for over a month.
Zahid Hamid. During the Q&A session, the knowledge of the changing value about the Afghan people.” Anwar’s appearance before the
The agreement had been seen Ambassador responded to ques- were able to earn money off the The Pentagon official said that court came as a surprise to many.
as a complete surrender by the state tions on a wide range of issues, in- adjusted rates. this year, the official Afghan forces He was last seen at Islamabad air-
to the protesters. cluding Pakistan’s relations with the He strongly criticized the would focus their efforts on taking port trying to flee the country on
United States, Afghanistan, India drop in the value of the rupee, say- back the provinces that the Taliban a Dubai-bound flight on January 23
SHARJEEL FROM P11 and Iran, the impact of social media ing that it would pave the way for claimed or contested. before he was stopped by immigra-
The new board comprising Dr on diplomacy, US foreign assistance inflation, lesser foreign investment “And what happens in Pakistan, tion officials.
Asif Bashir, a neurosurgeon from to Pakistan, women’s education in in the country, and illegal means we can’t have any control on that,” Since then, there had been no
Punjab, Dr Athar Inam from the Pakistan, as well as other regional for transferring money. he said. “That’s something within trace of the absconding police offi-
Aga Khan University Hospital, and a issues. He asked the government to Pakistan, that’s something the na- cer, despite the fact that the Supreme
medical specialist from the army will The event was attended by withdraw the increase in the dol- tion of Pakistan has got to resolve. Court had given a deadline for his
determine whether the PPP leader members of WFPG, officials from lar rate and asked authorities to Now we’re going to stay focused on arrest and called upon intelligence
can be provided medical treatment the State Department, as well as take traders into confidence before Afghanistan.” agencies and the Federal Investiga-
inside jail or not. prominent members of the Paki- making such decisions. Col Andrews said that the US tion Agency to help Sindh police nab
The apex court ordered the stani American community. Given that Pakistan is set to expected Pakistan to take steps to him.
medical board to submit its report be placed on the Financial Action ensure there were no sanctuaries The court had warned on
within 15 days. MOMS FROM P24 Task Force’s grey list in June, it is where Taliban or other terrorist or- Monday that action would be taken
As executive director of the Jin- President Trump.” not the right time to devalue the ganizations could hide. against those providing shelter to
nah Postgraduate Medical Centre Dr This incident, although alarm- rupee, he said, asserting that all “We are hopeful Pakistan will Anwar.
Seemi Jamali informed the judges ing, does not come as a shock to the regulations which facilitate illegal take action, because not only do we On Wednesday, soon after An-
about the formation of a previous Muslim community. Islamophobia trading should be amended. feel it is going to serve Afghanistan, war appeared before the three-judge
medical board on a court directive, is at an all-time high in the United but it’s going to help protect Paki- bench hearing the suo motu case
CJP Nisar asked her as to how many States. WARMONGERING FROM P1 stan, India and the entire region,” he against Mehsud’s murder, Chief Jus-
rooms had been reserved for the PPP “This is not happening in a vac- agencies. argued. tice Mian Saqib Nisar ordered police
lawmaker. “Was a separate parking uum. It’s a troubling trend. We live After a lukewarm Indian Col Andrews also said that the to arrest him.
space reserved for him as well?” the here in the intersection of gun cul- response to Pakistan’s protest, US would not resume its security “Take Rao Anwar into custody,”
chief justice went on to ask and then ture and Islamophobia in Arizona, Islamabad recalled its high com- aid to Pakistan until Islamabad ad- the CJP said after rejecting his re-
told her that the court knew a lot where you have very lax open-carry missioner from New Delhi for an dresses Washington’s concerns over quest for protective bail.
what happened at her facility. laws,” said Siddiqi. “It’s not accept- indefinite period or until the situ- alleged terrorist safe havens within Justice Nisar also directed po-
The JPMC executive director able for people to encroach on a ation improves. its borders. lice to ensure that the former SSP
told the judges that Mr Memon had house of worship like this, to harass This was the first time since The Trump administration isn’t harmed in custody.
spent eight weeks at the hospital and worshippers and to take materials 2002 that either country withdrew suspended more than one billion After the hearing ended, An-
two rooms were reserved for him; from the mosque. There needs to be its envoy. Pakistan also refused to dollars of security assistance to war was taken away in an armored
however she declined that there was perimeters that are there and clearly attend the Word Trade Organiza- Pakistan after accusing Islamabad personnel carrier and later handed
a separate parking spot allotted to laid out, and these types of things tion (WTO) meeting in India as a of harboring terror groups like the over to Sindh police officials. He was
him. need to be prosecuted.” protest. These developments dem- Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani shifted to Karachi in the evening.
She said the previous medical Al-Akoum and his congregants onstrate a new low in the relation- Network. The bench has also ordered the
board had also been formed on a are optimistic that justice will be ship of the two countries. “The US government has been formation of a new five-member
court’s directive. served. They have received a letter of With the absence of structure very honest and open both publicly joint investigation team, headed by
Advocate Rashid A. Rizvi, ap- support from a member of the Hu- dialogue, independent observers and privately with Pakistan on the Additional IG Aftab Pathan, to probe
pearing for Mr Memon, told the manist Society of Greater Phoenix fear that tensions could lead to things that they need to address be- Mehsud’s killing.
judges that his client just wanted condemning the hateful attack on serious standoff between the two fore we can move forward with the On Anwar’s request, it also or-
proper treatment of his ailment the mosque and offering solidarity. countries. resumption of the aid that has been dered the authorities to unfreeze An-
wherever it could be given. “While we may disagree on Mindful of the implications suspended,” Col Andrews said. war’s bank accounts so his children
matters of religion, you deserve of these developments, it is be- The Pentagon’s comments fol- do not face financial difficulties.
CITY FROM P15 nothing less than respect and recog- lieved that efforts are being made low renewed efforts to improve rela- Anwar’s salary must also be
thorities present in the court. nition of your basic human dignity. to defuse the situation through tions between the United States and paid, the CJP said after the officer
At the outset of the hearing, the You are welcome here,” the letter back channel talks between the Pakistan who were once close allies was taken into custody.
CJP asked Karachi Mayor Waseem said. national security advisers of the in the war against terrorists. He said no institution, includ-
Akhtar as to who was responsible Al-Akoum, touched by the two countries. On Friday, Prime Minister ing the judiciary, will influence the
for lifting garbage from the city and gesture, also has hope for the chil- Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, on a private investigation, which he said “must
making it clean. dren brought along by Gonzales and CRICKET FROM P1 visit to Pennsylvania, had a surprise be transparent.”
Replying that the Sindh govern- Dauenhauer. Denly and Babar Azam, who meeting with US Vice President On Anwar’s counsel’s request,
ment did not devolve such powers “My hope is that those kids will made the chase look easy with a sec- Mike Pence which focused, almost the court withdrew the contempt no-
to the local government, the mayor grow up and be more engaged in the ond wicket partnership of 117 runs, entirely, on Afghanistan. tice issued to the officer last month,
decried the shortage of resources and community and meet some Muslims but the latter batsmen could not Mr Pence used this meeting to but ruled that his name will remain
added that the provincial govern- and see what they did learn is not cash on their good performance. emphasize the need for “Pakistan to on the Exit Control List until the
ment had kept all revenue generating true about Muslims.” Denly remained not out at 79, do more to address the continued probe is completed.
departments under its control. Clarification: A previous ver- made off 46 balls with nine fours presence of the Taliban, Haqqani The court in its order said that
Sindh Chief Secretary Rizwan sion of this story indicated the Is- and four sixes, while Babar scored Network, and other terrorist groups Inspector General of Police Sindh
Memon admitted before the bench lamic Community Center of Tempe 63 off 45 balls with six fours and two operating in their country,” the A.D. Khowaja will be responsible for
that around 4.5 tons of garbage was had received a letter of support from sixes. White House said. Anwar’s protection till the conclu-
not being lifted from Karachi. the Humanist Society of Greater Kamran Akmal was declared The meeting followed a visit to sion of the case and Mehsud’s rela-
He said work was underway to Phoenix. While the letter was from Man-of-the-Match for his brilliant Washington by Pakistan’s Foreign tives will not create any difficulties
pick up garbage and a computerized a member of the society, it did not innings which took Peshawar Zalmi Secretary Tehmina Janjua who also for the ex-SSP Malir.
system had been made to monitor it. represent the whole group. to 170 for seven in the rain-reduced received similar messages at her Anwar had arrived at the court
“If the system was up and running, 16 overs. Kamran and Andre Fletch- meetings at the State Department under tight security and was taken
then why isn’t it fully functional?” ENVOY FROM P1 er provided a century stand for the and the White House. And on Sat- directly to Courtroom number 1,
the CJP asked the chief secretary. approximate loss of Rs40 billion to opening wicket hitting all over the urday, a day after the Pence-Abbasi where the hearing into Mehsud’s
Mr Memon replied that there the institutions. ground. They made 107 off just 55 meeting, Afghan President Ashraf murder case took place. It is not yet
were four bodies in the metropolis In 2016, a Securities and Ex- balls. Ghani tweeted that he too is inviting clear whether he had shown up at the
responsible for removing litter. change Commission of Pakistan Kamran made 77 off 27 balls the Pakistani prime minister to Ka- court voluntarily.
The CJP remarked that Mr (SECP) report said that prices of with the help of eight sixes and five bul to “initiate state-to-state com- IG Khowaja was also present in
Akhtar was right as this was the job Azgard Nine group’s shares were fours. prehensive dialogue”. - Dawn court for the hearing.
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