DAILY BRIEF NEWS UPDATE: 23.01.2012

Ijaz not coming to Pakistan to testify: Akram Shaikh

ISLAMABAD: Mansoor Ijaz’s counsel Akram Shaikh on Monday said that his client would not be coming to Pakistan to appear before the commission and that Ijaz’s statement should therefore be recorded in either London or Zurich, DawnNews reported.
Shaikh had advised his client against coming to Pakistan due to what he called ‘unsatisfactory’ security conditions and said that the government was interfering in the security plan.
Earlier today, Shaikh had met with Inspector General of Police (IG) Islamabad Bin Yamin Khan and expressed his dissatisfaction over security measures adopted by government agencies for his client.
Shaikh had met with the IG on the advice of Attorney General Maulvi Anwarul Haq.
Moreover, on Sunday night, Shaikh had sent a second letter to the attorney general in which he had requested for security details for his client.
The letter had expressed reservations over statements given by Interior Minister Rehman Malik and PPP leaders Shazia Marri and Raja Riaz.
Moreover, earlier, Ijaz had blamed the government for harassing him over his decision to visit Pakistan to testify before the commission probing the memo scandal.

 

Mansoor Ijaz keeps everyone guessing

ISLAMABAD: Although the government has assured foolproof security to Mansoor Ijaz, the main character in the ‘memogate’ affair, it is not yet certain that he will visit Pakistan.
Ijaz is scheduled to appear before the three-member investigation commission formed by the Supreme Court, on Tuesday.
Attorney General Maulvi Anwar-ul-Haq said the government would provide best possible security to Ijaz on his arrival, but ruled out his lawyer Akram Sheikh’s demand that an army battalion should be deployed to protect him.
Haq said a necessary notification would be issued to this effect.
Some TV channels reported late on Sunday night that a notification had been issued after the formation of a security squad comprising police and Rangers personnel and some army troops.
The reports, however, could not be officially confirmed.
Sheikh had said that if his client didn’t get assurance from the army leadership about his security, he would advise him against coming to Pakistan.
Sheikh had written to attorney general and Chief of Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Pervez Kayani seeking special security arrangements for Ijaz.
According to media reports, Ijaz was in Switzerland where he informed US officials about his visit to Pakistan.
Quoting sources, a private TV channel said that Ijaz was expected to be in Dubai on Monday and he might decide to go to Pakistan after consultation with his lawyers.
On TV talk shows, politicians continued to lock horns on the issue.
Khawaja Asif of the PML-N said if Hussain Haqqani could stay at the prime minister’s house because of security concerns, the government should have no qualms about providing the same level of security to Ijaz.
In response, Mr Zahid Bokhari, counsel of Haqqani, said that Ijaz was looking for excuses to avoid coming to Pakistan, although the government had promised to provide adequate security to him on his arrival.
Whether he would appear before a parliamentary committee that was also investigating the issue, Haider Abbass Rizvi of MQM said that if Ijaz came to Pakistan he should appear before the committee as well.
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has also asked the government to provide Ijaz security as required by him because people should know the truth behind the memo controversy.

Court validation required for immunity: Ramday

KARACHI: Former Supreme Court Judge, Justice (retired) Khalil-ur-Rehman Ramday said that in order to claim immunity one had to appear before the Supreme Court. Ramday who was speaking to Geo News senior anchor Kamran Khan said the NRO review petition did not state anything about immunity. He further said that even former President Pervez Musharraf had asked for immunity and had not made a decision while sitting at home. Commenting on the letter written to Swiss authorities, the former Supreme Court Judge said this had no relation to criminal cases.

Business News Mon, 23 Jan 2012 - Oil prices lower on Europe debt worries SINGAPORE: Oil prices were lower in Asian trade Monday amid renewed concerns over Europe s ability to deal with it - Euro slips ahead of finance ministers'' meeting TOKYO: The euro slipped against the dollar and yen in Asia on Monday as the market awaited a meeting of eurozone f - Faisalabad industry sans gas 32nd day on FAISALABAD: The industry in Faisalabad had to suffer from gas closure for the 32nd consecutive day on Sunday, Geo - Sindh CNG stations reopen after 24 hr suspension KARACHI: CNG stations in Sindh including Karachi reopened on Saturday at 9 am after facing 24 hours suspension, Ge - Faisalabad IUs remain shut for 31st day FAISALABAD: The industrial units in Faisalabad remained shut for more than a month as a result of suspension of ga - ECC allows purchase of 100,000mn ton local sugar ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet here on Friday took a number of decisions inc - Dollar dwarfs rupee down to a record low KARACHI: In the currency market, Friday, the rupee ended weaker at 90.18/23 to the dollar, compared to Thursday s - KSE ends 2.25pc up ahead of finmin visit KARACHI: Pakistani stocks ended on a two-month high on Friday ahead of an expected visit by the country s finance - Pakistan economic growth depends on reform pace: ADB KARACHI: Pakistan s economy will struggle to grow fast this year but the country can do better in the future provi - Finance minister chairs ECC meeting ISLAMABAD: Economic Coordination Committee s (ECC) meeting is underway with Federal Minister for Finance and Econo - IMF chief Lagarde to talk in Berlin on Jan 23 WASHINGTON: The managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Christine Lagarde, said Thursday she w - Asian shares, euro extend gains as debt fears ease HONG KONG: Asian markets rose for a fourth straight day Friday on strong French and Spanish bond sales, the lowest - Euro steady amid respite in Europe debt crisis TOKYO: The euro held steady against the dollar and yen in Asia on Friday after rising in New York on hopes for pro - Oil mixed in Asian trade SINGAPORE: Oil prices were mixed in Asian trade Friday as traders weighed news of weakening demand for petrol in t - SBP reschedules MPS announcement KARACHI: The central board of directors of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has decided to reschedule its meetings

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Mohammed Saleem Mansoori