KARACHI: A Jamiat-i-Ulema-i-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) senator reportedly used abusive language against female analyst and rights activist Marvi Sirmed during a television show on Friday, triggering a social media uproar.
The show aired on private television channel NewsOne was debating recent honour killings in Pakistan when JUI-F Senator Hafiz Hamdullah got angry over Ms Sirmed for what he believed was her support for the comments of Barrister Masroor, a panelist in the programme, over a lack of reaction from the Council Of Islamic Ideology on these killings.
Hamdullah was of the view that Barrister Masroor should not have used the words 'pee k soey hue hain' (sleeping after getting intoxicated) for the CII chairman and his fellow JUI-F member Maulana Sherani.
"I won't allow you to speak if you are supporting his words," Hamdullah said to Sirmed.
The argument between Hamdullah and Sirmed resulted in an exchange of hot words between the rights activist and the lawmaker.
As seen in the video, Hamdullah continued that he would not allow Sirmed to speak.
The questionable language was omitted from the transmission. However, Sirmed in her Facebook post claimed that Hamdullah began verbally abusing her with the worst possible expletives and tried to physically attack her as well.
Talking to DawnNews, Sirmed said Hamdullah also tried to physically attack her, forcing panelist Fayaz ul Hassan Chauhan to get in the way to stop him and have the channel's management call its security staff.
She further claimed that the whole episode is recorded in the channel's cameras.
PTI's Fayaz ul Hassan Chauhan and Barrister Masroor supported Sirmed's claim on social media.
On Twitter, politicians, lawmakers and media representatives condemned the attack on Sirmed, some also calling for revoking Maulana Hamdullah's Senate membership.
ISLAMABAD: The 12-member bipartisan parliamentary committee assigned to formulate terms of reference (ToR) for the proposed Panama Papers commission seemed to have hit a dead end on Friday as both sides not only refused to budge from their positions on the issue of offshore companies but also accused each other of toughening their stance.
While the opposition insists on starting the Panamagate probe from Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his three children, the government side wants to enact a law that would extend the scope of investigations but would not make any reference to the premier.
After the seventh sitting held here at the Parliament House on Friday, the two sides agreed to meet again on Tuesday but expressed little hope for finding common ground to resolve the issue.
Both government and opposition stick to their positions
Tariq Bashir Cheema, who represents the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid on the opposition side, said: “I think the next meeting of the committee will be the last one because the government is in no mood of conducting the Panama Papers inquiry.”
Talking to Dawn, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that he was ‘utterly disappointed’ with the government’s attitude because it had returned to its initial stance. “If the government continues with the similar position, it’s just a matter of wasting time to sit on this committee,” he said.
In reply to a question, Mr Qureshi said he would brief the PTI leadership about the situation and it was up to them whether or not to continue with the talks.
“At least for me, the two sides at the moment are poles apart and I don’t see any headway taking place,” he said.
About the new law which the government proposed during the meeting, Mr Qureshi said it was a repetition of the 1956 Act and had nothing new in it.
“Earlier, the opposition had accepted all the four ToR of the government with a little amendment in one of them, and today they [government] just reverted to its old stand,” Mr Qureshi claimed.
Talking to journalists outside the Parliament House, Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafiq said the government genuinely wanted accountability of all those whose names had appeared in the Panama Papers, including loan defaulters and those who faced charges of receiving kickbacks and commission.
However, he added, every argument of the opposition revolved around the prime minister despite the fact that he had nothing to do with the Panama Papers. Three children of the prime minister are willing to appear before the proposed commission for investigation and justify setting up of offshore companies, he said.
Speaking alongside Mr Rafiq, Ports and Shipping Minister Hasil Bizenjo criticised the opposition members for speaking to media and heaping blame on the government for lack of progress in talks and said it showed their ill intentions.
Mr Bizenjo said the government was all for resolving the issue of the Panama Papers amicably, but the way the opposition was reacting had made this task difficult.
In background discussions, a legal adviser to the government told Dawn that “during Friday’s meeting we offered ToR-wise responses to the opposition”, highlighting how its stand had only toughened since the committee started its meetings on May 25.
About the new law, the adviser said, “We have covered all aspects of money laundering, offshore companies, kickbacks, commissions, etc.”
He said that, if accepted, the proposed commission would be as powerful as the election inquiry commission was in terms of using state resources for conducting investigations.
However, he added, unfortunately the opposition was only targeting the prime minister which of course wasn’t acceptable to the government.
The Nuclear Supplier Group (NSG) is a 48-nation club committed to limiting nuclear arms proliferation by overseeing the export, re-transfer and protection of sensitive materials that could foster nuclear weapons development.
It was formed in 1974 following the India's nuclear test, which demonstrated that nuclear technology transferred for peaceful purposes could be used to build nuclear weapons.
Guidelines for the group were published in 1978 by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which were to be applied to nuclear transfers for peaceful purposes to help ensure that such transfers would not fall victim to a harmful nuclear fuel cycle or be used in nuclear explosive activities.
The aim of the NSG Guidelines is to ensure that nuclear trade for peaceful purposes does not pave way to the proliferation of nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices, and that international trade and cooperation in the nuclear field is not hindered unjustly in the process.
The NSG Guidelines facilitate the development of trade in this area by providing the means whereby obligations to facilitate peaceful nuclear cooperation can be implemented in a manner consistent with international nuclear non-proliferation norms.
In 1992, the NSG established guidelines for transfers of nuclear-related dual-use equipment, material and technology (items which have both nuclear and non-nuclear applications), which could make a significant contribution to unprotected nuclear fuel cycle or nuclear explosive activity.
-AFP/File
Over the course of these years, the NSG has made numerous legislative reforms such as adopting a “catch-all” mechanism in the NSG guidelines, to provide a national legal basis to control the export of nuclear related items that are not on the control lists.
How does the NSG work?
When considering a new nation to be admitted into the group, the NSG has certain prerequisites countries have to meet.
The country should have the ability to supply items, including items in transit. The country should adhere to and act in accordance with the guidelines of the group.
The nation needs to also implement a legally based domestic export control system which gives authorisation to the commitment to act in accordance with the guidelines.
Adherence to one or more of the NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty), the Treaties of Pelindaba, Rarotonga, Tlatelolco, Bangkok, Semipalatinsk or an equivalent international nuclear non-proliferation agreement, and full compliance with the obligations of such agreement(s).
They also have to pledge their support of international efforts towards non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and of their delivery vehicles.
Upon admittance of a potential member, the NSG has to vote on it first.
All members have to vote in favour; only a consensus can allow the admission of another nation, if any member votes against inclusion of a new country, the motion will not go through.
Why it's important for countries involved
Pakistan applied for the membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group on May 20, saying its inclusion would help further non-proliferation objectives.
Pakistan has formally asked the US administration and the Congress to support its application for joining the NSG after it submitted an official application in Vienna, expressing its desires to join the group on solid grounds of technical experience, capability and well-established commitment to nuclear safety.
However, both US administration and Congress look unwilling to lend their support for Pakistan’s cause.
Pakistan urges that its inclusion in the 48-nation club is in the interest of nuclear trading countries, as it will further promote NSG non-proliferation objectives by the inclusion of a state with nuclear supply capabilities and its adherence to the NSG Guidelines.
Pakistan's request for membership of the group came after India's application for membership. If admitted, India would be part of the decision mechanism, and would have say in decisions of nuclear commerce and will eventually have the ability to sell equipment.
Pakistan argues that in the wake of India gaining easy access to fissile material and technology for its civilian nuclear programme, it would have that much more material for its military nuclear programme.
“Pakistan has the expertise, manpower, infrastructure and the ability to supply NSG controlled items, goods and services for a full range of nuclear applications for peaceful uses,” said Tasnim Aslam, head of the UN desk at the Foreign Office.
India gaining NSG membership will eventually lead to a nuclear arms race.
-AFP/File
If India gains membership it will be the only participating country that has not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, a requirement for being part of the NSG.
Many countries that initially opposed its entry, such as Australia, have changed stance; Mexico and Switzerland are the latest to voice support.
Since 2010, the US administration has been actively supporting India’s efforts. It has repeatedly given exemptions to India and recently Obama officially endorsed India’s application to join the group.
Only one participating country stands in between India’s inclusion into the NSG— China. Until China accepts India’s entry, there is no hope of membership since the decision has to be a consensus among all active members.
China argues admission in the group should be norm based, and rules applied to give India membership should also apply to all new entrants.
WASHINGTON: Pakistan has formally asked the US administration and Congress to support its application for joining the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).
On Tuesday, US President Barack Obama formally endorsed India’s application to join the group.
Pakistan submitted a formal application in Vienna last month, expressing its desire to join the group. But the US administration and Congress are both unwilling to support Pakistan.
In a letter to the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Pakistan’s Ambassador Jalil Abbas Jilani reminded Congress that Pakistan had taken a series of steps that qualify it for joining the NSG.
“Pakistan’s desire to participate in the NSG stands on solid grounds of technical experience, capability and well-established commitment to nuclear safety,” the ambassador wrote.
“Pakistan has operated secure and safeguarded nuclear power plants for over 42 years. Safe and sustainable civil nuclear energy is essential for Pakistan’s future energy security and its economic development,” he added.
The letter, shared with Dawn, expresses Pakistan’s willingness to accept the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards on all foreign supplied nuclear reactors and nuclear materials similar to the current IAEA safeguards in place on all of Pakistan’s civilian nuclear facilities.
Pakistan argues that its presence in the NSG is in the interest of nuclear trading countries, as it will further promote NSG non-proliferation objectives by the inclusion of a state with nuclear supply capabilities and its adherence to the NSG guidelines.
“Pakistan has consistently maintained that criteria-based, non-discriminatory approach, which treats both Pakistan and India equally, while also simultaneously binding them to appropriate non-proliferation commitments, will not only strengthen the non-proliferation regime but also promote strategic stability in South Asia,” the letter explained.
Mr Jilani argued that Pakistan’s view has been “corroborated by incontrovertible evidence and public export analysis that the approach of granting country-specific exceptions, such as the NSG waiver in 2008, has neither benefited the non-proliferation regime nor the objective of regional strategic stability”.
The letter warns that publicly available reports on “significant upcoming fissile material facilities and build up of unsafeguarded weapon usable fissile material in Pakistan’s neighbourhood raise larger security and stability concerns for the region.”
Pakistan argues that a non-discriminatory and equitable approach by the participating governments of the NSG would help South Asia achieve a safer and more prosperous future.
“Pakistan remains ready to continue its constructive engagement with the United States and international community at large as a mainstream partner in the non-proliferation arrangements,” the Ambassador said.
Last month, Pakistan and the US held the 7th round of “Security, Strategy, Stability and Non-proliferation” dialogue to discuss a range of issues in nuclear non-proliferation. Both countries agreed on the value of Pakistan’s continued engagement, outreach and integration into the international non-proliferation regime.
The US also helped Pakistan develop Strategic Trade Controls. But these engagements did not translate into US support for Pakistan’s bid to join the NSG.
The US is not only supporting India’s application but is also encouraging other countries, including China, to back the Indian move.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered unconditional support to India’s entry into the NSG but China opposes the move as it discriminates against Pakistan.
Without China’s support India cannot join the group, as all membership applications need consensus of existing members.
WASHINGTON: The United States has asked Pakistan to put its case before all 48 members of the Nuclear Suppliers Group, instead of seeking individual endorsements for joining the NSG.
Earlier this week, Pakistan sent letters to US officials and lawmakers, urging them to support its bid for joining the exclusive club that controls access to sensitive nuclear technology.
Apparently neither India nor Pakistan is likely to join the NSG in the near future as New Delhi failed to win over China while Islamabad failed to persuade Washington to back its bid.
The 48-nation NSG held a special meeting in Vienna, Austria, on Thursday to consider applications from the two South Asian nations, both of whom posses atomic weapons and have not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
On Thursday afternoon, when it became obvious that China will not allow India to join the NSG, a spokesman for the US State Department urged Pakistan to present its application before the entire group.
“That’s a collective decision reached by the members of the group,” said the spokesman, Mark Toner, when asked why the United States was not backing Pakistan’s application.
“India is also pursuing membership into the Nuclear Suppliers Group, but certainly, if Pakistan wants to pursue that, that’s something for all the members of the Nuclear Suppliers Group to consider,” he added.
US President Barack Obama, who met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House on Tuesday, announced after the meeting that the United States strongly supported India’s bid to join the NSG.
Later, a senior US official told a news briefing that Washington wanted the NSG to induct India during its annual plenary session which will be held in Seoul, South Korea, on June 23-24.
Last month, Pakistan also submitted its membership application in Vienna so that it could be considered with India’s application at the special session.
Reports from Vienna suggest that China is demanding a non-discriminatory criterion for offering NSG membership to other nations: all interested states should be asked to sign the NPT first because exempting anyone would weaken the entire non-proliferation regime.
The Chinese argue that if the United States and other powers insist on exempting India from this requirement then they should do the same for Pakistan, as not doing so will accelerate a dangerous nuclear race in South Asia.
Despite China’s objection, US officials have clear instructions from President Obama to ensure that India becomes an NSG member during this month’s plenary session.
When a journalist suggested at the State Department briefing that the US position on this issue may further strain already tense relations between India and Pakistan, Mr Toner urged Pakistan to stop terrorists from using its soil to conduct operations inside India.
“We believe that Pakistan and India stand to benefit from practical cooperation and encourage direct dialogue aimed at increasing cooperation and reducing tensions,” he said.
“And that includes steps by Pakistan to ensure that its territory is not used to plan attacks in India and that Pakistan takes steps to address or to go after all the terrorist groups that are currently using its territory.”
Mr Toner said President Obama had also discussed India-Pakistan relations with Prime Minister Modi at their White House meeting.
“Our bilateral relations with India and Pakistan are separate and stand on their own merits, and so it’s not prudent for us to view our security cooperation in the region in kind of a zero-sum game — or zero-sum terms,” he added.
“I think it’s important for the countries of the region that they all have constructive security relationships with each other. And that’s Pakistan, that’s India, and it’s also Afghanistan.”
Pakistan’s counterterrorism operations, he said, continued to be “an area of collaboration and cooperation” between Washington and Islamabad.
In reply to another question, Mr Toner said a US delegation was currently in Pakistan to discuss the current situation in Afghanistan. A recent US drone strike that killed Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Mansour would also be discussed during this visit, he added.
“They will talk about some of the recent activities that included the strike that took out the Taliban commander — and our ongoing concerns about security along the Pakistan-Afghan border, and more broadly our desire to see an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process,” said the US official.
“We do believe that that is, ultimately, the way to bring about peace and to resolve the conflict in Afghanistan, and that remains an area of focus. But we’re also going to, obviously, talk about other areas of cooperation on counterterrorism with Pakistan.”
اختیارات میں اضافہ سے فورسز افغانستان میں بڑے پیمانے پر فضائی کارروائی کرسکیں گی، عہدیدار امریکی محکمہ دفاع، فوٹو؛ فائل
واشنگٹن: امریکی صدر باراک اوباما نے افغانستان میں تعینات امریکی فورسز کے اختیارات میں اضافے کی منظوری دیدی جس کے بعد امریکی فورسز مزید مؤثر طریقے سے طالبان کے خلاف کارروائی کرسکیں گی۔
غیر ملکی خبر رساں ادارے کے مطابق امریکی صدر باراک اوباما نے افغانستان میں امریکی فورسز کے دائرہ کار کو بڑھاتے ہوئے ان کے اختیارات میں مزید اضافے کی منظوری دیدی ہے جس کے بعد امریکی فورسز افغانستان میں طالبان سمیت دیگر دہشت گروپوں کے خلاف مزید مؤثر اور وسیع دائرہ کار میں کارروائی کرسکیں گی جب کہ افغان فورسز کو ٹریننگ سمیت میدان جنگ میں فضائی سپورٹ اور زمینی مدد بھی فراہم کریں گی۔
خبر ایجنسی کے مطابق امریکی محکمہ دفاع کے عہدیداربتایا کہ اختیارات میں اضافے سے امریکی فورسز افغانستان میں نہ صرف بڑے پیمانے پر فضائی کارروائی کرسکیں گی بلکہ افغان فورسز کو بھی دشمن کے خلاف فضائی کارروائی میں نشانہ بنانے میں مدد فراہم کریں گی۔
اشرف کی بیٹی صدف نے 2 ماہ قبل ہی پسند کی شادی کی تھی۔ فوٹو: فائل
لاہور: کاہنہ میں پسند کی شادی کرنے پر باپ نے بیٹی اور داماد سمیت 3 افراد کو قتل کردیا۔
ایکسپریس نیوز کے مطابق لاہور کے علاقے کاہنہ نو عبداللہ پور میں غیرت کے نام پر باپ نے بیٹی، اس کے شوہر اور جیٹھ کو قتل کردیا۔ پولیس حکام کا کہنا ہے کہ سیکورٹی گارڈ اشرف نے پسند کی شادی کرنے پر اپنی بیٹی صدف اور اس کے شوہر کرامت کو گولیاں مار کر قتل کیا جب کہ مزاحمت پر بیٹی کے جیٹھ امجد کو بھی فائرنگ کر کے قتل کردیا، اشرف نے تہرے قتل کی واردات کے بعد خود کو پولیس کے حوالے کردیا۔
پولیس حکام کا کہنا ہے کہ مقتولہ صدف نے 2 ماہ قبل ہی پسند کی شادی کی تھی، تینوں نعشیں قبضے میں لے کر پوسٹ مارٹم کے لئے جناح اسپتال منتقل کردی گئیں ہیں تاہم کسی بھی مدعی کے سامنے نہ آنے کی وجہ سے ابھی تک واقعہ کا مقدمہ درج نہیں ہو سکا۔
واضح رہے کہ 2 روز قبل بھی لاہور کے علاقے فیکٹری ایریا میں پسند کی شادی کرنے والی زینت کو اس کی ماں نے پٹرول چھڑک کر زندہ جلا دیا تھا۔
