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Kashmir issue in resolution phase: Hurriyat
Hizb favours armed struggle
US keen to promote Indo-Pak peace process: Kasuri
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Pak rape victim’s trauma continues
Kuwait names first woman minister
India, Iran set to sign gas deal
UK making law against inciting religious hatred
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Kashmir issue in resolution phase: Hurriyat
Islamabad, June 12 Farooq, who is on a visit to Pakistan, along with eight other Kashmiri separatist leaders from the valley, also supported Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf’s proposal on the involvement of international community as guarantor in any agreement that would be reached with India to resolve the issue. “Now we have reached the resolution phase and we are talking on different options. The next year or so are very crucial in the context of resolving the Kashmir issue,” he said in an interview to Pakistani daily The Dawn published today. “I think whenever such a situation will arise, the international community will automatically be involved in the matter, and we think it should be involved in any such agreement on Kashmir,” he said replying to whether China or the US should be involved as international guarantors. “There are three nuclear powers in our neighbourhood — India, Pakistan and China. If India and Pakistan reach an agreement, then China will be interested in that because it also has a role and influence,” Mr Farooq said, adding “the US also desires that Pakistan and India should move ahead in the context of Kashmir.” He said their visit reflected the change in India’s stance on Kashmir issue and claimed that it had now recognised its “disputed nature”. The delegation had held talks with PoK leaders before going to Islamabad where they met General Musharraf, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and other leaders. They also visited Karachi.
— PTI |
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Hizb favours armed struggle
Islamabad, June 12 “The situation (in Kashmir) had aggravated and in such circumstances the requirement for armed struggle had increased,” Hizbul leader Sayed Salahuddin said from Muzaffarabad in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) in response to the call by visiting moderate Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. The moderate leader has said militant groups should allow the political leadership to take the front in view of the prevailing situation after the September 11, 2001, terror attacks on the United States. Salahuddin, who operates from the PoK capital as also Rawalpindi, rejected Farooq's assertions that UN resolutions on Kashmir have failed to deliver. “Launch of different options, while openly deviating from the United Nations resolutions, is a condemnable attempt to deprive the 56-year-old freedom struggle of its strong historic, moral and legal base,” Salahuddin, who heads United Jehad Council (UJC), a conglomerate of militant groups, was quoted as saying by local daily the Dawn today. Farooq, in an interview to the same newspaper once again appealed to militant groups, saying “The need of the hour is to focus on a political settlement of the Kashmir problem. Those who are engaged in militancy should also be taken into confidence.” — PTI |
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US keen to promote Indo-Pak peace process: Kasuri
Washington, June 12 US lawmakers were equally enthusiastic in promoting the peace process which dominated Mr Kasuri’s talks with Congressman Henry Hyde, Chairman, House International Relations Committee, and Senator John Warner, Chairman, Senate Armed Services Committee. At his breakfast meeting with US lawmakers on the Hill, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee gave Mr Kasuri a copy of resolution 272, which praises “the historic steps India and Pakistan have taken toward achieving bilateral peace” and urges them to “continue down this path of peace so that their children may realise a harmonious future.” “The US administration was keen to know about developments in the dialogue process and I have conveyed our position on this issue,” Mr Kasuri told Dawn after his meeting with Ms Rice. “I have briefed them that we now need to move to a conflict resolution stage and to resolve all outstanding issues between Pakistan and India, especially the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, which has led to six wars between the two countries,” he said. Asked if he saw a link between enhanced US interests in the peace process and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to Washington next month, Mr Kasuri said: “I have given you the context, it is up to you to see the link but I can assure you that there’s a good appreciation of Pakistan’s position in the US administration.” US and diplomatic sources told Dawn that they have noticed an obvious “excitement” in Washington over the India-Pakistan peace process. They pointed out that although President Bush has launched two major US military invasions during his stay in the White House, he has not yet concluded any successful peace agreement. “With a peaceful resolution of the Palestinian dispute not yet in sight, the Bush administration is encouraging India and Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir dispute before Mr Bush’s second and last term expires,” said a former senior official of the State Department. David Kux, another former State Department official and a renowned expert on South Asian affairs, said that since signing peace accord in January 2004, both India and Pakistan have moved “very, very rapidly” to carry forward the peace process. President Bush also noted this and in his meeting with Mr Kasuri he said he was “amazed” at the progress so far made by India and Pakistan. The Bush administration has also noted with satisfaction that even a change of government in India did not harm the process. |
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Pak rape victim’s trauma continues
Islamabad, June 12 While the government has promised to appeal a court order releasing the accused, it has simultaneously prevented her from leaving the country. Nilofer Bakhtiar, adviser to the Prime Minister, said on Saturday that legal experts were reviewing the case and planned to file a suit in a higher court. The 12 men accused of raping Muktaran Mai were freed on Friday by the Lahore High Court. But a judge in Muzaffargarh town in Punjab refused to release them after they failed to furnish bonds of Rs 50,000 each as directed by the high court. The issue figured in the Senate on Saturday with Minister of State for Interior Shahzad Wasim justifying the restrictions on Muktaran's travel abroad. Muktaran was to travel to London on Saturday on the invitation of Amnesty International. Wasim maintained that past experience showed that whenever a rape victim left the country, her case was never resolved. "It seems the government fears that with her visit the country's image would be tarnished, an old complex that each government suffers from. This bizarre move highlights once again how rape victims are continuously victimised in Pakistan," it said. "That the victimisation should be at the behest of a government, and that too one which has been supportive of Muktaran, is baffling," it added. In 2002, 13 men were arrested after Muktaran Mai, then 33, related her ordeal. She said she was raped on the orders of a village council, to punish her for her brother's alleged illicit affair with a woman from another family. — IANS |
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15 injured in attack on train in Russia
Moscow, June 12 Four bogies of the Grozny- Moscow train derailed near Uzunovo station, 140 km from Moscow when the driver applied emergency brakes following a blast on the tracks. Fifteen persons, including two children, suffered serious
injuries. Federal Security Service (FSB) officials said a case of terror blast has been registered and investigations were underway. “The engine-driver said an explosion occurred on the tracks in front of the locomotive,” said a FSB spokesperson. Serious casualties were prevented as the train was moving slowly on that stretch owing to a sharp bend. Investigators found a half-meter wide and one meter deep crater at the scene of the accident. Wires leading from it to a suspected terrorist hideout were also discovered, Radio Mayak reported. Thirteen passengers with light injuries got medical aid at the site. Two children were rushed to the Central District Hospital of nearby town of Serebryanye Prudy,” a spokesman for the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations said. The blast occurred as Russia celebrated its national day today amid tight security. Rebels from restive province of Chechnya have targeted Russian installations a number of times in the past.
— PTI |
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Kuwait names first woman minister
Kuwait, June 12 Mubarak, a columnist and political science professor at Kuwait University, replaces Sheikh Ahmad al-Abdullah al-Sabah as Planning Minister and Minister of State for Administrative Development Affairs, sources said. There was no official announcement. The Cabinet was holding its weekly session today. Kuwait would be the third country in the conservative Gulf Arab region to have a woman Cabinet member. Rola Dashti, a leading women’s rights activist and close friend of Mubarak, said “Dr Massouma al-Mubarak has been informed that she has been appointed as Planning Minister and Minister of State for Administrative Development Affairs.” Sheikh Ahmad retained his post as Communications Minister and was also given the Health Ministry portfolio, the official sources said. Energy Minister Sheikh Ahmad al-Fahd al-Sabah has been interim health minister since Mohammad al-Jarallah resigned after he was grilled by members of Parliament. He submitted his resignation April 5 after 10 Parliament members tabled a no-confidence vote accusing him of squandering public funds, mismanagement and being responsible for what the MPs said was deterioration of health services in Kuwait.
— Reuters |
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India, Iran set to sign gas deal
Tehran, June 12 The Gas Sales and Purchase Agreement (GSPA) for at least 5 million tones per annum of LNG beginning second half of 2009-10 will be signed by a consortium of Indian firms and National Iranian Gas Export Company (NIGEC), officials said. Of the 5 million tonnes per annum LNG to be imported from Iran, state-run gas utility GAIL Ltd will be responsible for marketing 40 per cent, Indian Oil Corp (IOC) 35 per cent and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) the remaining 25 per cent. “We have been insisting on the LNG quantity be raised to 7.5 million tonnes we have to wait for the outcome of my talks with Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh,” Petroleum Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar said. Iran has refused to give concession on price for an additional 2.5 million tonnes of LNG. New Delhi wants to buy over and above 5 million tonnes per annum of LNG already agreed. On the contrary, Iranian side has proposed a hike in price. However, Iran has agreed to maintain C2 (ethane) component in the LNG at 5 per cent. Mr Aiyar said the GSPA for at least 5 million tonnes per annum of LNG would be signed on June 13 and if Iran agrees the quantities can be raised to 7.5 million tonnes or else discussions would continue for additional supplies.
— PTI |
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UK making law against inciting religious hatred
London, June 12 The Racial and Religious Hatred Bill introduced in the House of Commons this weekend amidst reservations expressed by writers, human rights activists and opposition, will give members of all faiths equal protection from incited hatred, which has a corrosive effect on communities and can lead to violence and harassment. Currently, the law protects ethnic groups against racial hatred, but there is no protection against incitement on religious grounds. The Bill seeks to ban “hatred against a group of persons defined by reference to religious belief or lack of religious belief.” A Breach of the proposed law will be punishable by fine or a prison term. “People of all backgrounds and faiths have a right to live free from hatred, racism and extremism. Only by tackling such issues head on will we preserve the tolerance, fairness and inclusiveness which are such vital parts of our society,” Home Office Minister Paul Goggins said. “The Bill, supported by a wide range of faith and secular organisations, takes up that challenge. It will not rule out criticism of religion, or outlaw the telling of religious jokes. It is about protecting individuals from hatred, and the fear of violence and harassment created by it.”
— PTI |
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