W O R L D

Pakistan united against terrorism
In a landmark resolution adopted unanimously, Pakistan’s Parliament has called for an urgent review of the security strategy and revisiting the methodology of combating terrorism in order to restore peace and stability in the country through an independent foreign policy.

Obama wants to reach out to Pak people
Chicago, October 23
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said he would reach out to the Pakistani people to build a lasting relationship, rather than look for temporary alliances with their government.

A woman prays over the grave of her relative, who was killed during Hungary's 1956 anti-communist revolution, in Budapest's central cemetery on Thursday. Hungary on Thursday commemorated the 52nd anniversary of the uprising. — Reuters

Suicide attack on Iraqi minister, 13 killed
Baghdad, October 23
A suicide car bomber targeted an Iraqi minister during rush hour today in Baghdad, killing at least 13 persons and wounding more than 20, officials said.

Fayed questioned over sexual assault
London, October 23
Harrods boss Al Fayed has been questioned by the Scotland Yard after a teenager claimed he sexually assaulted her at the department store in London.

Pakistan united against terrorism
Afzal Khan writes from Islamabad

In a landmark resolution adopted unanimously, Pakistan’s Parliament has called for an urgent review of the security strategy and revisiting the methodology of combating terrorism in order to restore peace and stability in the country through an independent foreign policy.

It further asked for pursuing instrument of dialogue as the “highest priority” and replacing military with civilian law enforcement agencies in the troubled-tribal areas with enhanced capacity and a political system achieved through a consultative process as early as possible.

The talks, however, would only be encouraged “with all those elements willing to abide by the constitution of Pakistan and rule of law.”

The 14-point resolution that reflected a rare albeit emphatic assertion of Parliament’s authority in laying down security and foreign policy parameters affirmed united national resolve to eliminate extremism, militancy and terrorism “in all forms and manifestations that pose a grave threat to the stability and integrity of the country.” But it repudiated past policies of dictatorial regimes to perpetuate their own powers at the cost of national interest.

Parliament vowed that Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity would be safeguarded. “The nation stands united against any incursions and invasions of the homeland, and calls upon the government to deal with it effectively,” the resolution said. However, it added, “Pakistan’s territory shall not be used for any kind of attacks on other countries.”

The resolution emerged from an unprecedented two-week in-camera joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament and introduced by Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Wednesday.

However, it was thrashed out by a 16-member panel in two days of rigorous deliberations.

Assistant secretary of state Richard Boucher had made a sudden dash to Islamabad late last week in an apparent bid to pre-empt a drastic reversion of the US induced policy of war on terror that most Pakistanis believe is a proxy war to serve foreign interests that has brought terrorism and suicide bombings inside cities of the country.

Parliament said the county was united against terrorism and sectarian violence and would tackle the problem by addressing its root causes.

On the problem in Balochistan, the resolution called for “a political dialogue with the people, addressing of their grievances and enhancing and accelerating the redistribution of resources.”

It said the federation must be strengthened "through the process of democratic pluralism, social justice, religious values and tolerance, and equitable resource sharing between the provinces as enshrined in the Constitution of 1973". The state must ensure rule of law, the resolution said, and "when it has to intervene to protect the lives of its citizens, caution must be exercised to avoid casualties of non-combatants in conflict zones".

Parliament decided that the "mechanisms for internal security be institutionalised by paying compensation to victims of violence; and rehabilitate those displaced.”

Obama wants to reach out to Pak people
Ashok Easwaran

Chicago, October 23
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said he would reach out to the Pakistani people to build a lasting relationship, rather than look for temporary alliances with their government. Obama acknowledged that the US and Pakistan must continue fighting terrorism together, but said working for the people’s social and economic welfare was important.

“While the US and Pakistan must continue to work together to combat terrorism that has claimed innocent lives in both countries and to destroy the terrorist sanctuaries along the Afghan-Pakistani border, I will make helping Pakistan tackle critical challenges like illiteracy, poverty, and lack of healthcare a key priority including by increasing aid in these areas,” Obama in Chicago said.

In what could be seen as a contrast to the Bush administration's Pakistan policy that appeared to stress relations with the Musharraf military regime, Obama pointedly said: “I will stand up for democratic institutions, civil society and judicial independence in Pakistan.”

Underlining the orientation that an Obama administration will take if he is elected, he said: “I want to build a broad-based and lasting relationship with the people of Pakistan.”

He added: “I co-sponsored legislation with senator Lugar to triple non-military assistance to Pakistan and sustain it for the next decade.” Last year, while he was running in the Democratic primaries against Hillary Clinton, he courted controversy when he said his administration could unilaterally take out Al Qaida targets in Pakistan.

“If we have actionable intelligence about high-value terrorist targets and President Musharraf won’t act, we will,” Obama said. He added: “But now with Musharraf gone, he emphasised working together with Pakistan to destroy the terrorist sanctuaries along the Afghan-Pakistani border.” — IANS

Suicide attack on Iraqi minister, 13 killed

Baghdad, October 23
A suicide car bomber targeted an Iraqi minister during rush hour today in Baghdad, killing at least 13 persons and wounding more than 20, officials said.

The blast underscored the continued dangers facing Iraqis despite a sharp decline in violence over the past year as insurgents defy security improvements. Militants have frequently targeted Iraqi government officials.

The attacker rammed the car into the labour and social affairs ministry convoy as it passed through the central Bab al-Sharji area, a ministry spokesman said.

The Shiite minister, Mahmoud Mohammed al-Radhi, escaped unharmed, but three of his guards were killed, spokesman Abdullah al-Lami told the al-Arabiya TV station.

“It is the latest in a series of criminal acts that are targeting development process in Iraq,” al-Lami said.

At least 10 civilians were killed in addition to the guards, and 21 people were wounded, according to police and hospital officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Smoke and the smell of gunpowder from the explosives filled the air. Drivers at a nearby intersection sought shelter behind their cars until Iraqi security forces ordered them to evacuate the area. — AP

Fayed questioned over sexual assault

London, October 23
Harrods boss Al Fayed has been questioned by the Scotland Yard after a teenager claimed he sexually assaulted her at the department store in London.

The Daily Mail reported that the 15-year-old schoolgirl has made a formal complaint of indecent assault, alleging Fayed tried to kiss her during a visit to the store in May.

The teenager claimed that she first met the 75-year-old Fayed, while she was shopping with her mother in the department store in Knightsbridge, West London. According to the report in the British daily, the Egyptian-born multi-millionaire asked for her telephone number and then invited her back to Harrods where she claimed, he made advances towards her and forcibly tried to kiss her. He was questioned by Scotland Yard’s specialist unit, which investigates alleged sex crimes. — PTI