Moscow, April 13
Deposed Kyrgyzstan President Kurmanbek Bakiyev today offered to step-down if he along with his family is guaranteed security as the new interim government stripped him of his immunity and dissolved the apex Constitution Court.

“I will resign if my and my relatives’ security is guaranteed,” Bakiyev said in a hurriedly summoned press conference in Jalal-Abad, his native place in the country’s south where he has taken shelter.

He also demanded that the new authorities restore law and order and stop armed people from roaming around on the streets. “I will go into retirement if security for me and my family is guaranteed.”

Bakiyev’s statement came as Vice Premier of the interim government Azymbek Beknazarov said the deposed president must return to the capital Bishkek, failing which special forces would launch operation to arrest him.

“The interim government has passed a decree removing the immunity of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev,” Beknazarov was quoted as saying by RIA Novosti.

However, Bakiyev refused to return to the capital and instead invited the head of the interim government Roza Otunbayeva to his hometown for talks.

“I will not go to Bishkek. Let Otunbayeva come for talks. We will ensure her safety,” he said.

After bloody unrest on April 7, Bakiyev had fled to his native region of Jalal-Abad in the south of the country. A court in Bishkek also issued arrest warrants against his brother and elder son for spilling the blood of protesters on April 7, which ended in mass rioting. — PTI 

Washington, April 13
Pakistan has made another pitch for access to civil nuclear technology from the US and other atomic powers based on "non-discriminatory" principles, claiming that it has a "robust" security regime for the safety and security of its nuclear assets.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani raised the issue yesterday during a working dinner hosted by US President Barack Obama for the visiting world leaders who are attending the 47-nation two-day Nuclear Security Summit here.

Pakistan has been demanding a civil nuclear deal from the US similar to the Indo-US atomic agreement, though Washington has refused the same for now.

Coinciding with the start of the summit, Gilani issued a national statement, which reiterated its need for civil nuclear technology for his country.

"We urge all relevant forums to give Pakistan access to nuclear technology for peaceful uses, in a non-discriminatory manner, to meet its growing demand for energy," it said.

He argued that Pakistan is fully aware of its responsibilities.

"It had put in place a robust nuclear security regime and was confident about the safety and security of its nuclear assets as well as the security of nuclear materials and facilities," he said.

"Pakistan has more than 35 years of experience in running nuclear power plants. With trained professional manpower and a strong nuclear safety and security culture, Pakistan fully qualifies for participation in civil nuclear cooperation at the international level," the statement added.

The national statement envisages a well-defined command and control system comprising the National Command Authority, the Strategic Plans Division, and the Strategic Forces Commands, exercises strict control over all aspects of policy, procurement, operations, and, most importantly, nuclear security.

It emphasises on a strict regulatory regime covering all matters related to nuclear safety and security, including physical protection of materials and facilities, material control and accounting, transport security, prevention of illicit trafficking and border controls, as well as plans to deal with possible radiological emergencies.

Stressing on extensive export control regime, the national statement seeks international cooperation, consistent with its national policies and interests as well as international obligations.

The statement argues that Pakistan has legitimate needs for power generation to meet the growing energy demand for its expanding economy. — PTI 

Washington, April 13
Two months before the 25th anniversary of the bombing of Air-India flight Kanishka, India has asked Canada to monitor surging activities of Sikh separatists in that country when Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh met his Canadian counterpart Stephen Harper.

In his 30-minute meeting with Harper on the sidelines of the Nuclear Security Summit, Manmohan Singh conveyed his concerns over the surge in activities of Sikh separatists in Canada who are trying to revive militancy in Punjab. Manmohan Singh conveyed India's continuing concerns over the activities of terrorist organisations in that country, Vishnu Prakash, the spokesperson of India's external affairs ministry, told journalists here after the talks. Manmohan Singh hoped that the Canadian government will curb and monitor the activities of these organisations, said Prakash. India has been watching warily a marked resurgence of pro-Khalistan elements in Canada recently and has alerted the Canadian authorities about it many a time.

Last month, India's Minister of State for Home Affairs Ajay Maken told the Indian Parliament those Sikh militant groups, especially those based abroad, continue to persist with their efforts to revive militancy in Punjab. He added that the government is maintaining a close watch on such outfits. Outfits like the Babbar Khalsa International, the International Sikh Youth Federation, the Khalistan Commando Force and the Khalistan Zindabad Force continue to be banned under the India's Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Act, 2004. — IANS

The Tribune admits with a deep sense of anguish and regret that a report of an erroneous nature by Afzal Khan about Sikh jathas to Hassan Abdal was published in our issue of April 13.

It is true that the Tenth Master, Guru Gobind Singh, was born at Patna but it was the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev, who had visited Hassan Abdal, now in Pakistan, along with a devout companion, Bhai Mardana. Gurdwara Punja Sahib, about 20 km from Rawalpindi and about 100 km from Peshawar, is built in memory of Guru Nanak Dev, who was born at, what was known at that time, Rai Bhoe di Talwandi, but is now popularly known as Nankana Sahib in Pakistan.

During one of his four Udassis (missionary travels), Guru Nanak Dev travelled to Hassan Abdal, where Wali Qandhari, a Muslim faqir of some repute, lived on a hilltop. There was only one well in the area. Guru Nanak Dev and Bhai Mardana stayed at a place where the present Gurdwara Punja Sahib stands. After some time Bhai Mardana felt thirsty to which Guru Nanak asked him to go to Wali Qandhari and ask for water. According to history, Bhai Mardana beseeched Wali Qandhari thrice to let him have water but each time he was sent back. It is also said that at one time Wali Qandhari taunted Bhai Mardana with the words, “ can’t your Guru arrange water for you ?”

When all this was conveyed to Guru Nanak Dev, he asked Bhai Mardana to just pick a small stone from which sprang a fountain of water. In a matter of minutes the well of Wali Qandhari dried up. When the Muslim faqir came to know of it, he hurled a boulder which Guru Nanak Dev stopped with his hand. The boulder to this day bears the imprint of the Guru’s hand. Sikhs from all over the world keep visiting this sacred place to commemorate the event. 

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Hold cash for pain relief
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