Doors for reconciliation with PMLN still open: Firdous

PML-N was still open and the PPP would play the role of opposition in Punjab.
Talking to reporters, Firdous Awan said that though the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had parted ways with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), but the latter had not closed its doors for reconciliation.
She said that Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani wanted to continue work on the 10-point agenda irrespective of the situation in Punjab and did not want to have a deadlock on the parleys in that regard.
The Information Minister said the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) would play its rule in Punjab as per the constitution.
To a question on Raymond Davis, she said that the government would present its point of view in the court on March 14 and would accept the court decision on the case.
Earlier, MPA Chaudhry Tariq Gujjar, Mian Azhar Hasan Dar, Chudhary Maqbool, Sardar Ibrahim and a large number of PPP workers welcomed the Information Minister at Sheranwal Bagh and showered rose petals on her. The workers were chanting slogans and carrying banners and placards inscribed with slogans in favour of the party leadership.
Azad Jammu and Kashmir President Raja Zulqarnain also accompanied the federal minister.

Five killed in Karachi firing incidents

27 Feb 2011 Karachi
At least five people including 3 policemen have been killed in Karachi since last night, According to details, two cops were gunned down in Quaid-e-Azam Colony of Gulshan-e-Iqbal.
The killings took place after armed clash between two groups over kidnapping of a political worker. Police rushed to the site and came under cross firing.
As a result, Head Constable Zahir Shah and constable Maqsood received bullet injuries. The victims were shifted to hospital where both succumbed to their injuries.
In another incident, a police constable Muszzafar shot dead by unknown armed men. Same incident took place in Chakra Goath of Korangi area where unidentified armed men opened indiscriminate firing on unknown man killing him on the spot.
A man shot was killed and seven injured in separate firing incidents in New Karachi and Kharadar area.

Turncoats always support dictators: Law Minister

27 Feb 2011
Lahore
Federal Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Babar Awan has said that turncoats always support dictators with the help of capitalists in the guise of technocrats.
He was addressing a “Meet the Press” at the Lahore Press Club here on Sunday.
He said that Pakistan could be strong only by strengthening democracy instead of strengthening personalities.
He said that capitalists always created hurdles in the way of reforms but the PPP would continue its journey on the road to reforms for the betterment of the people and the country.
The minister remarked the PPP preferred the continuity of democracy even after criticism and it tolerated it by following the vision of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed.
Congratulating the former provincial ministers of the PPP on getting “freedom”, he said the six PPP ministers had returned their vehicles within six hours of the decision.

Imran Khan flays ‘power politics’ in Punjab

27 Feb 2011 Lahore
Pakistan Tehreek Insaf (PTI) Chief Imran Khan has flayed power politics in Punjab and termed it against principles.
Addressing a press conference here at a local hotel on Sunday, he said that the 10-point agenda of the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) was without a solution to terrorism and drone attacks.
He said that injustice was the main cause of rampant corruption in the country, adding that during the last three days government borrowing had touched high levels.
Imran said that 2011 could be an election year for which the PTI had made all arrangements.
To a question, he said demand for a separate province of Bhawalpur was justified and the government should think over it.
He said the PTI would not make any alliance with any political party whose leaders’ assests were in foreign countries.

No legal status of show cause notices: Dr Tahir

LAHORE: Parliamentary leader of unification block in Punjab Assembly Dr Tahir Ali Javed on Thursday said that there was neither any legal status of show cause notices nor Chaudhry Zaheer was authorized to issue the same.
Meanwhile, senior minister Raja Riaz met speaker Punjab Assembly Rana Iqbal and protested against the allotment of separate seats to unification block.
Talking to media after the meeting, Raja Riaz Ahmed said that the allotment of separate seats to unification block in Punjab Assembly is unlawful, adding that Q-league’s parliamentarian should not join PML-N’s benches He alleged that the Speaker can not allot separate seats to such assembly members who crossed the floor to become turncoats.He said he requested the Speaker that he should revert his "unconstitutional and illegal decision".He said that it was Shujaat Hussain, a PML-Q Chief, who nominates parliamentary leader therefore the Unification Block was entirely illegal and unconstitutional Meanwhile, Rana Iqbal told reporters that PML requested to allot seats to majority parliamentarians of the party with that of Punjab govt, adding that he accepted their request under 18th constitutional amendment.