Day: June 19, 2009

Karachi: The Sindh Assembly was informed on Thursday that Radio Pakistan building spread over 3,974 square yards on M.A. Jinnah Road might be declared as heritage when the radio station would be shifted to its own building at the Civic Centre Complex.

The issue of Radio Pakistan building was raised during question hour when Nadeem Bhutto MPA wanted to know as to why it was not being shifted to the new building that was constructed five years ago. Minister for Local Government Agha Siraj Durrani replied that this question did not pertain to his department.

Minister Shoaib Bukhari said that there was a plan to declare the building as heritage, adding, the building belonged to the City District Government Karachi.

To another question of Bhutto whether the setting up of coordination committees by federal government was interference in Karachi’s affairs, Durrani said there were many projects which were jointly launched by the federal, provincial and city governments. When Bhutto asked whether the CDGK had consulted the Sindh govt before preparing Karachi Strategic Development Plan-2020, Durrani read out a list of official institutions, NGOs and experts who were consulted.

Responding to a question by Arif Jatoi, Durrani said that security barriers were installed at US consulate on Abdullah Haroon road for better security. When Jatoi said that “permanent structure” had been created there and service lane had been closed and asked as to whether the police were entitled to do so, Syed Sardar Ahmed pointed out that under Section 34 of Police Act, the police could put up barricade for security for temporary period.

When Durrani said these barriers were meant for security, Arif Jatoi said he was talking about its legality not security, as Pakistan’s embassy in Washington could not do this. Durrani said that there were no Taliban in Washington.
Source: The News
Date:6/19/2009

LAHORE: A man from Sabzazar has been arrested for allegedly killing his sister in yet another honour killing case on Thursday.

According to police, Iqbal strangled his 22-year-old sister Adeeba — in the presence of family members — for having illicit relations with a boy from their neighbourhood. The alleged murderer later asked his family members not to disclose the incident.

The victim’s family planned to bury her in their native city of Khoshab, but locals informed the police and Iqbal was arrested. Police have recovered the body and shifted it to the city morgue for autopsy. Police said the girl was strangled to death with a piece of cloth, which had also been confiscated as evidence. A first information report (FIR) has been registered against Iqbal and investigations are underway.
Source: Daily Times
Date:6/19/2009

LAHORE – The Punjab government has warned the law enforcement agencies of the possible suicide attacks by the female bombers.

According to a letter issued by the provincial Home Department, the Eastern Turkistan Islami Movement (ETIM) has been accused of preparing female suicide bombers in Waziristan, who could target any important personality or a building.

It has been quoted in the letter that the female bombers may be clad in a cloak (burqa). The law enforcement agencies have been warned to be more vigilant, as “the terrorists of ETIM have planned targeting the significant installations.”

Punjab Home Secretary Nadeem Hasan Asif was not available for his comments. Online adds: At least 30 explosive-laden vehicles have entered Punjab from tribal areas of the country.

The intelligence agencies in their report have informed the administration of different cities especially Rawalpindi that suicide bombers can hit sensitive installations in Punjab.

On the other hand, Inspector General Punjab Police released details of the vehicles, which can be used in terrorist activities. Security has been augmented in Punjab especially at recreational places and outside mosques, Imambargahs and mausoleums of different saints.
Source: The Nation
Date:6/19/2009

LANDIKOTAL: Unknown miscreants blew up a girls’ primary school in Sultankhel area of Landikotal subdivision, Khyber Agency, on Wednesday night. Sources said the blast hit the school at about 2 am, destroying a portion of the building. On Thursday morning, the political administration demolished the house of a criminal Hukam Khan Afridi, who was involved in murder cases, kidnapping and sabotaging peace.
Source: The News
Date:6/19/2009

By Mazhar Tufail

ISLAMABAD: A daughter of the soil of Sindh, who wants to serve the women of her native Jacobabad city, has appealed to the chief justice, the prime minister, the Senate chairman, the National Assembly speaker, the Sindh governor, the chief minister and senior police officials to help her get justice.

Narrating her hair-raising ordeal, Dr Farzana Barohi, said she married Dr Abbas Ali Shah on July 28, 2005 but the marriage ended in a divorce on February 22, 2009. Farzana said she endured immense violence at the hands of Dr Abbas, who also hails from the Jacobabad district.

According to Dr Farzana, she has two children – three-year-old daughter Iqra and 13-month-old son Zamzam – who are now in custody of their father. She told The News on Wednesday that after divorce, her former husband broke into her house and snatched the two children after subjecting her to violence.

The distressed lady doctor said Dr Abbas and his brothers reached her clinic – Iqra Maternity Home – in Dangar Muhallah of Jacobabad town on June 7, 2009 and not only beat her but also opened fire. She received bullet injuries on her hand while her brother was killed by the assailants.

“Being a true follower of martyred Pakistan People’s Party chairperson Benazir Bhutto, I turned down several offers of lucrative jobs in Karachi to serve women of my community,” she said.

“Not only I have lost my brother and was deprived of my two minor children but I am also receiving threats from my former husband and his family now,” she bemoaned.When contacted, Jacobabad District Police Officer Pir Farid Jan Sarhandi confirmed that Dr Farzana was a victim of highhandedness at the hands of her former spouse. He said that all the sympathies of police are, however, with her and she has been provided two guards. He said two of the alleged attackers have been apprehended while a police party has been sent to Karachi to hunt down her former husband and recover her children.
Source: The News
Date:6/19/2009