Daily Urdu media briefing - Friday 4 February 2011

HEADLINES
Geo Jang Ausaf BBC Urdu
Mazhar Majid charged by US: Our diplomat deprived US, EU: Mubarak to accept Mubarak's 'Farewell Day'.
Scotland Yard of right to fair hearing 'justified' demands, leave Large demonstrations in
power immediately. Tahrir Square

Talks on cabinet dissolution
under way at Presidency
Supreme Court: NAB Supreme Court: Will take Supreme Court warns police
chairman appointment action against IG, if cases over missing people
process fully in hands of PM, against police personnel not
President can't intervene registered over missing
people

Hosni Mubarak not ready to Protesters push out PM Gilani: Govt determined Modi guilty but evidence
leave, but opposition Mubarak's supporters out of to prevent abuse of all laws insufficient
celebrates Farewell Day Tahrir Square including Blasphemy Law

Sugar price reduced by PM, President, Army Chief Federal cabinet likely to be Shahid Afridi captain for
5PKR meet, decide not to accept dissolved within next 48 World Cup
any pressure regarding hours
Davis

INTERNATIONAL
Cricket scandal British police charges the three Pakistani cricketers as well as their agent Mazhar Majid. They
have been summoned for a hearing on 17 March. If the players fail to present themselves, the
efforts on the government level will be made to bring them to the UK. They are accused of brine
taking and cheating in gambling. (Geo)
Baluchistan Hyrbyair Marri and Brahamdagh Bugti leave Afghanistan out of fear for their lives. Following
the improvement in relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan governments it is no longer safe
for them to stay in the country. Hyrbyair's acceptance for asylum in Britain against merit is a
warning sign. Brahamdagh is to be set up in Switzerland. Sources say the Baloch separatists enjoy
the support of the US intelligence, RAW and Mossad. After the US and India, Switzerland and the
UK have also joined the camp of enemies of Pakistan. It has been decided to split the lBaloch
leadership in order to be able to manage it more easily. With Marri being granted political asylum in
the UK, London becomes the new world centre of anti-Pakistan activity. (Ummat)

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 PAKISTAN
Raymond Davis The murderous American functionary Raymond Davis has pleaded guilty to killing two Pakistani
youths, following which the court extended his remand by eight days. The US, following the
extension of the remands, resorted to threats and issuing a sharp statement once again demanded
his release. In the meantime, a separate forgery case against Davis was registered for entering the
country on false documents and the Lahore High Court requested the government to provide the
details of all foreigners residing in the country. Davis, who was brought to the court under tight
protection and in handcuffs, confessed that he fired at the two youths in Lahore and that the gun
was his, but he claimed he acted in self-defence. Thousands of people marched towards the US
consulate in Qurtaba Chowk. Addressing the crowds, relatives of the killed and Tehreek-e- Insaf
leaders said what was needed was justice, not dollars. (Ummat)
According to the latest information, a committee comprising of senior Punjab police official has
presented its initial findings to the Punjab government. According to the report, Raymond Davis did
not fire in self-defence, he was not a diplomat and the security agencies were not aware of his visit
to the country. According to sources, the vehicle and personnel that came to Davis' assistance still
have not been handed over to the police and the US consulate in Lahore is not cooperating with
the authorities despite repeated requests by the Punjab govt. The report is based on the
testimonies of around 20 witnesses. (Ausaf online)
Initial investigative report says that Raymond Davis apparently fired in self-defence, but exceeded
the necessary measures. (Jang)
Cabinet reshuffle PPP Central Executive Committee authorises PM Yusuf Raza Gilani to dissolve the federal cabinet.
(Geo)
The consultative meeting of the PPP Central Executive Committee on the federal cabinet reshuffle
has concluded at the Presidency. According to unofficial reports the number of ministers will be
reduced to 14. The reshuffle will be implemented within the coming 24 hours. (Geo)
Najam Sethi: It appeared likely for a long time, so it is not a surprise. The dissolution of the
cabinet will allow the PM to avoid singling out under-performing ministers. Consultation with the
opposition would lend the new cabinet extra credibility. One of the bigger difficulties will be
accommodating the MQM demands. Fazlur Rehman will insist on the Religious Affairs Ministry. If
it was up to me, I would change the Information Ministry, Water and Power Ministry and the
Religious Affairs Ministry. Qamar Zaman Kaira will be given extra responsibilities. Water and
Power is problematic because of the rental power projects. (Geo)
Blasphemy Laws Prime Minister Gilani, addressing the National Assembly, announced that Sherry Rehman has
withdrawn her bill on the Protection of the Honour of the Prophethood. Gilani said Rehman made
her decision based on the party policy. He also called on the religious parties to support the
government in its efforts to stop the abuse of the Blasphemy Laws. Better late than never –
because as long as Rehman's bill was on the register, all of Gilani's assurances were useless.
Rehman's bill was based on the assumption, professed by some liberal commentators, that some of
the articles of the Blasphemy Bill have to be revised. We think it is superfluous these days, when
the courts are operating with full freedom. An unjust accusation would surely be exposed in court.
The facts are that up to this day most people accused of offending The Prophet have been released
by court. Sherry Rehman and the like should learn to view the issue of blasphemy through the eyes
of the 170m Pakistani, not through American eyes. Bearded or not, no Pakistani can tolerate even a
slightest offence to The Prophet (Ausaf)

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Politics Pakistan got a glimpse of a very different political culture on Thursday, when prominent PML-N
leaders Javed Hashmi reappeared at the Parliament following an extended period of ailment. His
thunderous speech style from the past was not there, instead, with a quivering voice he said
something which can be hear all too rarely in Pakistani politics. Hashmi said Pakistan did not have a
single leader who could rescue it from the present crisis. He said the political class was was making
money abroad and investing it abroad and used Pakistan only to make politics. He said no political
leader accepted Pakistani soil as their own. Hashmi called on Zardari, Nawaz Sharif, Shujaat
Hussain, Asfandyar Wali, Altaf Hussain and Fazlur Rehman to sit down together and try to
change the fate of the country. (BBC Urdu)
Sindh flood Sindh Chief Minister presides over a meeting assessing the progress of the assistance to the flood
victims in the province. Six managers are suspended over embezzlement of funds and goods meant
for flood victims. The meeting takes notice of the delay in seed distribution. (Jang)

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