Chronology of Pakistan
October 2003 (Continued II)
Azam Tariq shot dead in Islamabad
Oct 6: Maulana Azam Tariq, leader of defunct Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan, and four others were shot dead in Islamabad. Their car was ambushed by unidentified gunmen at the Golra Mor in the vicinity of the high security zone of the federal capital. The assailants fired as many as 92 bullets at the car and at least 30 bullets hit Maulana Azam Tariq, police and Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) sources told The News. According to eyewitnesses, as soon as the car of Maulana Azam Tariq crossed the toll plaza, a Pajero jeep overtook it through lane two of the toll plaza and stopped. Three assailants came out of the Pajero and started spraying bullets at the car from two sides. They continued firing for about 20 seconds and escaped after confirming that Azam Tariq and his colleagues were dead.
NA adjourned to mourn Tariq's death
Oct 6: The National Assembly session was adjourned without any normal business to mourn the death of MNA Maulana Azam Tariq. The Maulana, who was elected from Jhang as an independent member, was shot dead in the federal capital, about 40 minutes before the scheduled National Assembly session.
NAs council members criticise Diamer operation
Oct 6: The members of Northern Areas Legislative Council criticized operation carried out against suspected religious extremists and outlaws in Diamer district. Amir Jan, a member elected form Diamer District said that the government did not take the people and members into confidence before carrying out operation in the district. He regretted that the people who had sacrificed their lives and property had been victimised. Mohammad Jaffer, a member elected from district Ghanch said that there were no al-Qaeda members and remnants in the NAs, as all the people are patriotic Pakistanis. He said that the present government just to appease the super powers, terms all bearded man as Taliban or al-Qaeda members.
Pakistan spends only 0.7pc of GDP on health sector
Oct 6: Pakistan spends only 0.7 per cent of its GDP on health sector and it is being constantly ignored not only in the country but also in the other third world countries, scientist Prof Anwar Ijaz Baig tolda pharmaceutical research seminar on Karachi.
National Party formed as BNM, BNDP merge
Oct 7: A new party with the nomenclature of National Party has been formed after the merger of two political parties, the Balochistan National Movement (BNM) and the Balochistan National Democratic Party (BNDP). The chief organizer of the party, Dr Abdul Hayee Baloch, announced the launching of the party at a press conference in Quetta.
88pc women in jails due to flaws in Hudood Ordinance
Oct 7: As many as 88 per cent of women prisoners in the country are languishing in jails as a result of ambiguities in the Zina Ordinance, according to the final report of the special committee on Hudood Ordinance, which was constituted by the National Commission on the Status of Women to repeal or amend the controversial law. The committee has recommended that the law should be repealed because, it added, it was a short-sighted, incomprehensible and confused legislation.
US dept to scrutinize visas in Pakistan
Oct 7: The US Homeland Security Department plans to open law enforcement offices throughout the Muslim world, with agents assigned to investigate visa applicants who are suspected of ties to Al Qaeda and other groups , senior Bush administration officials told the New York Times. The officials told the paper, permanent offices would open early next year in American embassies and consulates in Pakistan, Egypt, Indonesia, Morocco, and the United Arab Emirates.
One killed as mob goes on rampage in Islamabad
Oct 7: One man was killed as angry mourners went on rampage in Islamabad after the funeral of slain Maulana Azam Tariq, chief of defunct Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan, burning down Melody cinema and ransacking an Imambargah, food market, a bank and a petrol pump. Violence erupted after sunrise funeral prayers in front of the parliament building. As the funeral crowds dispersed, enraged mobs brandishing long sticks charged through the capital’s main business centres - Melody and Aabpara.
Azam Tariq laid to rest in Jhang amid violence
Oct 7: Millat-e-Islamia chief and MNA Maulana Azam Tariq was laid to rest in Jhang amid tight security after thousands of mourners from across Pakistan attended his funeral. Jhang police made elaborate arrangements to avoid any law and order situation. The army and rangers were also called out to maintain law and order. The district Nazim had imposed a ban on pillion riding. Although the city wore a deserted look, there was no restriction on people’s movement. Imambargah Gauhar Shah was attacked twice by a mob of about 60 to 70 people but the police repulsed them. Some 20,000 mourners flocked to the funeral of Azam Tariq under a security clampdown by paramilitary troops and police. A helicopter earlier flew the body to Jhang from Islamabad. Before the burial in Jhang, attackers stabbed and injured five Shias, torched a Shia mosque and the adjacent home of its prayer leader and also damaged a petrol pump despite the unprecedented security.
Pakistan test-fires Shaheen-1
Sept 8: Pakistan test-fired a medium range, nuclear-capable ballistic missile. An announcement by the Inter-Services Public Relations said that a Shaheen-I (Hatf-IV) missile was "successfully tested" in the morning, without identifying the location from where it was fired. The surface-to-surface missile has a range of up to 700km (435 miles). "The test is part of the ongoing series of tests of Pakistan's indigenous missile systems," it said. Neighbouring countries had been given prior notification of the tests "in a spirit of confidence-building," the statement said.
Balochistan MPA disqualified
Oct 8: An Election Tribunal headed by Justice Akhtar Zaman Malghani has disqualified the MPA of Pukhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PMAP) of Balochistan Assembly seat on the appeal filed by Ghulam Sarwar Piralizai of the Awami National Party (ANP) and ordered the Election Commission to hold re-election in the constituency. The election tribunal upheld the submissions of the appellant that Naseem Turyala who was elected from PB-12 Qila Abdullah II for Balochistan assembly last year polls had concealed at the time of filing nomination papers that he was in government service (employed in the Sui Southern Gas Company).
Reward for killers' arrest announced
Oct 8: The government announced a reward of Rs 2.5 million to anyone who will provide information and positive clue about the killers of Millat-i-Islamia Pakistan chief Maulana Azam Tariq, his three guards and a driver.
Crackdown launched as tribesmen seek time
Oct 8: Authorities launched a crackdown on Zalikhel-Qarikhel tribe accused of sheltering the Taliban and Al Qaeda suspects in the South Waziristan tribal area, bordering Afghanistan. The operation has been launched after a three-day deadline set by the authorities for the leaders of the tribe to hand over three tribesmen accused of harbouring Al Qaeda suspects passed. The tribe has sought guarantees from the government that their fellow tribesmen would not be handed over to the United States.
BNM faction denies merger with BNDP
Oct 8: The Balochistan National Movement (BNM) denied the merger of the party with the Balochistan National Democratic Party (BNDP) and accused the dissidents of deviation from the manifesto of the party to struggle for the Baloch's right of self-determination. Speaking at a press conference in Quetta, Ghulam Mohammad Baloch central organizer and Lala Munir Baloch deputy organizer of the party respectively declared to retain the BNM structure as an organization that would be part of the Ponam and their alliance with BNM, JWP, and BNP-Mengal to remain intact.
Fahim, Hashmi become ARD chief, president
Oct 8: The Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD) has finally made Makhdoom Amin Fahim its chairman with PML-N’s Javed Hashmi earning the slot of president after hectic top-level negotiations. "There are no differences within the 17-party political alliance," said Amin Fahim and Javed Hashmi in their remarks after assuming their new roles. The post of the president was created on the insistence of the PML-N and the final understanding was reached between Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif after they spoke to each other on phone.
US charges Pakistani with helping al-Qaeda
Oct 8: US federal prosecutors formally charged a Pakistani man with providing material support to the al-Qaeda, more than six months after his arrest in New York City. Uzair Paracha, a Pakistani national with permanent resident alien status in the United States, was charged in a five-count indictment with seeking to assist an al-Qaeda associate in entering the country. Specifically, Paracha was accused of posing as the associate in order to obtain a travel document from the US immigration service. Paracha was arrested in New York at the end of March at the office of the import company where he worked.
Suspects slipping away from Waziristan
Oct 9: Al Qaeda suspects are moving out of South Waziristan's Shkai area ahead of a second round of crackdown against tribes harbouring foreign militants, a senior government official said in Peshawar. The crackdown is targeted at Ahmedzai Wazir tribe. Notices were served on 12 tribesmen suspected of sheltering foreign militants to surrender them or face action, authorities said.
Cantonments' construction in Balochistan opposed
Oct 9: Baloch nationalist leader Nawab Khair Bakhsh Marri has said that on one hand President Gen Pervez Musharraf has apologized for the past excesses committed in Balochistan and on the other hand he is determined to establish cantonments in the province to suppress the demands for national rights. Talking to newsmen at his residence in Quetta, he asked why cantonments were being planned in Kohlu, Sui and Gwadar if the president was sincere in his statement about past mistakes. He said there were ulterior motives behind the establishment of cantonments in Balochistan and the rulers wanted to ensure continued exploitation of the province's resources to benefit Punjab.
LHC again refuses to hear PLF's review plea
Oct 9: The Lahore High Court office refused for the second consecutive time to mark Pakistan Lawyers Forum's petition on technical grounds , through which it had sought review of the court observation that it could not hear cases against the army generals. The office refused to mark this petition for a regular hearing, saying the court could not question the actions of the army generals, including President Pervez Musharraf, as mentioned in Article 199 (3) of the 1973 Constitution.
Abolition of Hudood Ordinance demanded
Oct 9: Justice (r) Majida Rizvi, Chairperson of the National Commission on Status of Women, observing that discriminatory laws against women were a major cause of violence, has called for abolition of all such laws. Inaugurating a three-day workshop on Different Dimensions of Gender, organized by the Working Women Support Centre, a project of the Lawyers for Human Rights and Legal Aid (LHRLA), in Karachi, she described Hudood Ordinance as a discriminatory instrument against women.
Dozens of PPP-S workers join PPPP
Oct 9: Dozens of workers and office-bearers belonged to Pakistan People’s Party Sherpao (PPP-S) quit their party and joined Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) where they accused party leader Aftab Sherpao of allegedly neglecting sincere workers. Speaking at news conference at Peshawar Press Club, Ihsanullah Khan, PPP-S tehsil Shabqadar president along with 35 party officials and workers resigned from the party and announced joining PPPP.
Pakistan gives amnesty to US citizens
Oct 9: Pakistan is among 68 countries who have signed bilateral agreements with the United States granting amnesty to US citizens for any war crimes or "politically motivated" prosecutions. The signing country promises the United States that it would not turn over any US soldier, businessman, journalist, etc to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for prosecution.
10 more tribesmen nabbed for harbouring al-Qaeda men
Oct 9: Another 10 tribesmen were arrested for refusing to hand over three people, who allegedly harbored Taliban and al-Qaeda fighters near the Afghan border, bringing the total arrested in a two-day sweep to 42. Authorities also suspended special monthly allowances for the tribesmen.
79 lawmakers face legal action by EC: Statements of assets
Oct 10: The Election Commission said the legislators who failed to submit their statements of assets and liabilities will cease to function from October 15. An Election Commission annoucement said that 79 parliamentarians, including senators, MNAs and MPAs had not submitted statements of their assets, and liabilities. So far, 1,092 senators, MNAs and MPAs had submitted the statements. The name of Finance Minister Senator Shaukat Aziz is not among those who have submitted their statements.
Crackdown extended to more tribes
Oct 10: Pakistan extended a crackdown on tribesmen accused of sheltering Taliban and al-Qaeda sympathisers on the Afghan border, arresting another 10 people. Provincial authorities started seizing vehicles, sealing shops and arresting members of two more Pashtun tribes who have been asked to surrender 12 men on suspicion they had been harboring Taliban or al-Qaeda militants. The action follows a similar operation against another tribe that had been asked by the authorities to hand over three tribesmen for the same offence. The News said Islamabad has come under increasing pressure from the United States to seal its border and prevent Taliban militants using Pakistan as a base for attacks on Afghanistan. The government and military officials from Afghanistan, the United States and Pakistan met in Rawalpindi to discuss cooperation in operations in the border area.
Fata MPs call for end to army action
Oct 10: Four MNAs of Fata flayed the military operations in the tribal belt against what they termed the so-called Taliban and Al-Qaeda remnants and warned of an armed uprising against the government if the action was not called off forthwith. Maulana Abdul Malik, Sahibzada Haroonur Rashid, Maulana Mohammad Sadiq and Maulana Nek Zaman from Waziristan, Bajaur and Mohmand agencies, told a news conference of the combined opposition parliamentary parties at the Parliament House that the government had launched the operation knowing very well that there were neither any Taliban nor Al-Qaeda members in the areas.
New weaponry aimed at neutralizing India
Oct 10: Pakistan is seeking beyond-visual-range missiles and new fighter aircraft to counter the threat posed by India's acquisition of new, sophisticated weapons, says Air Chief Marshal Kaleem Saadat. In an interview with the Jane's Defense Weekly, the air chief said: "The changing balance of power tilting dangerously in India's favor" has forced Pakistan to look for new and advanced weaponry. India announced on today that it has signed a deal with Israel for buying three Phalcon airborne early warning radar systems.
C'wealth sets conditions for membership
Oct 10: The Commonwealth has offered considering Pakistan's request for restoration of its membership in its December meeting provided the LFO related issues were resolved through parliamentary process. This was stated by the Commonwealth special adviser on political affairs, Syed Sharfuddin, during his meeting with the deputy secretary-general of Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA), Liaqat Baloch, in Islamabad.
Musharraf overshadows political leadership: report
Oct 10: The LFO controversy has adversely affected the performance of civilian institutions with President Musharraf "continuing his pro-active role in political system," concludes the third quarterly report released by Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT). Though the report covers period between May 16 to August 15, 2003, its findings may be just as valid even today. President Musharraf, who continued to hold on to the office of the Army chief, it says, overshadowed the political process and the civilian leadership. The report has been compiled by a steering committee comprising, among others, Senator S.M. Zafar, politician Hanif Ramay, Prof (Dr) Hassan Askari Rizvi, Gallup Chairman Ijaz Shafi Gilani and journalist Irshad Ahmad Haqqani.
Walkout against newsman's murder
Oct 10: The journalists covering the proceedings of the National Assembly staged a walkout at the press gallery to protest against the murder of a newsman in Sindh. Ameer Bakhsh Brohi, a journalist working for a Sindhi daily 'Kaawish', was murdered by some unknown persons in front of the District Police Office in Shikarpur on October 3. Mr Brohi was known for his investigative reporting, particularly on 'Karo Kari' incidents.
Up to 3-year jail for absconders
Oct 11: The Law and Justice Commission has decided to add a new section to the Pakistan Penal Code to deal with issues arising out of the situation where an accused facing a trial in a court of law absconds from the trial. The new section, '172-A - Punishment for an absconder,' reads as: "Whoever being accused of an offence under this code or under any other law for the time being in force, absconds or avoids arrest or evades appearance before any inquiry or trial or court proceeding or conceals himself, and obstructs the course of justice, and against whom a warrant of arrest has been issued by the court or proclamation has been published, shall be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or with fine or with both." The new law will put a number of politicians, including Pakistan People's Party Chairperson Benazir Bhutto, at present living abroad and facing trials in various courts of law in the country, in an uncomfortable position.
$494 million Korean debt rescheduled
Oct 11: The Republic of Korea rescheduled Pakistan's debt amounting to $494.1 million after signing of two separate agreements in this regard. Agreements for rescheduling debt amounting to $91.6 million and $402.5 million, respectively, were signed by Economic Affairs Division's Secretary Dr Waqar Masood and Ambassador of the Republic of Korea Jeon Bou-Guan on behalf of their respective governments in Islamabad.
HR Watch criticizes government
Oct 11: Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf's four-year rule has led to serious human rights abuses, Human Rights Watch said in an open letter to the president to coincide with the fourth anniversary of his Oct 12, 1999 coup , the New York-based rights monitor called on the president to return Pakistan to constitutional rule without delay. The letter accused Pakistani military agencies of harassing political opponents, journalists and former government officials. It also highlighted a surge in religious extremism and sectarian killings that Human Rights Watch blamed in part on the Musharraf administration's policy of marginalizing mainstream opposition political groups. "In Pakistan, the judiciary has been emasculated, political parties rendered powerless, and extremist and sectarian religious parties strengthened under Musharraf's rule," said Brad Adams, executive director of Human Rights Watch's Asia Division.
National autonomy for Pukhtuns demanded
Oct 11: The Pukhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party said that its political struggle was aimed at achieving maximum national autonomy for the Pukhtun nation rather than seeking a separate geographical unit for them. Speaking at the national convention of the Pukhtun Students' Organization in Peshawar, PMAP Chairman Mahmood Khan Achekzai said his party was struggling for a better future for the Pukhtuns of the north and south Pukhtunkhwa, the tribal belt and parts of Punjab along river Sindh.
ILO wants IRO-2001 amended
Oct 11: The federal government is being pressured by trade unions of the country and the Geneva-based International Labour Organization to amend the 'anti-worker and pro-industrialist' Industrial Relations Ordinance 2001. The Pakistan Workers Confederation (PWC), a nine-federation front of industrial workers, and other trade unions have lodged separate complaints with the ILO for pressuring Islamabad for amending at least 20 provisions of the IRO-2001. The ILO, which took exception to the IRO at a recent meeting, has not only asked the government to amend the law but gone to the extent of clarifying to Islamabad that even the employees of armed forces involved in civil works qualify to form trade unions. (Dawn report)
MPs-ECP row ends: Statement-filing date extended
Oct 11: A serious row between the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and ruling coalition MPs over the question of disqualification of federal and provincial lawmakers, who have not filed their annual assets and liabilities’ statements by 30 September, stands resolved after the extension of the deadline to October 15. Now, all the 80 legislators of a total of 1,170 MPs, who are yet to submit their declarations, will file their statements, dispensing with the threat of being ousted from the legislatures.
Islamabad rejects HR body report
Oct 12: An official spokesman has described the Human Rights Watch report on Pakistan a travesty of truth based on unfounded allegations and hearsay. Pervez Musharraf's three-year rule has been characterized by full respect for human rights, complete freedom of expression and a free media, he asserted. This, he said, was acknowledged even by the strongest critics of the president.
MPs accept Kalabagh as carry-over dam
Oct 12: Parliamentarians belonging to treasury benches from Sindh have agreed in principle to support the Kalabagh dam if it is constructed as a carry-over dam and have asked Wapda to make public dam's design. Informed sources told Dawn in Islamabad that the Sindh government had also started briefing the legislators on various aspects of the $5 billion project which according to the Sindh's point of view should not have any canal either on the right or the left bank.