| Lawyer’s
marked black day across Pakistan against Military operation in Balochistan
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| Bush-Vajpayee- Musharraf get together ruled out NEW DELHI: Spokesperson of Indian External Affairs Ministry Nirupama Rao has ruled out a Bush-Musharraf-Vajpayee get together in New York, but said a meeting between US President George Bush and Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee is on the cards. The schedule for the bilateral meeting remains tentative but officials say the dates will be worked out to accommodate Vajpayee's meetings with Bush and Musharraf. About the prospects of Musharraf-Vajpayee meeting, the spokesperson said that the two leaders would certainly meet in New York, though the date had not yet been finalised. She had already formally announced that Vajpayee had accepted Musharraf's invitation sent verbally through Pakistan's High Commissioner in India Ashraf Jehangir Qazi last Friday. The invitation was conveyed to Foreign Secretary Chokila Iyer by Qazi. Vajpayee's entourage is tentatively scheduled to leave here on September 20. After having a stopover at Cyprus, it will fly on to the US. Vajpayee will address the UN General Assembly on September 25. General Pervez Musharraf is expected to do so a day earlier. Rao refused to make a guess as to when the two South Asian leaders would meet, saying once the date was finalised by the two countries, an official announcement would be made. 29.8.01 |
| American delegation calls on Musharraf ISLAMABAD, Aug 28: A three-member bipartisan United States Congressional delegation on Tuesday called on President Gen Pervez Musharraf and discussed matters relating to Pakistan-US relations, democracy, Kashmir, Afghanistan and regional peace and security. The delegation was led by Senator Bob Graham, Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and included Senator Jon Kyl (Republican-Arizona) and House Representative Porter Goss (Republican-Florida), Chairman of the House Select Committee on Intelligence. During the meeting President Pervez Musharraf informed the US Congressional delegation about his government's reform agenda and the steps being taken to restore democracy including the recent announcement of the roadmap for democracy, said a Foreign Office press release. The discussions focused on various aspects of Pakistan-US bilateral relations. Both sides underlined the close relations traditionally existing between Pakistan and the United States and expressed the shared desire for this further enhancement. Latest developments in Kashmir and other issues of regional peace and security as well as current developments in Afghanistan were also discussed. Later, the delegation also called on the foreign minister. |
| Moin rules out US bases in Balochistan QUETTA: Interior Minister Moinuddin Haider Tuesday dispelled the notions of US military bases in Balochistan and termed it propaganda. "There are no US military bases or installations in the province, some elements are trying to cash the propaganda to take political advantages," interior minister told Online in an exclusive talk. Responding to a question about the law and order situation in the country the minister said that he was satisfied with the overall situation and government was taking various steps to maintain peace in the society. "The federal government has directed the provincial governments to prepare the lists of terrorists and send them to the centre so that a stern action could be taken against them," he maintained. No one would be spare particularly who has been found in terrorism; even it is ethnic or sectarian he said and added they would be dealt with iron hand. About Afghan refugees, he said that checks on the Pak-Afghan border have been intensified and no one could enter in the country with out proper documents. He added that UNHCR was also providing help the authorities in this regard. "We are taking various steps for the rehabilitation of Afghan refugees in their own country and I hope they will be able to live with honour and dignity," interior minister responded. To a query about terrorist camps inside Afghanistan, Moinuddin Haider said that Taliban government has assured Pakistan that they will not allowed any one to establish any camp to train terrorists. Commenting about the province affairs interior minister said that the present government for the first time has prepared separate budget for the police and an amount Rs 80 million has been allocated for the purpose. It will not only help to improve the performance of police department but people would also get benefits of it, he observed. By Irfan Saeed 29.8.01 |
| China to strengthen ties with Pakistan BEIJING: China would continue to strengthen its relations with Pakistan on the basis of five principles of peaceful co-existence for their mutual benefits. There is growing understanding and cooperation between the two countries at regional and international level. The trade and economic cooperation is also progressing well, said Mr. Sun Guang Xiang, Vice Minister for Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation. He was addressing the inaugural ceremony of the Multi-purpose Gymnasium at Pakistan Embassy College here on Tuesday. The Gymnasium was built with the grant of Rs. 25 million extended by the Chinese Government in order to provide recreational facilities to over 300 students from 43 countries. It was also addressed by Pakistan Ambassador to China Riaz Khokhar and Principal of the College S.Ghalib Raza Gillani. Sun Guang Xiang said their traditional and all-weather friendship has shown remarkable progress, since the establishment of diplomatic relations. He noted that the Pakistan Embassy College was the first one in China, built by a foreign government on the order the former Prime Minister Zhou Enlai in 1969. The college, he said was testimony of the Sino-Pak relations, which stood test of the time. He said through joint efforts, their economic and trade cooperation have been growing for the mutual benefit. Pakistan Ambassador said the college had a unique history, as it came into existence on the order of Premier Zhou Enlai and passed through various stages of its development. The college, he said was providing high-standard education to children belonging to several communities on payment of a very reasonable tuition fee. He thanked the Chinese government for their generous assistance for the development of the college. This, he said reflected the deep-rooted friendship existed between the two countries. The gymnasium was built by the Chinese government as a gesture of goodwill. The donation also includes sports equipments and computers. Ghalib Raza Gilani hoped that the college will soon have a full-fledged language laboratory with the help of the Chinese Government. The Gymnasium, he said will stay as an indelible landmark on the college map, as symbol of Sino-Pak friendship. Diplomats based in Beijing from various countries including Iraq, Sudan, Syria, Fiji, Egypt and Palestine attended the ceremony, among others. The schools' children presented national songs, both in English and Chinese languages. Wednesday, August 29, 2001 |
