SC reserves verdict in Arsalan Iftikhar review case

Supreme Court has reserved the verdict into Arsalan Iftikhar review case. 

A two-member bench comprising Justice Jawad S Khawaja and Justice Khilji Arif Hussian heard the Arsalan Iftikhar review case in Supreme Court on Tuesday.

Submitting his arguments against NAB’s earlier reply in court, counsel of Arsalan Iftikhar, Sardar Ishaq, said that he doesn t trust the inquiry conducted by National Accountability Bureau (NAB). He said the NAB chairman had personal relations with Malik Riaz while NAB chairman’s daughter had been working in Bahria town, saying that transparent investigation could not be conducted under such circumstances. 

On the other hand, Malik Riaz counsel, Zahid Bukhari said this was the only case in which the registrar provided press release to media in which it was said that court didn’t issue any stay orders in Arsalan Iftikhar case when the court had already issued that.

He said the registrar doesn t have the authority to issue press release. His move was against the court orders while the matter was subjudiced. Zahid Bukhari requested the court to take action against the registrar.

Justice Jawad S Khawaja said that the court will look into the matter. He said the bench will see if it was appropriate to initially allow NAB to complete investigation while Justice Khilji Arif Hussain said that NAB wasn’t run by single individual, adding that it was a proper institution.

Mullah Omar, aides are in Pakistan: US general

An American general has said Mullah Omar and other commanders are hiding in Pakistan.

The statement contradicts Islamabad s stand that the Taliban leader lives across the border in his own country.

"Omar lives in Pakistan, as do many of his commanders. From that safe vantage point, they ve sent hundreds of young, impressionable, largely spiritual and helpless youths to their deaths and detention in Afghanistan.

For this, they must forfeit their honour and any claim to Islamic virtue," General John Allen, Commander of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan, wrote in an article in The Washington Post.

Allen s article focused on the recent increase in attack on US troops from the Afghan security force, which the Taliban has been claiming it has infiltrated and carrying out such attacks.

"The focus on  green-on-blue  attacks obscures the callous slaughter of Afghan civilians by insurgents led by Mohammad Omar.

He has the blood of innocents on his hands even though he hypocritically tells his subordinates not to attack civilians," Allen said, holding that Omar is either out of touch, or his forces are out of control.

"Perhaps that should be no surprise.  Green  and  blue  have been taking the fight to the red enemy, the Taliban, and the enemy is fighting back from a position of weakness," said the top American commander, holding that the outfit has been losing ground.

"His forces have largely been ejected from most of the relevant population areas, and from among the most relevant terrain in Afghanistan. Omar is losing financial support from donors, who are sending their money elsewhere, and from reduced drug profits, thanks to Afghan and coalition efforts to stamp out the poppy harvest," he said.

Allen also appreciated Afghan security forces for their efforts in curbing Taliban s influence. 

Karachi violence claims 8 more lives

At least eight people were killed in firing incidents in different parts of Karachi.

Target killing continues in the violence-hit Karachi as eight more people were killed in the city during night between Saturday and Sunday.

According to details, some unidentified gunmen shot dead a man near Gattar Baghicha in Pak Colony. The identity of the deceased is not yet known while police have recovered a dead body from Usmania Colony in Orangi Town.

In another incident of target killing, a man was shot dead in Sheerin Jinnah Colony. In Napier, some unidentified persons shot dead a man. The deceased was identified as Shahzad.

Police have recovered dead body of a gang war accused, Anwar, from the roof of a house in Gulbahar. Police have also found a Kalashnikov and bullets lying near his body.

Some unidentified gunmen opened fire and shot dead a police official Gohar Abbas in Baldia Town area while Saleh Muhammad Baloch was shot dead in Liaquatabad No 4. In Rizvia Society, some unidentified gunmen shot dead Faraz.

Meanwhile, Police have arrested an accused Jahangir alias Murtaza during an operation in Lines Area in Maripur. Jahangir was allegedly involved in killing of 31 people, including ex-MPA Liaquat Qureshi.

Quetta: Security official among 3 injured in blasts

At least three people were injured, including an FC official, in blasts in different parts of Quetta

According to police, some unidentified persons detonated explosive material planted at the railway track near Chaman Phatak in Quetta with a remote control.

The blast injured an FC official Khurram Shahzad who was present on duty. The blast also damaged the railway track.

Police, FC and bomb disposal squad reached the site of the blast and started investigation after cordoning off the area.

In the second incident, two people were wounded when explosive material placed in a window of a house in Jinnah Town exploded. The injured were immediately rushed to Civil Hospital.

In yet another incident, some miscreants hurled a hand grenade at a house in kali Barat which partially damaged the house. No loss of life was reported in the incident. 

PMs appearance before SC: PPP, allies meeting today

PPP and its allies will meet today for taking a final decision on PM’s appearance before SC.

Pakistan People s Party (PPP) will hold a crucial meeting with its coalition partners today for taking a final decision whether or not Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf should appear before the Supreme Court on August 27 in NRO implementation case.

According to the sources, the PPP leadership would take its coalition partners into confidence in this regard.

President Asif Zardari has summoned a meeting of coalition partners today at the Presidency to decide about Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf’s appearance before the Supreme Court (SC) on August 27.

In July, the SC issued a contempt notice to PM Raja for not implementing its order about writing a letter to the Swiss authorities to reopen a money-laundering case against President Zardari. Raja has been asked to appear before a five-member bench, headed by Justice Asif Khosa, on August 27 in this regard.

Sources said the meeting had been called to discuss the SC s NRO verdict implementation case after which a final decision would be taken on the PM’s appearance before the bench.

The meeting is also expected to discuss the caretaker setup for the upcoming elections. The president, the premier, senior PPP leaders and the law minister would attend the meeting.

Earlier, PPP leaders held a meeting with President Zardari and discussed the possible impact if the prime minister did not appear before the court.