Mayawati Writes to PM for a Separate Poorvanchal: India

India news updates: Mayawati writes to PM for a separate Poorvanchal, Mayawati, state chief of India’s northern Uttar Pradesh shot off a letter to prime minister, Manmohan Singh seeking to carve out a ‘Poorvanchal’ state, which would comprise the eastern parts of the state, said an official on Sunday.

Mayawati’s demand comes in the wake of her favouring the creation of ‘Bundelkhand’ and ‘Paschimanchal’ states out of Uttar Pradesh. “The state chief (Mayawati) in her letter which she has written on December 13 has urged the federal government to give its nod for the creation of Poorvanchal keeping in consideration aspiration of the people living there.

This will also help in the better administration of the region,” said Vijay Shanker Pandey, Additional Cabinet Secretary, Uttar Pradesh. Chief Minister Mayawati had shot off a letter earlier on March 15, 2008 seeking Poorvanchal.

Mayawati’s demand comes after the federal government’s nod to forming a separate state of Telangana from southern Andhra Pradesh. The Additional Cabinet Secretary said that Mayawati, in her letter, had pointed out that the Poorvanchal region, which is socially and economically backward, requires financial assistance.

“The state chief (Mayawati) through also letter also requests the prime minister (Manmohan Singh) to approve financial assistance of Rs. 80,000 crore (Rs. 80 billion), which she had sought earlier for the development of Poorvanchal,” said Vijay Shanker Pandey, Additional Cabinet Secretary, Uttar Pradesh.

Since attaining independence in 1947, India has had to balance the challenges of maintaining different peoples under one federal system as well as the relationship between central power in the capital Delhi, and the states of the world’s largest democracy.

The Gorkhas, ethnic Nepalese, and West Bengal called for an indefinite strike from Friday demanding their own “Gorkhaland” to protect their heritage. Other groups have also been pushing forward demands for a statehood demands.

PM Asks World to Pressure Pakistan Attackers 26/11

Washington: news update, Warning of “phenomenal consequences” if the advance of terrorists in Pakistan was not controlled, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has asked the world community to pressurise Islamabad to do much more to bring to book those responsible for the “horrible” 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.
“We don’t want Pakistan to fail and emergence of democracy in Pakistan is something we welcome,” he said at the Council on Foreign Relations, a leading US think tank Monday. “But at the same time we have to recognise that there are forces at work in Pakistan that are with terrorists.”

“At least until now they were active only in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). Now I think they hold direct on grip in several parts of mainland Pakistan.

“If that process is not controlled, it has I think phenomenal consequences for the security and stability of Pakistan as well as our own security,” he added.

Asked if he regretted not taking the military option in retaliation against the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, the prime minister said he resisted enormous pressure at that time “and I think the decision that I took was balanced and right decision”.

“As regards future, I hate to speculate and sincerely hope that that sort of eventuality does not arise,” Manmohan Singh said. “And that’s why I believe world community has an obligation to impress upon Pakistan that it must use all its influence to curb the power of terrorist groups.”

The prime minister said Pakistan had done something to control the activities of Taliban terrorist groups in FATA, but “it has not acted as it should have acted in bringing the terrorists elements who are using their territory to target our country”.

Nor has Pakistan used all its machinery to bring to book all those murderers and those who perpetrated the horrible crime in Mumbai, he said, urging the world community to pressurise Pakistan to bring to book all those who are responsible for it.

There was now impeccable evidence that the conspiracy was planned in Pakistan with the active connivance of people still roaming about freely in Pakistan, he said. “Therefore I respectfully respect the world community to use all its influence on powers that be in Pakistan to desist from this sort of behaviour.”

Afghanistan’s New Policy Should not Affect the Regional Balance: PM

ISLAMABAD,Pakistan: Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani during his meeting with the visiting CIA chief Leon Panetta stressed that the new US strategy for Afghanistan should not affect regional balance in South Asia.

Leon Panetta on the occasion asserted that the US is Pakistan’s strategic partner, and intends to have durable and long-term bilateral relations.

The Prime Minister cautioned that the US and ISAF offensives in Afghanistan in coming days could have its fallout in Pakistan’s province of Balochistan.

He said the mistrust and misconceptions must be cleared to forge improved bilateral strategic relations between the two countries. “In order to achieve this goal close cooperation between Pak-US intelligence agencies is needed, he stressed.”

CIA chief Leon Panetta said that the US is looking beyond Pak-US relations on war on terror.

PM Stresses The Need For India-Pak Talks

MULTAN: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said on Saturday that Pakistan has the will and capacity to fight terrorism, but to help the international community to improve the capacity of countries is vital to winning the war against the threat.
In a press conference at the airport in Multan, Pakistan said that not only lacked the capacity and had held talks with the international community on the issue of capacity building is expected to yield positive results.

The Prime Minster said that terrorism phenomenon did develop overnight but government took swift action and conducted successful operation in Swat. “Over 2 million displaced people were settled back in their native valley just within eight weeks after the operation.”

To a question about evidence regarding Indian involvement in Balochistan, he said that the issue was take up during his meeting with Indian Prime Minister at Sharm El-Sheikh and was made part of the joint statement issued after the meeting.

“Evidence will be presented at suitable time,” he added.

The premier said Pakistan wanted good relations with all its neighbours and expressed desire for resumption of composite dialogue process with India.

He said that dialogue was the only way forward adding the whole world acknowledged Pakistan’s strategic location and its vital role as front line ally in fight against terrorism.

The International community also believed that non-resumption of dialogue would only benefit terrorists who are our common enemy and Pakistan was trying to create this understanding with the help of friends.

Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said we are proud of being a nuclear power saying it serves as a deterrence to ensure peace in the region. He added that our nuclear capability was in safe hands under National Command and Control Authority and no one can dare cast an evil eye on it. We will not make any compromise on our strategic capabilities, he said in categorical terms.

Gilani criticized drone attacks saying they were proving counter productive. While we are trying to separate militants from other tribal people, drone attacks were doing the opposite, he added.

He said, US should transfer drone technology to Pakistan if it was vital in war against terrorism.

The Prime Minister said that Pakistan wants to maintain strategic relationship with USA in an honourable manner. He said that Pakistan was not fighting the war of America. We are fighting our own war, he said adding that our own people were dying due to terrorism. The Premier said that we have to defeat terrorism to restore peace and improve situation regarding investment and jobs.

To a question regarding financial losses Pakistan suffered due to the fight against terrorism, he said that international community including US have promised support and hoped they will fulfil them.

To a question on pace of progress on Pak-Iran gas pipeline project, PM said that agreement has been signed and a proper procedure was being followed to execute the mega project.

The Prime Minister said that former president Musharraf should not be compared with us adding that he (Musharraf) was a usurper who came to power through referendum and not by election.

To a question about NRO, the Prime Minister said that President Asif Ali Zardari, other ministers and PPP workers had offered many sacrifices and suffered jail hardships for democracy and party’s manifesto and vision.

He said, “we had faced false cases then and are ready to face court today adding that judiciary is independent and we will accept whatever decision it makes”.

To a question on new accountability law, Prime Minister said there is hairline difference between accountability and political victimization. He added that procedure of accountability was mentioned in the Charter of Democracy that was signed by martyred PPP chairperson Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and PML-Quaid Mian Nawaz Sharif. He categorically said that Opposition should bring the amendment it wants to incorporate in the accountability law draft.

We want to bring this legislation with consensus because it was not merely meant for this government but for bright future of our coming generations, he said.

To another question, he said that President Asif Ali Zardari faced investigations throughout his life but never compromised on principles and added that we are ready to face any allegation even today.

To a question on action against former President Musharraf under Article 6 of the Constitution, the Prime Minister said, PPP had formed a coalition government while moving forward in the light of the spirit of reconciliation. Action can be taken provided the House adopts a consensus resolution, he added.

He said that he had spoken on the floor of the House that “we can consider any thing that is doable and added those who abetted were also equally responsible”.

To another question regarding separate province, he said that time was not suitable to raise such issues adding that country was passing through a difficult phase and could not afford destabilisation.

He said that government was committed to uplift the South Punjab and funds worth billions of rupees were being invested to end sense of deprivation among the people of this area.

To another question, he said that Chief Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has promised to give big city status to Multan and added that the Chief Minister would fulfil his promise.

He also promised to address problems of pensioners of disbanded newspaper “Daily Imroz” when a questioner requested him to direct NPT chairman to make payments to pensioners of the daily.

He said that government was finalizing a strategy to make sugar available to the people through market.

Talking to reporters at the Multan airport, Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said Pakistan will not compromise on its nuclear program and said the country’s assets were safe under the Nuclear Command and Control Authority (NCA). He said there was no threat to country’s nuclear program which was completely safe and secure.

“We will not compromise on our nuclear program,” Prime Minister Gilani categorically said.

He was responding to reports in the Western media about threats of extremists taking over the country’s nuclear assets.

About the US drone attacks on targets inside the Pakistan territory Gilani said Pakistan was trying to convince the United States about their negative impact.

“I hope the US will soon be convinced,” Gilani added.

PM, Nawaz Discuss the Situation in Balochistan

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Pakistan Muslim League-N Chief Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif told the media after his meeting with Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani here on Thursday that decisions of a single man have led to the problems currently being faced by the country in general and province of Balochistan in particular.

“The situation has become so grave that now each and every citizen wants quick solution to all of the issues,” he observed.

PM Urges U.S. the Release of Afia, Student Visas

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has called upon the US to channel its economic assistance through such government agencies as the Trust Fund established for Malakand, Higher Education Commission, National Commission for Human Development and the Benazir Income Support Programme.
The prime minister said this while talking to a US Congressional delegation headed by Johan Tierney, which called on him at the PM House here Wednesday. He said the US should play a leading role by providing enhanced market access to Pakistani products as well as encouraging investment in Pakistan’s diverse economic sectors at this critical juncture.

He said the US must take Pakistan into confidence on the review of its policy on Afghanistan, hoping that the intended military build-up in Afghanistan would not affect Balochistan and other areas of the country. The prime minister stressed that US and the ISAF forces should fully coordinate and improve the present level of intelligence sharing with Pakistan to boost the ongoing operation against militants.

The prime minister said Pakistan was looking forward towards continued cooperation with the new Karzai government. He also suggested that the US should take steps like release of Dr Afia Siddiqui, extension of Fullbright scholarship programme for Pakistani students beyond 2010 and special allocation of 500 scholarships for the children of martyred and injured in operations against the terrorists.

Congressmen John Tierney expressed his deep appreciation of the commitment of Pakistan government against terrorism by acknowledging the fact that these evil forces cannot be defeated without Pakistan’s proactive role.

He lauded the sacrifices of Pakistan armed forces and law enforcement agencies and condoled with their families as well as with the families of innocent citizens who laid their lives in their country’s pursuit to defeat terrorism.

John Tierney and other Congressmen assured the Prime Minister that they, through the US Congress, would fully support provision of assistance to Pakistan in education, health sectors as well as for capacity building of its armed forces and law enforcement agencies.

They appreciated the proposal for extension of Fullbright scholarship programme and provision of scholarship to the children of the effected families and promised to play a role towards this end.

They apprised the Prime Minister that US House of Representative had already passed ROZ Bill alongwith Kerry Lugar legislation and promised to move in coordination with the US Senate to provide much awaited financial support for creating employment and business opportunities in the tribal areas of Pakistan.

PM, President Zardari Co-Chair Key Meeting at Presidency

ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN: A high level PPP meeting was held in the presidency Tuesday night, being presided over jointly by President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, reviewed the political situation in the aftermath of the decision no to take the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) to parliament for legislation.
Also, the meeting discussed a host of political issues ranging from Balochistan, fight against militancy, governance and the problems faced by the common people. It decided to formulate a strategy to handle constitutional issues.

The meeting was attended by Rehman Malik, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Muhammad Afzal Sindhu, Babar Awan, Syed Khursheed Shah, Senator Nayyar Hussain Bokhari, Makhdoom Shahabuddin, Taj Haider, Rahimdad Khan, Sardar Ali, Zahir Shah, Mir Lashkari Raisani, Sadiq Umrani, Rukhsana Bangash, Fauzia Wahab, Fauzia Habib, Mehreen Anwar Raja, Naveed Qamar and Farhatullah Babar.

According to sources privy to presidency, the president also held an interactive session with PPP members of the National Assembly (MNAs) from Sindh at the Presidency to take stock of the overall political situation and development projects in the province.

Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah and provincial ministers were also present at the meeting. Issues concerning setting up of schools and hospitals, infrastructure, upgrading channels irrigation, creating employment opportunities for the youth, water supply schemes and provision of facilities to the public were discussed at the meeting.

President, PM Condemns Attack on Military Vehicle

ISLAMABAD : President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani have strongly condemned the attack on a military vehicle here on Thursday.

The two leaders in separate messages condemned the terrorist attack on a jeep of the Pakistan Army in G-11 sector. The president and the prime minister said the country will continue its war against the extremists and terrorists and will not rest till their elimination.

PM Emphasizes Building Trust Deficit With The U.S.

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister (PM) Yousuf Raza Gilani said Monday that Pakistan and US will have to take measures to bridge the gape in bilateral confidence.
US Central Command Chief General David Petraeus and his delegation hold a meeting with PM at Prime Minister House, Islamabad.

Federal Minister of Defence Ahmed Mukhtar; Federal Minister for Interior Rehman Malik; Federal Minister for Finance Shaukat Tareen; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Malik Ammad and other officials attended the meeting.

Issues related to war on terror, ongoing Swat/Waziristan operation and Pak-US defence cooperation were brought under discussion in the meeting.

Talking to General Petraeus, Gilani said national political leadership strongly back the ongoing anti-terrorism operation.

‘Global community should provide financial assistance for the rebuilding of the affected areas.’

On this occasion General Petraeus said US greatly values the sacrifices made by Pakistan in the war on terror.